Family Tree Maker has a new version, FTM 2008, coming out in August 2007 and you can download a BETA version here: http://beta.familytreemaker.com/
This is a very large file and you should be reminded that this is a BETA test so there may be problems with it. This free, BETA version expires on August 24, 2007 so it is only a sample of what you will have to purchase. No word on the final price but hopefully an upgrade discount will be available for current customers. That has been the practice for past releases.
I have downloaded the BETA and did not like it at first. I am still on the fence but there are some items that are nice. The user interface is clean and modern and looks a little like The Master Genealogist - TMG. If you look closely, Wholly Genes Software, maker of TMG, provided the GenBridge file import technology. Perhaps the companies are working together on this one.
The screens are laid out so that everything you want to know about one individual is pretty much on that screen, at one time. However, I find it difficult to navigate between families and to see the bigger picture. They have added a place-name map integration feature using Microsoft’s Virtual Earth. This is neat but I believe requires an active Internet connection. A lot of the features of this version require active Internet connections.
FTM 2008 handles media, i.e. photos, scans, sound and video files, much better than past versions. It also has stronger source citations but does not quite import from your old file perfectly. There is a problem where the old “source medium” field is entered now as a note and included when the source is printed. That is an annoyance and will require you to go back and manually delete that note from each source.
One of the coolest parts of the program is that it makes suggestions about possible connections with data on Ancestry’s pay web site. Although the matches are not spot-on, it is nice to have possible connections pointed out to you. The main downside is that you have to pay for the service separately.
My biggest gripe with FTM 2008 is the report function. As of right now, most of the reports are stock and cannot be changed much to really fit your needs. Also missing are the genealogy reports (register, NGS quarterly and ahnentafel). If those reports do not show up in the final version, I will not be very happy as the functionality of the program will be severely hampered. The books section is also unavailable at this time but at least has a placeholder that reads “coming soon.”
Ancestry will also offer a printing service at some point.
Overall, I am impressed with the effort on this one but I think there will be several release versions before this one is solidified. Users need to send the company feedback and let them know what is missing and what is not working. I will write another review when the final version is released. Hopefully some of the BETA flaws will be worked out by then.
This is a very large file and you should be reminded that this is a BETA test so there may be problems with it. This free, BETA version expires on August 24, 2007 so it is only a sample of what you will have to purchase. No word on the final price but hopefully an upgrade discount will be available for current customers. That has been the practice for past releases.
I have downloaded the BETA and did not like it at first. I am still on the fence but there are some items that are nice. The user interface is clean and modern and looks a little like The Master Genealogist - TMG. If you look closely, Wholly Genes Software, maker of TMG, provided the GenBridge file import technology. Perhaps the companies are working together on this one.
The screens are laid out so that everything you want to know about one individual is pretty much on that screen, at one time. However, I find it difficult to navigate between families and to see the bigger picture. They have added a place-name map integration feature using Microsoft’s Virtual Earth. This is neat but I believe requires an active Internet connection. A lot of the features of this version require active Internet connections.
FTM 2008 handles media, i.e. photos, scans, sound and video files, much better than past versions. It also has stronger source citations but does not quite import from your old file perfectly. There is a problem where the old “source medium” field is entered now as a note and included when the source is printed. That is an annoyance and will require you to go back and manually delete that note from each source.
One of the coolest parts of the program is that it makes suggestions about possible connections with data on Ancestry’s pay web site. Although the matches are not spot-on, it is nice to have possible connections pointed out to you. The main downside is that you have to pay for the service separately.
My biggest gripe with FTM 2008 is the report function. As of right now, most of the reports are stock and cannot be changed much to really fit your needs. Also missing are the genealogy reports (register, NGS quarterly and ahnentafel). If those reports do not show up in the final version, I will not be very happy as the functionality of the program will be severely hampered. The books section is also unavailable at this time but at least has a placeholder that reads “coming soon.”
Ancestry will also offer a printing service at some point.
Overall, I am impressed with the effort on this one but I think there will be several release versions before this one is solidified. Users need to send the company feedback and let them know what is missing and what is not working. I will write another review when the final version is released. Hopefully some of the BETA flaws will be worked out by then.
No comments:
Post a Comment