Hi, This came from one of my lists. If you use FTM read and head! FAMILY TREE MAKER, VERSION 9: A WARNING It has come to my attention that Family Tree Maker may be up to no good with the latest version (9) of their genealogy program.  Since I don't use FTM with any degree of proficiency (I use PAF), I'm passing along this warning by way of copy and paste.  Those of you who use FTM will want to read this carefully: "Mattel, the parent company of FTM has included tracking software in Version 9 which keeps track of everything you do on the internet and sends a log of your surfing habits to Mattel every time you log on.  The log file is called "aqueduct" and can be found in the root directory of your C drive. I have deleted the file and gone back to version 8. "I discovered {this] quite by accident. In an unrelated attempt to fix one of my screwups on my hardrive, I discovered the file called "aqueduct" and opened it as I didn't know what it was. I discovered that it was a log of all my surfing habits and I now know, it covered the period from when I installed the FTM 9 upgrade to the date I discovered it and deleted it. I didn't realize it was a FTM by product until I tried to open FTM (after deleting aqueduct) and I got an error message saying "Aqueduct" was missing -- it seems that without the file, FTM version 9 will not run at all. Since I detest tracking software of any kind, I uninstalled FTM version 9 and reinstalled FTM version 8. Note: You will have to open and rename your database backup copy as any database file that you opened and stored in version 9 will be useless." ++++++ End  of Forwarded Text ++++++ Tigger, Warrington Aloha Joe With interests in the following names: TATTERSALL, TOMLINSON, VEEVERS, HOLDEN, BOOTHMAN and ODDIE. All in the Lancashire area. Do not open Any attachments with this as I DID NOT send them.

RE: >Since you don't use "don't > use FTM with any degree of proficiency (I use PAF), I'm passing along > this warning by way of copy and paste.> I DO use FTM 9.0 and I personally went and checked this out as soon as I received the e-mail. If anyone wants to do so they can very easily. It does not show every Internet site you've visited, etc. It does track your use of the FTM program - such as each time you go to Individual notes, open a family page, etc. I suspect, but don't know, that they are trying to evaluate what items are the most useful, or where there are problems. The log it keeps clearly states each day that you use the software: It has been automatically generated by a software application that has been instrumented by an independent software vendor or internal development group using Aqueduct Software's Instrumentation library. The data that is being gathered will be used by the software vendor/group to determine usage patterns and statistics. For more information contact the software vendor/group or Aqueduct SoThis message is an Aqueduct Software Instrumentation Data File. ftware, Inc. <http://www.aqueduct.com> 800 Menlo Avenue, Suite 215 Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 463-8700 I do not know that I am thrilled that they may be tracking my usage without my knowledge, but I show NO record of transmission of this information. If you are uncomfortable with this whole idea you should probably contact FTM or Aqueduct and ask your questions. Personally I love FTM 9.0 with its new features and I have no intention of deleting it. ----- Original Message ----- From: <Sutstoy@aol.com> To: <NorthernIrelandGenWeb-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 10:24 AM Subject: [NIRGW] Family Tree Maker 9 WARNING > Hi, > This came from one of my lists. If you use FTM read and head! > > FAMILY TREE MAKER, VERSION 9: A WARNING > > It has come to my attention that Family Tree Maker may be up to no good > with the latest version (9) of their genealogy program. Since I don't > use FTM with any degree of proficiency (I use PAF), I'm passing along > this warning by way of copy and paste. Those of you who use FTM will > want to read this carefully: > > "Mattel, the parent company of FTM has included tracking software in > Version 9 which keeps track of everything you do on the internet and > sends a log of your surfing habits to Mattel every time you log on. The > log file is called "aqueduct" and can be found in the root directory of > your C drive. I have deleted the file and gone back to version 8. > > "I discovered {this] quite by accident. In an unrelated attempt to fix > one of my screwups on my hardrive, I discovered the file called > "aqueduct" and opened it as I didn't know what it was. I discovered that > it was a log of all my surfing habits and I now know, it covered the > period from when I installed the FTM 9 upgrade to the date I discovered > it and deleted it. I didn't realize it was a FTM by product until I > tried to open FTM (after deleting aqueduct) and I got an error message > saying "Aqueduct" was missing -- it seems that without the file, FTM > version 9 will not run at all. Since I detest tracking software of any > kind, I uninstalled FTM version 9 and reinstalled FTM version 8. Note: > You will have to open and rename your database backup copy as any > database file that you opened and stored in version 9 will be useless." > > ++++++ End of Forwarded Text ++++++ > > Tigger, Warrington > > Aloha > Joe > With interests in the following names: TATTERSALL, TOMLINSON, VEEVERS, > HOLDEN, BOOTHMAN and ODDIE. All in the Lancashire area. > Do not open Any attachments with this as I DID NOT send them. > > > ==== NorthernIrelandGenWeb Mailing List ==== > Carol Hepburn, List Admin, chepburn@uswest.net > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237 >

I did contact Family Tree Maker about the aqueduct log file - you can do the same at: http://www.genealogy.com/help/othrcmnt.html Choose CLICK HERE FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE Click the ASK A QUESTION Tab. And ask away! From: <Sutstoy@aol.com> To: <NorthernIrelandGenWeb-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 10:24 AM Subject: [NIRGW] Family Tree Maker 9 WARNING > Hi, > This came from one of my lists. If you use FTM read and head! > > FAMILY TREE MAKER, VERSION 9: A WARNING > > It has come to my attention that Family Tree Maker may be up to no good > with the latest version (9) of their genealogy program. Since I don't > use FTM with any degree of proficiency (I use PAF), I'm passing along > this warning by way of copy and paste. Those of you who use FTM will > want to read this carefully: > > "Mattel, the parent company of FTM has included tracking software in > Version 9 which keeps track of everything you do on the internet and > sends a log of your surfing habits to Mattel every time you log on. The > log file is called "aqueduct" and can be found in the root directory of > your C drive. I have deleted the file and gone back to version 8. > > "I discovered {this] quite by accident. In an unrelated attempt to fix > one of my screwups on my hardrive, I discovered the file called > "aqueduct" and opened it as I didn't know what it was. I discovered that > it was a log of all my surfing habits and I now know, it covered the > period from when I installed the FTM 9 upgrade to the date I discovered > it and deleted it. I didn't realize it was a FTM by product until I > tried to open FTM (after deleting aqueduct) and I got an error message > saying "Aqueduct" was missing -- it seems that without the file, FTM > version 9 will not run at all. Since I detest tracking software of any > kind, I uninstalled FTM version 9 and reinstalled FTM version 8. Note: > You will have to open and rename your database backup copy as any > database file that you opened and stored in version 9 will be useless." > > ++++++ End of Forwarded Text ++++++ > > Tigger, Warrington > > Aloha > Joe > With interests in the following names: TATTERSALL, TOMLINSON, VEEVERS, > HOLDEN, BOOTHMAN and ODDIE. All in the Lancashire area. > Do not open Any attachments with this as I DID NOT send them. > > > ==== NorthernIrelandGenWeb Mailing List ==== > Carol Hepburn, List Admin, chepburn@uswest.net > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237 >

You can always vote with your feet. I've been using Legacy 3.0 for a while and find it excellent. You can download it free at www.legacyfamilytree.com As for 'Spyware' programs, if you're worried about programs phoning home over your internet connection, I suggest you install ZoneAlarm (search for it at www.download.com) Excellent personal firewall which will trap every application which attempts to use the internet. You can decide if you want the program to go ahead, or stop it. Wouldn't be without it, especially for DSL or Cablemodem connections. Hope this helps.... Stephen. ******************************************** Stephen Barnes stephenbarnes@ntlworld.com ******************************************** ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karla Staudt" <staudt@cptelco.net> To: <NorthernIrelandGenWeb-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 4:26 PM Subject: Re: [NIRGW] Family Tree Maker 9 WARNING > I did contact Family Tree Maker about the aqueduct log file - you can do the > same at: > > http://www.genealogy.com/help/othrcmnt.html > > Choose CLICK HERE FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE > > Click the ASK A QUESTION Tab. > > And ask away! > > > > > From: <Sutstoy@aol.com> > To: <NorthernIrelandGenWeb-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 10:24 AM > Subject: [NIRGW] Family Tree Maker 9 WARNING > > > > Hi, > > This came from one of my lists. If you use FTM read and head! > > > > FAMILY TREE MAKER, VERSION 9: A WARNING > > > > It has come to my attention that Family Tree Maker may be up to no good > > with the latest version (9) of their genealogy program. Since I don't > > use FTM with any degree of proficiency (I use PAF), I'm passing along > > this warning by way of copy and paste. Those of you who use FTM will > > want to read this carefully: > > > > "Mattel, the parent company of FTM has included tracking software in > > Version 9 which keeps track of everything you do on the internet and > > sends a log of your surfing habits to Mattel every time you log on. The > > log file is called "aqueduct" and can be found in the root directory of > > your C drive. I have deleted the file and gone back to version 8. > > > > "I discovered {this] quite by accident. In an unrelated attempt to fix > > one of my screwups on my hardrive, I discovered the file called > > "aqueduct" and opened it as I didn't know what it was. I discovered that > > it was a log of all my surfing habits and I now know, it covered the > > period from when I installed the FTM 9 upgrade to the date I discovered > > it and deleted it. I didn't realize it was a FTM by product until I > > tried to open FTM (after deleting aqueduct) and I got an error message > > saying "Aqueduct" was missing -- it seems that without the file, FTM > > version 9 will not run at all. Since I detest tracking software of any > > kind, I uninstalled FTM version 9 and reinstalled FTM version 8. Note: > > You will have to open and rename your database backup copy as any > > database file that you opened and stored in version 9 will be useless." > > > > ++++++ End of Forwarded Text ++++++ > > > > Tigger, Warrington > > > > Aloha > > Joe > > With interests in the following names: TATTERSALL, TOMLINSON, VEEVERS, > > HOLDEN, BOOTHMAN and ODDIE. All in the Lancashire area. > > Do not open Any attachments with this as I DID NOT send them. > > > > > > ==== NorthernIrelandGenWeb Mailing List ==== > > Carol Hepburn, List Admin, chepburn@uswest.net > > > > ============================== > > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237 > > > > > ==== NorthernIrelandGenWeb Mailing List ==== > To remove your email address from this list, visit this url: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cheps/maillist.htm > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp >