TWR Computing has announced the release of Family Tree Maker 2008 UK Edition. The new version is expected to be available for shipment late August 2007. The Family Tree Maker 2008 UK Edition Single CD full version sells fort £19.99 inclusive. This pack will also upgrade from Family Tree Maker versions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 2005, 2006 and 16.
According to the announcement from TWR Computing, "Family Tree Maker 2008 has been totally rewritten from the ground up. There is no code from previous versions in FTM 2008. This means an exciting brand new up-to-date interface that is much easier to use. The new code allows the prospect of additional optional plug-in extra features provided by third parties in the future."
You can learn more about Family Tree Maker 2008 from the following video tutorials:
http://tinyurl.com/2bs467 Introduction 1 minute 30 seconds
http://tinyurl.com/2eglra Build 6 minutes 31 seconds
http://tinyurl.com/263ffh Search 6 minutes 56 seconds
http://tinyurl.com/26pbkq Collaborate 7 minutes 7 seconds
http://tinyurl.com/yqgmeb Publish 3 minutes 43 seconds
NOTE: The references to ancestry.com in the videos also apply to ancestry.co.uk and to ancestry.com.au
Full details may be found at http://www.twrcomputing.co.uk.
This appears to be the the same totally new build (with no old FTM code) as the FTM 2008 US beta is built on so it's worth taking a look at the concerns raised on the user-run FTM-tech mailing list on Rootsweb.
There are many features missing from this re-write, such as the ability to read out old data CD-ROMs, and the Books feature, and there is quite a lot of discussion over changed and missing features. If, like me, you've invested in hundreds of dollars on datbase CD-Roms, then you may be unhappy to find that they can't be used with the new software.
More than half of those on the mailing list (using previous versions of FTM and testing the beta) that responded to an informal poll have said they would not upgrade to the FTM 2008 as primary software to replace older FTM versions because of various concerns raised about what we see in the beta.
A "total re-write" means that this is essentially a 1.0 release of a significantly changed piece of software when it comes to features and stability, and it's a version that doesn't seem to have taken a lot of the needs and concerns of previous users into account.
Don't buy this expecting a simple upgrade from a previous version of FTM. The new version may offer some nice features but you are likely to still want to use the old version. Keep a copy of your old data and your old FTM install.
Expect to take a lot of time learning the new software, and lots of time to clean up your old database after import if you can even get it to import.
Posted by: Mal | July 19, 2007 at 10:21 PM
Is there any difference in the UK version vs the USA version? I am doing a lot of research now in UK records from some of my ancestors and was wondering if there is any benefit in trying the UK version.
Posted by: Sandy Coulter | July 20, 2007 at 06:36 AM
I am fairly new using the Genealogy programs..I do have a current Legacy program installed on my computer, have not yet used it very much, so do not have many entries so far. Earlier this year I was in Scotland UK, where I was born, and think perhaps this programs might have more feature for me especially the added trial of the Ancestry Uk version. My family and my husbands family are from Scotland and Ireland...
Would this be a better program for me?
Any feed back would be most appreciated.
Thank you
Posted by: Catherine Christie | July 20, 2007 at 05:37 PM
I have downloaded 2008 beta but not really analysed it but 2 friends have really worked on it and love the new features but saddened at losing some of their well used features . I will wait awhile before installing
Posted by: Laurie Thompson | July 20, 2007 at 06:07 PM
Can you run both versions? FTM 2008 and FTM version 16 on your computer? or when you put FTM 2008 does it autimatically write over FTM 16????
I read Cindy Rowzee's comments about FTM 2008 from the GenClass newsletter and her comments were positive. I don't want to lose something that is working fine.
Thank you.
Posted by: Nancy | July 21, 2007 at 10:21 PM
In reply to the comments raised by Mal, there is a free download at http://www.genealogy.com/abtffiv.html of the Family Archive Viewer (version 11 dated 2004) for viewing and searching Genealogy.com data CDs from which works fine on Windows XP and Vista. The ability to create books from Family Tree Maker 2008 is being developed via Ancestry Press which is also currently in beta testing. Regarding upgrading, people are encouraged to download the public beta of Family Tree Maker 2008 from http://beta.familytreemaker.com and report any difficulty in importing a family file from a previous version of Family Tree Maker to ftmpublicbeta@tgn.com
Posted by: Trevor Rix, TWR Computing | July 23, 2007 at 07:10 AM
In reply to Sandy, the UK version will integrate with ancestry.co.uk which has a large volume of UK records. A free subscription to ancestry.co.uk is expected to be included in the pack.
Posted by: Trevor Rix, TWR Computing | July 23, 2007 at 07:18 AM
Replying to Nancy, FTM 2008 will install itself separately to any previous version, so yes, you can run both version 16 and 2008 at the same time if you wish.
Posted by: Trevor Rix, TWR Computing | July 23, 2007 at 07:23 AM
It is always expensive being the first kid on the block with any new gadget. My grandfather had to have the very latest car. I remember one year he bought an Edsel. Oh, to have that today!
I agree with Trevor and will add that waiting for the finished product, which may overcome the drawbacks of the Beta version, is likely the best course. Just because some interface is "kewl," a fledgling developer may lose sight of the original function to implement it. FTM has a few years behind it, so I'd be surprised to find many flaws in the final product.
Happy Dae.
http://www.ShoeStringGenealogy.com/ssg1.htm
Posted by: Happy Dae | July 25, 2007 at 05:15 AM
I have not worked on my genealogy records in several years and was thinking of starting back. I have FTM-11, I believe. I was thinking of getting FTM 2008 but wondered if I should get UK instead since 2/3 of my research is UK. Would I need both or do they duplicate themselves? Would I do better with Legends as a novice? I am thoroughly confused. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Posted by: Karen Syfrett | July 25, 2007 at 10:34 AM
I am a very happy RootsMagic user and downloaded the beta version to review it for members of our local genealogy group. To say that I did not have a positive experience would be an understatement. The install changed settings on my desktop as they had promised. The install also damaged the registry and I ended up having to rebuild it. It happens! It's beta software!
Before the mess I was able to try out the features and liked some of them (people) but I didn't see much improvement in the import/match/merge area over other products. As to opening other database types directly I couldn't get it to open a PAF file nor import a large GEDCOM.
If I am reading things correctly this new release has a new database structure and will allow conversion of old FTM files to the new version but not the other way. While this is not uncommon, switching back and forth will be problematic.
I have nothing against Ancestry but the new FTM is even more tightly coupled to their offerings.
While admitting my bias towards RootsMagic, if I were an FTM user I would look at some of the other offerings before I bought into the new FTM. Remember that RootsMagic imports FTM files directly, no GEDCOM.
Posted by: Dave Vickers | July 25, 2007 at 01:14 PM
If you have not really tried FTM 2008 (rc1 beta version) I strongly recommend doing so with a large number of individuals in your database.
The "for sale" version is due later this month, August, and, if it really is made available, I cannot imagine that it will be very usable with large numbers of individuals.
My review, http://FamilyTreeMaker.chesebro.info, should be sufficient warning.
Posted by: Larry Chesebro' | August 15, 2007 at 01:13 PM
I have just purchased FTM 2008 and uploaded my FTM 2005 file by GEDCOM into FTM 2008. I have had no problems whatsoever. I love the new look, and there are some really good features. I know there is a lack of charts, however, I have read that there will be a patch mid - october which will add more charts. I do have one question though, does anyone know how I can get Reference ID Numbers to automatically allocate to each new individual as I enter them? I have 2707 names in the tree, all the Ref Numbers transferred over, but they are not automatically being allocated as I input a new individual. Thanks anyone who can answer ......
Posted by: lisa giddings | October 03, 2007 at 02:25 PM
I have been trying to decide what to do for a new family tree program. My previous was Generations Family Tree by Sierra. I was very happy with it until I discovered it did not work properly with Windows XP. I had done a fair amount of researching before I had 1st. purchased it etc. Now it is no longer supported nor being produced etc. & am once again trying to choose a good program that is fairly easy to use & recommended etc. The 'new' version of Family Tree Maker was recommended to me which would be out in Aug. I just purchased Family Tree Maker & am skeptical whether the seller was any more knowledgeable than myself. It now appears that this may not be the latest version & that the newest is Family Tree Maker 2008? Also have seen several negative comments about it? Is Family Tree maker 2008 a different vs. than vs. 16? I have not opened nor installed my recent purchase yet.
Posted by: Elaine Culling | November 03, 2007 at 09:49 AM