jmh1925 wrote: >Diane, > >Thanks very much for writing what TMG is. I thought that it was very >kind of you to give me such a complete, full analysis of the program. > >I also thanks the others of you who gave me a better picture of >geneology programs. I have not been using a program. I have been up to >now just putting the genealogy of each family line into DOCUMENT into my >computer and putting the sources and pictures into a loose leaf book. >In my DOCUMENT folder, I typed the name, birth date, marriage date, >death date, and burial date of the husband, wife, and children. The >source for each information is placed at the bottom. On the next page I >write all the information on the husband and wife. Then I begin to do >the same with each child. > >A few months ago, I bought Family Tree Maker. However, I just have >typed my name, wife, and children in it. Because I do not know how to >put in all the information and sources into it, I have not gone any >further. The older that I get the more difficult it becomes to read >directions. I am a very impatient person. > >Thanks again, > >Jim > Thank you, Jim, for your kind recognition of what my message was really all about. With funds so sparse for so many researchers, and research expenses ever-increasing, I figure if a person takes the time to ask, they should be given as many useful comparative details as possible so they can make the best possible decision for themselves, relative to their own preferences and needs. I find vague statements like "I like such and such" or "I don't like that one," without supporting details, to be pretty much useless. As I also did mention in addition to all the details about TMG, anyone considering software programs should thoroughly check all the options available, all the unbiased evaluations to be found, the mailing lists for the programs, the sample programs that are available, and guides unrelated to software about good genealogy research. Unfortunately for some, TMG hasn't felt a need to offer a full free version, only a demo. Nevertheless, they seem to be doing quite well without offering it. When you already have it on your computer, Jim, I certainly don't think I'd opt for using just document files instead of FTM, unless you really aren't at all happy with it. All the programs take at least a little time to learn, but any one of them is generally more helpful than plain document folders. There's been a good discussion about the different programs happening on GENCMP-L, including many sides and features specifically about FTM. You can find the GENCMP-L archives through http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Newsgroup_Gateways/GENCMP.html Thank you, Sharon, for supplying a perfect example of one of the points I made about TMG vs starting with other programs...having so much vested in another program before realizing that you need something better, that you can't make the change. I wasn't talking about any specific program, and I wasn't putting down hobby researchers (indeed, I'd venture to say that most professionals first started in it as a hobby); but I do thank you for providing the great example in FTM. I have no idea why you may have had a program transferring a gedcome, as I've never had such a problem and don't know any TMG users who have. I wonder, though, what originally prompted you to pay the $100 to try TMG in the first place if you were already so happy with FTM? As you pointed out, that's a lot of money to blow without reason. Diane

I'll add my two cents worth here. I have used the PAF genealogy program for years. Upgraded here several years ago. It is so very simple, has all the features of any other program and it is free. You can download it from the Familysearch.com web site. Just start with yourself. Read what it tells you about each step and you'll do fine. If there is a Family History Center near you, they will help you. Ruth SW Iowa ----- Original Message ----- From: <genmail@1st.net> To: <ROCKINGCHAIR-ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2003 1:38 AM Subject: Re: [RC-ROOTS] TMG > jmh1925 wrote: > > >Diane, > > > >Thanks very much for writing what TMG is. I thought that it was very > >kind of you to give me such a complete, full analysis of the program. > > > >I also thanks the others of you who gave me a better picture of > >geneology programs. I have not been using a program. I have been up to > >now just putting the genealogy of each family line into DOCUMENT into my > >computer and putting the sources and pictures into a loose leaf book. > >In my DOCUMENT folder, I typed the name, birth date, marriage date, > >death date, and burial date of the husband, wife, and children. The > >source for each information is placed at the bottom. On the next page I > >write all the information on the husband and wife. Then I begin to do > >the same with each child. > > > >A few months ago, I bought Family Tree Maker. However, I just have > >typed my name, wife, and children in it. Because I do not know how to > >put in all the information and sources into it, I have not gone any > >further. The older that I get the more difficult it becomes to read > >directions. I am a very impatient person. > > > >Thanks again, > > > >Jim > > > > Thank you, Jim, for your kind recognition of what my message was really > all about. With funds so sparse for so many researchers, and research > expenses ever-increasing, I figure if a person takes the time to ask, > they should be given as many useful comparative details as possible so > they can make the best possible decision for themselves, relative to > their own preferences and needs. I find vague statements like "I like > such and such" or "I don't like that one," without supporting details, > to be pretty much useless. As I also did mention in addition to all the > details about TMG, anyone considering software programs should > thoroughly check all the options available, all the unbiased evaluations > to be found, the mailing lists for the programs, the sample programs > that are available, and guides unrelated to software about good > genealogy research. Unfortunately for some, TMG hasn't felt a need to > offer a full free version, only a demo. Nevertheless, they seem to be > doing quite well without offering it. > > When you already have it on your computer, Jim, I certainly don't think > I'd opt for using just document files instead of FTM, unless you really > aren't at all happy with it. All the programs take at least a little > time to learn, but any one of them is generally more helpful than plain > document folders. There's been a good discussion about the different > programs happening on GENCMP-L, including many sides and features > specifically about FTM. You can find the GENCMP-L archives through > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Newsgroup_Gateways/GENCMP.html > > Thank you, Sharon, for supplying a perfect example of one of the points > I made about TMG vs starting with other programs...having so much vested > in another program before realizing that you need something better, > that you can't make the change. I wasn't talking about any specific > program, and I wasn't putting down hobby researchers (indeed, I'd > venture to say that most professionals first started in it as a hobby); > but I do thank you for providing the great example in FTM. I have no > idea why you may have had a program transferring a gedcome, as I've > never had such a problem and don't know any TMG users who have. I > wonder, though, what originally prompted you to pay the $100 to try TMG > in the first place if you were already so happy with FTM? As you > pointed out, that's a lot of money to blow without reason. > > Diane > > > > ==== ROCKINGCHAIR-ROOTS Mailing List ==== > HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM LIST MODE: > please click here and send: > mailto:ROCKINGCHAIR-ROOTS-L-request@rootsweb.com?subject=unsubscribe > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237