Here is an update on Family TreeMaker Software if any of you use it. Also, welcome aboard new mail list member Tracey Surginer!! Ruby _______________________________________ > >>Copyright (C) 1998 by Richard W. Eastman and Ancestry, Inc. All >>rights reserved. > >>- Broderbund Sold >> >>On Monday of this past week, a press release by two companies >>announced a friendly takeover of Broderbund Software, producer of >>the most popular genealogy program in the world: Family Tree >>Maker. The Learning Company of Cambridge, Massachusetts plans to >>purchase Broderbund of Novato, California for approximately $420 >>million in stock. >> >>Both companies are educational and entertainment computer software >>makers. Broderbund produces many programs in addition to their >>popular Family Tree Maker series, including Carmen Sandiego, >>Arthur, KidPix and The Print Shop. While The Learning Company has >>not previously had a genealogy product, they do have a number of >>other programs that will fit in nicely with the Broderbund >>products. These programs include ReaderRabbit, BodyWorks, >>MegaMunchers, Cyber Patrol, KeyCAD Deluxe, Labels Unlimited, Score >>Builder for the SAT/ACT, Home Medical Advisor and a number of >>products for learning foreign languages. >> >>The deal is expected to be accounted for as a pooling-of- >>interests. Both companies' boards of directors have approved the >>transaction and intend to recommend it to their respective >>shareholders. The two companies said in a joint statement that >>they expect the merger to be completed before the end of >>September. >> >>"Broderbund's well-known, award-winning brands, are an excellent >>addition to the Learning Company portfolio," said Kevin O'Leary, >>president of The Learning Company. "In addition, the combined >>business will have access to a database of over 20 million >>registered end-users who have purchased one of our products and >>desire to hear about more offerings, which will allow us to build >>our presence in the on-line and Internet channel," he added. >> >>Let's see.... Family Tree Maker was created by a company called >>Banner Blue. That company later acquired Automated Archives, the >>first producer of genealogy CD-ROM disks. Banner Blue was later >>acquired by Broderbund. Then Broderbund also acquired Parsons >>Technology, producers of the competitive Family Origins genealogy >>program. Now Broderbund has been acquired by the Learning Company. >>I need a genealogy program just to keep track of this lineage! >> >>So what does this new acquisition mean to genealogists and >>especially to those who use Family Tree Maker? My guess is that >>there will be very little impact. The Learning Company did not >>have a genealogy program in their catalog, so the addition of the >>very popular Family Tree Maker will be a winner for them. Like >>Broderbund, The Learning Company has been very effective at >>marketing products. The Learning Company will probably continue to >>promote Family Tree Maker in much the same manner that Broderbund >>has. I expect it will be "business as usual" for the Broderbund >>employees. >> >>The one item that I cannot guess at is the future of Family >>Origins. This excellent genealogy program has always been a >>popular product for Parsons Technology. Broderbund purchased >>Parsons and then continued to sell Family Origins, even though it >>is a direct competitor to Family Tree Maker. Now the new owners >>will be looking at the two competing products with a fresh >>outlook. I hope they continue to sell and support Family Origins. > > > > >