Family Tree Maker 2008 Beta is Released

I do not remember the last time a genealogy software producer  released a free public beta test of a new version to the general public. Most betas are run behind closed doors by a closely-kit group of "friends of the company." This one is different: it is open to everyone. I haven't had a chance to download this yet as I just received this news. However, I believe it is supposed to be an all-new program, a total rewrite.

This beta test is free but please note the warning, "The beta will stop functioning on August 24th." I assume that you will need to purchase the released version by then if you wish to continue with the program. Also please note that Windows either XP or Vista is required. The program will not work on older operating systems, such as Windows 98 or ME.

The beta test version is a 164-megabyte download. You can download it on a 56k dial-up connection but that will take a long time. Broadband users should be able to download it in a few minutes.

The following is the announcement:

Announcing Family Tree Maker 2008, the next generation of the world's best-selling genealogy program. Family Tree Maker 2008 is coming this August, but you can give it a try now by downloading and installing a beta of the program. Simply click the link [at http://beta.familytreemaker.com] to download the beta.

Before you continue please note the following:

• This is a beta program; therefore there are no guarantees that the program will perform correctly, nor are there any warranties of any kind.
• Since this beta version is still in development it may crash or fail to function correctly. Though unlikely, installing the program may also negatively affect the operation of your computer.
• Files created in this beta may not open in the release version of the product. Always keep a backup of your data in another genealogy program (such as Family Tree Maker 16).
• The beta will stop functioning on August 24th. If you have entered information into the program that you would like to preserve please be sure to create a GEDCOM export before the 24th of August.
• The minimum system requirements for running the program are:

Operating System:     Windows XP/Vista
Processor:     500 MHz Intel Pentium II or equivalent (1 GHz or faster processor recommended)
Hard Disk:     400 MB for installation. Additional space required for data files.
Memory:     256 MB of RAM (512 MB of RAM recommended)
Monitor:     800x600 resolution (1024x768 resolution recommended)
Internet:     All online features require internet access

You can learn more at http://beta.familytreemaker.com.

Comments

[Happy Dae]

Family Tree Maker is an excellent software for genealogy beginners. There is much to recommend it, such as the following:
. Sourcing for each field of information
. Notes for "things that don't fit"
. Notes for medical history and cause of death
. Specialized tag assignments
. Export to Word or Adobe Acrobat

On the other hand, there are several things that are less delightful:
. Same, unchanged reports
. No specialized reports for specific research projects or trips
. No report writer to create something a user might need
. Lacks an import from Word or Adobe Acrobat
. Lacks methodology to repair a corrupted index

And what's this business of all the version numbers? Is it a year or a number? Confusing.

I think it is a good product that could be much better.

Happy Dae
http://www.ShoeStringGenealogy.com/ssg1.htm

[BIll Bienia]

I tried downloading the beta this morning (July 10th) and it was not available. The download link (http://beta.familytreemaker.com/#) was a dead-end.

Bill Bienia

[Jane Ward]

I'm always uneasy about Family Tree Maker. I tried a "free trial version" once that changed all my files to their new version, which I didn't like, but was stuck with because the older version wouldn't open the new "old" files - and I hadn't been sensible enough to prepare a GEDCOM!
Older people that I help with genealogy really like their original version. Since many are converting from paper files, the old "file tabs" really help them understand the system. Once they feel confident, then the newer system begins to make sense.
Jane

[Dee Kermode]

Shoestring...which product do you recommend then? If FTM is for beginners...is Master's much better for experienced?

Thanks,
Dee

[Edward Fields]

I too am using FTM ver 16, and find it useful, but wonder if there is something better out there.
What are the heavy hitters using for genealogy software today?
thanks

[Bob Lackey]

A great beginning for FTM 2008 -- the download link doesn't work as of 9:30 AM EST on July 10!!! I'm curious as to whether they have finally enabled formating (bold, italics, underlining, etc.) in the Notes Section as Legacy 6 has done.

[Pat Walker]

I was really hyped to download, but when I went to the URL posted in your link above and clicked on the "download" link--nothing happened--it just jumped to the top of the page. Is there another download location? There should be for such a large download. Not much foresight on their part to have it inoperative the first day after it comes out.

[Ron Fedele]

The link on the page for the download is a place filler (it goes nowhere).

[David Frazier]

The download link doesn't seem to work. It just reloads the page.

[Brenda]

It says: click here to download on the site the above link takes one to and it does not dl .. check out the url of the link~ ;)

[critcial reader]

"However, I believe it is supposed to be an all-new program, a total rewrite."

Just why do you believe that?
Past experience with their "upgrades" suggests it will be the same much-advertised program as six years ago, but with new icons.....

[Jon]

Anybody else notice that the download URL doesnt work? Just seems to refresh the main page... wonder if its not actually released yet...

[Dick Eastman]

---> "However, I believe it is supposed to be an all-new program, a total rewrite." Just why do you believe that?

Because that is what the programmers writing the program told me several months ago. I believe them.

Last winter I sat in a conference room at Ancestry.com's headquarters in Provo, Utah as three of the their programmers who were writing the code gave me a demonstration of the program as it existed at that time. Many modules were not yet finished at the time but the "look and feel" and most of the core functions were operational then. I know that reports were not finished and Internet search did not work at that time and there were probably other pieces not ready at the time.

In short, they told me it was all new code and said they were forced to re-write it as the previous code had been modified and patched by different programmers over the years. The code was almost impossible to maintain the previous code so it was simpler and better to re-write everything new.

I believe them.

One of the fun things about writing this newsletter is that I get to see a lot of things before they are ready for announcement, such as Family Tree Maker. I usually have to sign a non-disclosure announcement (NDA) which I take seriously. I typically am not allowed to write anything about a product in development until the producing company makes its own announcement. At that time, the NDA is lifted and I am free to write about it and tell of my experience with the product.

As a long-time techie and genealogist, I must admit that I really love getting the "inside view" months before most other people!

- Dick Eastman

[Dick Eastman]

I just clicked on the link and downloaded the file. In short, it worked for me. I can believe that it was down all day, however. Things like that happen frequently with beta test software. I wouldn't be surprised to see the downloadable software yanked off the site several times as new bugs are discovered, fixed and then the fixed versions are re-uploaded to the site.

While you can download the beta test version at this moment, don't be surprised if it disappears again several times in the future.

- Dick Eastman

[Norman Henke]

The link is now working. I just downloaded the 164MB ftm_beta.exe. I am going to install it on a separate computer. I will post later on how it goes.

[Happy Dae]

Dee:

Yes, The Master Genealogist (TMG) is wonderful, but not for the faint of heart. Also, if you are a beginning or intermediate genealogist it can open your eyes to other established practices and other research avenues. It is for the serious genealogist. It is not perfect either, but continues to evolve, nonetheless.

For those who are simply collecting names, TMG is not for you. Save your money.

Happy Dae.
http://www.ShoeStringGenealogy.com/ssg1.htm

[Norman Henke]

I installed the beta on my spare notebook computer, a Dell Inspiron 8500. It took a few minutes to setup because the file is so big. No problems with the install. When you first start the program it asks if you want to start a new file or import an existing file. It will read a GEDCOM and any earlier version of FTM among a couple of other formats. I pointed it at my FTM 16 data file of about 1000 people and it created a new file in My Documents\Family Tree Maker\ in under a minute.

The Main screen is a combination of Family and Pedigree Views which seemed strange to me at first but quickly grew on me. The program looks completely different from FTM 16 but I think I like it. Lots of new stuff that will take some time to figure out.

[Mal]

I'm impressed by the few tests I did with it so far once I figured out the new interface and where things had moved to.

I have a major problem in that I can't import my main FTM file from the current version - it just gets an error before it even starts processing. I'm able to import a GEDCOM version of the data but this strips off the best feature in recent versions - the ability to save original census image scans files into sources. I need to look at this more to see if I can figure out a workaround and to report it formally.

The integration of Ancestry searches in the last few versions is wonderful even though it has some flaws. It is the main reason I've kept buying upgrades - the bundled Ancestry.com access is sometimes cheaper than a regular subscription depending on which version/bundle you get.

It would be nice if they were more actively soliciting feature requests and feedback.

For example, the custom search option currently makes it very difficult to page through the many databases to choose which to include. The ability to save multiple custom search settings would be nice, and having a way to search the databases and select multiple ones from a list of results would be nice.

Also, the way they integrate GEDCOM merges from Rootsweb's Worldconnect is a bit dodgy in the old version and I think still in the beta, making it very hard to download a full tree and forcing you to do parts of a family at a time, then search for each offspring's spouses and children. If I'm not mistaken they strip notes off these also, and don't really credit the source and instead add their own source citation.

Anyway, it's essential software to me, and I've been hoping it would evolve more. It looks like we're getting some major changes in the look and feel. Hopefully we'll get better reporting and more ability to customize reports.

Overall I think the software has come a long way from versions of it I used years ago. I've always had a bit of love/hate relationship with it as a software tool, and only in the last two versions I've come to appreciate it more than it annoys me. It looks like I might even consider upgrading before my current Ancestry subscription expires if they get this polished.

[Mary D. Taffet]

If you had trouble importing your file from FTM Version 16, try the following, which those of us die hards on the FTM-TECH mailing list have been discussing:

1) Compact your original FTM 16 file and try again.

2) If that doesn't work, then try the following with a copy of your FTM 16 file:

-- Remove all To-do items
-- Remove all Saved views
-- Remove all Books

Removing those items allowed me to import my FTM 16 file that I couldn't import with those items still present.

The FTM-TECH mailing list is now hosted by Rootsweb for those in search of it.

-- Mary

[Dino (All Dino, All the Time)]

Thanks for the heads-up on the new version, Dick.

Since this a a total re-write (with all new code) it is, basically, a version 1.0 release.

And I will treat it like I do all 1.0 releases; Wait until version 1.1 is released, but probably version 2.0.

Nonetheless, I applaud the programmers and product managers for taking the steps necessary to bring FTM into the 21st century.

[Cathy]

I've never been impressed by what I saw in Family Tree Maker (FTM). Since using Legacy Family Tree by Millennia a couple of years ago, I've become a die-hard fan of it. It has the scale and versatility of The Master Genealogist (TMG) but more user friendly and more intuitive than any of the past versions of FTM. Legacy is also inexpensive. Thanks but I'll stick with Legacy.

[Geoff GILLIGAN]

Hi, FTW has been at the forefront of the genealogy programs that I use, with stating with 4.3 And over the years I have upgraded and helped many people from all walks of life & computer levels with slide shows, a easy to use basic book and classes. As with all good things they can be made bigger & better.

Beta FTW 2008.
Dose have some great improvements in it, however I think playing with it a lot more before I give the thumbs up and would buy it in August is another thing. Going on line to creat a Book is this a add-on? I would have liked the new fomatt better if all the old plus new things were added. In the last few upgrades the powers at be have spent more time with getting the WWW perfect. People in our genealogy groups etc... Like it as it is easyer on the eyes and not so cluttered. like some of the other programs that are avible to day.

Don't get me wrong I think in some parts this 2008 ver is so much better.

I made a new folder within the 2008 folder called it Family test. copied one of my files from ver16 into it and callred test. Everything imported ok photos sound files Notes facts the lot.

Just a Note: check the backup it backups to my Doc.. by defalt so change the backup desination if you don't won't this to happen.

Will post another note to let you all know how I get on.

Cheers Geoff GILLIGAN

[Allen Prunty]

Can someone please e-mail me at allen at alprunty.com

I have a file with 92,000 people in it that would give it a thrashing... I would love to test it out with my big file.

The link is not working for me and if someone could please e-mail me when it's working or help me to get the file I would be greatful.

Thanks

Allen

[Athena]

I downloaded the FTM2008 (aka FTM17) Beta about a week ago and I can't see any reason for someone who is running FTM 13/16 to upgrade. FTM2008 appears to have been designed to run in full screen mode on a widescreen monitor. Good Luck if that doesn't apply to you.

My greatest dislike is the integration with online sources. In older versions, online searches of Ancestry resulted in an easy to use hit list with the option to display the actual record in a separate windwo. In FTM2008, you just get the standard Ancestry web page opening in an unusably small window within the application itself. Yes, you can opt to open it in a separate window but you have to do that each and every time you want to see a something. In the older versions, the hitlist indicated when something had already been merged, now they've gone to cluttering up the basic display with a leaf to indicate that something on the web may apply -- whether or not you have already merged the item. The whole thing is cluttered and more difficult to use.

There are some welcome additions to managing and presenting media files but the chart reporting is still too basic and FTM stopped including the Charting Companion a while ago so I don't know how people are supposed to get decent charts. The minor improvements I have seen so far don't really cut it.

The User Interface is messed up in other ways too -- there are giant iconic buttons above the menu (they should be below) but no HELP icon. There are lots of extra panes that cannot be closed (again making it hard to work with on a standard aspect monitor). Basically, they decided to expose everything all the time (probably because a lot of users never realized what was possible) and in the process they have created a cumbersome application.

From what I can see, FTM 17 is a rewrite of what was there before and not a evolution into something better. I have used many of the other programs mentioned here -- Legacy, TMG, and Roots Magic to mention a few. I have stayed with FTM because of the web integration but I was hoping to see more *functional* enhancements this time around and am sadly disappointed. All I really see is a rearrangement of what was already there. I won't be spending any money on an upgrade to this version.

FWIW, you don't really have to do anything to avoid corrupting your current installation. I did backup my database before I started but the installation program didn't change anything in my main directory; it created a separate folder and created a converted copy of the database all on its own.

[Carmen Johnson]

I have a large file with about 74,000 people. I will say that it took a long time to import the file. It seems a little slow manuevering between individuals...but since I am using a beta, that does not surprise me. I have not found where the Register reports are. As for Charting, that isn't really a big deal for me. Now for the good sutff, it will take while to get used to the interface, but I can see that it could really be great when you are working with complicated lines. Essentially the pedigree and family interface are combined. Once I was able to figure out how to customize the interface for the person...I was very happy with the look. I haven't yet figured out if the old keyboard shortcuts will work. When I have more time...I will check. As with anything different, there will have to be a lot of adjustments. If you don't like to make those changes, then don't try the new 2008...however, if you are open to some new things - keep a backup and try it out!

[Carlos Ruth]

I have not used the new version. I am using FTM 2005 (ver. 16) and enter surnames in CAPS. I often enter it in Title Case and have to re-enter the surname. I was hoping that there would be a way to change the case of the surname as the is in MS Word (highlight the text then, Format, Paragraph, Change Case). However this does not appear to be one of their improvements.

For my friends entering Hispanic names, the short, 40 character, name field is just too short. In fact people have told me that if I are going to do much spanish genealogy do not use FTM. Nobody has mentioned that the name field is longer either.

Just what are the improvements that the average user will see? Are the improvements worth the $30.00 or so that it will cost to upgrade?

[Allen Prunty]

My file has actually 87,923 people in it close to 90,000

It took forever to import everything... I must admit it's pretty slick with the place validation.

Something I hated about FTM... you can have thesame place entered so many ways and sometihng I loved about Legacy was the place validation.

The ability to cut and past directly into the fields is a winner.

I was horrified that it would not validate my cemeterys in the place names in the burial.
What i did was add the "description" tag to the burial and viola it works fine now.

There are marked improvements... btu as far as the reports it has a long way to go.

There is hope in seeing that there is a "plug ins" interface in the options. Perhaps that's how new reports will be added.

I must say that it's a very solid start to something new.

Allen

[Pat Walker]

I have tried 7 times to download and install the new beta FTM. I have used a couple of browsers. The download will not complete and is corrupted so that when I click on the exe file, I get an error message that it can't find the init file or something like that. I have a highspeed Satellite (WildBlue) download speed of 512 K. We have tried everything--disabling AV, firewall, etc, etc and no luck. Very disappointed--wish they had a smaller file to try out.

[Mal]

I've confirmed that Family Archive database CD viewing ability has been dropped from the 2008 FTM version and this really concerns me. I was advised that I should just continue running an older version of FTM when I asked about this.

It's important that people interested in FTM check the beta and check the FTM-tech mailing list on Rootsweb to see some of the issues and concerns, and to offer feedback on what's important to them in this software.

The decision to obsolete the ability to read database CDs is odd considering that the parent company still sells these databases in the online Ancestry store.

I'm pretty annoyed because ability to search data CDs was one of the reasons I initially switched to FTM, and now hundreds of dollars of CDs I purchased will now be unusable if I migrate to thew FTM version.

Another major concern seems to be the inability of the program to write files that can be opened by older versions of the software, if I'm reading this correctly. Also there are concerns about changes in the way sources are handled

There's a survey request there now to feel out why people will and won't upgrade based on the current feature set. Since this is only polling early adopters willing to test the beta the feedback may not be a fair sample of their user base. I know many people haven't updated much older versions despite yearly revisions, and those are exactly the kind of people who should be telling the software developers why they won't upgrade.

The free Family Archive Viewer software hasn't been updated since Windows 98 and is basically a stripped down version of FTM (6?) that has apparently been abandoned from any future revisions as a way to encourage users to use FTM instead.

The post asking for a survey of feedback on why people will or won't upgrade is here:

http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/FTM-TECH/2007-07/1184370489

FTM-tech list info:

http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html

[Allen Prunty]

Pat e-mail me off list ... I'll help you get the file. Same offer goes for anyone else having trouble.

Allen

allen at alprunty dot com

[David]

FTM 2008 does not import suffixes correctly from FTM 16 etc. In previous versions a comma after a name meant that anything after the comma was recognised as a suffix. So you could have, say, William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire. You can sort the resulting muddle out manually, but if you have a lot of such entries it represents a lot of work. Genes Reunited mangles suffixes generated by FTM in a similar manner.

[Doris]

I started 10 years ago with family tree maker, for lack of knowing what other programs were out there. I had no trouble loading the Beta version, but am having trouble "working" with it. I like the opportunity to practice with it first, but because I can't get to a comfort level, I may choose not to upgrade this time. Maybe I am not as "web-enabled" as most seem to be. I loaded my gedcom file, and two things I've noticed are:
1) it didn't load any of the digital images that I had in my file.
2) the kinship report is not as extensive in its reporting. (Ex: relationships from being double first cousins now only lists one relationship unlike version 16 which lists all relationships)

I am not having much luck with merging "ancestry matches". It keeps giving me a one license user message for ancestry.com, of which this is the only one open and then my account is "locked" for a half hour at a time. And I too cannot get the "HELP" function to work. Is this a beta thing?

[Joan Parker]

I've always upgraded FTM every time, but I might come to a screeching halt for this 2008. Yes, I realize it is a beta but future software is based on betas.

So far it seems as if beginners would have a problem with"where do I go now?" There are too many drop-downs to find out what is next or where to go. Not intuitive at all. I think it is too complicated for beginners. At least I know what to look for and still wondered around and not find it. What about beginners whom as I wrote above: where do I go now/what do I do next? In 2006 most of the information needed will be found on one screen with easy access....2008 open, close, open, close.

2008 does not appear to be as User friendly as 2006.

Where is the acess to GenSmarts?
Facts--in 2006 one click brings up facts, notes, etc. 2008 one has to click on a drop down then click on facts and another click if you want to create your own fact.
Help leaves a lot to be desired.
Based on the few reports I created seems to waste a lot of space (paper) and ink with all the double black lines separating "titles" ie: individual sumary; individual facts; shared facts, etc.

I like:
the map possibilities in Places,
that surnames can be converted to Upper Case if you forgot.

General impression: Not for me on first usage but will continue exploring it over the next week or so, but first impression is that it's "no big deal."

[Buster]

I currently run F T M 2005 and have been extremely happy with it. I downloaded Beta F T M 2008 onto a separate external hard drive and imported my tree from 2005. My initial reaction was great. I thought all individuals, all notes and all photos etc had been transferred. I like the overall concept and have been generally playing with it to familiarise myself with it, with a view to buying it in August.


However I have discovered something strange. 444 individuals have been transfered, but I have noticed my Granduncles 2nd wife and all their dependants have failed to transfer. I initially thought it was something to do with a second spouse but no, my Grandmas second spouse and dependants have transferred ok. I then thought it was because they were the latest additions to my 2005 records (Approx early July) so I deleted 2008 file and added some notes on another individual. These notes were transferred ok but still not the individuals before mentioned.

I then added a fictitious 2nd spouse, and fictitious child to my 2005, once again deleted 2008 files and reloaded my amended tree from 2005 to 2008 and neither my fictitious spouse and child and the previous individuals were transferred across.


Is this a bug? or is there a maximum no of individuals on the Beta version? (444? surely not) Or is there a maximum file size as I have about 30 to 40 photos. Or am I doing something silly? I have checked and rechecked my information re my Grand Uncles 2nd spouse on the 2005 version and it appears to be entered ok. They appear in his descendant report etc.

Has any one else a similar problem?

[Judy in Ocala]

To Doris regarding importing of images. You imported your data via gedcom. Images are not included in gedcom files. However, FTM 2008 will open your FTM files from an earlier version. (Just make a backup of your file first.) Then you will get all your images except source images you may have merged from Ancestry.com. This is a known problem and has been reported to the developers.

[Larry Chesebro']

I have used FTM since 1996 (v3) and have always upgraded to the newest version which now is v16. FTM 2008, based on the beta, is a dumbdowned, frills effort that TNG is trying to entice upgrades before anyone can truly compare FTM 2008 to v16. The "Public Beta" process is a joke. I have called and e-mailed my concerns, questions, and comments for days and have yet to receive any responses other than during telephone calls that the support personnel only say "FTM 2008 has a really new interface and will be better". However, most support personnel via telephone contact have not even seen or used FTM 2008. The Beta support personnel have yet to respond. My http://FamilyTreeMaker.chesebro.info will soon have feature by feature comparisons of v16 and 2008.

[Bill Bartling]

I miss the Family Page. One screen with spouse, children, parents names etc. In my opinion most of the people, like myself, are not hard core genealogists and need something more like V16. I have no problem with a more comprehensive version for the more advanced usuers but I still suspect most are more comfortable with a more intuitive version.

[Eileen Souza]

I have used FTM for over 10 years because it was so easy to do everything in it. Lately, I have been looking for more features and flexibility so I downloaded trials of Legacy 6, Roots Magic and TMG. The most intuitive and feature rich appears to be Legacy 6, but for some reason it will not open the database on my desktop Vista PC. I have it running on my laptop only, but need something I can use on both.

So I downloaded the beta of FTM to see how it now stacks up. The first thing I noticed was the new interface, similar to the three software packages I mention above. FTM seems to be following the trend with the Vista/Office 2007 look. The ability to assign sources and maintain a Master List is much improved. This was an area of dissatisfaction to me in older versions. I had no trouble downloading and installing it in Vista, another plus. I like having more information handy while I am working since it saves a lot of keystrokes.

I am still playing with it but if it turns out to be comparable to at least Roots Magic or Legacy 6, I may stick with FTM and go for the upgrade.

Eileen

[Ron]

The "OLD" beta version of FTM 2008 has stopped functioning. When going to Family Tree Maker beta download url, the following message is posted on the top of the page ....."Please Note: If you downloaded the Family Tree Maker Beta before July 25th there is a new version available. Please click the link at the bottom of the page to download the latest version."

[Doug Tracy]

And the best FREE genealogy program is, Personal Ancestry File (PAF)

[Dennis Hawver]

The version available now (since last night) is Release Candidate 1, which means if they don't find too many remaining bugs, it is the code of the final release. Some bugs will be fixed by later patches.

[jenniferw]

Legacy Family Tree is a free genealogy program that is much better than Personal Ancestry File (PAF). I have used both and Legacy wins hands down.

[Athena]

I don't know why Legacy users always feel compelled to trash FTM without contributing anything substantive. I've tried Legacy twice and always return to FTM because of the web integration.

One thing that I have not found a way to do in any of the programs is to flag information as provisional and print reports that show that.

[Dave Vickers]

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.

[Pat Evans]

Been using Family Tree Maker for many years now and don't usually purchase the first iteration of a "rewrite" but the beta version piqued my interest so I downloaded it. On my superfast computer it took many minutes to download and everytime I opened it, it took what seemed to be a long time since I was just sitting there waiting. I entered a few people from scratch and added information from my Ancestry.com subscription. The interface seemed cumbersome and I couldn't quite get how to not enter duplicate information so I had lots of editing to do - which took a while. The whole program seems slow and although the feature of adding information from Ancestry.com is nice; however due to the amount of editing time required and the lack of information as to how to do this, I wound up removing the program after about a week of playing. My historic operating impression is correct, don't go with the first iteration of a rewrite.

[Doris Wheeler]

Before you adopt FTM, be sure to give The Master Genealogist a try. There are no dead-ends here. You will not have to one day say, Gee, I wish I could do so and so. Remember, too, you can start with the basics -- just as if you had Family Tree Maker or PAF. You do not have to take advantage of all the extras TMG provides until you are ready. Meanwhile, you can adopt different features gradually, but you will never be limited as you will be with other programs.

When you look at TMG, be sure to take note of the add-on programs that are available too, such as Second Site and TMG Utility. They extend the richness of TMG even beyond its own innate capabilities. I used Second Site to build my website: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dorisw. There are many other example sites at http://www.johncardinal.com/ss/.

[Buster]

Further to my comments dated July 17th I re installed later version and the second spouse and descendants were transfered ok this time from 2005 to 2008. However the marriage dates of the 2 spouses managed to transpose one with the other but their respective offspring were correct. I have re checked the info is correct in 2005. Still unsure whether to upgrade or not. Disappointed with lack of response after reporting problems via e mail similar to Larry's message dated 25th

[Athena]

>> The FTM-TECH mailing list is now hosted by Rootsweb for those in search of it.<<

That's a mailing list -- which means that you can't reply to something that was posted before you subscribed and you have to keep it in your e-mail program to keep up. The archives may be posted at Roots-Web (which are very difficult to navigate) but you can't respond there, Is there a usable web-oriented forum somewhere with FTM developer engagement? How about a newsgroup?

I downloaded the RC this morning and had to stop using it after 30 minutes. Maybe it's just my middle-aged eyes but all that tiny type was too difficult to work with.

I can't believe how inefficient the web integration is in FTM2008. The automatic search is useless after the first time you add a person since it ignores the fact that information has already been merged from the indicated source and if you turn it off the search feature is even more crippled: instead of taking me directly to the hit list, I have to respecify the search and the RC displays 4 hits in the same amount of space that FTM displays 14. Is that really supposed to be an enhancement?

IMHO, web integration is the strongest selling feature of FTM and it's been degraded to a beginner's gimmick in this version.

[Athena]

>>Before you adopt FTM, be sure to give The Master Genealogist a try. There are no dead-ends here. You will not have to one day say, Gee, I wish I could do so and so.<<

I did try TMG. It is good and has a lot of useful advanced features but as far as I'm concerned, it's behind the times. It's not just that the interface is 10 years old; it doesn't have any real web integration. You can search online within TMG but there's no way to get what you find into your database; you still have to retype everything.

I think that people who don't use it understimate the value of the web integration in FTM. As more and more information becomes accessible on line -- at Ancestry and elsewhere -- the ability to add web sources to ones personal database will become even more important and software publishers have to keep up. FTM2008 is not focused just on Ancestry data, the new web clipping feature enables the user to incorporate information from any web source.

[Pat]

I finally, with help of another poster, downloaded the more recent release of FTM Beta 2008. I, too, have not received responses from the email address given on their website, so trying to find a forum or blog to ask questions about FTM beta. I will choose this one and hope someone knows of another besides the FTM-Beta Tech.

I use Legacy 6.0 Deluxe, latest build. Here are my problems so far (I have emailed FTM beta about these):

1. Direct mporting Legacy file with 14,000+ persons and LOTS of media files--takes hours--even though I set the FTM Options to Warnings--DO NOT COPY MEDIA FILES TO FOLDER--it ignores this and tries to copy (duplicating) 82,000 files to a 16gb media file folder.

IF I import a gedcom generated from Legacy (for Legacy, ANSI), it DOES NOT try to create a media folder and copy all the media files in replicate.

2. Where is the Match/Merge feature?

3. IT cannot import my TO DO TASKS from Legacy into the Tasks file in FTM--A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH SERIOUS GENEALOGY RESEARCHERS. I use this option heavily and have multiple To Do Tasks in Legacy that, if I can't import in entirety--I HAVE TO CONTINUE USING LEGACY.

4. The Task feature it has does not have the categories (and thus the filter, sort capabilities) for Location, Repository, Results.
I filter on Repository so I have an easy Task list for a visit to that Repository--gives me what I have already checked on and what I have yet to do.

I was starting to be impressed by this program, but if they don't fix the To DO Task list import from Legacy, I cannot make the transition, as I can't see me re-entering thousands of Task items.

Sorry, FTM, I really tried--hadn't tried FTM for many, many years and thought this would be the year given the screen shots, but NOT IMPRESSED with the REPORTS MENU and where is the MATCH/MERGE?

[Larry Chesebro']

As promised, I have activated my user's critical review of FTM 2008. I have much more to do but so far I've compared v16 to the rc1 BETA and have posted GEDCOM and file actions at http://FamilyTreeMaker.chesebro.info

FTM 2008 apparently will never replace v16. The programmers have too much to correct in what certaintanly appears to be nothing more than a dumb downed frilly failure no one can afford to have on their computer because it is a data hog and just barely creeps along - as if it were a DOS program of 10 years ago!

[Joe Cox]

Sorry folks this program is definitely not re-written as stated--at least the database engine is not new. Same errors as always before since the inception of the program. It would be nice if the FTM programmers would work out old bugs before coming out with new releases. The term spaghetti coding comes to mind, most likely from the numerous hands that the program has gone through over the years. Just a few more fields were added to the database. Sourcing is still a weak point. Note fields are lacking as well. Will FTM ever get rid of the leading 0's in its user id field. This was the tell tale sign that they are still using the same tired database engine they have always used.

Don't get me wrong - the program has a grand concept and I would definately buy it if it came to fruition because it integrates with my subscription to Ancestry.com - it is a very buggy integration though that does not always work correctly as is. I know this is beta, but so was xp and vista when they were released. It took xp 5 years to settle into a workable program in which was updated frequently. FTM does not update frequently so it makes me wonder if what you purchase now is what you will get until the next $$ release.

Now I will give them that the GUI is totally rewritten. Decent layout, but the functionality is lacking and the newest beta rc1 is extremely buggy. The program also hogs up memory and will stop or slow your computer down to a crawl. Try it yourself. The new beta released a couple of days ago and the real thing to be released in mid to late August.....they have a long way to go still to iron out all the bugs.

I wish I knew where the "real" beta forums were so I could give some input to the programmers as I have pretty much tried every bell and whistle.

I tried import functions from Legacy. It is not mapped correctly and FTM drops data without warning. Since I use Legacy I will not be purchasing FTM unless they map the database fields correctly.

[Joe Cox]

ps. Just in case anyone is wondering about the guts of my 'puter. AMD 64 X2 Dual 3800+, 500GB sata drive, 2gig of mem

I tried the program on my HP Vista laptop - AMD turion TL-50 64 X2 dual, 120GB with 1 gig of memory. - FTM locks the computer up. Between the GUI resources of Vista and FTM my 1gig memory cannot handle it. Yes vista does not give the historical "blue screen of death" it just stops working.

[William Boswell]

Thank you to the person who indicated the new update. I heard there was one coming out, but heard no announcement over on the FTM Boards.

I am both an FTM and The Master Genealogist (TMG) user. I started using FTM back in late 1998 then switched over to TMG v4 which still hadn't been updated for the 32-bit operating system for Windows. I'm still using both programs up to FTM v16 and TMG v6.X and have found that this 2008 Beta leaves a lot to be desired as far as importing my TMG data file with images. The linked images in TMG are in a separate folder on my data hard drive. I only have images in TMG because I use a program designed for my TMG data file (SecondSite) to produce family information for my website.

When I import the TMG project file into FTM Beta, it deletes all of my original files, copies the images then renames the files to something meaningless that is linked to FTM 2008. I believe this is the first release of FTM that allows linking which I prefer since it keeps the data file smaller.

NOTE: I just tried the new RC1 version and it still deletes my original files when importing my TMG file into FTM 2008. I know that I only reported this problem recently so there would be no time for them to correct this. Thank heavens for backups.

The TMG data file imported into FTM 2008 also creates a number of "issues" such as erroneous source names, strange things showing up as person surnames (one persons last name showed up as p.16 which I think was extracted from a source), while others show up as:

Sheet: 17 [:CR:]
Born: 1833 in Maryland);
Reference Number: 57234;Listed as Colmore Williams Bean Page Number: 0030

Opening my FTM v16 data file in FTM 2008 also is a bit of a mess. Source Repositories were listed by address/location without the name of the source.

I've reported all my findings so far. Now I'm going to see if this RC1 version has any improvements.

I love all the improvements especially with the Person page where you can customize what you want to see on that page. One thing I've always liked about TMG is that you can view all information on one page. I've suggested this a couple of times to the makers of FTM years ago and they finally got the message. I always hated having to go to other pages to add burial and other information.

The Master Genealogist does have a learning curve, but it isn't that hard to learn the basics. When I first started using it, I imported my FTM file into it and had to do a lot of extra work to convert it to TMG because TMG has many other fields that FTM didn't have back then. TMG also allowed for scoring your sources which this new version just added. A nice feature, finally. I understand that TMG v7 (coming out later this year I'm told) will be much more user friendly for new users. I still don't know the advanced features of TMG, but I will continue to use it especially if FTM 2008 doesn't fix the image problem anytime soon.

[Catpurrson]

I've been there and done that with just about all of the programs: FTM, PAF, Cumberland Family Tree, Brothers Keeper, Ancestral Quest, Kith & Kin, Legacy, RootsMagic, The Master Genealogist and then the heavens smiled on me and I found GenBox and couldn't be happier. Feature rich and incomparable charting capabilities. Wouldn't use anything else for any amount of money! Try it; you'll like it. Plus the user list is FRIENDLY, unlike some others out there and the developer is RESPONSIVE. Version 4 is in the works and will include a zillion enhancements.

[BIll Bienia]

I do not use FTM for any database work, I only use it to train others who have it how to use it. With versions up to 16, I felt that FTM was a workable program, in spite of its short comings. I feel that FTM 2008 is a giant leap backward. I will upgrade to be able to help people use the program who insist on using it.

However with version 2008, I have to detract this opinion. The overwhelming majority of people I deal with want to create a book as a result of their research – and removing the book feature is a major faux-pas. Almost all of my clients do not have a dataset with data with which that they can answer Yes to their copyright question, there is always some small portion where copyright data is captured for personal use only. Before they were using it locally, but in FTM 2008 it will be uploaded to the internet and who knows where the FTM “book” will appear. Is this one of the company's ploys to get people to upload their data then have the data made available to the world? What other reason is there for a web-based booked feature?

The online feature will also be a hinderance to those people who don't have high-speed access. FTM is forgetting this large segment of the rural communities.

I will not be recommending FTM 2008 to anyone who wants to use it to create a book.

Bill

[harry h]

To Dick Eastman et al From a non-pro genealogist who uses FTM from beginning until 16. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

1. I didnt know about the beta availability until today, but had time and wanted to try it for my 13K individuals, 2.5K marriages, and very extensive notes included in it.

2. I had difficulty converting, then compacted, and all went 100% ok -- including the pics. Nice start. Lots of graphics, tabs, etc.

3. First curiosity was the handling of sourcing. Did it make it possible to see all uses of a source together. Yes, it worked -- at least to start. I tried to combine some. Seemed ok.

4. Second curiosity. Consistency of place names. Here I found the software knows where some places are on the map, but tells the user the place name can't be modified Example -- Antelope, Jack Co TX is on the map but it won't give the standardization to Antelope, Jack, Texas USA. Many of these.

5. Trying to get at the index of individuals with a radio button is posssible with some views, but you have to be in the right mode to get it. I just plain need access to that from everywhere before spending the time to convert all my data, clean up the sourcing, and organize my extensive notes to the new format

In general, I want the software. These folks have put out solid software since the beginning, but this 1.0 beta still needs cleanup work before release. I hope they don't hurry it. Thanks again for keeping me current.

[Pat Walker]

I contacted FTM Tech Support to ask about the probability of their fixing the Import of Legacy data to include the To Do Task list. I also asked if they would consider adding the Repository field to their own FTM Task List. Basically, they are not working on this at this time. It is really too bad because their integration of web access to the data was nice, as was the mapping and display of all views on one screen.

I am really amazed that they do not pay much attention to To Do lists--especially not having a Repository or even a Location Field. A serious student of their own family tree needs to do research in various places and by having a To DO list prepared by Location and Repository, it is an easy matter to check sources that have not been researched and a good place to note "No results" for unproductive searches.

Also, I could not find a way to display a Descendancy without going into Reports. That is a shocker. Another "NEED" in any genealogy program.

Well, they had a good concept, but certainly didn't carry it to fruition. They had a potential of grabbin a large chunk of Legacy users, such as myself, but that will be pretty difficult without the To DO list import. I suppose some Legacy users might use it for its added features, but what a pain to have to import it back into LEgacy again for any reason.

It is a memory and hard-drive hog--so, with all the CPU resources it uses, it still can't handle complete imports from Legacy and some of the basic features--such as descendancy, To Do List location and Repository, charts from earlier versions, and on and on and on.?????

Well, here's hoping that Legacy 7.0 will have some improvements on their Research Guidance to include the web-access/clipping features FTM had.

[William Boswell]

FTM 2008 does have the Person Tasks under the Person tab which is kind of nice. They have this in The Master Genealogist which I also use and is very useful when you want to document what you have found or are looking for on that particular person.

The Plan screen also has a Tasks part where you can add "Things To Do" which I think is revamped from the old Research Journal.

I'm still anxiously awaiting this upgrade, even though the beta is showing me this is a major job converting anything prior to FTM 2008. I'm halfway finished rearranging items from the Facts tab to the Notes so it doesn't think everything is a Place Name. What a major job.

I tried the freebie Legacy and didn't see much difference between it and FTM. The Master Genealogist program is and always has been better than FTM, but because I started with FTM I've always tried to keep both programs up to date. Now I'm finding that some of my sources have disappeared over the years (FTM deleted them) and I had to put them back. Both programs (FTM and TMG) have the same information in them, but I'm now finding that in FTM some things have disappeared over the years and with many upgrades.

I'm sorry I pre-ordered. This program needs major work.

[Pat Walker]

I almost pre-ordered--thinking I could overlook the To Do task list and "someday" input them all. There are MANY differences between Legacy 6.0 Deluxe and FTM 2008 Beta and FTM old version. I hope Legacy will pick up on these and upgrade some of its dormant features--such as the web clipping and, perhaps, all on one screen?

Nothing can match the organization for research in Legacy. If you feel you've "finished" your research and want to do nothing but "play" with your data--maybe FTM will work, but it lost a lot of its Book publishing and chart and report publishing features, so you wouldn't even be able to do that. Also, no descendancy view--practically unforgiveable!

Again, I thought--FTM has the mapping, web clipping, all on one-screen, etc, but unlike other secondary genealogy programs that I might use to augment my Legacy (I like Ancestral Quest because of it awesome Search Index screen where you can customize the fields showing and sort on any of them, whereas Legacy only sorts on name, RIN, and maybe birth/death if that) which are easily converted back and forth, FTM is too cumbersome to convert back and forth to keep both databases synchronized and up to date--it takes up too much memory, too long to import a database, too glitchy and too much hard drive space.

[Cheryl]

I have a really major question (to me, at least). When I transferred to the new beta (after July 25 or so) version I noticed that I don't have any of my scrapbook items that I simply copied and pasted directly into the program. I have it in my old FTM16 version, but not this beta one.

These are especially snippets from scanned images that I snapshot copied and then pasted.

Any idea if they're around, or if they're only on the old one? Any .jpg images I inserted are there.

[William Boswell]

Cheryl:

That sounds like something you should inform the programmers about. I always liked linking rather than embedding items. I would think that FTM 2008 would be able to read the object linking and embedding (OLE) items.

Here is the email address: ftmpublicbeta@tgn.com

I honestly do not think enough time went into testing this software before releasing it for public beta testing. I think the program has a lot of really nice features, but I'm having a fit trying to get my FTM v16 data file in order before transitioning to the final version.

I'm finding a lot of weird things in the beta as I mentioned before. Some of my sources are mysteriously disappearing as well, but I'm finding this in my FTM v16 data file. I'm glad I can rely on my main program (The Master Genealogist) when I see problems. At least everything is how it should be. FTM seems to like to delete things. I always update both programs at the same time when I get new information so they should both be in sync.

The menu items in the 2008 version also seem to have decreased in comparison to version 16. I was trying to do a comparison of the data file statistics which was available in version 16, but not this version or I just can't find it.

[William Boswell]

One other thing, and I'm sure everyone knows this already, do not do any serious genealogy work while in FTM 2008 Beta. Use a "dummy" copy of your data file. I wouldn't trust exporting to a GEDCOM file and reimporting back into your old FTM program. Any changes I have to make I do in my FTM 2006 program, then copy over the FTW file to my 2008 Beta folder for re-importing (I re-import several times a day).

[Martin W Southwood]

Questions important to me. Does FTM 2008 retain the Edit Individual feature used in trees/charts? If so, has it been improved, eg by the addition of Marriage Facts and Notes?
Martin

[Anton McLoughlin]

With the new "media linking" in this 2008 ver I was bitterly dissapointed as once again it will not export these links to GEDCOM format....so i will not upgrade to this version as it is wat i call "A Galss Eye" ,,, looks good but does nothing....

when on earth will they sort out the multi media linking so that the links can be exported via Gedcom 5.5..

back to using bridge utils to preserve media linking done in PGV that FTM cannot read nor preserve not add new ones to.....still the same old proprietry "mdia Links" that instead of embedding a poor quality rendition in the FTM databas it keeps and external link to the file...but only knows about it internally in FTM.

perhaps they should canvass people before deciding what the developers think is Pretty eye candy but same old dog underneath the glossy coat.

[John Bayle]

I have been a user of FTM since 1997 when I purchased version 3.4, quickly upgraded to version 4.0. Years ago, I changed my primary genie program to first Generations and now Legacy. I have a copy of FTM 16 and find it useful for creating charts not available in Legacy. I also use it for accessing the CD-ROM disks I bought over the Years.

Unfortunately, this new program does not support those old CDs. Nor is the charting functionality anywhere near what older versions of FTM have supported going back to FTM 10. This new program, which is IMO misnamed FTM 2008, has dropped so much of the old FTM's functionality, that from a user's perspective it is a totally different program. It does not have genealogical reports. It does not make the all in one tree or the hourglass tree. The Descendant tree has fewer options than FTM 8.

The program may use the same DB engine as the old program, but after that everything is different. A few new features here and there, but many old features gone. They will probably NOT be in the final release of the program since the latest version on the web site is a Release Candidate, meaning that it could be the actual released version if nothing judged to be a major problem is found.

The new GUI is very nice and modern and slick, but I find moving around in Legacy to be easier and faster.

It is big and slow. It takes a lot more memory that other programs. Right now I have Legacy, FTM 16 and Ancestry's 2008 program running. The Legacy and FTM program have a file of 11901 people open. Same file gedcomed from Legacy to FTM 16. Legacy is using 42.9 MB. FTM 16 is using 18.1 MB. The 2008 program is using 127.3 MB with slightly smaller file of 11755 people in it. No pictures or multimedia in any file.

I am running on a 4 yr. old Athlon machine running Win XP SP1. It has 752 MB of memory and 402 are used as this is written.

I will not be downgrading to this software, even if I had plans of staying on a PC/Windows platform. Reunion on Mac, here I come!

[Elizabeth Tordella]

Good day

I have used FTM v. 16 for awhile and some search items were a pain. Now, I am using the beta version of 2008 and pray that the official version is easier to use. I miss the descendant report that provides information about all the descendant. I miss the option to merge all. The search is improved but it is also so narrow that spelling issues are a problem.

There is entirely too much time for the program to respond to any command. It seems to freeze for a while, longer than a few seconds. The scroll on the left side is nearly impossible to use. I have tried to delete duplicate media files and have not been successful. Though, I do like that the media is uploaded with the information. I can't scroll over anyone in my list to see what else is there, like in v 16 so it is harder to know when a duplicate person is in place.

I would like to be able to print a report of all persons in my file so that I can visually examine it for inappropriate people or duplicate people. Perhaps I am lacking the knowledge to do this but the help feature does not address this need.

This is not a significant improvement over previous editions unless these items are addressed.

Thanks for the opportunity to weigh in.

Beth Tordella

[William Boswell]

Has anybody noticed how large the size of the download file is? Have they incorporated an external program to run FTM 2008 thus the fancy new interface?

I never liked the Book feature, but haven't used it in many years so it could have been improved and I didn't pay attention to it. The new Publishing feature looks kind of nice, but I found one of the templates doesn't work (Media Item). I'll have to report this.

Are they still looking at a mid-August release? If so, I think there are too many problems to fix before then or have they already gone into mass production. I'm wondering if it's really worth the trouble to compose an email to the powers that be if production has already started. I did notice they extended the pre-sales date so perhaps FTM 2008 will be coming out later with fixes. I sure hope so.

Unfortunately, I pre-ordered so I'm stuck with 2008. They won't let you cancel your order even if it hasn't been processed.

[William Boswell]

I just noticed the "Books" feature under Publication Types. If you select "Start A New Project" you have to log in to upload your file. I see what others are talking about. However, if you select one of the other templates, you can produce a document and save it locally without sending to Ancestry.com. I prefer to save it locally. When I'm ready to publish, I'll do it with my own resources.

[Lianne]

FTM 2005 was my 1st software and I decided it's time for an upgrade. I downloaded the 2008 beta and noticed 2 features I loved that are now gone:

#1 is the timeline, I know the new beta now has the persons life timeline but I'm talking about the one under View -> timeline on historical events that places your acestors in it.

#2 is the Genealogy report, they have all these new reports except the one most people use which reports the family line of several generations, data, notes and all.

I've also downloaded the Legacy 6.0 and like it too. Not sure which I'll purchase yet, the Legacy almost has too many option and the interface is too old box style, not smooth at all which is easier to view for hours on end. Legacy's merge function sound quite handy also. Still trying to decide.

[Martin W Southwood]

Thanks guys. If FTM 2008 doesn't have Ascendant and Descendant Trees/Charts and Genealogy Reports at least as good as those in v16, then it isn't for me.

Cheers Martin

[Trevor Rix]

Regarding Lianne's point #1, I don't think she has found the People, Person, Timeline option to Show Historical Events. Click the small side dropdown to the right of the Timeline button for the options to Show Family Events and Show Historical Events.

[Catpurrson]

For anyone who is genealogy software shopping before you commit to Legacy, RootsMagic, or TMG, take a SERIOUS look at GenBox. I've used all of the 3 previously mentioned software programs and then discovered GenBox. What a difference -- my productivity has increased dramatically. Plus there are a host of new features in development, including, I believe, web integration.

Check it out for 30 days free: www.genbox.com

[William Boswell]

Catpurrson:

I just downloaded the trial version of GenBox. I'm impressed! I exported my data from The Master Genealogist to a GEDCOM file (wasn't crazy about that, but...) I selected in TMG to export my externally-linked images and when importing into GenBox it also imported my linked images. I know GEDCOM files don't save image files, but TMG saved my links to my images.

I'll have to check this out a little more before my 30 days are up. The trial version is fully functional which is nice unlike many other programs.

[Marian Fletcher]

The beta version worked fine for me once I could finally get to it. After playing with reports, the Kinship report is one that has changed the most. And not for the better in my opinion. The older versions of FTM allow you to see all relationships, not just the closest one. Coming from a family that married sisters (or brothers) when a spouse died (a lot) in Virginia, NC, and SC this feature is a must with me. My 4th cousin is also my gg-grandmother, my spouse is also my 7th cousin, etc.

I also like the interface with Ancestry.com and the Family group pages that are in FTM 16.

Based on what I have seen so far, I will NOT be upgrading my software - a first as I have always taken the new release in the past.

[Linda Matthews]

I strongly recommend against buying FTM 2008. As a former software tester, I am appalled that the Beta released a little over two weeks prior to the final release deadline would contain so many errors and omissions

The first significant thing I noticed was the genealogy report was missing. Customer service said the developers missed the release deadline for the genealogy report so it will be released later. That alone would have been enough to delay the release…but they didn’t!. As a long time customer of Family Tree Maker, I expect that certain reports and features will be retained even if the look and feel of the display changes. There are other minor reports missing such as the address report. That could be because they messed up or ignored the address functionality. In the new custom view, you can select facts to display for data entry. There is date, place, and description fields for the address field instead of the expected street, city, state, email fields familiar in FTM v. 16 and previous version. Guess what? You can also display date, place, and description fields for height, weight, cause of death and other medical information. How can you have a date for a height? There are also no marriage type or status selections. In trying to simplify the fact data entry, they have made some huge mistakes in the design.

The functionality for entering alternative names and dates when discrepancies are found in research resources is not there. The alternative names and dates entered in previous versions are displayed on the new Person page but there is no way to edit or delete the information. You cannot create an alternative name or date.

Report options from FTM v. 16 are not included. For example, you can create the outline descendant report with the name and birth year – death year only. FTM 2008 does not contain the previous ability to add complete dates or places. The list of report options from previous versions that are not in FTM 2008 is lengthy.

The web search returns far fewer results than the FTM v. 16 web search. FTM 2008 missed 4 matches for my great grandmother and displayed no matches for my great grandfather. In FTM v. 16, I found six matches for him through the web search.

The list of issues continues. I would advise anyone to check out the Beta and also read the positive (there are a few nice things) and negative comments on user message boards such as the Family Tree Maker board on Ancestry.com. I recommend saving your money and hope the next release is clean of major errors and omissions or find another package that works for you. Right now, Family Tree Maker went from my 1st choice with FTM v. 16 to very last choice with FTM 2008.

[Linda Matthews]

To the Readers:

I stand corrected on the issue mentioned about alternative names and dates. Someone on a message board pointed out that there was a way and was able to follow his directions. However, the other issues mentioned have been confirmed by others and there are numerous issues not mentioned above.

[Chester Kight]

I have a small problem with FTW, is this the place to get help? If not, can you redirect me? A couple of my ancestors were given the middle name "Van". FTW insists their last name is "Van Kight", and does not group them with my other ancestors. I have tried all sorts of tricks, (Replaced "Van" With "Darn", then changed back), but cannot get FTW to keep the proper last name. (I tried a "replace", "Van Kight," to "Kight, Van", but FTW says it is not found, although it shows up everywhere. I am using version 8, which is several years old, but have no intention of "upgrading". Thanks, Chester Kight

[Chester Kight]

Sorry, my fault. I was slow to think of looking under "help" for "last name", then when I thought I was following directions, I had used slashes instead of backslashes. Obviously I am just a casual user of the program. Chester Kight

[William Boswell]

I just received my pre-order of FTM 2008 and nothing much has changed since the RC1 release. I'm still working on getting my FTM v16 in order to transfer over, but I am still going to keep updating v16 and only use FTM 2008 for web searches and merging data to 2008. That's about all it's good for in my opinion.

Things that still don't work:

1) Importing of The Master Genealogist (TMG) v6.12 data file still deletes most of the external images linked to TMG. I knew they couldn't fix this in time for the release.

2) Notes items either don't transfer over completely or not at all. Major pain! I'm not going to copy and paste everything from v16 to 2008.

3) Still slow. Crashed several times on me already and I just installed it yesterday.

4) Places section still screwed up. Things that are not places are listed along with meaningless numbers and other junk. Items from Facts tab are showing up as places. Somebody didn't coordinate the transfer from older versions to this new one so that older fields would transport to the proper new fields.

If nothing else, the program is useful for merging online data to people in your file, then copying that information back to a previous version of FTM. That's what I'm using it for now. I'm tired of beta testing this piece of trash. I'm also revising my source names in FTM v16 and TMG and FTM 2008 lets you know what source/citation is attached to what person. This makes the job a little easier as well for both of my genealogy programs.

When I'm done, I'm going to shelf this program until they come out with a more stable and reliable update.

[Marieelena]

I just installed my new version of FTM 2008 that came in the mail today. All I keep getting is Authenication with the sever failed. It probably is a problem with my settings but I don't know how to fix it and the program is no good with it like this. I may just go back and use my FTM 16. Boo-hoo $30 down the drain.

[Richard Hughes]

I also just yesterday loaded the release version. It is VERY VERY SLOW. That is if it doesn't crash altogether.

I do like the "Resolve Places" feature although, as noted earlier, it picks up lots that is not a place. As an example of how slow it is, I resolved just the A's in my file and clicked OK. More than an hour later it finished that process with the CPU at 100% the whole time. (I have an Intel Pentium (R) M Processor 1.60GHz with 1.24GB of RAM)

I found it impossible to change the name of a fact. Once the name is wrong I guess you have to delete the while thing and start again.

Also doing a websearch for Rootsweb didn't search Rootsweb at all but did a Google search. When I did a websearch of Ancestry.com it never came up with any matches even though there may have been many when doing a direct search of Ancestry.com.

This release version is more like an early Beta. VER 16 even with it's problems looks a lot better now.

[Errol Wall]

I received the release version of FTM 2008 in the mail on 8/23 and installed it. It won't import my FTM 16 data file - gets an error at record 121 every time I try it. The data functions perfectly in FTM 16. At this point, it feels like a beta version and I'm unable to use it. Fortunately it was only a few dollars and I still have the earlier version to use.

[cossman]

I finally got my file to load on FTM 2008. Lots of good help on the message board for FTM 2008. I had to fix several individuals and had a problem with a couple of scrapbook items, but after that it loaded rather quickly.

[beeman]

I spent several hours trying to get accustomed to using the software. I finally gave up and went back to my previous version. It takes too long to enter data. Navigation is a joke. I really hate this considering I have used FTW/FTM since the beginning. Wish I had my money back.

[Anthony J. Roche]

I too have been using FTM from the start, while I had no problem downloading the beta version I agree with previous contributors it is definitely not a rewrite. The kinship report only displays one relational set, my family is dogged with many relational set so this is a prob;lem for me. The navigation is cumbersome. Too much diection to Ancesrty products services etc. I have major concerns about users inadvertingly allowing 'harvesting' information for later profit?

[Missy]

I have used FTM for years now and have been satisfied with it. I was eagerly looking forward to the new FTM 2008, but was I ever disappointed! First, it would not import my FTM file, I had to save as a GEDCOM file before it would even think about importing. My computer is a Genuine Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor E6400 (2.13GHz), 2GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1024), 250GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive. Even with all this, the program is agonizingly slow and will lock up for long periods. I checked the CPU usage and FTM 2008 was using 91%. I don't like the web search feature, I hate the choice of reports that is included and switching between people in your tree is almost impossible without it locking up. I called Ancestry.com and told them that I hated the product and they are going to refund my money. I will keep using FTM Version 16 and DO NO ADVISE ANYONE TO PURCHASE FTM 2008! If they improve this version in the future, I may consider trying it again.

[Beeman]

I continued playing with the software until I found important data in the wrong place. Burial data came across as nickname. (That is all I checked)Lucky I had good backups from several days prior because I had entered data into the 2008 software, exported back to GED and into 16. I checked and all was wrong. I lost some data but luckily not anything I am unable to recover from. I noticed when I started the software today a patch was ready to download. Wonder what that was. Warning to all: give this software time to settle down. In the meantime, download and try some of the other packages, usually free trial. It will help you make up your mind in the long run.

[Beeman]

Beeman again. I did another import after the patch and all data seemed to come across accurate. Understand, however, all I am doing is testing the software. I am keeping my records locked under 16 for the time being. Keep an eye on familytreemaker.com for updates. If you have a permanent internet connection you will be prompted to update. By the way, I tried the newest PAF, Master Genealogist, and Rootsmagic. Not too thrilled with any of them. For those of us loyal to Family Tree Maker, let them know our problems. They make too much money off of us to let us down.

[Al White]

I switched from FTM to Legacy three years ago and am very satisfied. One can make it as involved or as basic as they want. There is a FREE version that has a lot to offer and the full version is quite inexpensive.

[Beeman]

I downloaded Legacy and so far like the look and feel of the software. I also checked rankings and found they were ranked above FTW. I am considering ordering the very reasonable down-loadable version and giving it a try. Thanks, Al, for the insight.

[Carl Kruck]

I've been a big-time fan of FTM since version 4 and I had the inistial excitement and pre-ordered FTM 2008 which arrived today. After reading all the commends the past few days, I'm hesitant to even open the package I got in the mail and just put it in the cupboard or - maybe sticking with FTM 2005 which I already have.

Carl

[Linda Matthews]

Just a reminder for all the unsatisfied users of FTM 2008.....If you purchased it from Ancestry.com, there is a 30 day return policy if you are unsatisfied. If you decide to return it as many other people have, call Ancestry first to get a return authorization number and make sure you understand the return instructions. You may have to eat the postage cost but in the long run it will be less frustration. I love Family Tree Maker 2006 (v. 16)and plan to stick with it until I see what they come out with in another year. Since there is so much backlash from this release (see Ancestry Family Tree Maker Message Boards), they have to get their act together or continue losing lots of money. Yes, they are planning to release patch releases to fix things in FTM 2008 but folks...I wouldn't trust the quality of them based on their recent record. Wait for another full release in a year or so to evaluate.

[Joy]

I've already returned my FTM 2008 for a refund. It doesn't have genalogy reports which I use all the time. I don't like the main page for people, too cluttered and I don't like the index. From others I learned it crashes their computers and the gedcom leaves out names. I don't like that it takes a long time to initialize and type in information. I don't like that it converts the old files to new ones in my documents, otherwise I might have been able to work with both the version 16 and the new one. I like the older one lots and I wish they'd just concerned themselves with fixing or adding to it. This new version is like starting all over with an entirely new program.

[Ted Arbon]

The problem is FTM 2008 is a rush job and not as good as FTM 16 etc. for daily data entry.

[Ted Arbon]

I forgot to give this URL
http://www.thinkgenealogy.com/2007/08/18/family-tree-maker-2008-is-ready-for-future-built-with-microsoft-technology/

[CHT]

Readers should set aside all the company hype and keep in mind that this is a “genealogy” software that will not even do basic register and ahnentafel reports.

• To be able to effectively summarize your research for yourself and others is the end game of doing family research in the first place.

I was thinking of writing more, but after saying that, what else is really important?

[Hans Niederstrasser]

I lost my money, I only hope that the manufacturer will issue an update at no cost for those who bought it. The new 2008 program is not worth.
Very dissapointed!!!!
Hans Niederstrasser

[Beeman]

I don't know what happened; perhaps greed with integrating with Ancestry.com. I do love Ancestry being a working dad with four grandchildren. I am unable to travel as much as I would like. I do wonder if the programmers are also users? From the look and feel of the new release the programmers could care less about ease of use. I laughed at the phrase they used concerning new users. There is no way a new user of genealogy software would be able to use this. By the way, software installation and usage is what I do for a living. I will use continue to use Leagcy now that I have purchased it. I don't know if I will return FTM. Also, Legace has a place to enter DNA data of which I am very much involved.

[Glenn]

A place to send email comments. Received email from Ancestry.com that had..."To comment about or submit to the Ancestry Monthly Update, e-mail AMUeditor@ancestry.com" in the same e-mail they hyped "Family Tree Maker 2008"..."The latest version of our top-selling genealogy software", so if you didn't know where to submit your comment in addition to this blog, try as the email requested AMUeditor@ancestry.com .