5 comments about Family Tree Heritage Deluxe V7.0.

1. Family Tree Heritage Deluxe 7.0 is the latest version of the venerable Heritage Family Tree. As such, it has all the features of the solid earlier version plus some welcome additions including a field for recording DNA information, a useful individual summary page, the ability to print family books, and links to on-line resources. Although FTH 7.0 may not be as glitzy as more expensive packages, it is full-featured, has many useful tools and is a great value. FTH 7.0's data can be imported/exported to most popular genealogy programs so there is no need to be concerned if one of the more pricey programs catches your eye in the future.
   
   I have only one quibble with FHT 7.0. Individual Sofware's package and the on-line brochure for the product indicate that one can create multi-media presentations and burn them to DVD to share with family or bring to reunions. While Passages Express is indeed bundled with the installation CD, it is the limited Standard Edition. In order to access advanced features, including DVD burning, one needs to upgrade to Passages Express Deluxe--at an additional cost of $19.95 for the "Deluxe license." There is no indication anywhere on the box or in the included matter that you must pay more to burn DVDs--a glaring oversight, especially since the claim that the program will burn DVDs appears in three different places on the box. This sort of marketing technique makes one wonder if there are any other features that are limited or not included. Individual Software should correct their packaging or include the upgrade at no charge.
   
   While the over-stated claim about DVD burning is annoying, the Family Tree Heritage itself does everything a good genealogy program should do and does it well. FTH 7.0's flawlessly organizes scapbook items such as scanned documents; Word and text files; images; PDF files; and sound and video files within individual records.
   
   Beginners should learn the basics of genealogy terminology and data gathering before diving in, but with program's editing features, mistakes and mis-steps are easily corrected.
   
   FTH 7.0's low list price is attractive and some retail packages currently (December 2008) include a $10 mail-in rebate.



2. Purchased this version of Family Tree Heritage (FTH) to replace my 2002 version of FTM. For the money it is full of features, separate data files for text, multimedia and, photos which I use frequently. This makes any data corruption of files less tragic. Don't forget to backup often anyway. If you use any other geneology software, learning to navigate this program does not take long. Plenty of buttons to click and pull down screens for adding all kinds of information and source notes.
   
   The biggest gripe I have is NO PRINTABLE MANUAL. Yes, they do include a PDF manual with the program but it only prints on 8-1/2 by 3-1/2 paper and NOT on 8-1/2 by 11: If you do print on letter size paper, the text is small and hard to read: a total waist of ink and paper. I had to print the whole manual one page at a time, enlarge each page to letter size text then copy each page in back-to-back book style: a REAL HASSLE when all they needed to do is make it print on standard paper. Guess they don't want anyone to really READ this stuff.
   
   For the money , this softwae is hard to beat, easy to learn and keeps lots of details on individuals. Falls way short on a good user (printer friendly) manual.



3. The thing I like the most about this software is it is super easy to use. I have bought a few other programs and got frustrated and set them to the side. The other thing that I like are all the features you can use to create a scrapbook of your history, once you have completed your information; tree, events, pictures, and notes. My daughter and I created a DVD slideshow for our family reunion in Chicago this summer. It was very cool, and now we have new family enthusiasts who are sending us materials for an update!



4. As far as organizing, just as good as FTM or RootsMagic, but misleading; indicates that a wonderful DVD/CD can be made to share with others. Have had over a year and still trying to find a way to make this wonderful DVD to share. Wanted to be able to put photos with the information...if anyone can figure out how it's done, please let us know. Deleted and went back to FTM 2009, This software was a waste of my time and money.



5. So,So. Not easy to understand and one of the applications doesn't work. I could still use some of it though.

5 comments about Hallmark Scrapbook Studio Deluxe 3.0.

1. For scrap booking, this is just what I needed. I've put together some beautiful album photo pages. You may want to print them all as I do for albums as they take a lot of memory to save on your computer.



2. The graphics are high quality; however, this software only allows you to make one page files. If you are looking for software that will make books, this is not it.



3. The kit is basically easy to use and you can get started without having to read too many instructions. It takes up a lot of memory. I've used it for a couple of projects and they've come out fairly professionaly done. The e-mail postcards are next to worthless and are basically free advertisements for Hallmark which turned me off to the whole set. If I pay for it, I don't want to become a walking billboard from some corporation.
   I'd recommend it to beginners. bg



4. I just got this as Christmas gift and am very disappointed because I was hoping I could use it with my PSE. Here are my main issues:
   1) it allows you to email your final work but it converts the project into an .avi file (movie file) with very poor quality. On top of that it includes advertisement of the software in your project. I was very disappointed because I spent a couple of hours making digital birthday party invitation and when I emailed to myself the result looked like a poor/cheap invitation with advertiments.
   2) all cliparts can only be used with their proprietary software. You cannot export them to other programs such as PSE or convert them into other formats like jpeg or bmp.



5. I really like this, it is full of cute scrapbooking and card making backgrounds and pictures. The only thing I don't like is that I use it mainly for scrapbooking and it doesn't tell you the dimensions of the figures or shapes you place on the paper like the previous edition, so I don't know if I can fit a 4X6 picture on it or not. I print the page I create out and then place my photos on the finished design, so knowing the size I left blank to add the picture would be extremely helpful!

5 comments about Family Tree Maker 2008 Essentials [OLD VERSION].

1. I finally got used to the new format of FTM 2008 and 2009. What I cannot get used to is that the program frequently closes for no apparent reason and gives me an error message. The folks at FTM/Ancestry instructed me to go into a particular directory and delete a certain folder and restart the program. That solved the problem for a short time and it recurred. In fact, the last time I used FTM 2009 it shut down right AFTER I had just applied the fix. These are the most UNSTABLE versions of FTM I have ever used.



2. This product gets the basics done, but is somewhat cumbersome to use, and my copy did not connect to the internet like it was supposed to. I would not recommend this particular version.



3. My purchase in 2009 arrived with program dated 1998! An immediate upgrade was necessary via complicated download taking an hour plus. This is irresponsible. Registration was not possible because the program could not determine I was logged on. I was. Therefore I could not enter my authentication ID for member services which seem: Only a portal to buy more stuff. I have used Brother's Keeper genealogy program since about 1994. Once a customer, updates are or (have been) free. Brother's Keeper does all I want to do and I have tossed Family Tree Maker 2008 Deluxe in the waste basket. I hope this saves someone that nuisance.
   
   Huff



4. I don't like the layout of this Family Tree Maker. The previous versions were simpler & had an easier to understand format. The fonts were larger, and tabs were handy to switch individuals. If I basically have to learn to use a new program, I am going to go with one of the higher rated genealogy software systems, like Legacy or Roots Magic.



5. however, if you've never used a genealogy program before this one is much better by far. If you have, it will take a little getting used too. I've had to look at the manual quite a bit to understand the workings of this program but now that I do understand it is quite superior to the older versions. Great buy!

5 comments about MacFamilyTree 5.

1. I am loving this program! It takes a little bit to get "the hang" of using it. (Of course, it would also help if I read the booklet for assistance.) I can't wait to use all of the aspects of this program. There are so many possibilities for recording family history.



2. I now have upgraded over the net to version 5.6.8 at no charge. They still have a few minor details to iron out but overall a good product. Once I learn the ins and outs I'll feel more comfortable using it. Support via e-mail is a little slow sometimes,but they do respond.



3. Good software. I have about 200 people in my database and it is easy to work with. I wish it supported DNA entries and I wish it had research tools such as empty forms and a to do list, or a last person worked on list or something.



4. I have been a bit disappointed with this product. I was expecting something that was more "intuitive", but found this software to be rather convoluted. It takes a fair amount of time to learn how to input and modify data and to move about within the program. I can't say I'm impressed with that part. On the other hand, I do like the various ways the data can be displayed. I'm not a genealogy expert by any means and have had limited experience with other programs in this area, but have had a fair amount of experience using the Mac and other software for it.



5. Software uses "Partner" in lieu of Spouse, Husband or Wife.
   
   Here is their response to my request for a refund:
   
   "I think this is the point in time to tell you that feeling offended by the Partner label
   is absolutely not, has never been and will never be a reason for a refund. We may
   take care of this and find a different naming scheme but it is absolutely not a priority."

3 comments about Personal Historian Software.

1. This program has some nice features for organizing one's personal history and story. The lists of events, music and other important happenings by date is extremely useful for establishing the time period when a personal life event took place. The program is worth the price for helping you to organize your thoughts when you write your personal memoir.



2. This program comes with a small but effective word editor. On the left panel of the screen there are a series of statements or questions meant to joggle your memory about past events.
   
   When you enter the persons birthdate, the series of questions are customized for the life span of the person. The questions and categories containing the questions can be customized.
   
   Photos can be added to the records.
   
   When you've finished entering your data, the program will generate a report that can be printed, saved in RTF format or saved as a PDF.
   
   Requests in the forum are for a table of contents and an index. Neither of these are available now.
   
   If you have a genealogy program, much of the data can be imported using GEDCOM. The program will read data from a ROOTS MAGIC data base directly.



3. This lets me organize the info I put together,it is stored in one place.

5 comments about RootsMagic Family Tree Genealogy Software.

1. This is my first family tree software and it was easy to figure out right from the start. I was getting way too many people and family names to keep organized on a regular spreadsheet. I was literally getting lost in generations. With Rootsmark it is easy to keep individuals and families in order. I now have nearly 900 people and 450 family names listed. It is easy to navigate back and forth between any of them. It is simple to add photos and documents to individuals. There is lots of help on the software and at the Rootsmark website. Check out their tutorial video online for a good basic idea how the familytree software works. The only problem I have is transfering data from one computer to another. I get it done, but I think there is an easier way.



2. I purchased RootsMagic, ver. 4 in August of 2009. I had used another genealogy program for 20+ years, and while I was very happy with its ease of use and capabilities this program could not present citations in the style recommended by Elizabeth Shown Mills in "Evidence Explained."
   
   I read many reviews and tried several free demos of other genealogy programs. I was very impressed with the citation routines in RootsMagic 4. I spent several months converting a small project I was working on from my old program. It was not until I was well into this work that I noticed a serious flaw with RootsMagic ver. 4.0.7.1. [...]. What is uploaded are the citation format field names used to create the database, not the actual citation.
   
   Sharing my work with others is important to me. Work without citations does not allow the reader to properly evaluate the quality of the data. I contacted RootsMagic's help line 7 weeks ago. After exchanging files to help locate the source of this problem and being told Tech Support would look into this I have heard nothing. I inquired again at 4 weeks, but was told nothing.
   
   If you intend to only share your work by paper copies this is an excellent program. I would seriously consider another program if you intend to share GEDCOM's with non-RootsMagic 4.0.7.1 users.



3. I purchased this item for my husband as a gift. He is so happy with how easy it is to use. He has been tracing his family's background for awhile and really had no way to organize, compare facts, and arrange dates until he starting using this program. I did a review of other products and decided on RootsMagic4 because of other feedback and the ease of using this program. My husband loves this program and feels like all the paper, notes and newspaper articles he has been working on are now organized and located at his fingertips with this wonderful program. He always remarks to me what a super job I did in finding such a great genealogy software. I love the fact his office and work area are now neat and organized. :)



4. Great Product, vendor was very responsive. Disk was dirty and wouldn't run but a quickl cleaning and all was well...



5. Again, as in the past, received prompt service from Amazon and the vendor, got the purchase in excellent condition and am using it.. very well satisfied with the experience and the product...

5 comments about Family Tree Maker 2010 Platinum.

1. This is an awesome product. It comes with soooo much. It was a little
   overwhelming at first; all the information that I was able to access.
   Once you get going on it though, it is really really easy to work with
   and really fun too. I have no experience with genealogy at all and
   this program has been very very helpful and very useful to me. I think
   it provides ways for the beginner to use this program successfully as
   well as the advanced person too. I really like the idea of adding
   photos to my family tree right from my camera or even my scanner. That
   is real awesome!
   
   The installation of this program took a little time, but it was fairly
   easy and pretty self-explanatory.
   
   *This review was posted by a member of the Nova Development User
   Community (NDUC). NDUC members are real people who use Nova
   Development products and share relevant feedback about the products
   they use in order to help other users. More information about NDUC,
   its programs and members is available on the Nova Development website.



2. Family Tree Maker 2010 is a very friendly genealogy program. It has
   such a nice, clean updated look. It will assist you with doing your
   family tree and gives you so many tools to make a great family tree.
   You can even register on [...] to do family research online.
   You can add world events to your timelines. It has lots of help boxes.
   There are many charts you can make including descendent and
   relationship. You can also put a background image to your chart. How
   cool is that. You can make reports and even publish a book on your
   family. I used the old Family Tree Maker, and this is so much better.
   From beginner to advanced user, everyone will love the new Family
   Tree.
   
   
   *This review was posted by a member of the Nova Development User
   Community (NDUC). NDUC members are real people who use Nova
   Development products and share relevant feedback about the products
   they use in order to help other users. More information about NDUC,
   its programs and members is available on the Nova Development website.



3. I have to confess that when I got this program, I thought it was going
   to be a really big chore to start a family tree and wasn't looking
   forward to the big task ahead. But this program makes it so easy and
   fun to do! It's actually been a little bit addicting for me. I just
   want to keep adding and adding and adding to it! I love all the
   different charts and reports it lets me create. You can even make
   books and share them in pdf files with other people. Very neat! I also
   like that you can add pictures for each person. It is very easy to
   use and I would recommend it to anyone, beginner or advanced.
   
   
   *This review was posted by a member of the Nova Development User
   Community (NDUC). NDUC members are real people who use Nova
   Development products and share relevant feedback about the products
   they use in order to help other users. More information about NDUC,
   its programs and members is available on the Nova Development website.



4. Family Tree Maker 2010 Platinum Edition from [...] is an
   amazing program. I have never actually used a family tree program
   before. I was quite surprised and excited when I first started the
   program and saw all the features available. This program makes it
   extremely easy to create and maintain family trees. The steps are very
   straightforward and there are so many added features and options on
   the way. You can add birthdays, and can also add photos directly from
   your digital camera. These will be incorporated into your family tree.
   You can also view maps of areas where your family was from or where
   important events happened. One of the most amazing parts is that the
   program actually links to [...], so that you are able to do
   research to help you build your family tree.
   
   
   *This review was posted by a member of the Nova Development User
   Community (NDUC). NDUC members are real people who use Nova
   Development products and share relevant feedback about the products
   they use in order to help other users. More information about NDUC,
   its programs and members is available on the Nova Development website.



5. I have used Family Tree Maker in the past, but the Family Tree Maker 2010 has
   been the most fun,and enjoyable one yet. Its is so user friendly, that anyone
   even a beginner, could breeze through this.
   You can see that the time and money invested in the new Family
   Tree Maker was well worth it. I love that the adoptive/foster area
   is used so thoroughly.
   There are help areas, in case you have questions on the software.
   I can't say enough on this, I started using it the day I received
   it, and totally lost track of time. I would say 100% this is worth
   the cost.
   
   
   *This review was posted by a member of the Nova Development User
   Community (NDUC). NDUC members are real people who use Nova
   Development products and share relevant feedback about the products
   they use in order to help other users. More information about NDUC,
   its programs and members is available on the Nova Development website.

5 comments about Reunion 9, Genealogy and Family Tree Software for Macintosh.

1. I gave Reunion 3 stars a few months back, but after trying to print out a new set of reports, I have to downgrade it. I have spent more time trying to figure out how to get good reports and charts than I have spent doing input and research put together. Instead of allowing direct printing with lots of formatting options like FTM, Reunion tells you, if you don't like their clunky, hard-to-read reports, to send them to your word processor and reformat them yourself. Isn't formatting your data what the program is for?
   
   If you need Mac software, I would suggest checking out the less expensive programs or waiting for FTM for Mac, which I have read will be released any month now . . .



2. if you want a mac computer, you are stuck with very very limited choices on genealogy programs.
   having used PC genealogy programs for 10 years, i can honestly say that reunion for mac has some big big flaws.
   1. it is cumbersome to use. hard to navigate, difficult to search effectively.
   2. it really does not produce usable reports, especially not pedigree charts.
   3. you cannot change the data fields that show up on the interface page.
   4. the help manual is not user friendly, or detailed enough to be useful.
   it's not horrible, but it could be a lot more useful and user friendly. if you do not know genealogy, i would not recommend starting with this program.
   ifamily for leopard is better for source tracking, better for user interface, but far worse for creating decent reports and forms.



3. Reunion is a terrific program! It's intuitive and creates all the reports and graphics anyone could want. I wish that Mac products were as cost effective as those for PCs.



4. I am very pleased with this genealogy software. It is very easy to learn and use. It has helped greatly in organizing my genealogy material. I highly recommend this software.



5. Easy to use. Still learning all the things I can do with it but am enjoying it very much.

5 comments about Family Tree Maker 2010 Deluxe.

1. My grandma has been working on our family tree for a few years and
   between her information and this program, I was able to work up a very
   nice family tree that I printed up and am giving to my family as gifts
   for Christmas. FTM was easy to use and I thought it was fun. My aunt
   is working on a tree for the other side of my family, and I
   recommended she give FTM a try to make it easier.
   
   
   *This review was posted by a member of the Nova Development User
   Community (NDUC). NDUC members are real people who use Nova
   Development products and share relevant feedback about the products
   they use in order to help other users. More information about NDUC,
   its programs and members is available on the Nova Development website.



2. I was very excited to be offered a copy of The Family Tree Maker 2010
   > Deluxe for review. The program comes with a 3 month subscription to
   [...]. I eagerly inserted the disc and followed the prompts on
   > the computer screen. There was a time in the progress bar that the
   > computer appeared to stop but it just needed time to install the
   > information. It would have helped me if there was a notice on the
   > screen "still working". Once it was installed I read the manual and
   > started typing my personal information. This was very easy to enter
   > into the program. Since I know some family history I entered what I
   > knew regarding names and dates.
   >
   > It was so cool when a "leaf" appeared on my great grandfather's name.
   > I clicked on the leaf and the program took me to possible matches on
   > the census information, military, birth and death sites and possible
   > "family tree" matches.
   >
   > The access to the census reports give such insight to our ancestors
   > lives. To see their actual information hand written was priceless.
   > Also the questions that were asked in earlier times while
   > informational, were also very personal & privacy invasive; which I was
   > not aware until now. Some of my relatives were slave owners.
   >
   > Since there was a lack of education and fluency in English some dates
   > do not always coincide so one has to use their own judgment in this
   > determination.
   >
   > The reports that can be generated are excellent. This program is very
   > user friendly. It can be used to make a very simple tree or as
   > expanded as you desire to make it. You can merge other trees, add
   > babies adoptions; almost any unusual event that has occurred in your
   > family. You can also add non related persons you suspect are related
   > and link them up when you find the information is correct. I
   > completely recommend this program for all levels of computer
   > experience. You can create a priceless Family Tree for your children
   > and grandchildren. This would make a wonderful gift for a person to
   > spend time documenting their relatives. The memories that are made
   > writing this keeps the tree alive. You can create multiple trees using
   > this program.
   >
   >
   >
   > *This review was posted by a member of the Nova Development User
   > Community (NDUC). NDUC members are real people who use Nova
   > Development products and share relevant feedback about the products
   > they use in order to help other users. More information about NDUC,
   > its programs and members is available on the Nova Development website.



3. I found Family Tree Maker 2010 to be very user friendly. I had never tried to make a family tree. Its been fun and with the Ancestry.com subscription that comes with the purchase of the program, I have found valuable documentation and looking forward to finishing the family tree album that will include pictures, documents and maps of where they were born.
   
   The program comes with two books for help and I find both of them very simple and have easily found the answers I would be looking for when a question arises.
   
   I would definatly recommend the program to anyone. Its simple to navigate.
   
   I had to move the program and the information to my laptop because I use that more, and the method was very simple...I just followed the easy instructions.



4. I recently was able to start using Family Tree Maker 2010 Deluxe by
   [...]. This is the first version of Family Tree Maker that I
   have used.
   
   My family history is a bit like swiss cheese, with a few gaps or holes
   in it. I was first of all impressed on how easy it is to create a
   file and start to input data of family members that I do know. Along
   with input, editing information in the software fields is very easy to
   change and save, just to click on the family member and then to change
   the specified material. I have yet to do the software capability of
   importing pictures of family to the software. I look forward to
   printing out reports, sharing them with family members that I do know,
   and to have them reply with additional information that I can add and
   share again. I think this will be a great investment to provide a
   more complete family history with my children when they are older.



5. This software is wonderful! As someone who has dabbled in geneology
   and family history on and off for years, I wondered if it would have
   anything useful to offer me. After a couple of small glitches getting
   it set up (I use Windows Vista as my operating system, need I say
   more?) I was really impressed. The tutorials are very interactive, and
   I found myself referring back to them as I worked. The reference DVD
   is quite comprehensive, and gave me information that I've never found
   during my independent searches, which surprised me as I thought that I
   had left no stone unturned in some of these searches. I love that it
   has so many different options on keeping records. I especially find
   that to be helpful with family lines that I have more information
   about. A standard chart doesn't give you the option of listing all the
   information that's out there, but when I find something I like to make
   sure that I save it! This has helped me to compile all that
   information that I just had typed out into a file that I really didn't
   know what to do with. It even lets you link photos and other media
   files! It also has charts that are very simple. I wish I had something
   like this when I was getting started with my family history!
   
   The three month [...] membership is a nice bonus, but this
   software would be very helpful even without activating the membership.
   
   All in all, I would recommend this to anyone interested in family
   history, regardless of the level of interest or experience that you
   have in it.
   
   
   
   *This review was posted by a member of the Nova Development User
   Community (NDUC). NDUC members are real people who use Nova
   Development products and share relevant feedback about the products
   they use in order to help other users. More information about NDUC,
   its programs and members is available on the Nova Development website.

5 comments about Family Tree Maker 2010 Essentials.

1. I tried to install this on my desktop computer with Windows XP 64 bit, and it didn't work. I installed it
   on my laptop with Windows 7 and after some difficulties it works reasonably well. It is not as intuitive as earlier versions.



2. It's too early to evaluate the software completely; however, from what I've seen and used it's an excellent product.



3. Try as I may, I was unable to install this program. It just seemed to go off in never never land during the install process. I tried several times, including doing a reboot in between but nothing I tried was successful.
   
   I have new Dell workstation with plenty of hard drive and RAM so who knows?
   
   I don't have time for apps like this so I never bothered to reorder.



4. I purchased this software to upgrade a much older version I had. I found it to be much different than the previous version and I do not like some of the changes. Overall though it is ok but does have some glitches during printing.



5. I've been using various editions of this software day-in and day-out for 10 years, but I won't be upgrading anymore after this catastrophe. The new format is a retina-searing, counterintuitive mess. The screen is so busy I can hardly tell what individual I am working on, and many formerly simple functions have been unnecessarily complicated, with many now hidden away in hard-to-find sub-menus. I am going back to my old edition right away. What a disappointment!