Family Tree Maker. Stay with 2005 or update??

[polidor]

I've onl;y ever used family tree maker 2005 and have to say that i find it o'k to use.

How do the later models i.e '06 '07 '08 differ. In what way do they differ from each previous model. Are there benefits in upgrading? am asking whilst considering my Christmas 'wish list'     Poli.

[GreySquirrel]

I wouldn't bother.

Sorry, I didn't mean that to sound as rude as it does! It's just that there are better programmes out there -- my favourite is Family Historian. I've used it for three years and love it.

[polidor]

Hi Grey Squirrel, i'd like to be able to 'copy & paste' articles into the notes section and am dissappointed with the quality of the photos that i have added to FTM 2005. i think they are my main grumbles with it.

It deals very well i think, with the number of children it allows for and also the number of generations, i would just like to find out how various programmes operate and what facilities they offer the user. [Has to be simple to use though  ]  Poli.

[BettyofKent]

I agree with GreySquirrel.
I've seen complaints from people who've upgraded from 2005 to 2008, & wished they hadn't.

I'm also a Family Historian fan

Betty

[t_creaney]

I used 2005 & upgraded to 2006 which was much the same. It does everything I want and can't complain.

I recently bought 2008 but it is a totally different programme. It seems to have an improved user interface from the older versions but does not have the same charting capabilities of the older versions.

To me it is a  backward step & I am sticking with my 2006 version.

terry

[polidor]

I 'Googled' family history software and there is so much choice---Rootsmagic seemed to have a lot of good reviews and also Family Historian but on one site i read that Family Historian was not as easy to navigate/use as some of the other programmes.

It seemed to me that each programme offered a basic set of facilities, i.e charts-colour coding-adding photos etc.etc. but then some of the info regarding the programmes possibilties got a bit too 'wordy' or just too technically orientated for me[read that as "i didn't understand what they were on about"!!!]

Basically i want the easy navigation of FTM 2005 plus a few more options for adding printed articles and better quality photos any other extras would be welcome as long as they are easy to understand and use. Poli.

p.s The prices varied quite a lot too
 

[downside]

i'd like to be able to 'copy & paste' articles into the notes section /quote]

You can extend the notes section capability if you make a book.

Click on Books from the toolbar menu.  There is a guide to how to use the Books feature in the Help section.  Have a play around with it and see what is on offer.

The main problem with most family tree software is that it uses database technology and therefore it is not intended to be a word processor like Word for instance.