>As a Mac user for many years and also as one who has been frustrated >by the Mac/PC incompatability, in the past, let me say that through >the use of the programme "Virtual PC" by Connectix I have been able >to work with the SMI and other genealogy related discs formatted for >Windows use with no difficulty. However, Connectix has now been >bought out by Microsoft who have released a later version. Before >rushing out to buy "Virtual PC" one has to consider the processor in >use by your Mac. The latest version of Virtual PC is not compatible >with Mac OS X 10.4 and computers with a G4 processor. I understand >that the latest Macs with a G5 processor have the ability to run >Windows using a built-in programme. So all is not lost. It is >important before buying any interworking software to obtain expert >advise. Bryan 11480 > >------------------------------ > >Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 22:46:08 +0100 >From: "Tony Holkham" <t.holkham@sky.com> >Subject: Re: [SFHG] Sussex Marriage Index and Mac >To: webmaster@sfhg.org.uk >Cc: sfhg-list <sfhg@rootsweb.com> >Message-ID: > <2f08f880807041446q3f409fc7tffc60cd35c302d53@mail.gmail.com> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > >Alan - > >Er, what was the question again? :-)) > >I don't think so - buying Windows XP Pro for a Mac (even if you have >VMware thingy) sounds a bit like putting custard on your roast beef. >I'm keeping an old Windows 98 laptop for viewing such CDs as are not >viewable on my Mac. > >Thanks for trying, though! > >Best wishes >Tony 9967 -- --Bryan Pannett

Hello Listers, Tried both Soft Windows and Virtual PC on my lovely Mac when I started my Family History some years ago, but fast came to the conclusion that (apart from the expense) Windows emulation products were more trouble than they were worth. And why put a Ford Escort motor in a Rolls Royce anyway! Also came to the conclusion that the suppliers of genealogy products needed to face the fact that there are a lot of Mac users and produce products that are Mac compatible, as most now do. As the consumer, we need to let the suppliers know what we want. They wont know if we don't tell them. When we do, they will usually help. Kindest Regards ...... Corinne in Melbourne, Australia. >> As a Mac user for many years and also as one who has been frustrated >> by the Mac/PC incompatability, in the past, let me say that through >> the use of the programme "Virtual PC" by Connectix I have been able >> to work with the SMI and other genealogy related discs formatted for >> Windows use with no difficulty. However, Connectix has now been >> bought out by Microsoft who have released a later version. Before >> rushing out to buy "Virtual PC" one has to consider the processor in >> use by your Mac. The latest version of Virtual PC is not compatible >> with Mac OS X 10.4 and computers with a G4 processor. I understand >> that the latest Macs with a G5 processor have the ability to run >> Windows using a built-in programme. So all is not lost. It is >> important before buying any interworking software to obtain expert >> advise. > >> Bryan 11480 > > >> >> Alan - >> >> Er, what was the question again? :-)) >> >> I don't think so - buying Windows XP Pro for a Mac (even if you have >> VMware thingy) sounds a bit like putting custard on your roast beef. >> I'm keeping an old Windows 98 laptop for viewing such CDs as are not >> viewable on my Mac. >> >> Thanks for trying, though! >> >> Best wishes >> Tony 9967

Picking up on Bryan's point (which subsequent correspondents did not mention) about the capabilities of current Apple Mac computers: I have an iMac with Mac OS X Tiger, version 10.4.11. This is based upon Unix, and my understanding is that it can be configured to run either Mac OS9 or Windows, then revert to Mac OS X according to need. I have never had occasion to use this facility (and don't use dedicated FH software) but perhaps it might enable people to use the software under discussion. Very likely the most recent Mac OS X Leopard, version 10.5 has still greater capability in this respect. MikeS.