Which Software? Advice please.

[MrsLizzy]

My Generations Grande Suite Version 8 doesn't work on Windows XP and according to the box it was for Windows 98.  I do recall it worked on Windows 2000 but this means I will have to get a new software program, but I have no idea which one to get.  I really liked Generations.  Does anyone have any recommendations?

[alswilson]

hi i'm using generations 8 and i run windows XP didn't have any trouble loading it and seems to be working as well as it did on windows 98

[MrsLizzy]

Thanks, maybe I'll give it another go.  My chap tried three times though.  Mystery!

[Dave Francis]

Hi MrsLizzy

Have you tried this?

* right click on the desktop icon for the proggie
* select 'Properties' from the list
* click on the 'Compatibility' tab

You should see 'Compability Mode' with a checkbox.
Click the checkbox and from the dropdown list pick (say) Windows 98 or even Windows 2000.

Dave

[MrsLizzy]

Thanks Dave I'd give that a try only we can't load it at all.  The BF says the error message said it was a copy file problem.

[Simon G.]

Sometimes WinXP is just a right git I've noticed...I've been using it for a few years, and there are still Win98 programs I've got that won't work on it no matter what I've tried.  Although the same software will work on my laptop...which also has XP.  It seems to depend on the individual computer, oddly.

If you can't get the one you've got to work, I'd recommend trying out Legacy.  Of the programs I've used (I've used Legacy, Family Tree Maker, and the free LDS one that I can't remember what it's called) it's been the best.  I find its facilities for source citations to be exceptionally good.
Although it seems to have an un-nerving tendancy to make a file that is much larger that with it's counterparts...

[MrsLizzy]

My brother has just got Legacy and seems very pleased with it.  Another one I'm thinking about is Roots Magic.  Anyone got any thoughts on that?

[Ablower]

Hello!  I'm looking for a way to combine the records I have on both Ancestry and Familysearch.  I'm looking for a program that I can easily upload documents and add source citations.  I'd also like an easy way to attach any given source to multiple individuals, rather than having to copy and paste each source to each individual (time consuming).  I've read that much of the "free" software that is available is limited to space and individuals in the tree.  All of my source documents (500+) are jpegs (a lot of space) and I have over 200 people in my tree so far.

I'm not necessarily interested in publishing my tree online, at this time.  I'm pretty anal about making sure my "people" are actually family members.  Hence, I don't want to publish inaccurate information.

Any suggestions and help would be most appreciated!  THANKS

[MJW]

My brother has just got Legacy and seems very pleased with it.  Another one I'm thinking about is Roots Magic.  Anyone got any thoughts on that?

I've been using Roots Magic for about 5 years and it suits my purposes well.  I compared - and tried out the free or trial versions - of Family Tree Maker, Family Historian, Roots Magic and Legacy.

Much of what they do is pretty much the same, the differences are often down to "look and feel" and personal taste.  From what I remember from 5 years ago, I found FH a bit too technical, Legacy too Americanised, and I just didn't like FTM's user interface and its Ancestry links.  I liked RM's user interface, source handling, lists and reports - and it didn't seem as focused on charts for input as others.  In RM, many screens and reports seemed to be more like documents and spreadsheets which suited my methods. Even though RM is US software it never feels like it (I live in the UK).

These were my opinions from 5 years ago so things will have changed no doubt.  I still like RM.  One of its strengths, IMHO, - and possibility one of its weaknesses - is the flexibility on entering data. You can enter as much or as little as you want (or have) and add more as and when, no rigid rules.

My advice.  Most have a free version (usually with limited functions) or a time-limited trial.  Download them and play with them.  Find which suits your ways of working.

Malcolm