Macintosh users can feel smug about using the best operating system available today. The OS X operating system is easy to use, very reliable, and doesn't "get in the way" with all sorts of pop-up messages. In short, "it just works."
However, one major disadvantage of the Mac is that it doesn't have as many genealogy programs to choose from as does the Windows operating system. Or does it? I would contend that Macintosh has MORE genealogy programs available than does Windows.
There are four well-known genealogy programs well-known genealogy programs written for the Macintosh:
Reunion by Leister Productions appears to be the most popular Macintosh genealogy program in North America. It works on both Intel and PowerPC Macs. It will also export data to an iPod so that you can carry your database with you in a shirt pocket. Reunion focuses on couples, or "family units,” always showing a man and a woman in the center of the screen, with various screens showing information about children, parents and siblings.
Reunion is rather expensive at $90 although some retailers may offer a small discount. I last wrote about Reunion at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2007/03/reunion_version.html.
Personal Ancestry Writer II is a very popular, free genealogy program that does the basics. However, it lacks many of the more sophisticated features found in today's commercial programs. However, you certainly cannot argue with the price. Free is good! Personal Ancestry Writer II is an excellent selection if you only want the basic record keeping functions and can skip all the multimedia scrapbooks, mapping programs and other whiz-bang features of commercial programs. MacWorld reviewed this program last year at http://www.macworld.com/article/57840/2007/05/paw69.html. You can learn more about Personal Ancestry Writer II (PAWriter II) or download this free program at http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/27497/pawriter-ii.
iFamily for Leopard is an excellent genealogy program developed by Keith Wilson in Australia. As Keith wrote on the program's web site, the program "is a family tree program with a difference because Apple users think differently." Unlike most other Macintosh genealogy programs, iFamily for Leopard focuses on individuals, not couples. It also displays the entire extended family of that individual, including all spouses as well as all children, step-children, and adopted children, all displayed on the same screen.
iFamily for Leopard is a graphics-oriented program, unlike the data-entry mode of operation of many other programs. It sells for a very modest $29.95 US. You can read my review of the program at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2006/12/ifamily_for_tig_1.html (it was called "iFamily for Tiger" at that time). Next, look at the program's web site at http://www.ifamilyfortiger.com/.
MacFamilyTree is perhaps the most popular Macintosh genealogy program in Europe and has a growing customer base in North America as well. Developed in Germany, this program is available in German, English, French, Spanish, Norwegian, Dutch Swedish, Dansk, and Italian. MacFamilyTree includes a 3D Virtual Tree that has to be seen to be appreciated. (Screenshots are available on the company's web site.) Navigating the Virtual Tree is simple: just point, click and drag with your mouse, or use a dedicated "Navigator" to literally fly through your own ancestry. It is unlike any other genealogy program I have seen, for either Windows or Macintosh. MacFamilyTree also has an excellent database for storing information; you can enter information easily and then retrieve it in any number of ways. The program also includes very good reports. By purchasing a $5 optional program, MacFamilyTree will also export data to an iPhone or iPod Touch, allowing you to carry your database with you at all times.
MacFamilyTree sells for $49 US. Users of other genealogy programs can qualify for a 25% discount. See the program's web site for details. You can read my latest article about MacFamilyTree at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/06/synium-macfamil.html. Further details about MacFamilyTree 5.2 can be found at http://www.synium.de/products/macfamilytree.
NOTE: All of the above programs support GEDCOM imports and exports. You can import data from any other modern genealogy program without re-typing all the data again.
All of the above programs are native Macintosh programs. However, are you aware that you can also run most any Windows program on your Macintosh? That includes The Master Genealogist, RootsMagic, Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree Maker, and other Windows programs. To be sure, this works only on Intel Macs running OS X Tiger or Leopard. You actually install a copy of Windows and run it as a slave operating system under OS X. This capability allows you to run Macintosh and Windows programs simultaneously!
To install Windows on your Macintosh, you will need ANY ONE of the following:
- Parallels - a $90 program. For details, see http://www.parallels.com (I have this installed on my MacBook laptop and find that it works well.)
- VMware Fusion - an $80 program. For details, see www.vmware.com/mac
- virtualBox - a free program from Sun Microsytems. For details, see: http://www.virtualbox.org (I have this installed on my Mac Mini desktop system and love it.)
NOTE: A fourth option is to use the free BootCamp program that is included with Macintosh OS X. However, it does not run as a slave operating system under OS X. At boot time, you can select to run Macintosh OS X or to run Windows; you cannot run both simultaneously. I tried BootCamp for a while but was not very happy with it.
All of the above four "Windows solutions" do require a licensed copy of Microsoft Windows. They should be able to run most any version of Windows or even Linux or BSD Unix or other operating systems designed for PC hardware. I'd suggest Windows XP although that is no longer sold or supported by Microsoft for normal PCs. You may have a copy available from an older computer or perhaps you can find it on eBay or from other retailers who are selling off old inventory. Generally speaking, Windows XP works much better than Windows Vista in all systems but that is especially true when using it as a "virtual computer."
NOTE: Running Windows on a Macintosh does not mean that you can avoid the "problems" of Windows: you must also install and use a Windows anti-virus program and any other "patches" that Windows users find so necessary to maintain normal operation. The slave Windows operating system will also have the same reliability issues as any normal Windows system. However, the native Macintosh operating system will continue to operate normally even if the slave Windows operating system crashes.
Let's go back to the paragraph I wrote near the beginning of this article:
However, one major disadvantage of the Mac is that it doesn't have as many genealogy programs to choose from as does the Windows operating system. Or does it? I would contend that Macintosh has MORE genealogy programs available than does Windows.
Actually, modern Macintosh systems do have more genealogy programs to choose from: four modern and powerful genealogy programs available for their exclusive use as well as all the Windows genealogy programs of today. Indeed, there are more genealogy programs available for Macs than for Windows. The Mac user can select from ALL the Windows genealogy programs plus four more!
Now you know why Macintosh users are such diehard enthusiasts: they have simplicity, reliability, and a wider variety of programs to choose from!
