The Master Genealogist version 7.01

Wholly Genes Software has released an update to the powerful program, The Master Genealogist. The following is an excerpt from the free Wholly Genes Newsletter. (To subscribe to the newsletter, go to http://www.whollygenes.com/newsletter.htm.)

The Master Genealogist v7.01.0000 is now available. This free update adds a few new features and fixes a variety of issues that were brought to our attention by users.

NEW FEATURES

• An option to Initialize Repeat Files was added to the Files / Maintenance menu.
• Formatting codes were added for left indenting ([INDENT:]) and centering ([CENTER:]) of text in word processor reports. See 'Formatting codes' in the help index.
• JournalIntro and JournalConclusion tag types were added to support text before and after the structured part of the Journal report. See the entries under the 'Journal Report' entry in the Help index.
• Filters were added to aid selection of people for DNA studies.  (e.g., Is a Matrilineal Ancestor, Is not a Patrilineal Descendant, etc.)  See 'Filters for DNA Studies' in the help index.

CHANGED FEATURE

• The Repeat function for citations now always opens the Citation window with the last citation entered.  Thereafter, you can press F3 on the Source Number field to repeat even earlier citations.

FIXED/UPDATED FEATURES...

ADD PERSON

• An error could occur when a flag had been added to the Add Person template.
• Double-clicking in the citation field could give an error.
• In some cases, an 'error building key for index' error occurred when adding a person.
• The buttons at the right end of the Citation field could be hidden when using the v7 resizing method.
• The screen could be hidden when opened with the multiple monitor option selected in Preferences.
• Using F2 to select an unused ID# didn't select the first available number.
• Other potential errors were fixed.

BOX CHARTS

• An error occurred when trying to select a custom frame under certain conditions
• Corrected some labels on the Report Definition screen.
• Chart configuration - Some discrepencies between the default and reset configurations were resolved.

DISPLAY WINDOWS

• Tag Box - Name tag labels were truncated to 14 characters of the possible 20-character length.o Details window didn't size properly when stretched beyond a certain point.
• An error could occur when trying to navigate to a person using the Siblings window.o Associates, Children, Siblings windows - There were some issues with right-click menu options being available.
• An error occurred when a person had no primary parents and you right-clicked on the Mother or father label on the Person View and selected 'Edit this Tag'.
• If you right-clicked in the Tag Box and selected 'Add Tag', there could be a problem scrolling the Master Tag Type list depending on where you had right-clicked.
• The date display was not refreshed in the Associates Windows when the Preferences date format was changed
• An Open dialog occurred when the program was started and the Project Explorer had been filtered the last session.
• Sort by ID# onthe Project Explorer was incorrect under some conditions such as after a data set merge until Validate File Integrity had been run.
• Use checkmarks option was not updated on the Window menu when the Associates window was added.

DNA

• The DNA Heritage template was updated with some label changes.
• The Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) template has HVR3 added.
• An Open dialog could occur when a new test was selected from the DNA log and the [Add] button clicked.
• Fixed various scrolling issues with DNA templates during data entry.

EXHIBIT LOG

• An error was encountered after adding a WMV file.
• Drag and drop to the Exhibit Log didn't work when the focus was something other than a person
• Insert new OLE didn't work.
• The display of the 'Exhibit output reordering' checkmark in the right-click menu was backwards.
• Using the Windows application key opened an extra screen.
• When using the [Add] button, the file type selection should now be 'remembered'.

FILTERS

• Buttons were hidden when the filter window was stretched.
• Filters - Some filters could be saved with an empty value field.

GENSMARTS

• Some icons were missing on the Research Suggestions from GenSmarts screen.
• The '&' character in a user name blocked the functioning of the module.
• GenSmarts - Under WinVista, the CTRL+I feature should work with GenSmarts 2.1.1.47 or later and TMG v7.00 or later.

IMPORT/EXPORT

• TMG4 import - Dates on Name-Marr tags were lost.
• TMG4 Import - With some TMG4 data sets, an error occurred that would prevent completion of the import.
• The default export path was not being used for the first use of some export file types.
• Export Sources and Source Types didn't always point to the export folder specified in Preferences.
• Import Sources - Some of the exported data was not being imported.

INTERFACE ISSUES

• Welcome screen - Now has the focus when the program starts
• Center the current window - Error using this option when no windows were open.
• Center the current window - This option only worked with top-level windows rather than with all windows.
• Move up/down buttons - On several lists, the move up/down buttons were not always active or inactive when they should be.
• Relationship tag - F6 wouldn't delete a citation.
• Master Repository List - Column headers didn't stick when adjusted.
• Accent screen - Saving with F9 gave inconsistent results.
• Easy Search toolbar - Some issues with docking the toolbar were fixed.

LAYOUTS

• All legal characters (as specified by the operating system) can now be used in the layout names and in the layout comment field.
• Custom layouts were not available after a restore until you exited and restarted the program.

PREFERENCES

• The [Reset defaults...] button was doing more than it should.
• All settings on the New People tab weren't being saved.
• Current Project Options. Places tab. Country names are now shown in the current language.
• The Associates window was added to the Item Tips tab.

REPORTS

• Individual Narrative report - Strange text appeared at the end of the report when output to HTML.
• Narrative reports - All text within the [SIZE:][:SIZE] format was printed in the "Courier New" font. The text will now be printed in the current text font.
• NarrativeChildren tag - Various issues were resolved
• Journal - The Options on the Tag tab for "born 1861" and "b. 1861" had no effect on the output on the ancestor report.
• Journal - The new [+] code didn't work correctly in a child paragraph
• Journal - Checking "Suppress Details for Living persons" caused output problems in the "Children of ___ and ___ were as follows" statement when the children are flagged as living.
• List of Citations - An error occurred when the report was output in columnar mode and a place part was output.
• List of Names - Some incorrect labels were used on the Report Definition Screen.
• List of People - Errors occurred with the column width calculations when a report was output.
• List of People - The primary checkbox in the filter wasn't working correctly.
• List of Sources - An error occurred if using the 'Number of repositories = n' filter.
• List of Sources - Outputting the report with a repository field included in the output columns gave an error.
• List of Sources - Problem specifying data set value in filters.
• Escape character - various issues with the escape character were fixed.
• An error and various issues with deleting/resetting report configurations were fixed in the Book Manager.

SENTENCE PREVIEW

• The date format selected in Preferences wasn't being used.
• When a tag has two or more witnesses assigned the same Role and the variable [R:rolename] was used in the sentence for that witness, the names of all the witnesses with that role were listed when only the current witness should be listed.
• Sentence preview could fail to refresh when the Principals are switched and auto recalc is off.

SOURCES

• Master Source List - Errors when cancelling a source were fixed.
• Source elements - There was an error when adding and double-clicking the list too rapidly.
• Source templates - Sensitivity braces in the "name" source elements caused the entire full footnote and short footnote to be empty.

TAG ENTRY

• It was possible to create two primary tags of the same type.
• The display of dates with modifiers for witnesses was truncated
• When editing a source template, escaped text in square brackets was converted from lower to upper case when the field was saved.
• A manually created sort order of citations failed to 'stick' under certain conditions.
• It was possible to close the Tag Entry screen with the Citation screen still open.
• The Sentence Structures screen had an issue when using v5/6 resizing.
• Sometimes a citation selected using the [Repeat last citation] button didn't display until the tag was saved and re-opened.
• The Sentence screen right-click menu or Name tags contained some options that didn't apply.
• With the v5/6 resizing option enabled, the Witness Add/Edit screen was 'flashing' when opened.
• Marriage tag - When edited to add a date, the tag could be changed to non-primary for one spouse.

VALIDATE FILE INTEGRITY

• The last 'List of folders for location' path selected should now be 'remembered'.
• On first use, When you add paths to VFI using the 'List of folders for location' option and click the [Add] button, the path was not opening using the Exhibits path specified in Preferences.

WEB SEARCHING

• Place information button - the GNIS and GNS links were updated.
• Web Place menu - the GNIS link was updated
• Web Other menu - All links were checked and updated as necessary

OTHER

• Installer - Some fixes were made to the installer translations.
• Error - variable 'LCS' not found error was fixed.
• Move Person - Multiple source types of the same name would be created event when they were identical.
• Last Edited Date - The Last Edited Date is now updated immediately after a flag edit is saved.
• Relationship tag types - The rebuild all sentences button is now disabled
• Reminder window - When v5/6 resizing was used, the memo font setting was ignored and the Reminder text always displayed in 8 pt.
• Research Log - Comment text from an existing selected task would be copied to a new task.
• Research Task - 'Paste Unformatted Text' was added to right-click menu
• Shutdown - An error could occur under WinVista.
• Spell checker - Spaces were added to text being checked.
• State/Province Abbreviations - Couldn't use '-' character.
• Translated labels - Various issues of translated labels not displaying correctly were fixed.
• Tools menu - Checkmark appeared next to Text Editor when timelines were toggled on.
• Cue Cards - Some corrections were made and German translations were added
• German reminders for some source types were added (any existing reminders will not be overwritten)
• Some corrections were made to Tips and Hints
• Picklist - When adding a witness with the Picklist, if a non-primary name is selected, the ID of the person will be selected and the specific name variation will be automatically selected in the list of name variations (if in Advanced Data Entry mode).
• Edit menu - The 'Filter the Project Explorer' option will be disabled when the Project Explorer is not open.
• After encountering an error during backup, a successful backup message occurred when the backup was not successful.
• Custom Toolbar Manager - In some cases, buttons were not being selected from the correct Buttons folder.

This free v7.01.0000 update requires a previous installation of v7.00.000 (Users with a prior version must first upgrade to v7.0). WinVista users must install the patch using an account with administrator privileges.  To download and apply the update, run TMG, access the Help menu and choose "Check for an update." Alternatively, you can choose "Check for a Program Update" from the Windows Start menu > The Master Genealogist group. The update will be applied automatically. Upon restarting, the startup screen will reflect a version number of "v7.01.0000."

Comments

[Nancy]

I'm still using an old FTM version (FTM v.11) because I don't like what Ancestry has done with it since.

Could anyone recommend The Master Genealogist v. 7 to an intermediate user?

[PowerUser]

I cannot recommend TMG to anyone. It is about as slow, buggy as FTM 2008. It is does NOT support Unicode. Worst of all, the user interface is the worst you've ever seen. Download the 30-day trial to experience this horror for yourself....

[Rootdigger]

A lot of people love TMG, and it appears to deserve its reputation as the most powerful genealogy program. However, I think you have to lean toward loving techie stuff to be a successful user; I am no computer dummie but I do not have the patience to learn to use it. I prefer Legacy, which does almost as much as TMG does, and is far more intuitive and easy to learn. Roots Magic is also a good program. You can try them out before buying, so give all 3 (or more) a test drive and see which you prefer.

[Lois]

TMG is the 3rd genealogy program I have used. I am not a techie. I rely on the computer guys and retired engineers in my local TMG SIGlet to explain the finer points to me on the rare occasions when I care. I also do not care about computer generated narratives. I write my own material , thank you very much. However, I am very happy with TMG. I like how it handles citations and sources. I like how it handles recording conflicting information for a birth date, etc. It is not good as a first genealogy program because it offers too many choices and is not as easy to learn to use as, for example, Brother's Keeper and Legacy. Other programmes are at least its equal with charts. As I recall, FTM has better charts. I have a database approaching 20,000 people. Not all programmes can really handle that much. It works well with Gensmart. FamilyAtlas has been more of a struggle but that seems to be only because a minority of my ancestors and descendants are/were located in the US, not because of any deficiency in TMG.

[Helen]

I purchased TMG & will never use it - I paid for upgrades, etc. & each time (like now) it comes out almost a new program. I know at least 7 people who also do not use what they purchased. I plug along with (always the best) UFT and PAF -- easy to use, understand and do all I need to have them do!

[Hans Langa]

TMG was made by someone who thinks making things look techie is impressive.
Real techies prefer fast and capable programs like RootsMagic, not slow and buggy stuf like TMG that make your Pentium feel like a Commodore 64, and need three manuals and five bug fixes before you can add a person.

[Lois]

After 4 years of heavy use, TMG has not been buggy for me. In fact, not a single technical problem has come up. They do issue frequent up-dates to fix problems that never occur for me because I use it to record my findings, including adding people, new and sometimes information with source citations, relationships. I agree that the user interface is not as effortless as BK, FTM and Legacy but the critics today are exaggerating for dramatic effect. My problems came at the beginning when I had to integrate thousands of sources from FTM's inferior system for citations to TMG's much superior system. Not much of an issue for someone making the switch with 500 or so people in their database.

[Lois]

That's "sometimes conflicting information"

[Susan]

I bought TMG at version 6.12, a year and a half ago, and have always applied the updates. I agree that this is not for the brand-new-to-genealogy user, but the program works very well. If you want your work to reflect current standards for citing sources (i.e. Elizabeth Shown Mills _Evidence Explained_) it is really the only program out there that can do the task. The report formats work very well, even if you do not like "canned text" (BTW, the text can be varied infinitely . . .). As for PAF, which I too started with, it is clunky at best and the source citation is miserable. It appears that FamilySearch is essentially abandoning PAF and going the way of Ancestry.com with an even clunkier on-line tree thing. TMG requires one to open to learning and improving. Suits me.

[Hans Langa]

Lois says TMG is superior to FTM. That's damning with faint praise...

Sorry Lois, but TMG is for people who are impressed by technical-looking programs.
TMG's actual capabilities are.. saddening. This poor excuse of a program is slooowwww, and its import is sloooowwwwer.

Want to import 50.000 people? Please wait a day, press OK every time you see an error box and pray it works out. Be ready for disappointment and starting over.... :-(

Want to make websites? TMG can't do it. You need to buy another program for that.

Want to use foreign characters? TMG can't do it, period.

That's BASIC stuff! - and TMG can't handle it.

[Rob]

I use TMG version 6.12 and I have no problem with foreign characters. The program accepts standard microsoft entry using the alt key and the number pad. The program also has a "character map" accessed under "Tools" "External Utilities" where there is a long list of foreign characters that you can just click on the character you want and in appears at where your cursor is.
The program isn't slow. I am not very computer adept but have learned enough of the program without any problem. I confess there are a number of people who love to play with the program and go on endlessly about some feature you will never use and I generally have no idea what they are talking about. The solution to this annoying problem is to ignore them.
I will say that I have used Legacy also. It is more intuitive and I like the reports, however my primary program remains TMG.

[Hans Langa]

"I use TMG version 6.12 and I have no problem with foreign characters."
Rob, that is simply because you don't use them...
Those of us with, hm, international trees do.
TMG is stuck in in the 1980s. It does still not support Unicode!

"The program isn't slow."
No, it is not just slow, it is VERY SLOW, but if you have a fast computer and a small databases (say just just 10.000 people), and no comparison with other programs, you just don't notice it. If you do try other programs, and if you have big database, you will notice.

[Phil Rhoton]

I have heavily used UFT, TMG, and Genbox. I am familiar with PAF, Legacy, FTM and RootsMagic. UFT was and still is my favorite program but I migrated long ago because I got tired of stitching it together each time a new version of windows came out. TMG has served me fairly well since that time but I admit it is "clunky" and slow. The only reason I have remained with it is because it one only two programs that I know of that allow citations WITHIN Memos/Notes.

[Nancy]

Thanks for your comments everyone. I think I'll stay away from TMG and think about trying Legacy.

Nancy

[Rob]

Hans, I gave you in my comment two ways to use international characters in the program. I don't know if it supports Unicode however I think the program does support international characters if you could be even slightly flexible. I don't use a lot of international characters except german language ones. With those, there is no problem.

[Jimini]

I started computerized genealogy with PAF (not nearly versatile enough), next I moved to Roots which I used happily from DOS through version 3 (now defunct, v.4 was terrible!), now I'm committed to TMG. I have had no problems with speed and it does everything I need and more, which is nice because as I become a more sophisticated genealogist it can still meet my needs. I have a HUGE database and hope I never have to change programs again! In my experience changing programs is a nightmare.
The best of luck whatever program you chose - and I do urge you to follow the advice to try out as many as you can - one man's meat is another man's poison.

[Caroline Gurney]

The comments above about TMG being buggy, clunky and slow are quite ridiculous. As one who regularly tries other programs such as Legacy, Roots Magic, Genbox and Family Historian, just to see what their advocates are so excited about, I can say with confidence that TMG is a far superior program for any serious genealogist who aspires to professional standards of work. And don't just take my word for it. Bill Mumford has sadly not updated his Genealogical Report Card since 2005. But up until that time TMG led the field with an overall score of 81 out of 90, compared with 39 for PAF, 51 for Roots Magic and 61 for Legacy, to take three programs mentioned favourably above. TMG is not difficult to use for someone with a reasonable level of intelligence - I speak as someone who has demonstrated the program here in the UK on numerous occasions and helped many beginners to use it, so I actually know what I'm talking about. Many of the advanced features can be switched off if a beginner so desires but, after a few weeks, the majority of new users want to turn them back on again! So Nancy, please do not be put off the one-sided and prejudiced comments above. Give the free download of TMG a fair trial and see why so many users (including Dick Eastman, I think) are very happy with it.

[AntiTroll]

FAIR WARNING.

Caroline Mumford can hardly be trusted to be objective.
The TMG UK edition is partly her product!

As her own web site states on the home page:
"The UK version of the program uses a set of source templates which I developed for use in UK genealogy."
http://www.gurney.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Caroline, instead of claiming to look at other programs, you should be honest about your affiliation with the product being discussed!

[Frank Helford]

Caroline,

I take issue with your passive-agressive attitude towards criticism.

"The comments above about TMG being buggy, clunky and slow are quite ridiculous."
Your arrogant dismissal of criticism is quite ridiculous.
It's a free country! We have a RIGHT to state our opinions and complaints!

"TMG is a far superior program for any serious genealogist who aspires to professional standards of work."
What are you trying to say? That those who do not use TMG do not aspire to professional standards of work? That using anything else makes you unprofessional?

"And don't just take my word for it."
Don't worry. I won't :-)

"TMG is not difficult to use for someone with a reasonable level of intelligence"
And what are you trying to say here? That anyone who criticises TMG's clunkiness is dumb?

"So Nancy, please do not be put off the one-sided and prejudiced comments above."
No Nancy, please don't. Listen to comments from those who tried, not those with an interest in a particular program.

"Give the free download of TMG a fair trial."
Caroline, please give FTM, Legacy, BK and RootsMagic a fair trial and see why many users are happy with it. That you are wedded to TMG does not mean we have to like it to. Everyone likes something different.

[Caroline Gurney]

For the record, I have been entirely honest. I was the one who posted the link to my website for anyone to see my involvement with TMG. I designed the UK source templates for my private use in TMG but also made them freely available on the web to other users. When the UK edition of TMG was being developed, Bob Velke asked for my permission to use the source templates as part of the program. I refused to accept his offer of payment because of the outstanding customer support I had received from Wholly Genes over the years as a user, including numerous free or very cheap upgrades. I am in no way affiliated with Wholly Genes and have never made any money out of the program. All the work I have done in demonstrating TMG, in running the Bristol TMG User Group and in acting as List Admin for the TMG-UK mailing list has been entirely voluntary. This is true of all the genealogical work I do for others. I am not a professional genealogist and have never made a penny out of my hobby.

Also for the record, my name is Caroline Gurney, not Caroline Mumford. Getting names and facts right is pretty basic stuff for genealogists.

[Caroline Gurney]

Frank - I attacked what I saw as very unfair and OTT criticisms of TMG. You have attacked me personally. I think that speaks volumes.

Yes, you are free to post criticism, and I am free to say that I find that criticism ridiculous. You are free to say that TMG is "clunky" and "buggy", and I am free to say that it is "far superior". The argument cuts both ways :-)

I was not trying to say anything in my post other than what I said. The spin you have put on my words is offensive. Of course users of many different genealogy programs aspire to professional standards. I was stating my belief that TMG is the best tool for that purpose. TMG was criticised for not being easy to learn. I responded that it was not difficult for someone of reasonable intelligence, based on my actual experience of helping beginners to use it. How on earth does that translate into accusing critics of being dumb?

I have been open about my commitment to TMG and have explicitly stated that I regularly try out a range of other genealogy programs. I have also posted a link to my website. Sadly, neither searching this website nor Googling on "Frank Helford" turns up any hits, so I have no idea what your own connection with other genealogical software may be. The initial outrageous criticisms coupled with the vitriolic responses to my post do suggest that there may be some partisan forces at work here.

[Frank Helford]

"I attacked what I saw as very unfair and OTT criticisms of TMG."
Unfair? LOL. I think the criticism I read here has been holding back. I think they are all just trying to be polite.
You however attacked those who criticized with passive-aggressive insults. That speaks volumes.

"I am free to say that it is "far superior"."
Oh sure, but you should be open about your affiliation with the program before doing so.

"The spin you have put on my words is offensive."
No. Your words are offensive because of their passive-agressive attack of everyone else, and someone needed to say that.

"TMG was criticised for not being easy to learn."
No, that is YOUR SPIN.
The actual criticism by Nancy is "the user interface is the worst you've ever seen.", by Hans Langa as "slow and buggy stuff like TMG that make your Pentium feel like a Commodore 64, and need three manuals and five bug fixes before you can add a person" and "TMG is for people who are impressed by technical-looking programs.".
Susan noted that PAF is also " clunky at best and the source citation is miserable."
Hans added TMG can't make websites and does not support Unicode.
Phil Rhoton confirmed that it is clunky and slow.
Sorry if I missed some comment, but I searched, and you are the only one who uses the word "learn" - just now!

"I .... have explicitly stated that I regularly try out a range of other genealogy programs."
But do you really? You are so obviously wedded to TMG, that you are willing to twist other peoples words and make passive-aggressive insults.
Don't whine that I question your honesty. Yes, I do question your honesty - and I made it clear why.
You question everyone who criticize TMG by implying they did not give it a "fair trial".

Your attitude is that anyone who disagrees with you is unfair, stupid or a beginner.
That is insulting.

"I have no idea what your own connection with other genealogical software may be."
WTF? Just because I disagree with you I must be connected to another vendor?
OMFG Woman! Just because you are not upfront about your connection does not mean everyone here is a shill for some company.

"the vitriolic responses to my post"
Major LOL. Any vitriol here is entirely your own passive-aggressive doing.
Everyone else was just giving their opinion without insulting others.

[Holly Hendricks]

As time permits, I follow the TMG users list. Caroline has been extremely generous with her time and ideas over the years, and most importantly, has supplemented the professional support folks at TMG by patiently helping many people who are interested in TMG but who feel somewhat intimidated by the range of features. She is the kind of user any beginning user of a product needs, as she patiently helps, explains, and gives examples.

When I helped out in the TMG booth at trade shows, Bob Velke listened thoughtfully to both praise and frustration, and acknowledged with a smile that some people are indeed satisfied with other products.

If anyone wishes they had access to a more powerful tool than they now use, though, I hope they give TMG a try. The dedicated volunteer support community includes people like Caroline and Lee Hoffman and about 20 other "super users" who patiently answer any question you'd wish to ask as many times as you need day after day. No one gets away with flaming beginners on the TMG list.

Holly

[Frank Helford]

Holly, perhaps Caroline is a nice person at TMG settings.
But here she has been downright condescending and - to use her own word - vitriolic.
Some people might be intimidated by her behavior, that paints them as unfair, less than smart and beginners - only for not agreeing with her!
I felt it only right to speak up against her passive-aggressive behavior.

BTW, regarding your suggestion, if you ever feel the need for a more powerful program than TMG, I hope you'll give PAF, Brother's Keeper, GenoPro and Family Tree Maker a try ;-)

[Don Michel]

Okay! Let's play nice now.

[Janice Nickerson]

As a professional genealogist who is committed to high quality research, documentation and reporting, I purchased TMG as it seemed to be universally recommended for the serious genealogist. I gave it several long and frustrating trials. I really wanted to like it. I was expecting to like it. But I found myself hating it. I don't find it intuitive enough for my needs. I find entering data very slow and frustrating. Maybe it offers a lot of functionality once you get used to it and have your datea entered, but I just don't have the time to do that. I need something I can use quickly and efficiently. I've tried several versions of Family Tree Maker, GenBox, RootsMagic and Brother's Keeper. For speed of data entry, the old versions of FTM win hands down (not the 2008/2009). A good second, and much better for source citations and other features is RootsMagic. That's my current favourite.

[Pamela M. Langston]

Where can I buy a program disk for Master Genealogist V.6? Mine is lost and I have to reinstall and need it desperately to finish book before I go to v.7. Have used TMG since it first came out (before that Roots 3) and I love it!! I am so used to the format I would hate to change. I am sure that some of those people who say that they hate it would be glad to oblige if only I could contact them.