> 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? Dropbox had serious security issues some time ago. I dropped it completely! Be very careful that you understand that you can create serious problems for yourself IF you open the same file at the same time on different machines and then make an edit on just one. FTM is a single user database-type program. It is NOT intended to be used in a record locking type of system. If YOU are the only person using the file, I suggest that you pick which program and which computer you wish to use. Make ALL of your changes there. Copy the saved file and take it with you to any machine you choose, opening it there. As you already know no doubt, you cannot go from 2011 to 16 very easily. My approach was to use 16 all the time on my desktop - much faster, etc. Then, about every other week, import the file into the new series. Had I wished to place the new series of FTM on multiple machines, I could have transported said file easily. I do hope you do not try to maintain a pair of identical datasets. Not knowing the size of your database in 16, it is difficult to give specific suggestions, but 64 GB thumb drives are available, even with USB 3.0 - I have one! I have moved to 2012 now, and thus my database is smaller (you would recall that media is now kept separately) but even so is over 240 MB. Suit your own tastes in this regard. A CD ROM may work for you, but find your own method would be my suggestion. John

Thanks, John. Your points are well made. I do maintain the files only for myself as the user, although I usually update a copy of the file to my father's computer when I visit him a few times each year. He doesn't do data entry, but he does like to be able to view the information. I don't try to maintain identical databases, and I do use flash drives to move between computers. The problem is that although most of the time I work on the desktop, sometimes I work on the laptop--for convenience, travel, etc. Remembering which one is the "current" file is sometimes an issue, especially when I don't have time in between trips, etc. to update. At this point I run both 2011 and version 16 because I am still learning 2011 and it is still more comfortable to actually work in version 16; and Daddy has only version 16. (I need to keep familiarity with it so that I can help him navigate, etc.--at 93 and an infrequent user, he needs a review every now and then). So, I need to keep both at least for now. I'm looking for a way to minimize the errors of data entry on one computer that never make it to the other. I don't maintain much in the way of media as I have always held those files separately even before 2011. My data base isn't extremely large--about 15,000 people--so a thumb drive works well for portability. Memory (mine) is the biggest issue :) -----Original Message----- From: ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of John Okerson Sent: Monday, November 21, 2011 10:07 AM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Drop Box > 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? Dropbox had serious security issues some time ago. I dropped it completely! Be very careful that you understand that you can create serious problems for yourself IF you open the same file at the same time on different machines and then make an edit on just one. FTM is a single user database-type program. It is NOT intended to be used in a record locking type of system. If YOU are the only person using the file, I suggest that you pick which program and which computer you wish to use. Make ALL of your changes there. Copy the saved file and take it with you to any machine you choose, opening it there. As you already know no doubt, you cannot go from 2011 to 16 very easily. My approach was to use 16 all the time on my desktop - much faster, etc. Then, about every other week, import the file into the new series. Had I wished to place the new series of FTM on multiple machines, I could have transported said file easily. I do hope you do not try to maintain a pair of identical datasets. Not knowing the size of your database in 16, it is difficult to give specific suggestions, but 64 GB thumb drives are available, even with USB 3.0 - I have one! I have moved to 2012 now, and thus my database is smaller (you would recall that media is now kept separately) but even so is over 240 MB. Suit your own tastes in this regard. A CD ROM may work for you, but find your own method would be my suggestion. John ********************************** 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