<< I will respond to David privately, since this is way off topic for this list.>> I am interested in any information about genealogy software and would like to have all comments sent to the list. The subject is "Genealogy program", so those who are not interested in the subject can just skip over or delete the thread. Thank you. Pat O.
OK, here's the message I sent David: >Hi, David, > >As I said to the list, I'm responding privately so the list stays on-topic. > >Given that you already know that TMG is somewhat harder to use, TMG and Legacy are still better than FTM 2005. FTM still has many of the same old limitations, including limited types of events, poor support for citation of sources, and others. Most of what has changed is the look, along with, as you note, Web searching. > >I am not as familiar with Legacy; I've tried it and all, but I don't work in it. But it does have better source support, and it has similar or better publishing capability. > >By searching, do you mean searching for people within your data, or searching for additional genealogy info on the web? > >TMG has excellent searching (filtering) capabilities within its data. You can even search for people who have attached exhibits (what FTM calls the scrapbook), and both Legacy and TMG have extensive Web searching capabilities. In TMG you can also customize and extend the list of places to search. Legacy's places to search isn't customizable (it takes you to a web page where you can search a list provided by Millenia, the publisher), and the list of places seems sort of oddball. > >However, there is a program that can be used as an add-on for either one. GenSmarts (www.gensmarts.com) can be used with a variety of genealogy programs. Its purpose is to give you (and give you access to) focused research suggestions, and where to find them. It knows a lot of obscure research data sites, and at least in TMG you can call it from within the program on a single individual. I have found a *lot* of data using GenSmarts. > >FTM files can be read directly by TMG, though you will still want to monitor the process. (Can use GEDCOM also.) > >I am unsure if your photos transfer; I think maybe not. But if they are external files (not stored only within FTM), it's easy to hook them back up again. TMG allows you to attach a photo to any event, not just to the person or the marriage, so for instance, you can attach a copy of a birth certificate to the birth event, not the person. I don't know about photos in Legacy; I guess if GEDCOM understands them, Legacy will import them. > >With Legacy you have to use a GEDcom export. > >I can't speak for Legacy but TMG and GenSmarts both have highly responsive customer support. > >You can try either for free (GenSmarts, too). Visit www.whollygenes.com for TMG, and http://legacyfamilytree.com/ for Legacy. > >Ask if you have more questions. > >Barbara > >At 11:41 AM 6/27/2005, David wrote: >>Hi all >> >>I use Family Tree Maker 2005 and have enjoyed it's new searching >>capabilities. I have used it for over 7 years,not trying anything else, and >>of course I did have to pay for all the updates. >> >>The question I have, is: >> >>How does the new FTM 2005 compare to the TMG & Legacy programs that have >>been highly recommended in this forum,both in searching capabilities, and >>information storing and sharing? >> >>Is it easy to transfer FTM files to the TMG program? >> >>Will all the photos that I have in FTM program be transferred to the TMG >>program during the conversion? >> >>Does TMG have support from Ancestry.com and all the other resource sites FTM >>uses in it's searching mode? >> >>David >> >>-------Original Message------- >> >>From: Barbara Zanzig >>Date: 06/26/05 18:02:14 >>To: [email protected] >>Subject: Re: [NYCAYUGA] Genealogy program >> >>Hi, Janet, >> >>I'm with [email protected]; I use TMG almost exclusively. I use Family Tree >>Maker to exchange with other people (because they have FTM) and for some >>output. >> >>In addition to what s/he said, I should say that you can simplify the >>complexity -- it has a simple and advanced mode. And you are not forced to >>use all the features. >> >>I think it's better as a research tool than as a report-producing tool. If >>your primary purpose is to share information, you are probably better off >>with a simpler program (although I would recommend Legacy over Family Tree >>Maker.) But as a research tool, it's excellent, the best on the market. >> >>Barbara >> >>At 12:38 PM 6/26/2005, you wrote: >>>Hello. I am wondering if anyone can tell me anything about "Master >>>Genealogist" It is used as a reference by the National Genealogical Soc. in >>>comparing several programs. I'm not sure who or what they are referring to, >>>or how to contact them. Any help will be much appreciated. Janet Hodder, >>>[email protected] >> >>Barbara Zanzig Kirkland, WA, USA >>[email protected] http://www.isomedia.com/homes/hertz/ >>"You must be the change you want to see in the world." -- Mahatma Gandhi >>¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸, At 06:20 PM 6/27/2005, Pat wrote: ><< I will respond to David privately, since this is way off topic for this >list.>> > >I am interested in any information about genealogy software and >would like to have all comments sent to the list. The subject is >"Genealogy program", so those who are not interested in the >subject can just skip over or delete the thread. >Thank you. >Pat O. Barbara Zanzig Kirkland, WA, USA [email protected] http://www.isomedia.com/homes/hertz/ "You must be the change you want to see in the world." -- Mahatma Gandhi ¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,
I too have been using TMG for quite sometime and will agree that its not the easiest program to use. For me, it was the closest program out there that was similiar to the old "Roots" program, which was great. I picked up FTM early on (before TMG, as a replacement for the old defunct Roots program), but am finally rid of FTM, as I found a much better program, its called RootsMagic. Actually surprised no one has mentioned RootsMagic. The link to it is: http://www.rootsmagic.com/ This is a wonderfully easy program to learn, and it has most of the bells & whistles of the more powerful genealogical software. I added GenSmarts, as Barbara mentioned - nice features. I might also mention Clooz - a worthy avenue of organizing your data. That link is: http://www.clooz.com/ I won't quit using TMG - took me long enough to figure it out, but I do like RootsMagic. I worthy software!!! Just my two cents worth. Melinda > >However, there is a program that can be used as an add-on for either one. GenSmarts (www.gensmarts.com) can be used with a variety of genealogy programs. Its purpose is to give you (and give you access to) focused research suggestions, and where to find them. It knows a lot of obscure research data sites, and at least in TMG you can call it from within the program on a single individual. I have found a *lot* of data using GenSmarts. ><snip> > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.3/30 - Release Date: 6/27/2005