Marci, I have used Family Tree Maker for a few years. I haven't used PAF, so I can't compare them. FTM is very easy to use, after an hour or two you will be pretty proficient. You can store photos, notes, source information, etc. for each name. It produces a variety of standard and customized reports with a mouse-click. One of its features is a very easy and FREE webpage. You basically tell it you want a webpage and it sets up the site for you. You pick the background and choose the reports, pictures, etc. that you want and it uploads them automatically to your page. It's not quite as flexible as if you coded your own page in HTML, but it's a great way to get your data on the web so other researchers can find it, and find you. As far as the cd-roms, I agree with the other poster, the Illinois 1850 census was worth four times the price to me. As far as their World Family Tree cd's, those are customer's database files that they uploaded to FTM who sells them on cd's. If you find a family tree with your line on it, it's great. One way to tell is go to the FTW homepage and do an online search. You can tell it to look for your name on cd's only or internet also. If the name is on one of their cd's, then you can get it if you want. Or, you can go to the following website and some kind soul will do a lookup for you! Just be sure to do the search first so you don't waste their time looking on a cd that doesn't have your name. The free lookup site is: http://genweb.net/~gen-cds/cdlist.html To do a search, the site is: http://www.familytreemaker.com/ifftop.html You can tell it which cd's to search. As you can tell, I am pretty happy with FTM overall. I find it above average in terms of functionality (although not the most advanced on the market), extremely easy for anyone to use, and the easiest way to create a genealogy website that there is, and for free. Feel free to email me with any questions or problems. There is also a free help bulletin board in genforum at the following site. They usually answer my questions within 24 hours at this site: http://genforum.genealogy.com/general/#computers Good luck! Let us know when you get your webpage up! Tom Stevenson (The following website was created with Family Tree Maker) http://www.StevensonFamily.com [email protected] wrote: > So, here is the question. As some of you know, I have been using the PAF for my program. Well, Ira bought me that Family Tree Maker and I wondered if anyone else was using it. (I seem to remember that Tam was using it, I think) It seems like a way harder program to use, so I wondered if it is worth it??? What are the advantages? Disadvantages? Easier. make better reports or what??????? How much are these CD's that they offer? Are they worth it? Lemme know, won't you??????? >