We need to clarify a couple of things. 1. FTM 16 will not open a data base created by FTM 2011. In stead you will get a message the file was created by a later version of FTM. 2. FTM 2011 will open a FTM 16 file BUT it will tell you it is from an older version and ask whether you want to back it up before converting. After conversion you will have both the FTM 16 and the FTM 2011 files. 3. As John Okerson stated, you need to look at the file extensions. Here are the file extensions and the programs which create each: .FTW - Created by FTM 16 or earlier. If opened in FTM 2011, it must be converted. .FCB - Backup file created by FTM 16. It cannot be opened in FTM 2011. .FKB - Automatic backup file created by FTM 16. It cannot be opened in FTM 2011. .FTM - Created by FTM 2011. It cannot be opened in FTM 16. .FTMB - backup file created by FTM 2011. It cannot be opened by FTM 16. .GED - a text file which can be created by either FTM 16 or FTM 2011 and can be opened by either program. When FTM 2011 exports its file to FTM 16, it actually creates a GED file which FTM 16 opens and saves as a FTM 16 file with the extension of .FTW. BJ On 11/22/2011 8:41 AM, Connie Shotts wrote: > And it was correctly written dropbox rather than as two words--my mistake. Thanks! > > OK, now I have dropbox on both computers and I have files in my dropbox account. Everything works great, except.... > The file on my laptop (Windows XP) insists in opening in FTM Version 16 rather than 2011 even though the data is from my 2011 file on the desktop (Windows 7, 64 bit). I went into the file properties on the laptop (the file housed on dropbox) to see if I could tell it to open with 2011 rather than 16 but it gives me only one option--FTM executable. Browsing for another option doesn't seem to work, unless I don't know how to do it properly. I do have both FTM versions on the laptop. Strange thing is I also have both versions on the desktop, and the same dropbox file has no problem opening in 2011 on the desktop. I wanted to be able to keep both versions on both computers up to date as I need version 16 to help my father, while I am trying to transition to using only version 2011. Is XP a part of the issue? > > Any suggestions? > Connie > > -----Original Message----- > From: ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Judy in Ocala > Sent: Monday, November 21, 2011 3:10 PM > To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Drop Box > > You're welcome. Hope it helps. I wrote Dropbox as one word instead of two, and that may be why you couldn't find it in the archives. > > Judy in Ocala > > On Nov 21, 2011, at 10:33 AM, "Connie Shotts"<cshotts1@carolina.rr.com> wrote: > >> Hi Judy, >> I thought I had seen this, and when I searched the Archives, I couldn't fine it. I used the search key "drop box" in the body, but this didn't come up. I thought it was out there, but decided it much have been in a different list. Thanks so much for resending it. This is the message I wanted to locate! >> Conni >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Judy in Ocala >> Sent: Monday, November 21, 2011 10:23 AM >> To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com >> Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Drop Box >> >> Here's a copy of a post I made on this topic a couple of weeks ago. >> >> Judy in Ocala >> >> In previous posts to this list I have advocated the use of Dropbox to make it possible for you to access your FTM database on more than one computer. I have been using it for a while for this purpose, and put it to a good test on a recent research trip with my little netbook computer. I’ve learned some things you need to be aware of to make successful use of Dropbox. >> >> First, Dropbox does not use synching technology. Say, for example, you are synching your address book between your smart phone and your computer. The synching process is two-way and examines the content of both locations. Any edits made on the phone are transferred to the computer, and vice versa. If changes to the same record have been made in both places, the synching software will alert you to the conflict and allow you to choose the correct one. >> >> Dropbox does not sync, and it does not compare the contents of the files in its folders. It works by copying entire files. To use it you must first open a free account on their website. Then you download and install their software on the computers you plan to use. In my case I have it installed on my desktop PC at home (Computer A) and the netbook I use for traveling (Computer B). Both software installations are connected to my online account. Then I moved my FTM database file and the media folder to the Dropbox folder on Computer A. A copy of the contents of the Dropbox folder on A is copied to the corresponding folder in the online account. FTM is installed on Computer B. When I boot up B, the contents of the online account are copied to B’s Dropbox folder. I can open my FTM database from the Dropbox folder on B. All three locations now have the same data and I’m ready to start working. >> >> Let’s say I do some work in FTM on Computer A. Dropbox will not upload those changes until the file is closed. So if I leave A open and start working on B, B will not have the changes I made in A. When both files are eventually closed, and both A and B are uploaded to Dropbox online, Dropbox will perceive that both files have changed (probably just by looking at the date/time they were saved), but because it doesn’t examine the data in the files, cannot offer you the option of choosing which edits to keep. Instead it will make duplicate copies of A and B, and you’ll have 3 files instead of 1. The duplicates are named as “Conflict” files, and it’s up to you to figure out what’s in each one. >> >> To avoid this problem, here are the steps you must take: >> >> 1. After working in A, close FTM. In the system tray (the small icons in the lower right corner of your screen, where the clock is), look at your Dropbox icon. Two rotating arrows will tell you that the files on A are being uploaded to Dropbox online. The icon is very small. You can hover your mouse pointer over it to see the progress. When it has finished uploading, you will see “All files up to date” when you hover your mouse, and the rotating arrows will be replaced with a checkmark. >> >> 2. Any time after Step 1 has been completed, you can work on B. The new copy of A will automatically be downloaded from Dropbox online to B if B is running, or when you turn it on. Watch the icon to know when the process is complete. Make your edits in B. When you have finished, close FTM so that the changes in B will be uploaded to Dropbox online. >> >> 3. The next time you want to work in A, be sure that Step 2 has been completed. >> >> 4. Do not have both versions A and B open at the same time. For this reason, I don’t recommend using Dropbox as a means of allowing another researcher to collaborate with you on the same file. >> >> 5. Check your Dropbox folders on A and B from time to time to be sure that you haven’t inadvertently created some “conflict” files. >> >> This sounds more complicated than it is. It’s just a matter of being patient and allowing each process to finish before you move on. >> >> FTM 2012 users: One additional point. If you have an Ancestry Member Tree (AMT) that you are synching with FTM 2012, you must assure that all uploads from Computer A have been completed, including media files, before you close FTM on that computer. You cannot link both A and B to the AMT. For edits made in B to be added to the AMT, you must first assure that A and B are in sync via Dropbox as outlined above. Then you can sync A to the AMT. For this reason, it is advisable to set your sync options to manual. Again, patience is the key word. >> >> On Nov 21, 2011, at 9:45 AM, "Connie Shotts"<cshotts1@carolina.rr.com> wrote: >> >>> Hi, >>> I thought this topic had been discussed on this forum, but I couldn't find >>> it in the Archives. Does anyone use, or know if, Drop Box can be used with >>> FTM? I run two versions of FTM -- 2011 and 16 (16.0.350. I have both >>> versions on both my desktop (Windows 7, 64 bit) and a laptop (Windows XP). >>> It would be great to be able to "house" the data files for each of the >>> versions on Drop Box so that additions, changes, etc. would be made on both >>> computers, as well as to have the access from any other computer where the >>> FTM programs are present. At least, I think it would work that way. Does >>> anyone know? >>> >>> Connie >>> >>> >>> >>> ********************************** >>> List information page >>> http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html >>> >>> Online Support for Family Tree Maker >>> Version 16 and earlier >>> http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ >>> >>> Version 2008 - 2011 >>> http://ftm.custhelp.com/ >>> >>> ------------------------------- >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> ********************************** >> List information page >> http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html >> >> Online Support for Family Tree Maker >> Version 16 and earlier >> http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ >> >> Version 2008 - 2011 >> http://ftm.custhelp.com/ >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> >> ********************************** >> List information page >> http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html >> >> Online Support for Family Tree Maker >> Version 16 and earlier >> http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ >> >> Version 2008 - 2011 >> http://ftm.custhelp.com/ >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.1872 / Virus Database: 2101/4630 - Release Date: 11/21/11

> Here are the file extensions and the programs which create each: .FTW - Created by FTM 16 or earlier. If opened in FTM 2011, it must be converted. .FCB - Backup file created by FTM 16. It cannot be opened in FTM 2011. .FKB - Automatic backup file created by FTM 16. It cannot be opened in FTM 2011. .FTM - Created by FTM 2011. It cannot be opened in FTM 16. .FTMB - backup file created by FTM 2011. It cannot be opened by FTM 16. .GED - a text file which can be created by either FTM 16 or FTM 2011 and can be opened by either program. When FTM 2011 exports its file to FTM 16, it actually creates a GED file which FTM 16 opens and saves as a FTM 16 file with the extension of .FTW. Minor corrections follow .FBC is the compressed backup extension in 16. .FBK is the backup file in 16 Looking within my FTM 16, I find that there WAS a .FTM used for Family Tree Maker for DOS. Looking at the associated file types on my desktop PC, I found it associated with FTM 16, but I have now changed it to be 2012 since I use that exclusively for my primary dataset. There is a .FTMS file associated with FTM 2012, but as of yet, I am NOT familiar with it! Would SKS share what it means and what it entails, please. John Okerson Memphis, TN

Thanks for the additions. As I recall .FCB is the compressed backup but it is called the Backup in the file dropdown menu. The .FKB is simply a copy of your FTM 16 file and it is created by the Automatic Backup feature. You are correct that .FTM was the old DOS version of the file. When they rewrote FTM 2008, they decided to reuse the extension for the new versions to distinguish it from the older versions. The .FTMS file extension are the FTM "Smart Story" files. Be advised because of the possibility they may include "malware code", FTM 2012 will not upload .FTMS, HTML, or MHT files. Rather FTM 2012 converts them to .RTF files. Another file that is used in FTM 2008 and above is User.config. This file replaces the old .INI file and contains your preferences, files used by FTM 2008 and above, as well as, other housekeeping instructions for the program. I don't recommend opening this file. While nothing really happens if you mess it up or even delete it, there is nothing you can really do to the contents of the file. If you delete it, FTM creates a fresh copy the next time you open the program but you may have lost some of your preferences or data bases listed on the Plan work area. Another new file extension implemented with FTM 2012 is .sync. These files contain instructions for the syncing feature. Again there is nothing you can do with this file so leave it alone. BJ On 11/2 2/2011 12:50 PM, John Okerson wrote: >> Here are the file extensions and the programs which create each: > .FTW - Created by FTM 16 or earlier. If opened in FTM 2011, it must > be converted. > .FCB - Backup file created by FTM 16. It cannot be opened in FTM > 2011. > .FKB - Automatic backup file created by FTM 16. It cannot be opened > in FTM 2011. > .FTM - Created by FTM 2011. It cannot be opened in FTM 16. > .FTMB - backup file created by FTM 2011. It cannot be opened by FTM > 16. > .GED - a text file which can be created by either FTM 16 or FTM 2011 > and can be opened by either program. When FTM 2011 exports its > file to FTM 16, it actually creates a GED file which FTM 16 opens and saves > as a FTM 16 file with the extension of .FTW. > > Minor corrections follow > > .FBC is the compressed backup extension in 16. > .FBK is the backup file in 16 > > Looking within my FTM 16, I find that there WAS a .FTM used for Family Tree > Maker for DOS. Looking at the associated file types on my desktop PC, I > found it associated with FTM 16, but I have now changed it to be 2012 since > I use that exclusively for my primary dataset. > > There is a .FTMS file associated with FTM 2012, but as of yet, I am NOT > familiar with it! Would SKS share what it means and what it entails, > please. > > John Okerson > Memphis, TN > > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.1873 / Virus Database: 2101/4632 - Release Date: 11/22/11 > >

A correction of a couple of typos .FCB should be .FBC .FKB should be .FBK John D -----Original Message----- From: ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of BJ Sent: Wednesday, 23 November 2011 7:01 AM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Drop Box & FTM We need to clarify a couple of things. 1. FTM 16 will not open a data base created by FTM 2011. In stead you will get a message the file was created by a later version of FTM. 2. FTM 2011 will open a FTM 16 file BUT it will tell you it is from an older version and ask whether you want to back it up before converting. After conversion you will have both the FTM 16 and the FTM 2011 files. 3. As John Okerson stated, you need to look at the file extensions. Here are the file extensions and the programs which create each: .FTW - Created by FTM 16 or earlier. If opened in FTM 2011, it must be converted. .FCB - Backup file created by FTM 16. It cannot be opened in FTM 2011. .FKB - Automatic backup file created by FTM 16. It cannot be opened in FTM 2011. .FTM - Created by FTM 2011. It cannot be opened in FTM 16. .FTMB - backup file created by FTM 2011. It cannot be opened by FTM 16. .GED - a text file which can be created by either FTM 16 or FTM 2011 and can be opened by either program. When FTM 2011 exports its file to FTM 16, it actually creates a GED file which FTM 16 opens and saves as a FTM 16 file with the extension of .FTW. BJ