Since it has been requested, here are my reviews of different genealogy programs. The listing is NOT all inclusive of every program available. It is only a sample of those that I use or have tested recently. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that I do NOT have any connections to any of these programs in any way, shape or form other than a user. ========================================= ========================================= Family Tree Maker 11 Guide Rating - 3 1/2 Stars out of 5 NOTE: There is a new version called Family Tree Maker 2005 due out around 15 August 2004 The Bottom Line The ease of use and publishing features make it ideal for novice researchers who want an easy way to enter family data without dealing with much of the details of genealogy research. It is also arguably the best to quickly and easily create nice looking family charts, trees and family history books. Skip the deluxe version with the extras. Pros Very good publishing features Wide variety of trees, charts, and other printouts 30-day money-back guarantee Cons No download available No pedigree view for easy navigation GEDCOM import may drop data from unrecognized tags Doesn't output to HTML - Can only publish pages on FTM's Web site (read the agreement carefully before posting!) ======================================= Legacy Family Tree 5.0 Guide Rating - 4 Stars out of 5 The Bottom Line An intuitive interface, powerful collaboration features, and multiple views make it one of the best programs on the market, not even considering the fact that the Standard Version is free. The Deluxe Version, available for $19.95 download, offers a number of additional features found in many programs costing twice as much. Simple yet powerful and flexible. Pros Standard version is a FREE download Powerful merge features & split-screen views Frequent updates & added new features Cons No printed user manual Requires add-on program for fancy charts Can't customize source citation templates Has had 4 updates in recent days =============================== Personal Ancestral File 5.2 Guide Rating - 3 1/2 Stars out of 5 NOTE: There will be NO new versions or updates to this program. However support will still be offered. The Bottom Line One of the oldest and most popular genealogy software programs available, is available for free download. Powerful and full-featured, it is also very user-friendly, making it perfect for novices. If you want fancy charts, you'll have to pay for the add-on program, PAF Companion ($13.50). And if your primary goal is publishing a family Web site or book, there are better options. Pros Very intuitive and easy to use Customizable data entry templates Available for FREE download Cons Full range of charts and reports only available with add-on, PAF Companion Only basic multimedia capabilities Publishing options are limited ======================= RootsMagic 2.0 Guide Rating - 5 Stars out of 5 The Bottom Line If you're looking for genealogy software that's easy enough to use without the manual, yet full-featured enough to satisfy a professional genealogist, then you should definitely check out RootsMagic. From beautiful charts and flexible book publishing, to easy data entry and advanced sourcing, it offers features for all levels of genealogy researchers. Pros Simple, intuitive interface View and copy between multiple databases Customizable interface, fact types, reports and charts Cons Does not allow direct import - GEDCOM only Charts aren't very pretty in their default format (you can customize to get beautiful ones though) Only available for Windows ======================== The Master Genealogist 5.0 Guide Rating - 4 1/2 Stars out of 5 The Bottom Line If you like to track and record every last detail and your genealogy research is closing in on obsession, The Master Genealogist is the program of your dreams. While not the best choice for people who want something simple or don't like to read user manuals, it is a powerful, flexible and comprehensive program. Pros Flexible, customizable interface Imports data directly (without GEDCOM) from some other popular genealogy programs Outstanding source documentation options Cons Less intuitive than some genealogy software programs Steep learning curve due to the program's complexity Expensive compared to similar programs ========================== GenBox 3.2 Guide Rating - ? Stars out of 5 The Bottom Line I really haven't experimented much with this program as yet. Comments are only from initial testing. Pros Outstanding reports and charts Cons Less intuitive than others Steep learning curve Expensive ==================== Heredis Standard 7.2.1 Guide Rating - ? Stars out of 5 The Bottom Line This is another program that I have not used much. Comments are only from initial testing. Pros Unique 3D view of family charts Still does Tiny Tafel's Free download of standard version Cons No built in viewer for reports (opens word processor which makes it slower than other programs) Addition of Facts for individuals seems hidden Emphasis seems to be on media files not data ==========================

I forgot to mention on the previous post under this topic that I do have more extensive write ups of the programs. They will be offered to anyone that asks. Also, I'm sure that others will disagree with me about some of what I have written. That is understandable. I do not wish to get into any debates about the Pros and Cons of a program. What I have written is only my opinion and is to be used only as a guide to help you select the best program for you. Art

Thanks Art, for your information. I would only add that much of what works for each of us is what we are used to. I use a mac for my primary computer, so I have used Reunion for many years as my genealogy software. It is VERY simple to use. I have a PC that is also in my office that I use mostly to run Family Tree Maker for viewing CD's. But I installed the Master Genealogist, Family Tree Maker and Generations Grand Suite several years ago to use on the PC when I traveled as the PC is a laptop. I found myself using Generations almost exclusively because it was the most like my REUNION. I thought that I would have an opinion on which program I liked best, but I found that I gave up on the Master Genealogist almost immediately when I had trouble importing all of my data. My data imported via gedcom very easily into the other two. But I use family tree maker almost exclusively for viewing CD's and I slipped back in to the comfort of a program that is what I am used to. Now I have to say that I am using my program only for research....not for publishing at this time. I may have another opinion some day when I want to share my research. dolphin213 wrote: > I forgot to mention on the previous post under this topic that I do > have more extensive write ups of the programs. They will be offered > to anyone that asks. > > Also, I'm sure that others will disagree with me about some of what I > have written. That is understandable. I do not wish to get into any > debates about the Pros and Cons of a program. What I have written is > only my opinion and is to be used only as a guide to help you select > the best program for you. > > > >

Very nice, Art. Thanks so much. I've printed it out to store in my big fat genealogy book, and of course stored it in a genealogy Documents folder . Maureen ----- Original Message ----- From: "dolphin213" <dolphin213@cox.net> To: <GEN-COMP-TIPS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 7:51 PM Subject: Re: [Gen-Comp-Tips] Computer Genealogy Programs Since it has been requested, here are my reviews of different genealogy programs. The listing is NOT all inclusive of every program available. It is only a sample of those that I use or have tested recently. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that I do NOT have any connections to any of these programs in any way, shape or form other than a user. ========================================= ========================================= Family Tree Maker 11 Guide Rating - 3 1/2 Stars out of 5 NOTE: There is a new version called Family Tree Maker 2005 due out around 15 August 2004 The Bottom Line The ease of use and publishing features make it ideal for novice researchers who want an easy way to enter family data without dealing with much of the details of genealogy research. It is also arguably the best to quickly and easily create nice looking family charts, trees and family history books. Skip the deluxe version with the extras. Pros Very good publishing features Wide variety of trees, charts, and other printouts 30-day money-back guarantee Cons No download available No pedigree view for easy navigation GEDCOM import may drop data from unrecognized tags Doesn't output to HTML - Can only publish pages on FTM's Web site (read the agreement carefully before posting!) ======================================= Legacy Family Tree 5.0 Guide Rating - 4 Stars out of 5 The Bottom Line An intuitive interface, powerful collaboration features, and multiple views make it one of the best programs on the market, not even considering the fact that the Standard Version is free. The Deluxe Version, available for $19.95 download, offers a number of additional features found in many programs costing twice as much. Simple yet powerful and flexible. Pros Standard version is a FREE download Powerful merge features & split-screen views Frequent updates & added new features Cons No printed user manual Requires add-on program for fancy charts Can't customize source citation templates Has had 4 updates in recent days =============================== Personal Ancestral File 5.2 Guide Rating - 3 1/2 Stars out of 5 NOTE: There will be NO new versions or updates to this program. However support will still be offered. The Bottom Line One of the oldest and most popular genealogy software programs available, is available for free download. Powerful and full-featured, it is also very user-friendly, making it perfect for novices. If you want fancy charts, you'll have to pay for the add-on program, PAF Companion ($13.50). And if your primary goal is publishing a family Web site or book, there are better options. Pros Very intuitive and easy to use Customizable data entry templates Available for FREE download Cons Full range of charts and reports only available with add-on, PAF Companion Only basic multimedia capabilities Publishing options are limited ======================= RootsMagic 2.0 Guide Rating - 5 Stars out of 5 The Bottom Line If you're looking for genealogy software that's easy enough to use without the manual, yet full-featured enough to satisfy a professional genealogist, then you should definitely check out RootsMagic. From beautiful charts and flexible book publishing, to easy data entry and advanced sourcing, it offers features for all levels of genealogy researchers. Pros Simple, intuitive interface View and copy between multiple databases Customizable interface, fact types, reports and charts Cons Does not allow direct import - GEDCOM only Charts aren't very pretty in their default format (you can customize to get beautiful ones though) Only available for Windows ======================== The Master Genealogist 5.0 Guide Rating - 4 1/2 Stars out of 5 The Bottom Line If you like to track and record every last detail and your genealogy research is closing in on obsession, The Master Genealogist is the program of your dreams. While not the best choice for people who want something simple or don't like to read user manuals, it is a powerful, flexible and comprehensive program. Pros Flexible, customizable interface Imports data directly (without GEDCOM) from some other popular genealogy programs Outstanding source documentation options Cons Less intuitive than some genealogy software programs Steep learning curve due to the program's complexity Expensive compared to similar programs ========================== GenBox 3.2 Guide Rating - ? Stars out of 5 The Bottom Line I really haven't experimented much with this program as yet. Comments are only from initial testing. Pros Outstanding reports and charts Cons Less intuitive than others Steep learning curve Expensive ==================== Heredis Standard 7.2.1 Guide Rating - ? Stars out of 5 The Bottom Line This is another program that I have not used much. Comments are only from initial testing. Pros Unique 3D view of family charts Still does Tiny Tafel's Free download of standard version Cons No built in viewer for reports (opens word processor which makes it slower than other programs) Addition of Facts for individuals seems hidden Emphasis seems to be on media files not data ========================== ==== GEN-COMP-TIPS Mailing List ==== To unsubscribe from this list send a message to GEN-COMP-TIPS-L-REQUEST@ROOTSWEB.COM with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. ============================== Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237

Maureen, Thank you for the kind words. Art >Very nice, Art. Thanks so much. > > I've printed it out to store in my big fat genealogy book, and of course >stored it in a genealogy Documents folder . > >Maureen