FTM is noted for the good variety of reports. It has also gained a reputation for having more bugs. Early on they implemented a version of the GEDCOM file that was based on a pre-release of the current GEDCOM standard. Later they added the capability to generate a PAF compatible GEDCOM file. Due to its early deficiencies I believe that it was written by non-genealogists who did not listen to their genealogical consultants. Every year before Christmas they will pester you with promotions for the newest version of FTM. The advertising is skillfully written to suggest that the new "improvements" are much better and more desireable than they actually are. They are probably the most successful commercial genealogical database. They are certainly the most heavily promoted genealogical program. Consider: when the FTM company goes out of business the program will become an "orphan". That will not happen with PAF. Richard L. Halliday West Linn, Oregon > I am fairly new to PAF having used FTM for year. > > Cna someone tell me what the biggest difference are and how you would > compare the two? > > Glenny > > > > ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== > RootsWeb > http://www.rootsweb.com/ >

Richard, your summation of FTM is correct. The FTM methods you described were part of their "modus operandi". However, FTM is now owned by Myfamily.com, which in turn is owned by a group of media companies, prominent among those being Time-Warner/AOL. I would hardly think that having acquired a money-making machine like Ancestry.com they would halt development on FTM? The new 2005 version of FTM is a far different product than that previously promoted. It's even close to being a good, usable product at long last :-) (I have the current version and two other versions to compare). I have never been a fan of FTM, partly because of it being a woeful product and mainly because of the tactics you described, but I can't see it "disappearing" from the scene at least under the present owners. By the way, the same group of companies own this list and all the other Roots Web lists, too. Lance -----Original Message----- From: rhaldy@comcast.net [mailto:rhaldy@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, 29 March 2005 2:56 PM To: PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [PAF-5] Re: PAF re FTM FTM is noted for the good variety of reports. It has also gained a reputation for having more bugs. Early on they implemented a version of the GEDCOM file that was based on a pre-release of the current GEDCOM standard. Later they added the capability to generate a PAF compatible GEDCOM file. Due to its early deficiencies I believe that it was written by non-genealogists who did not listen to their genealogical consultants. Every year before Christmas they will pester you with promotions for the newest version of FTM. The advertising is skillfully written to suggest that the new "improvements" are much better and more desireable than they actually are. They are probably the most successful commercial genealogical database. They are certainly the most heavily promoted genealogical program. Consider: when the FTM company goes out of business the program will become an "orphan". That will not happen with PAF. Richard L. Halliday West Linn, Oregon