Family Tree Maker 2009 (General)

by kiwiceltic @, New Zealand, Friday, April 03, 2009, 14:39 (5464 days ago)

Have just brought The Family Tree Maker 2009 disc the full version, just wondering if anyone else here uses it and what their comments on it is please.

Family Tree Maker 2009

by jimashton @, Saturday, April 04, 2009, 04:01 (5463 days ago) @ kiwiceltic

Hi Kiwicelic

I too use Family Tree Maker 2009 and find it better than the 2008 version as it is much quicker. The first versions of 2008 were actually a retrograde step as reports generated by it were pathetic compared to earlier versions. Following representations by users however this was overcome by a comprehensive upgrade. The changes were carried over into the 2009 version. I have to say however that it is not my main family tree software. I use Generations Grand Suite v8.5 UK, which I find far superior in every way. I use Family Tree Maker 2009, solely for production of Descendancy Reports as it is a particularly good way of sharing information with family tree contacts. Obviously I don't enter the detail into both forms of software manually, but periodically populate Family Tree Maker 2009 by sending myself a GEDCOM version from Generations and opening that in Family Tree Maker.

Two notes of warning -

(1) I have noted in Ancestry publications that from version 2008 it is not possible to transfer data from Ancestry On Line family trees, this facility still exists (Ibelieve)with version 2006 or earlier, so if you upgrade, keep any earlier version. You may not have an on line family tree, but someone may wish to share one with you at some point.

(2) Ancestry are very cute with upgrades and forcing people to upgrade. A family Tree contact in America with whom I was sharing information, sent me their family tree written in Family Tree Maker 2006, when I attempted to open it in a 2003 version which I had at the time I received a message that my version was too old. I upgraded to version 2006, only for the same thing to happen two years later and had to upgrade to the 2008 version.

Jim

Family Tree Maker 2009

by kateJ, Saturday, April 04, 2009, 07:36 (5463 days ago) @ kiwiceltic

I have over the years bought several versions of Family Tree Maker, including 2008, but now I have a new Lap Top I find that I cannot use it again, as 2008 version does not work on Vista, and I cannot access my Tree, I have now once again have to buy 2009 version, until I do so I cannot do any more work on it

Family Tree Maker 2009

by Bob Philpott @, North Wiltshire, Saturday, April 04, 2009, 09:22 (5463 days ago) @ kateJ

Kate. Before you do look at buying a new version tryt searching the FTM website for a Vista update. I use FTM 2006 still and can run it on Vista because Vista lloked for and found an upadte to do so.

Family Tree Maker 2009

by kiwiceltic @, New Zealand, Saturday, April 04, 2009, 18:39 (5463 days ago) @ Bob Philpott

Thank you all for your valued input on this, I noted when i downloaded the 2009 disc it automatically inported my already compiled data i had aready had put on 2008. Was expecting to having to retype it all out and with the vast tree information I have was dreading that task. By the way I am still running Windows XP and not keen on what I hear of Windows Vista. Once again many thanks. Cheers all Happy Easter to all.

Family Tree Maker 2009

by kateJ, Monday, April 06, 2009, 11:05 (5461 days ago) @ Bob Philpott

Thanks Bob, will look tonight, muc h appreciated

Family Tree Maker 2009

by jimashton @, Tuesday, April 07, 2009, 03:13 (5460 days ago) @ kateJ

Kate

I can assure you that FTM2008 does work with Vista. My introduction to Vista April 2008 was not good and I discovered that programs that do not work with Vista can cause considerable problems with other programs, in particular Nero - it is strongly advisable to NOT use any version before version 8. Similarly Adobe photoshop will not work properly with any version before CS3 and Adobe Photoshop Elements before version 6, also Paint Shop Pro before version X. As I thought I knew better I had tried each of these programs, the net result was that I had to reformat my hard drive and start over. The major problem however concerned virus scanner and I had to delete the paid for version of MacAfee and instal the Free AVG. Subsequently, 3 of my friends have received similar advice, including that from professional PC repair staff - with Vista ditch Norton & MacAfee and instal AVG free.

Initially with Vista I was unable to use my favoured Generations V8.5 family tree software and had assumed that it was another Vista casualty, but by studying Forums, I discovered this fix, which made it work. Although you are concerned with FTM not Generations, it is quite possible that the suggested solution will work as it is concerned with programs being activated at start up conflicting with other programs. It is complicated however, and if you are not "Good" with sorting PC problems,you might want to seek help first :


Generations Disappearing Data Syndrome

Attached is the solution to the problem that you are experiencing. The problem can affect any version of Generations on any version of Windows. The solution is 100% effective.
*************************************************
This is an easy to follow step by step summary of the more detailed information that follows below.
1. Close Generations.
2. Click on your Start button.
3. Click on Run. (For users of Windows Vista, EITHER click Start, and type msconfig in the Start Search box OR click Start, Administration Tools, System Config).
4. Type msconfig in the box and click on OK.
5. Click on the Startup tab. This displays a list of some of the programs that are automatically loaded every time that you start Windows. One of more of the programs in that list is conflicting with Generations. We will now identify which program(s) is the culprit.
6. Make a note of any programs in the list that does not have a tick.
7. Click on the Disable All button, click on Apply and click on OK (or
Close)
8. Allow the computer to automatically restart.
9. When the computer has restarted you may see a System Configuration Utility message. Simply tick (check) the box to say that you don't want to see the message again, and click on OK.
10. Check that the problem in Generations no longer occurs. Close Generations.
11. Repeat steps 2 to 5, and retick one program (or a block of programs) in the list. Click on Apply and OK. Allow the computer to reboot. Check Generations to see if the problem has returned or not.
12. Repeat as necessary until you have identified which program(s) is conflicting with Generations. Untick the culprit(s) and retick all the others (except for any that were originally unticked). Apply, OK, reboot. The problem is now solved!

13. Please note that the culprit(s) might be any program, not just
those listed below.
14. The culprit is very likely to be a program that does not need to be running all the time and it is therefore not necessary for it to be loaded every time that you start your computer. A common example is OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software that automatically gets installed along with your scanner driver. Most people never use OCR so it would be a good idea to untick this item anyway so that it does not slow down the computer. It is easy to manually start any unticked program if you ever need to use it (Start button > All Programs).


Good Luck

Jim

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