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General => Technical Help => Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation => Topic started by: Jomot on Tuesday 21 March 17 23:25 GMT (UK)
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If I'm reading this correctly, the facility to Sync between Ancestry & FTM will cease from 29 March unless you purchase FTM 2017:
https://support.mackiev.com/244426-FamilySync-to-replace-TreeSync-in-FTM-2017
• On March 29, 2017, Ancestry will be permanently retiring TreeSync® which is being replaced by Software MacKiev’s FamilySync.
• Between Wednesday, March 29 and Friday, March 31, 2017 syncing functionality will be unavailable as Software MacKiev and Ancestry deploy the new syncing technology.
• FamilySync will be available only in Software MacKiev’s Family Tree Maker 2017 edition, which is planned for release on March 31, 2017. No other FTM edition will sync with Ancestry trees.
• Ancestry’s search, merge, and Ancestry hints will all work as they do now in FTM 2017 for users who sync with their Ancestry trees. After March 29th these functions will no longer work in any other FTM edition.
• Among the new features of FamilySync is the ability for two or more computers in your home running Family Tree Maker, such as a desktop and a laptop, to sync with the same Ancestry Member Tree.
Pricing and Availability for FTM 2017
Family Tree Maker 2017 for Mac and Windows is available to pre-order today. If you purchased a Software MacKiev edition (FTM 2014.1 or Mac 3.1, both introduced on March 1, 2016) and have signed up for the FTM mailing list, you will receive a free downloadable upgrade by email. If you have NOT purchased a Software MacKiev edition or if you received FTM 2014.1 or Mac 3.1 as a free update, you can pre-order the upgrade from now until FTM 2017 is released for $29.95, and after release for $39.95. The price for those new to Family Tree Maker will be $79.95. All prices are for downloads. DVD and USB copies will be available for an additional cost. FTM 2017 is for both Mac and Windows, and the installer includes a choice of US, Canadian, Australian or UK editions.
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A bit more about FTM 2017. Pricing seems to be the same in Dollars as in Sterling, which seems a bit of a rip-off for the UK customers >:(
http://www.mackiev.com/offers/ftm2017/upgrade_promo_int.html?edition=uk
http://www.mackiev.com/offers/ftm2017/upgrade_promo_us.html
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This looks like a sideways charge for 2014 users who were given a free upgrade that has only lasted a few months before you are forced to buy another upgrade to carry on .
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So are we being forced to buy this update to continue this software to its full potential?
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So are we being forced to buy this update to continue this software to its full potential?
Seems that way. I received an email this morning saying its £29.95 to pre-order up to 31 March but will be £39.95 after that. For completely new users its £79.95!
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Thanks Jomot-I knew there had been a previous thread but could not find it !!
Yes, that is how I understand it the "sync" is only to be continued on the 2017 version.
Kim
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I received that email today, and that's how I read it. When I checked it said it didn't recognise me as having purchased a copy of FTM, so I'm guessing that just updating from earlier copies to FTM14 and then to Mac3.1 doesn't count and you only get this update free if you have bought the full program since last March.
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I've not received the email yet, although I did get the one before Christmas to upgrade to 2014.1. In any case, as I primarily use Family Historian and only FTM to sync a tree I host for a friend on Ancestry, I've decided not to bother and am waiting for Roots Magic to role out their version of tree sync (supposedly next month) since according to a post on their website the update for this will be free if you have a full (not free) version of RM7. I've got a licenced copy of RM6 as I used to use it for narrative reports before moving to FH (in conjunction with FTM), but as the upgrade to RM7 is cheaper I shall go down that route. It also means I can let my friend easily have an offline copy of her tree to use in the free version of RM7.
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I have FTM2012 and it let me upgrade.
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Whilst I am slightly biased as I'm getting a free upgrade due to buying FTM post the Mackiev purchase, this isn't Mackievs fault really. It is Ancestry's for removing TreeSync.
You cannot expect the new owner Mackiev to create a new method of syncing and give it away to legacy users who didn't pay them for FTM (you would have paid Ancestry when they owned FTM back then). I paid Mackiev directly and they rewarded me by giving me a free upgrade. Same way RootMagic can give their new sync away for free as you paid them. Unfortunately legacy software cannot be kept going forever.
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Ordered mine yesterday, but they are out of stock for the next 3/4 weeks.
Trish
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Ordered mine yesterday, but they are out of stock for the next 3/4 weeks.
Trish
Sorry, what have you ordered? I understood that the FTM17 isn't out until the 31st March when it will be released for download.
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I have FTM2012 and it let me upgrade.
What to though? The only release at the moment is FTM 2014.1, which is/was a free upgrade to all existing FTM users. The only FTM program that will sync with Ancestry after this month is FTM 2017, which isn't released yet.
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I have FTM2012 and it let me upgrade.
What to though? The only release at the moment is FTM 2014.1, which is/was a free upgrade to all existing FTM users. The only FTM program that will sync with Ancestry after this month is FTM 2017, which isn't released yet.
I agree, I don't think you've upgraded to FTM17 as it says "If you purchased a Software MacKiev edition (FTM 2014.1 or Mac 3.1, both introduced on March 1, 2016) and have signed up for the FTM mailing list, you will receive a free downloadable upgrade by email." So you only get a free upgrade to the new software if you've bought FTM2014.
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I think the free upgrade from FTM 2014 to 2014+1 is still available
I received the e-mail on Friday (24th) and upgraded from 2014 to 2014+1 - if you follow the instructions it is simple but time consuming as you need to back everything up first- on completion I received an e-mail confirming the upgrade and a code which took me to the page with the options for ordering the new version
Kim
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I think the free upgrade from FTM 2014 to 2014+1 is still available
I received the e-mail on Friday (24th) and upgraded from 2014 to 2014+1 - if you follow the instructions it is simple but time consuming as you need to back everything up first- on completion I received an e-mail confirming the upgrade and a code which took me to the page with the options for ordering the new version
Kim
Yes those are available, but as I understand it that wont entitle you to the new FTM2017 for free, you need to have actually bought FTM14 since MacKiev took over i.e. since last March.
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Yes it needs to be the mackiev version not the ancestry one and unfortunately my box says ancestry despite it saying 2014. Been waiting to see the roots magic version, although it's been a while in coming.
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I think the free upgrade from FTM 2014 to 2014+1 is still available
I received the e-mail on Friday (24th) and upgraded from 2014 to 2014+1 - if you follow the instructions it is simple but time consuming as you need to back everything up first- on completion I received an e-mail confirming the upgrade and a code which took me to the page with the options for ordering the new version
Kim
Yes,I should have said it entitled me to the upgrade for $29.
Kim
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I have not upgraded to the 2017 version. However, I have upgraded to the latest version from the 2012 version which will now enable me to a free upgrade to the 2017 version.
Groom stated that she could not upgrade because it didn't recognise that she had purchased FTM.
Dear xxxx,
Thank you for pre–ordering Family Tree Maker 2017!
SHIPPING SOON
We are so excited to be getting ready to launch this new version of Family Tree Maker! Right now it is going through final testing and being given some finishing touches – we expect it to start shipping on March 31st. At that time we'll send you an email with detailed download and installation instructions.
WHILE YOU WAIT: DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE CURRENT FTM EDITION
If you don't have the latest edition of FTM installed – FTM 2014.1 (build 501 or 510 for Windows) or FTM Mac 3.1 (build 939 or 950), you may want to do that now. Other than in areas of the product where we have added new functionality, you will find FTM 2017 very familiar. While updating to the latest edition is optional, it does offer important security, stability, performance improvements:
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I have not upgraded to the 2017 version. However, I have upgraded to the latest version from the 2012 version which will now enable me to a free upgrade to the 2017 version.
Did you buy the upgrade to FTM 2014, I upgraded for free and it says I'm not entitled to a free 2017 version.
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I wonder if that is the difference, my FTM 2014 was bought from Ancestry initially and I upgraded to 2014+ free from Mackiev ,that entitled me to the reduced price for the 2017 version but not a free one
Kim
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I wonder if that is the difference, my FTM 2014 was bought from Ancestry initially and I upgraded to 2014+ free from Mackiev ,that entitled me to the reduced price for the 2017 version but not a free one
Kim
Same with me. I've now ordered and paid for the 2017 at the reduced price.
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Does anyone know how we stand if we decide not to upgrade from 2014.1 to 2017. I'm thinking that I can probably cope without syncing now. I am not currently a member of Ancestry. Will Mackiev continue to support 2014.1 after its launch of 2017. I'm really annoyed that i upgraded and paid for a back up disc a few weeks ago and now this happens.
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If you've paid for a backup disc you may be entitled to a free upgrade to the FTM2017.
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Hi
Thanks for replying. I already checked that. If you only paid for the back up disc, you are not netitled to free back up to 2017.
Sheila
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I have not upgraded to the 2017 version. However, I have upgraded to the latest version from the 2012 version which will now enable me to a free upgrade to the 2017 version.
Did you buy the upgrade to FTM 2014, I upgraded for free and it says I'm not entitled to a free 2017 version.
Yes I purchased the upgrade to FTM2014
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Anyone received the upgrade yet? It was supposed to start being sent out yesterday but mine's not arrived yet.
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Not me, but I'm not expecting it until tomorrow as it is based on US time.
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Anyone received the upgrade yet? It was supposed to start being sent out yesterday but mine's not arrived yet.
Mine neither.
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Pleased it's not just me then. I'm not terribly good at being patient ;D
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Anyone received the upgrade yet? It was supposed to start being sent out yesterday but mine's not arrived yet.
I managed to get into MacKiev upgrade center but it was still for 2014.1 I have search high and low and nothing about the upgrades coming through. My cousin in Australia bought a copy and she has not had anything. They must be having problems but they need to tell up on their site or Twitter or somewhere.
Robert..
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Mine's not come either.
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This was on their FB page on the 30th March
We have just finished a pre-retirement meeting with Ancestry and while syncing will be turned off tonite precisely at midnight as planned, Ancestry have agreed to keep all other connections between FTM and Ancestry running for a couple more days until we launch our edition. That includes Ancestry hints, Ancestry search and merge, and means your current edition will be more useful while waiting for FTM 2017 to arrive on Friday. And I think that's good news indeed.
Looks as if there's been a hold up!
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This is the latest from Mackiev.
RELEASE OF FTM 2017
FTM 2017 IN FINAL QUALITY REVIEW
Our shipping review meeting ended at 2:30 Utah Time without an agreement to release quite yet. A thousand beta testers were called into service yesterday evening, at the end of the second day of testing FamilySync live on the Ancestry servers with TreeSync disconnected.
Our quality assurance staff have called for more research into issues raised in beta testing. Our engineers are in the office and are going to spend the day following the trail of the most worrying issues raised in testing yesterday. They may turn out to be nothing, but we aren't going to release until we're sure.
In the meantime, Ancestry have agreed that existing FTM editions may continue to work until we ship That means that Ancestry hints, search, merge, maps and the Web dashboard will all keep working a few more days. We'll be sending out an email to everyone who has pre-ordered FTM 2017 a bit later today. .We will keep this page updated with our progress.
https://support.mackiev.com/498640-RELEASE-OF-FTM-2017 (https://support.mackiev.com/498640-RELEASE-OF-FTM-2017)
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Ho Hum. Well better to wait and have it work properly than have it on time & faulty, but they've certainly left testing down to the wire!
Thanks for posting the update.
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Thanks Robert
I presume that means there were certain things that they couldn't test while it was still synced to Ancestry. Lets hope that they get it sorted soon. I suppose the safest thing would be not to add anything to trees until the syncing is up and running.
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Well I'm a little more unforgiving that you guys. There should have been an internal final date and then and only then go public. I have some marriages I need to go through and I will do that I guess at worse they will not sync.
I'm in the UK so bed in a couple of hours and hopefully when I wake up there will be my update email. Can only hope.
Robert...
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Well I was gonna buy roots magic if their latest edition came out first! I decided i'd stay with what I knew and it would be out shortly.Did n't the original message say they hoped to be releasing from the 31st and not on the 31st!
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Well I was gonna buy roots magic if their latest edition came out first! I decided i'd stay with what I knew and it would be out shortly.Did n't the original message say they hoped to be releasing from the 31st and not on the 31st!
If you click on the link in my earlier post this will point to the Support FAQ and there is another posting 4PM Sat Utah time. It seems the problem is with the new FamilySync this was picked up by the beta testers. Where I feel the company has fallen down is not notifying customers by email as promised.
I like FTM for it’s very friendly interface but always seemed to have programming issues. I did buy RootsMagic but could not get on with it like FTM. A big pro for RM for me is that it ran perfectly under Crossover Linux. The only program I run on Windows is FTM hoping for 2017.
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Still nothing! I'm prepared to wait until it is working properly, but as Robert said, it would be nice to be kept informed by FindMyPast. They were quick enough to take my money - they shouldn't have done that until they released the edition.
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I think if people are n't kept properly informed then people will start asking for a refund. Wonder whether they've jumped to soon with this edition. I know there's bound to be teething problems but we know other editions have had problems and people may be less tolerant this time.
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Latest on FB is that they will be rerunning tests tomorrow with release on Tuesday.
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Yes and I've just had an email from them about that. The idea of being able to colour the lines sounds good.
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Yes, just had that email.
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Yes, just had that email.
No email sent to me as yet.
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Update still problems and the earliest we will get it is Friday and may be up to midweek next week. Still problems and i'm getting the impression it can't handle the traffic.
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Oh dear, that will mean a lot of unhappy people as Ancestry have turned off the syncing haven't they? Presumably that means that once Mackiev manage to turn it on there will be a lot of catching up to do.
Full details here. https://support.mackiev.com/498640-RELEASE-OF-FTM-2017
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Not good.
I would probably be more sympathetic if they hadn't insisted on payment up-front and without any adjustment for the different in exchange rates. Having said that, I think I'll wait until the rush is over before I try out the new sync once it does eventually arrive.
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Woke up and decided to check emails and read the latest from you guys. Not good, not good at all. A few hours ago I got an email from my cousin in Australia before she went to work. In part she said, “We might be still doing this next week....checking our emails in hope.” Cynicism, no realism.
The way I read the latest post from MacKiev is the Ancestry servers can’t keep up the load. Ancestry always has had a problem at peak times like at weekend evenings. The service can run very slow and I have good internet speed of 150 Mbit/s.
What MacKiev is trying to do is push out a software package that is in alpha as I would certainly not even class it a beta.
This is the second company that I thought I would give some hope for the future. The other was Microsoft Win 10. FTM is all I run it it.
Better get back to bed getting too grumpy.
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without any adjustment for the different in exchange rates.
My invoice said £24.99 +VAT. So they did adjust it. (I've no idea how the US side deals with sales taxes I think it varies by state).
I rarely use FTM so I'm beginning to wonder why I ordered it. Actually I remember - it was the prospect of having to pay £79.99 if I suddenly decided I needed treesync.
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Well looks as if I get the same impression Robert Fletcher. It'll be interesting on Friday when I go the Wdytya live in brum. Bet there's a few familytree maker buyers who will not be happy bunnies! I guess they were really hoping to show it off at the show.
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They may still show it off at the show by using the test one. I certainly wouldn't want to be one of the people on that stand though having to face a few angry customers! Let's hope people remember it isn't their fault, they are just representatives.
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without any adjustment for the different in exchange rates.
My invoice said £24.99 +VAT. So they did adjust it. (I've no idea how the US side deals with sales taxes I think it varies by state).
I rarely use FTM so I'm beginning to wonder why I ordered it. Actually I remember - it was the prospect of having to pay £79.99 if I suddenly decided I needed treesync.
There is an agreement with many countries that companies with a certain number of transactions have to register and take out the tax of the receiving country for goods and services. However in the case of MacKiev they do have UK offices.
Remember when NewEgg started advertising. Many people, me included was impressed with prices until you got to checkout, VAT plus freight made local buying much cheaper.
Whats this to do with FTM-2017? Basically nothing as all just twiddling my thumbs waiting.
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There is an agreement with many countries that companies with a certain number of transactions have to register and take out the tax of the receiving country for goods and services. However in the case of MacKiev they do have UK offices. ...
Not exactly. Since January 1st 2015, a 2003 EU directive started to be enforced strictly. Non-EU businesses are absolutely required to collect and pay VAT on digital goods sold to EU customers even if they are wholly based outside the EU. This closed the loophole that used to exist whereby VAT was charged based on the location a business is registered (so 0% for non-European businesses). Non-EU companies must now charge VAT based on the location of the customer.
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They may still show it off at the show by using the test one. I certainly wouldn't want to be one of the people on that stand though having to face a few angry customers! Let's hope people remember it isn't their fault, they are just representatives.
I've had an email from them saying to visit their stand and see the new version. Whether its because I haven't ordered an upgrade or more likely a general email to all. I've decided to wait for Roots Magic to roll out their version as I use Family Historian and was only using FTM to sync a tree I host for a friend (having bought it for a discounted sub). I can upgrade from RM6 to 7 for half the price.
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Well if it had rolled out when it should I would have had an updated tree. Put a note on their site as I need to update my email account address as the one I gave them as gone down and a password reset has n't worked.cI could n't see any category to update it so I'll be visiting the stand for an email address as the categories don't fit to send details to and I can do without live chat after the last 2 days I set up a My account in talktalk and the new email address I can't access either and so I need to give them an outlook address.
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At the wdytya show the word was"when its released in the next few weeks".I emailed the order centre before I went to the nec , luckily had downloaded the 3 user licence. No reply when I got back.The day before I was advised to try the live chat. Spoke to 2 people on the stand at the nec and 1 referred me to the teccy but I don't think she really understood that my email needs to be changed or I won't get the notification as I paid when ordering. Don't want to use live chat if I can help as its drove me mad with talktalk trying to start my emails and setting up a my account and it don't retain info. I get notifications that my Tiscali settings need updating and the same when. I set up a new email address, my talktalk settings need updating.You also have to keep given certain info to each agent they pass you through to.That beens going on for a couple of days but been on chatline with them several times a day.Their internet recognises me.
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At the wdytya show the word was"when its released in the next few weeks".
What a pity that they were so quick to take our money. They should have allowed pre-ordering but not taking the money until the programme was ready for release. It was a bit of a catch 22 wasn't it, as if you didn't pre-order by a certain date the price went up?
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Got on to live chat on mckiev support. Gave old email, new email and name and address and stated they had n't replied. My details are being passed to a responsible person who will reply by email as I need to be verified.
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At the wdytya show the word was"when its released in the next few weeks".
Thanks weste for your report back, I have been searching Facebook and Twitter for any news at all just silence from MacKiec. I think those "next few weeks", will turn into months. Sorry if I sound cynical.
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At the wdytya show the word was"when its released in the next few weeks".
Thanks weste for your report back, I have been searching Facebook and Twitter for any news at all just silence from MacKiec. I think those "next few weeks", will turn into months. Sorry if I sound cynical.
In which case have they taken our money under false pretences for a product that isn't fit for purpose? They should have asked people to register their interest by giving card details and then taken the money when 2017 was released.
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The latest update is here - still no rollout date but you can apply to be a beta tester :-X
https://support.mackiev.com/498640-RELEASE-OF-FTM-2017
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Reading through all the FAQ on the site, I understand that they couldn't test it properly until after Ancestry had switched off their sync. Perhaps this should have been made much clearer so that people realised that there might be problems, rather than a lot of us thinking it was a simple case of switching from one to the other.
I was also a little bit annoyed with the answer to one question about why they had taken money for a service that wasn't yet available. The answer was that you paid in advance to get the discount, and if you don't like it you can get a refund and pay the full price when the service is up and running! A simple sorry, we didn't realise we would have so many problems would have been much better.
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I have been involved with personal computing since the days of CP/M in the early 1980’s. I have never come across a developer that has been developing and beta testing a commercial product after the release date and changing on that. This whole thing of Family Tree Maker is a software and commercial disaster. The idea of syncing with an online tree seems a nice idea, and clicking on little leaves to import data but to be honest we are all better off doing things manually with a solid product than some pretty looking thing that is garbage. I am going to get on with my research using something more solid. I feel sorry for everyone out there that has been conned.
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Well Robert I saw the latest update and I've also seen the messages people have put about taking their money etc on Facebook(You find by putting familytreemaker into facebook search bar for anyonre whose interested.) As already mentioned I got no joy re speaking to staff a the nec, sending an email Friday to the order service so i tried live chat just so I could get my email changed on there.I'm not re registering in case it creates a worse problem.The person I had a live chat says he'll hand my details over to a responsible person and they'll reply by email to me as I need to be verified .What more do they need,as I gave old and new email and name and address.I suspect they'll want my credit card details again.The live chat was suggested to me by the person giving the rude replies on facebook. I'm not feeling very confident with them. Still not heard a thing!If I don't hear anything by tomorrow I will go back on facebook so people are aware of what is happening.They should n't have released it till it was ready! I know there needs to be occasional tweeks but this is ridiculous.For an organisation telling their customers they can cancel and reorder at the more expensive price is disgusting in manner it is said. I could n't believe how discounted prices were this year.
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Finally they have changed my email address for my download, this was via a conversation on the facebook again and going on to live chat again.I asked it to be confirmed to me in email and just received it.i also requested a transcript of the conversation on live chat, there a tick box where you can request , I got it emailed straight away by the agent, i'd been advised to ask for an agent who can change my order details. The state of play is they have done the beta testing with ancestry and they are getting closer but have n't got an issue date yet ,this was sent from the order dept .Also told to watch for update info given out.
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Latest update which is dated Thursday the 13 th has just been put on in the last few hours. Familytreemaker say to look on the support site tomorrow morning for the latest progress and not to read anything into it. It says it to report some progress but not to read anything into it. The reason they are not posting the report now says they want to share it with ancestry first.
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The latest unimpressive update:
"We do not have a release date yet, and do not plan to provide one until we are ready to release, which could be at any time. Could it be in a few days? Sure. Could it still be another two weeks? It’s possible. When we know, you will too".
https://support.mackiev.com/498640-RELEASE-OF-FTM-2017
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I must admit, this casual, friendly approach doesn't give me a lot of confidence in the company.
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Me neither! What I found worse was trying to change my email address, something as simple as that should n't have wasted my time so much! I do think its been released to early, there should have been practice syncs prior to this.
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Looking at the latest from mckiev 94 %synching with ancestry.If pre ordered, look Monday afternoon for a download invite to try it, number of people limited though.
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Looking at the latest from mckiev 94 %synching with ancestry.If pre ordered, look Monday afternoon for a download invite to try it, number of people limited though.
I think I'll pass on that and hang on until they are sure it works properly.
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APOLOGIES FOR THIS WARNING BEING A BIT LONG WINDED.....
Feb March all my photo's & most of my attachments "blurred out" for best description on my Ancestry Family Trees.
I've been an on-off member of Ancestry for many years, so there's a lot of hard work in there.
In 2015 my tree was getting far too big & unmanageable.
In order to split it I was persuaded to sign up for FTM (around £100!)
This worked, I split it into 6 x trees. I continued to maintain both Ancestry & FTM.
Upgraded FTM (for free) to version 2014.1 3/4 weeks back after pictures disappeared.
When nothing re-appeared, I was told I'd have to re-load all pictures into ancestry one-by-one! or wait for the newer version FTM 2017 which was due 31st March, and I could have that at £29.99! so I reluctantly paid for that, and I'm still waiting for it.
There was no warning our photo's etc would disappear from Ancestry.
Up to now, I've had no guarantee that they will re-appear on Ancestry with FTM 2017
I've paid for an upgrade I've yet to receive, with no date as yet it will be available - my Ancestry subscription is expiring fast!
People who don't use FTM still show their profile images etc on Ancestry - its only us who do use FTM whose photo's are awaiting sync which have disappeared. ie: if i'd never bought it in the first place then I'd still show all my pics/documents etc on Ancestry. I suggested it was blackmail to buy the new package! I was told The images where not transferred due to the improper working of sync feature. You may send your complains at familytreemaker@mackiev.com but this get you nowhere!
I could get a refund as I paid via PayPal - but that wont get me my pictures etc back ???!!!
It was suggested I get into the BETA testing...
I am now heavily into the Beta testing.
I have now ended up with 9 (an increase from my original 6) family trees.
The 3 additional trees came during the testing process.
Of my 6 original trees I now have 3 Ancestry trees linked to FTM (family tree maker), and 3 un-linked??
Neither I, nor FTM, have any idea how this happened????
However - the 3 which came across as un-linked, brought over my (lost) documents & pictures from FTM onto Ancestry - Yippee!
Quite how I'm going to link them ever again I don't know!
Note: the trees which brought my pictures back from FTM back to Ancestry, do not reflect any amendments I have made over recent weeks - all that wasted work
Finally - I have complained to FTM !
Although I'm still involved in testing - I've spent HOURS online emailing, & online chatting - mainly to staff, who, depending on who you get, depends upon the efficiency/accuracy of the answers you get!!.
They DO NOT have any telephone contact numbers!
I suggested a phone contact (manned by efiicient staff) & maybe something like logmein123.com would have speeded up their testing process !
When this is rolled out to the general public (worldwide!) I can see it being an absolute nightmare! and if I wasn't already so highly committed, I would avoid it with a bargepole
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i notice they started rolling out about 11 hours ago but it says don't worry uk users go to bed , basically they set up time slots and apparently we won't miss out.Does n't say when uk will get it.I pre ordered and paid.I know what you are saying about telephone numbers, the only one I've seen is to an uk shop but you have to pre order to mckiev.They say they kept people informed yes but here in the uk we certainly did n't get it straight away and people don't know when the next one was coming.Also I've commented several times re changing my email and the trouble I had to go to when my email went down and was unrecoverable. I can understand.Congratulations on getting your media back!!! Also when they said to check Monday for email , what were we supposed to think as they usually quote Utah time. Its been a purchasing nightmare. I just hope everything goes to plan when I do get to sync.
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I've decided I wont accept the e-mail invitation as I don't have time in the next 48 hours. I'll let people who have large trees and who know what they are doing test it first, so hopefully by the time I get it, all the bugs will have been sorted.
It is a pity that they didn't ask people to register using their card, but not actually take money from accounts until it was ready for download. This wouldn't have been that hard, as when I shop online from a major supermarket, the money doesn't leave my account until after the goods have been delivered.
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Congratulations on getting your media back!!!
Their instructions are a nightmare! Not clear at all.
I had FTM2014, plus I had an expired trial of FTM2017. It didnt even say which to use?!!
In the end I had to recover trees/files from FTM2014 using the backups I'd made of my trees before beginning the trials., then install ANOTHER new version of FTM2017
However in order to trace & resurrect the (correct) files/trees to recommence trials on FTM2017 I first had to get through to somebody at FTM who knew what they were taking about (2 hours on online chat!) to point me at the correct files :
This may help you resurrect your own files if you've taken part in the trials?
To restore a backup, please select Restore from the File menu, navigate to the location of your backup file (usually Documents\Software MacKiev\Family Tree Maker) select the backup you need, and click Open.
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If they are syncing again, even for a limited number, it explains the almost constant errors loading pages in normal browsers. Too much activity on the servers. ::). Doesn't look good going forward when they role out FTM proper. :-\
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I must admit I've had more difficulty trying to attatch census etc just lately. Thankks for the head up on restore.
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Whilst undertaking all this testing etc, I stumbled across Family Tree BUILDER, as opposed to Family Tree MAKER.
Anyone used this ?
Is it worth cancelling the subscription to FTM (MAKER) & transferring my affections to FTB (BUILDER) instead?
Is it compatible with Ancestry?
My 6 trees have between 200-1000 persons in each, and I have up to 160 images within each tree.
(and I understand BUILDER is FREE ?)
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Is it compatible with Ancestry?
It obviously won't sync with Ancestry, the only programme to do that is FTM as I understand it.
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It is a pity that they didn't ask people to register using their card, but not actually take money from accounts until it was ready for download. This wouldn't have been that hard, as when I shop online from a major supermarket, the money doesn't leave my account until after the goods have been delivered.
I was a bit annoyed about that too, but in fairness I also pre-ordered a CD as a gift for hubby at around the same time & also had to pre-pay for that. For whatever reason the release date on that was put back as well - maybe I'm just a jinx ;)
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Is it compatible with Ancestry?
It obviously won't sync with Ancestry, the only programme to do that is FTM as I understand it.
Could I load My Ancestry Trees onto Family Tree BUILDER via a GEDCOM file ?
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I see Family Tree Builder is part of My Heritage. My understanding is that if you download your tree as a Gedcom, you can then upload it to any site, but someone on here will be able to confirm if that is true.
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I gather the new roots magic has been delayed because of the problem with ancestry and the new version of familytreemaker!
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Sorry guys I cant partake in discussions any further...I've been warned off - I've had to agree to Confidentiality Agreement
We ask that you agree to keep your activities as a beta tester completely confidential. Please read the terms below carefully.
1. I understand that test copies of FTM are for “my eyes only”. I agree not to share the test version, or even the fact of its existence, or my role as a beta tester with anyone.
2. I agree to keep the results confidential. I will not share my testing results or anything else about the new version, including screen shots and descriptions, with anyone in person, in writing or online other than Software MacKiev.
3. I will not share information about the BETA version on FACEBOOK or other social media.
I agree to the terms of this Confidentiality Agreement.
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Strange sng165 as this is the latest from FTM
Starting yesterday, we began rolling out FTM 2017 to 25,000 users worldwide in our Beta Test Drive Program. The initial feedback from our "Test Drivers" has been very positive. The group's composition was selected for the best chance of successful syncing. In a departure from our usual confidentiality rules for beta testing, our test drivers are allowed to share their test driving experience publicly.
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I cant believe that !
Never Mind - I've cancelled my subscription to FTM this afternoon - matters havent improved (despite their reassurances - this tester hasnt found it much better), & I'm just about to lapse my Ancestry subs. I will be using MyHeritage from now on.
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i've seen that info that groom has put on.This business of invitation as well for the test drive, a lot of people did n't get invite especially not of the Monday and on the familytreemaker site on face book there's some interesting info including positive and some very negative. I notice after people started complaining no invite to test drive, all of a sudden there was a a link from the support site to apply ut quite a while after they they said they had started rolling it out. They seem to contradict what they are saying a lot. I so far have n't applied to be a test driver and am annoyed that they are not given even an a regular update to say there's nothing to report so that people know they are not being ignored.As for saying the uk can go to bed when they announced the roll out, what were we in the uk to think. They said they were rolling it out geographically but did n't layout plans for it.
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My PC crashed a week ago. I did receive an email to Beta test but since I didn't have a PC I couldn't. Now I am desperate to get the software (working properly) so that I can sync from Ancestry to get all of my trees back on my new PC.
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familytreemaker have put an update, saying working with ancestry engineers tonight and will analyse whether to roll out. The sync is 94.8 % on test drives. This update was put on this morning and says just after midnight may 3rd.
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After using MyHeritage for the past few days, I am convinced I've made the best move.
Looking at the FTM sit there's still no positive signs that all will be well when it's released https://support.mackiev.com/498640-RELEASE-OF-FTM-2017
I was offered a great deal to sign up for MyHeritage,- a basic 30% off the subs, an extra discount on top of that, plus a Gift card that can be used to purchase different products in the website.
It was easy to transfer trees using a GEDCOM....and I am no techie....I picked up step by step instructions off the website. Although no sites move Media & photo's in bulk, they have a great "tidy-up" feature called Tree Checker - this "cleans" up your data, and points out potential errors; Instant Discoveries (like Ancestry Hints); plus quirky statistics; and great charts & books.
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.This business of invitation as well for the test drive, a lot of people didn't get invite especially not of the Monday
Mackiev actually put this on their site
"The initial feedback from our "Test Drivers" has been very positive. The group's composition was selected for the best chance of successful syncing. In a departure from our usual confidentiality rules for beta testing, our test drivers are allowed to share their test driving experience publicly.
I was a tester who was invited and this was done in conjunction with Ancestry ( who I think put forward people with larger trees) to test the software to its maximum.
Note one person chosen had 270,000 people in their tree this was what they were looking for.
My tree is almost 20,000 and synced with no problem
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I too was selected for testing, (I have 6 x very large trees), but coincidentally as soon as I started to comment on sites such as this, every time I logged on to test, I was reminded of BETA TEST - Confidentiality Agreement! They obviously don't want people like me voicing my concerns.
My testing was obviously not as successful as yours.
My syncing did not bring my images & media over; I had to resurrect data using backup files, this resulted in duplicated trees & unlinked/break in sync.
My main concern was the quality of their support service. No phone - just online. Poor quality & Varying advice depending on who you hit on.
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I also took part in the Beta testing - I only have small trees and the syncing went okay, but I have now got a problem accessing my ancestry.co.uk account, I keep getting the sign in page which will not accept my details. Have manage to access my account by the .com address and tried to get to the UK site from there but got the sign in page again. I know it should not be related to Family Tree Maker 2017 but it has only happened since it was linked to my account, has anybody else having this problem.
Jan
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As I've now cancelled & had a refund from FTM, I asked about the confidentiality & was told: Beta Test and Beta Test Drive are different concepts. Participating in the Beta Test requires you to accept our Confidentiality Agreement while beta test drivers are allowed to share their test driving experience publicly.
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There's people ripping into them still on facebook because of the lack of being able to contact them when there's problems.Alot of people including me were n't offered a test drive, but they covered their backs by putting that form on.It does n't make you think they will contact you when they do eventually roll it out.
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Good thing that interest rates aren't high at the moment the length of time they've had our money!
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I had a full refund via PayPal from FTM, plus today, after a call to Ancestry explaining I hadn't had full use of their system for 2 of the 6 months I'd paid for, & as I'd been a member for many years, I was reluctantly lapsing my membership with them, I also had a £35 refund off them too - so that almost covered MyHeritage's membership :)
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Good thing that interest rates aren't high at the moment the length of time they've had our money!
Indeed! Another week on and still no update. My patience is definitely wearing thin now.
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Since my last post on here, I've left Ancestry, left FTM.
I've had my FTM money back via PayPal, & had a £35 refund from Ancestry after I complained I hadn't been able to use their service properly for the last 2 months.
I'm now using MyHeritage.
It took a LOT of initial cleaning up after loading GEDCOMs from Ancestry - Ancestry leave a LOT of crud in there despite claiming deletion.
Plus they have a manned helpline with knowledgeable staff.
Anyway it's done now, & I am ready-to-go. I've even loaded my pictures & documents.
It's different, & takes getting used to, after 5+ years on Ancestry, but I like it.
However, despite all this I am still getting BETA TEST emails & links from Ancestry/FTM !!!!
Although I left FTM last week & was refunded last week, I got new tests last Sunday, again on Weds & again today!
- appears sync is till a problem!
critical bugs still in there!
they are still working on hot fixes!
Good luck if you're still waiting for FTM2017 ! you may be waiting a while..... :'(
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Well there's still no update on the facebook page, no emails to people still waiting, no individual emails for test drives and its past a week now and the support and communication is pretty poor, what a way to run a business.
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Over 6 weeks now since they took the money!
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There is an update finally! Basically they are expanding the beta test drive. Look at support.familytreemaker.com
Seems to me that they want everyone to get in via the beta test drive reading between the lines. They are on to the alternate list and hope to have got them on board by the end of the weekend and then expand the beta test drivers by 3 times what they have now. Invitations will be going out but not sure I believe the amount they say will be going out.
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Latest from Facebook:
We are now beta testing builds made with the final adjustments from Ancestry that we received a week and a half ago. Those provide a much streamlined process for syncing changes made on the Ancestry side and will allow us to remove all limits from adding FTM 2017 users to the system.
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So when will that be done? We’ll update you when the beta testing tells us we’ve been successful. The next step would be to provide a new build to our test drivers, and then the rest of the world. We can't provide an exact date yet, but we’re optimistically guessing a couple of weeks.
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sigh .....
I want my tree back on my new laptop.
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We can't provide an exact date yet, but we’re optimistically guessing a couple of weeks.
So that'll be two months from the original date and even longer since they took our money! I know they need to get it right before they release it, but a bit of honesty from the outset might have been a good idea.
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So that'll be two months from the original date and even longer since they took our money! I know they need to get it right before they release it, but a bit of honesty from the outset might have been a good idea.
I still think that was wrong - they should have taken card numbers but not taken the money out until the programme was ready. A week or so I wouldn't have minded, but 2 months is ridiculous.
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Totally agree. I'm waiting to see if I get a test drive invitation because they are talking more and more about them, I did n't apply through that link as we are supposed to all get and invite, sick of seeing that and not hearing.Also the fact ancestry wanted those with bigger trees to be the ones who tested, okay I get it but that gave priority to the name collectors. Also they say they will be giving updates weekly, took them long enough.They should have been doing at least that. A friend did n't understand why she was n't hearing about the updates that I was and I pointed out the places to look at.Trouble is I think they know they have almost a captive audience.
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Hi all, still around. I have just been reading all the blog postings on the support site and I don’t know if its my cynicism but they are saying the same thine over and over again using different words. They say they will post on a weekly basis, just how many weeks. MacKiev is a software company to avoid. End of rant.
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I don't trust them since the trouble of trying to change my email.I have 2 correspondence, one of which is a transcript but I am deliberately waiting till I get offered a test drive because I don't feel I can believe I will get my actual copy when it does eventually come out without contacting them unless I get offered a test drive and then will feel I can believe the details have been changed. I won't buy another product off them. Can't believe people are still being really nice to them.
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Well just read on facebook , up to just after 8pm last nifght ,one of the alternatives has n't been contacted.Well the reply was, start a live chat. Unfortunately the help you get depends on you get!
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I received my second invitation to test. I couldn't the first time as I was without a PC after it crashed. It's beginning to look like the only way to get my tree back is to do some testing. Would really rather wait until I know it is working properly but that may be quite a while.
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yes I think need to test GailB.I think they want us all going in eventually via a test drive. It annoyed me that they said uk go to bed and that they were rolling it out geographically.What annoys me is that someone late in buying could be at the front for getting it or test driving it just cos they have a massive tree. The rest of us are waiting and we have n't a clue where we are in the queue. Not sure but they gave the impression we'd all be on by them rolling it out until 75,000 are on. Then they wre blaise in respect of being on.
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There's another update on the site, only a couple of days after which should have been the weekly update we were promised. Apparently they've reached out to all of us who prepurchased in respect to having a test drive. They show themselves up in respect to that in the further info they give. They must thing we are daft!
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I wonder how many there are like me, who prepurchased but are not prepared to test drive until they have got everything sorted? Thinking about it, perhaps they ought to offer a refund to those who were brave enough to risk it, especially if they had large trees!
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I wonder how many there are like me, who prepurchased but are not prepared to test drive until they have got everything sorted?
Well there's at least one other Groom - me!
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Think there's quite a few!
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I am certainly not interested in testing FMT and I know my cousin feels the same way and we have both spent our money on it. For me it is the only program I run under Windows so expensive all round. My main system is on Linux.
As I mentioned before, these updates that MacKiev put out say the same thing in not so many different words.
When FTM 2017 is finally released there will be bugs coming out of it. That happens with any new software you just can’t calculate all the nuances of all the computer hardware combinations.
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Should be an update after mckiev talk to ancestry tomorrow according to what mckiev have posted on facebook.Today's spoiler alert says today is not a progress update but thought we'd like to know about some tools we can use. Not sure what to expect tomorrow. They are either fanfaring the release or warning us not to hold our breath.Can't decide which. Perhaps not holding our breath being they are saying we can do this and that.
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Good Lord!
I have just read all this topic as I was thinking about upgrading my Ancestry FTM2014 (not upgraded to the FTM 2014.1).
However, I've changed my mind after reading the posts. I think I'll stick with FTM2014 and my trusty Ancestral Quest. To be fair, I never bothered too much about the sync feature but tended to use FTM as a backup copy of my Ancestry info and pics.
Today I downloaded my private tree from Ancestry including pics again, so I at least now have my most up-to-date copy. The only slight negative to that was that although my pics transferred just fine, images of source records attached to my online tree do not any more.
I had put the Mackiev version 'on the back burner', thinking I would get it once it was all up and running - but the posts I have read here do not engender confidence in this company, at this stage anyway.
It's been useful to read the experiences to date of other forum users. Thanks to you all.
Regards Eliza.
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Well eliza still have n't been updated following the spoiler alert.Really they are overdue for an update whether you count the spoiler alert or not. They did promise a weekly update a while ago when people complained but they still aint delivering.People put on facebook to say its time for an update and they don't get much of a response.There's no phone numbers to use and any problems you have to go through live chat service on support site. I must admit I use the sync as a backup on computer but also do one elsewhere.
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Two months down the line and we still can't sync trees unless you've joined the trial. I'm beginning to wonder why I bothered. As I tend to work on my tree on Ancestry rather than in FTM, in hindsight it would have been just as easy to have saved the tree as a gedcom every week or so and downloaded it onto FTM. The only problem there is I don't think it would transfer photos etc would it?
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Hi Groom,
Depending on the version of FTM you have, you can currently download your Ancestry tree without linking and it will include your media (minus source images like census records attached via Ancestry).
Here is the info: https://support.mackiev.com/003515-Upload-and-Download-without-Linking-in-FTM-20141
So you don't export a gedcom from Ancestry, rather you import from FTM, if you have a suitable version. I still have FTM 2014 (not the upgrade 2014.1) and the instructions worked fine.
I mucked it up a bit afterwards by trying to merge the downloaded Ancestry tree with the one I already had on FTM, but I ended up with some duplicate people. Luckily I had made a backup of my FTM tree before trying to merge so was able to restore it and remove the mucked up tree.
The tree I have always had on FTM I re-downloaded in December 2016, just before all the sync was cut off, so I was fortunate at that time to be able to save copies of all media, including source images and have copied this media file to USB and backup.
I would have been a bit brassed off after all I have spent on Ancestry subs if I was not able to save the source images that I have, in effect, paid for during my research. My understanding is that if I let my Ancestry sub lapse, so would my ability to view the source images attached to events so I was keen to have copies.
After reading all the posts here, I will definitely defer getting the Mackiev version until it is working properly and even then, only if I can download source images once they establish their sync feature (I don't trust that we will be allowed to do that, but....you never know).
Regards Eliza.
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Thanks Eliza, I have the latest edition, so it should work. I'm away at the moment, so will wait until I get home in a couple of weeks as the Wifi here is slow and tends to drop at times. If that happened I'd be even more frustrated!
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There's a new update on facebook and the support site , sounds good but I also recognise some of the old flannel. Saying gonna put 10,000 sers on a day again but if they were doing that before I would have had an invite by now as I now others have n't. Its a bigger update given this time on the face of it.
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I was "invited" to join the test drive program - a bit of a joke given that I paid for the upgrade ages ago!! I really felt I had no choice as I had carried out changes in FTM and Ancestry and knew that at some stage I would duplicate the changes.
In any event, I've been using it for about 10 days and it certainly all seems to work fine. Synchronising FTM - Ancestry and vice versa is much quicker than before and I've not come across any problems.
The only downside for me is that I have to renew the test drive every two days, but it is a simple process.
Overall, I'm happy with the software but less than happy with the overall software upgrade/marketing process as I still do not have a fully released version of the software.
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That sounds more positive. What annoys me people have had more than one invite whereas its obvious from facebook posts others have n't had one. I feel they've been laughing at us and now they are promising at least weekly updates again. It still sounds very laid back again. I could have asked for a test drive but i'd got other priorities so was n't worried.The customer care is a joke.
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Overall, I'm happy with the software but less than happy with the overall software upgrade/marketing process as I still do not have a fully released version of the software
[/i]
I too would prefer a fully-tested debugged version of FTM but given the fact that there is not yet such an animal, I was happy to pay the upgrade cost to have a version with a working 'synch' function (at least until yesterday when they suspended it because of a new instability). After the cessation of Ancestry's support for the interface to FTM, I had felt vulnerable to a system failure. Whilst my backup gedcom secured the fundamentals of my tree, the media would have been left flapping in the breeze.
The latest major problem (as of yesterday) reveals the instability of 2017 and I applaud MacKiev for their honesty in this regard. As a retired IT geek, I can think of many instances where a software product has been rushed to market as a full release when subsequent events have revealed the fact that it was not stable.
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Latest from FB page
SYNC WEATHER ALERT - JUNE 9
Due to an increased level of sync reports this week, we have temporarily blocked all syncing, downloading and uploading services in FTM 2017 for all test drivers and beta testers while we work on upgrading the system with Ancestry. We will resume sync services as soon as it's safe to do so.
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One step forward, two back?
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Interesting. I've found Ancestry to be very slow and often 'sticking' all week, but I've just had to sign in again (normally I don't need to) and its working fine again.
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It did stick for me on some occasions e.g. trying to attatch record and it saying you have n't given ancestry enough info when they have given me it as a hint. Some in list did attatch but a couple did n't and had to use back button a few times when it stuck.
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new update and seems more promising but again they are saying by a date
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I had an email to try Test Drive 2 this morning.
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So did I, and also a final date ::)
" Assuming all has gone well, you just keep using the software until the final arrives - which we are targeting for July 15th."
Think I'll hang on another 2 weeks as I've waited this long.
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My sync worked this time ;D
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I was one of the second wave of "testers" and apart from the interruption to "synch" over the past weeks, all seems fine.
I now perform very frequent backups!!!
I didn't realise how much I would miss syncing. Correcting Ancestry trees is just so much easier in FTM.
Go for it, I say.
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looks like if the 2017 if the QA checks out tomorrow, they will start rolling out the download links for familytreemaker, test drivers first.