"The best" is often not much more than personal opinion and preference. However, I have found that Legacy Family Tree gives me the flexibility I require for making source citations, more so that I found Family Tree Maker capable of. I don't think any of them are "easier" than others to use. They all have their quirks and their learning curves. What is needed is for each user to examine how they process material, how they work, and find the program which works well with their particular style. Karen Packard Rhodes currently residing in Pinellas Park, Pinellas County, Florida On 1/14/2013 7:11 PM, Cynthia Swope wrote: > A cousin has asked what she should buy. She's never used any software. > I've looked at reviews and seeking opinions on Family Tree Maker 2012, > the program I'd suggest to her from what I've read (it was editor's pick > in PCMag). > > I use Reunion-would recommend it, but she doesn't have a Mac. I want to > provide her GEDCOM of our shared family, and want to be able to upload > to her separately all the images associated so that she has them as well. > I want her to buy 'the best' but recognize that some are easier than > others. She'll be adding her progeny and branches to a substantial study > but I don't want to limit her choice to her being a beginner to software > because what she's receiving is serious and complete study that will > provide a sort of template for her. > > Am I right that Family Tree Maker 2012 is the best? >

I vote Legacy Family Tree. I switched from Family Tree Maker about 8 years ago and have been happy ever since. No software program is perfect. You have to find the one that fits your personal style the best. Legacy has a very active mailing list and good customer support. The support people monitor the list. Michele

If I had to choose one PC program, I'd choose RootsMagic. It has support for good sources and for events concerning multiple people. I'm on TMG, though, so your mileage may vary. -- Barbara Zanzig Kirkland, WA

An issue that has been missed here is that if the two of them have different software, not all the info will transfer, or transfer correctly, via gedcoms. This is especially true with source citations. Different software uses different formats and field names. Things get lost when uploading to the new/different software. best regards, Dee ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michele Lewis" <ancestoring@gmail.com> To: transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 6:56:33 AM Subject: Re: [TGF] Advice on software for non mac I vote Legacy Family Tree. I switched from Family Tree Maker about 8 years ago and have been happy ever since. No software program is perfect. You have to find the one that fits your personal style the best. Legacy has a very active mailing list and good customer support. The support people monitor the list. Michele The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Thanks for pointing this out Dee. I have never move information using a gedcom, but I know people who have and I thought it could have problems. Since I have never done this, I did not want to say anything. It is an important thing for everyone to be aware of. Chuck Mason -----Original Message----- From: transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Dee Dee King,Certified Genealogist Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 8:46 AM To: Michele Lewis Cc: transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [TGF] Advice on software for non mac An issue that has been missed here is that if the two of them have different software, not all the info will transfer, or transfer correctly, via gedcoms. This is especially true with source citations. Different software uses different formats and field names. Things get lost when uploading to the new/different software. best regards, Dee ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michele Lewis" <ancestoring@gmail.com> To: transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 6:56:33 AM Subject: Re: [TGF] Advice on software for non mac I vote Legacy Family Tree. I switched from Family Tree Maker about 8 years ago and have been happy ever since. No software program is perfect. You have to find the one that fits your personal style the best. Legacy has a very active mailing list and good customer support. The support people monitor the list. Michele The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message