I just have to put in my two cents on the programs I use. I started out using Family Tree Maker and was quite happy with it for a few years. As I learned to document and found more sources, I found that FTW's "notes" section was way too limiting and I couldn't see what was there without looking at each person's notes separately. I bought The Master Genealogist 2 years ago and love it! I can edit anything I want the way I want. I can add tags, write sentences that are exported into a file that I can write any way I want. Since I'm still getting used to the book-writing part, I found I'm more comfortable with Family Origins. It prints out beautiful modified register reports and accepts most of the family GEDCOMS I get, since so many people I know use FOW. I have had no desire to obtain one of the upgrades of FTW at all. The books it produces is alright, but nothing to stand up and cheer about. I don't find any need for the SSDI Broderbund offers, either. I like my programs and being able to use them in tandem gets me the best of everything I want. Just my humble opinion... Kay