FAMILY TREE MAKER to be discontinued!

[panic]

What I am really upset about is the loss of synchonised trees.
That was one of the best features.

That is the main thing that I will miss. I tend to work on my tree on line as I find it easier, but I know at the moment that it will then synchronise with FTM. Unless I remember to do this manually in the future everytime I use one or the other,  I will soon have different trees.

As Millmoor indicated, Ancestry have said your copy of FTM will work after 1 Jan 2017, and have provided a follow-up post to cover the enquiries they have received.

Up until 1 Jan 2017 everything will be as it is now, you just won't be able to buy copies after December 2015. After 1st Jan everything will continue, you just won't get bugfix updates or be able to get support from Ancestry on FTM related issues. There is no guarantee how long everything will work, so they have to state that caveat, but that's only if there are changes in 3rd party software that effects the functionality. They aren't going to stop allowing synch's etc just because the 1 Jan has been reached!

As an example, I was using FTM2012 on my desktop that was running MS Vista operating system. A change happened in Internet Explorer which meant I could no longer use FTM for online searches. I could use the website because I used non-microsoft browsers, but not FTM which relies upon IE. I did a back-up and moved FTM to my Windows 7 laptop, and all the in-app searches worked again.

So don't assume that you won't be able to continue to use your software after Jan 2017, as you will and with the functionality it currently has. If some functionality does eventually stop, it doesn't necessarily it can't be restored by changing your set-up.

Of course you may wish to take the time to look at other software if you feel that one with ongoing support would be better. You could then migrate when and if you feel ready, rather than be forced to.

[msr]

I think Ancestry have lost the plot, and by the sounds of things they'll be losing a few customers too.  They want everyone to keep info on the cloud, but what happens when the cloud bursts?

I wondered why I couldn't buy a new edition FTM via Tesco and Avanquest this year, it was always useful at renewal time with the offer of a few free months.   They are still advertising the upgrades though, which seems rather underhanded.

I added my  bit to the responses on the 2nd part of the blog today, over 8000, mostly complaints.  'We welcome your feedback' they say, but really they just mean don't bother.   

The other software folks must be looking forward to new purchasers, and are offering discounts.

[cocksie]

What Ancestry is doing is to stop supporting, developing and selling FTM.
That does NOT mean it won't work!

After all, Microsoft no longer support Windows XP, and Windows Vista and support for Windows 7 will end on 12th January 2015!
But many people (millions?!) continue to use XP and Vista, and many millions more will continue to us W7.

I continue t use a fair bit of software that "is no longer supported" - but it still works!

I also continue to use software that "is no longer supported" - whether it was software obtained by purchased cd or downloaded online.  I don't understand the panic.......
Cocksie

[mike175]

I think the main reason people are annoyed is that they will no longer be able to automatically synchronise their online and offline trees. I can see their point, but it's not something I ever did because I like to keep my data all together on my own system, with multiple backups of course. Once you rely on online data you are forced to keep paying the subscription or lose it all.

There 'Cloud' is just a bunch of servers somewhere else, which require a fast broadband connection in order to access it satisfactorily. Not something we can imagine anyway out here in the back of nowhere

[Jo.]

What's got my goat more than anything...

Is when I purchased my copy Ancestry already knew that it was going to discontinual their product yet still charged me full price and even had the nerve to offer a 2 year download protection at an extra cost.................

Yes I know that that even with the eventual lose of some of it's features I can still use the main frame of the program.... 

I brought my copy 2nd December, and received an email, early hours of the 8th to inform me..  Now if I had known this on the 2nd of December I probably would have decided to replace my lost copy of FTM with a different product....

Now, considering the time scale, I could say that I was sold the product under false pretenses so they should really either not sold it to me, or reduced the price to reflect the lose of features, or refund my money! 

Must admit I don't know why people are panicking as yes, it will serve as complete stand a lone, like most other software...

But I think I've can safely say,  Ancestry conned me big time..   

 

[msr]

What Ancestry is doing is to stop supporting, developing and selling FTM.
That does NOT mean it won't work!

After all, Microsoft no longer support Windows XP, and Windows Vista and support for Windows 7 will end on 12th January 2015!
But many people (millions?!) continue to use XP and Vista, and many millions more will continue to us W7.

I continue t use a fair bit of software that "is no longer supported" - but it still works!

I also continue to use software that "is no longer supported" - whether it was software obtained by purchased cd or downloaded online. I don't understand the panic.......
Cocksie

It isn't panic, it is absolute disgust.  Ancestry's 'ideas' people think that desktop software is old hat, and that everyone wants to use tablets and phones.  Wrong!  What is wrong with wanting to use a decent screen and keyboard so that you can work on something properly.  Using FTM offline means that you can work away, adding information found in many places, whether on-line sources, or those scraps of paper that always need organising.   On-line it will connect with Ancestry and advise of hints, many times ridiculous ones admittedly, but others it will come up with some gems.   

Yes, it will work, but not in the way it should. 

[a chesters]

What Ancestry is doing is to stop supporting, developing and selling FTM.
That does NOT mean it won't work!

After all, Microsoft no longer support Windows XP, and Windows Vista and support for Windows 7 will end on 12th January 2015!
But many people (millions?!) continue to use XP and Vista, and many millions more will continue to us W7.

I continue t use a fair bit of software that "is no longer supported" - but it still works!

I also continue to use software that "is no longer supported" - whether it was software obtained by purchased cd or downloaded online.  I don't understand the panic.......
Cocksie

I still use Office 2003 It works well enough for what I use it for, Word & excel.

Back in 1980 I did a course called digital software, and formed the view then that computers could be a problem, particularly for people who value their privacy, and security. Call me old fashioned, but......................

[Kevin Burrell]

At the end of the day FTM will continue to work, and continue to work with Ancestry (for at least as long as it works with Windows 8.1/10), if sync'ing of trees stops working you will still be able to export/import Gedcoms to Ancestry or any other site. What is the problem?

I purchased FTM only last month, I needed something on my laptop I could work on offline - the bonus is I got 6 months ancestry access free. When that runs out I will make use of the free sites and still be able to maintain my tree on my laptop - and still keep it up to date on Ancestry (the only reason for this is the hope those relatives I have that I never knew get the bug find me and make contact - or say I am no relative of yours why am I in your tree!). If not ancestry then FindMyPast - assuming they ever allow public trees (it has been 'coming soon' for the last 18 months).

[Kevin Burrell]

... and I must admit - this is probably the last thing you should be worrying about. Microsoft have already stated this is the last version of Windows they will be releasing - do you honestly think they are going to continue to keep this up to date every 3 months (as they currently state) for free? No, it will become a subscription service. Just remember here with the public version of Windows 10 you cannot stop or control Windows updates.... so if in the future you do not want to pay the subscription, you may get an update that stops you being able to use it - it is the way these things are going.