"Dave C" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected] > Many thanks to all those who responded. I appreciate your time and > knowledge. Currently investigating a short list of three possibilities. > Three being about the maximum number below the threshold where screaming > and kicking the cat start to be noticed by others! > > Legacy > RootsMagic > Family Historian > > I will post again once I get it down to one <G> > > Dave > > --- Posted via news://freenews.netfront.net/ - Complaints to > [email protected] --- Well, I have spent a little time with each of the packages, and I am beginning to understand why so many of you are using more than one program! All three packages imported the data flawlessly, but because my FTM was so old only at the GEDCOM level. Family Historian alerted on "Non Standard" gedcom implementation with FTM and asked if I wanted to see the particular data concerned as each record was imported. I thought this was clever, and it allowed this data for the three individuals concerned to be directed to the correct field(s) on import. Both the other two programs just made their own default decisions. The task IS complicated by the fact that both the RootsMagic and Legacy software were the free download versions, so both had some reduced capacity. I initially liked RootsMagic, it seemed capable, and the "not available in the free version" notices I kept coming across hinted that there were other bells if not whistles if I would but pay for it. I thought the default look was quite well designed, and the degree to which various views /screens can be customised seemed pretty well thought out. The negative for me was charting. I realise that options are "greyed" out and will leap to life in the full version, however from what I can tell with this version I would not call printed output a strength. The RootsMagic to go (Genealogy on a USB stick) function was interesting, I eventually decided it was a nice to have not an essential. Legacy, was also interesting. The default look was fairly uninspiring, I was eventually moved to work out how to inprove it by adjusting colours a bit, but the look grates every time I open the program, seems to get between me and the information. Once I built a bridge and got over it I was impressed. Seemed to be able to do pretty much everything, and the print output leaves what I can manage with RootsMagic for dead. Family Historian. This has the cleanest default look of the three. It also has the advantage of being a one month - time limited fully functional beast. I found it very capable, and VERY personalisable. I do understand why some might find it "not for them". Compared to Legacy I have to say printed output is not as good. The default charts are heavy on shadowing and so far I haven't been able to wind this back - although I am quite willing to admit this could be because I have yet to find the right option screen! The formatting of Legacy Charting by comparison is simply clean and fuss free. Family Historian is the one I like most however, it has a modern and fresh feel, appears to be able to do pretty well everything and has an acceptable printed output standard. I have a sneaking worry that I might end up buying the legacy charting module, just to get those clean charts.... So there we are - many thanks to all, for better or worse, I seem to be going to become a Family Historian user! Now I'm sure there was a day job round here somewhere.... Dave --- Posted via news://freenews.netfront.net/ - Complaints to [email protected] ---

Dave - don't worry - you can customise the Family Historian charts to be as clean-looking as you could wish for. ============== Robin Price (satisfied Family Historian user) On Jun 21, 1:58 pm, "Dave C" <[email protected]> wrote: > Family Historian. This has the cleanest default look of the three. It also > has the advantage of being a one month - time limited fully functional > beast. I found it very capable, and VERY personalisable. I do understand why > some might find it "not for them". Compared to Legacy I have to say printed > output is not as good. The default charts are heavy on shadowing and so far > I haven't been able to wind this back - although I am quite willing to admit > this could be because I have yet to find the right option screen!

On Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:58:12 +1200, "Dave C" <[email protected]> wrote: >So there we are - many thanks to all, for better or worse, I seem to be >going to become a Family Historian user! I think you have put me to work since I already have the paid versions of RM and Legacy. When the charts I produce are 200+ printed pages, charting is not my greatest concern except MAYBE once a year. And I can reproduce in text and edit as I choose. I prefer the navigation screen of Legacy to RM but the speed of RM is really superior. It's good to hear from one who has not used any of the three programs before. Thankee. Hugh

"J. Hugh Sullivan" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected] > On Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:58:12 +1200, "Dave C" <[email protected]> > wrote: > >>So there we are - many thanks to all, for better or worse, I seem to be >>going to become a Family Historian user! > > I think you have put me to work since I already have the paid versions > of RM and Legacy. > > When the charts I produce are 200+ printed pages, charting is not my > greatest concern except MAYBE once a year. And I can reproduce in text > and edit as I choose. > > I prefer the navigation screen of Legacy to RM but the speed of RM is > really superior. > > It's good to hear from one who has not used any of the three programs > before. Thankee. > > Hugh <grin>, I am concious that I have only done a scratch the surface evaluation, and on this machine at least no discernable "speed" differences can be picked up. Very Large, or multiple databases open together may well do so.... good luck ;-) Dave --- Posted via news://freenews.netfront.net/ - Complaints to [email protected] ---