COMPLETED - Migrating from PhpGedView - software recommendations

[HannahJ]

Evening all,

I've been using PhpGedView for years, but for various reasons will lose access to a web server in a few weeks time (which is possibly no bad thing, as I was starting to get frustrated with how slow PGV is). 

Which (non-web server based) programmes would you recommend for someone migrating from PGV - free or otherwise?  I really like the feel and event handling (and particularly the way in which media are attached to events) in PGV, and I've found the couple of trial programmes I've tried so far (including Family Historian) really clunky by comparison - but that might just be because I haven't spent long enough with them.

Cheers,

Hannah

[trystan]

Hiya Hannah,

You can try PAF (Personal Ancestral File) from the LDS website, it's free, downloads on your computer, and you can import your GEDCOM from PhpGedView directly into it.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/02eq/

You have to register to get it, but that's about it. It's very well supported by the LDS, so just see how you get on with it. 

I'm a big fan of free (or 'open source') software, but my wife Sarah has used RootsMagic (which is one you have to part with money for). She's found it easy to use.

Trystan

[Stuart.G]

Hello Hannah,

Like you I have been a PGV user for some years. I'm unable to comment about your PGV being slow. I have over 20,000 INDIs and 4,000 media and my speed is still satisfactory. I have PGV loaded on my local PC. Instead of looking for some other software, I would be looking to load PGV onto your own PC. Web server software like Apache, PHP and MySQL are readily available. If you are unsure if you can handle the technical side of things, ask for help on the PGV forum at http://sourceforge.net/projects/phpgedview/

I have used many other family history programs, but none can compare to PGV.

Stuart

[falcybe]

I have phpgedview on my pc, run through Xammp. It is much faster than on a web site I also have it on but that is because the web site has certain restrictions that slow everything down.
Xammp is needed on a pc to make it seem to be an external web site.
go to http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html if you are interested.

Otherwise, Legacy is very good, especially the version you pay for but that can come later after getting used to it. What is wonderful with Legacy is the direct connection to the web from individual family members on your tree.

[HannahJ]

Thanks everyone for your replies.  After messing about with a few trials, I've ended up with RootsMagic - I'm obviously subconciously drawn to pale blue 

Hannah