Comments on: Family Tree Maker 2009 Features (Guest Author Bob Larson) http://gtownma.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/family-tree-maker-2009-review-features-guest-author-bob-larson/ Genealogy as Gtownma basically sees, learns and shares Sun, 05 May 2013 07:07:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Gord Hines http://gtownma.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/family-tree-maker-2009-review-features-guest-author-bob-larson/#comment-225 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:12:50 +0000 http://gtownma.wordpress.com/?p=148#comment-225 Legacy 7 also has an entirely free version (downloadable and NOT just a trial version) that you can try out. RootsMagic [Ver 4] is another newly rewritten & updated (2009) popular program. (Just Google the name alone). FamilyHistorian [Ver 4], a UK company also is highly rated and recently (2009) rewritten and upgraded. (Just Google its name alone). Both RM4 and FH4 offer a free 30-day trial of fully-featured program.
THREE TIPS before you decide to buy:
#1. Look over the top 10 programs and their features & missing/unavailable options — at this site http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/ and

#2, join or browse the User Forum/ Message Board / Maillist for each of the programs that you think MIGHT suit you… you are looking for PROBLEMS, BUGS, COMPLAINTS from actual users. I’ve been looking for a replacement of my FTM2005 for a long time now. Things were looking hopeful with the new RootsMagic4 and FamilyHistorian rewritten programs — until I monitored the User Groups for a few months… [I read a detailed comparison of Legacy vs RootsMagic3 that clearly directed me to opt toward RootsMagic4 once all the "oopsies" of a new release are worked out and a few more of the planned new features are made available [which is, thankfully, an ongoing, free and frequent process with RM4].

#3. BIG CAUTION: Many new PC models now come with 64-bit CPUs (recent older ones were 32-bit CPUs). SOME programs that work on 32-bit systems do NOT work on 64-bit systems (and possibly vice-versa). If you are planning a new PC in the near future — OR expect to use your software on both an older (32-bit) AND a newer (64-bit) PC, you will want to check out this compatibility issue very carefully. My monitoring of User Groups indicates some features of the programs I mentioned above, are “buggy” on 64-bit PCs. Buyer Beware!!

Good luck in making your selection!!// Gord

]]> By: kim http://gtownma.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/family-tree-maker-2009-review-features-guest-author-bob-larson/#comment-170 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:58:42 +0000 http://gtownma.wordpress.com/?p=148#comment-170 I am new to the genealogy stuff, and decided I wanted to do it right from the beginning, purchase a good software, etc… in hopes of not having to redo my work at a later time (either by myself or someone esle). I have been doing alot of research online, reading reviews, etc… and have narrowed it down to Family Tree Maker 2009 and Legacy 7.

Have you used Legacy 7? If so, in comparison, which do you think is the better product?

It seems Legacy 7 gets better reviews overall, but I must say that I like the way you can have multiple windows open in Family Tree Maker 2009. My concern though is that I have read alot of reviews stating that Family Tree Maker is very sluggish, and frequently locks up.

So, I would like your opinion.

I really appreciate your time, thank you. Kim Gillan (by the way, we have family in Fort Collins!)

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