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 Customer Reviews
Good but full of bugs, 18 Sep 2008
Unfortunately on my platform (Vista Ultimate 64bit) this software is absolutely riddled with bugs (even after applying the patch). Straight out of the box, it does not connect to the internet - a stressful search around the support site eventually found the patch which enabled internet connectivity. Since then, the program suffers from consistent crashes to the desktop. The upside is that as they are consistent, you avoid performing certain tasks enabling you to use the software reasonably easiliy.
It's interaction with the My Ancestry web site is it's major plus point and recording your family's records is easy and straightforward.
I am hoping that the 2009 version has ironed out all of the bugs and crashes.
If you want an easy life and are running Vista Ultimate 64bit then I would avoid this unless you can confirm it runs on your setup.
Oh dear... don't buy..., 26 Jun 2008
I have been using the "less than pretty" Family Tree Maker 2006 as I am a young but very serious family history nut. So I was very excited about the new version. The redesign looks great, but is REALLY REALLY bad. It has annoying glitches, does nothing like the original (trees are much more limited) and was the biggest let down I have ever had with a new program. I actually sent it back. Your money is better spent on an Ancestry subscription than this rubbish. Great packaging, great look, great DVD and booklet - but appalling program.
Why Change, 24 May 2008
Having used the 2006 version I have traced every member of our family back to around 1840, that's my wife's and mine. This is simply an interface to view your tree, any program is only as good as it's database and whether you use the 2006 or 2008 edition the database holds the same information. If you are just starting to trace your ancestors you will obviously want the latest edition but I see no sense in spending money upgrading just to have a better looking page. I will not be purchasing this edition but gave it 5 stars just for the database alone which is well worth the annual subscription; the price at Amazon will also take some beating.
Upadated and very much IMPROVED, 12 May 2008
This is a radical change from previous versions of this software, which has since been updated & now works brilliantly. Anyone who is used to using a point-and-click interface, such as a web browser will now find this software very easy to use. Charting is also much simpler to use than older versions. I'm still feeling some resistance to this new version, but that's about familiarity, not functionality. Unlike the old software which used to take regular holidays to Mars whilst it thought about things, this install seems to work almost flawlessly & instantly. Access to online mapping via Micro9soft Virtual Earth is seamless & actually quicker than using the Virtual Earth standalone software. Access to online census data, including LDS data is much improved. Placing all 'media' into a single folder on your computer's hard drive, rather than incorporating it within an ever bigger(and therefore slower) database is a substantial improvement. It also allows direct access to such media 'objects' from within Windows itself so that, for instance, Census images can be much more easily taken into applications such as Photoshop to be cropped & have the black areas removed from their edges, enabling easier viewing on-screen & much less wasted ink on printing.
Only gripe is the renaming of media when imported in a database created in a previous version of FTM.
Its not perfect, but its trying hard to get there & will appeal to seasoned researchers & newby technophobes alike.
Well woth the money. Buy the dearer version as, with the included 6-month online membership, it works out cheaper!!
What a shambles, 04 May 2008
This is not an update, it is a re-write. What is the point? Such a change should be re-titled and not just given a new date. The publishers have already created a confusion with introduction of Ancestry incorporating FTM. What are they playing at? Family history computer games?
It is high time that computer program writers addressed the neglected issue of user-friendliness. The are still writing for the professional computer user and ignoring the thousands of amateurs who form the majority of customers buying programs and subscribing to magazines. It is these amateurs who are the major providers of finance and data to this ever growing industry and their needs should be respected.
The new FTM2008 is an example of indulgence by FH program writers. I am stopping at FTM2006.
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Customer Reviews
Good but full of bugs, 18 Sep 2008
Unfortunately on my platform (Vista Ultimate 64bit) this software is absolutely riddled with bugs (even after applying the patch). Straight out of the box, it does not connect to the internet - a stressful search around the support site eventually found the patch which enabled internet connectivity. Since then, the program suffers from consistent crashes to the desktop. The upside is that as they are consistent, you avoid performing certain tasks enabling you to use the software reasonably easiliy.
It's interaction with the My Ancestry web site is it's major plus point and recording your family's records is easy and straightforward.
I am hoping that the 2009 version has ironed out all of the bugs and crashes.
If you want an easy life and are running Vista Ultimate 64bit then I would avoid this unless you can confirm it runs on your setup.
Oh dear... don't buy..., 26 Jun 2008
I have been using the "less than pretty" Family Tree Maker 2006 as I am a young but very serious family history nut. So I was very excited about the new version. The redesign looks great, but is REALLY REALLY bad. It has annoying glitches, does nothing like the original (trees are much more limited) and was the biggest let down I have ever had with a new program. I actually sent it back. Your money is better spent on an Ancestry subscription than this rubbish. Great packaging, great look, great DVD and booklet - but appalling program.
Why Change, 24 May 2008
Having used the 2006 version I have traced every member of our family back to around 1840, that's my wife's and mine. This is simply an interface to view your tree, any program is only as good as it's database and whether you use the 2006 or 2008 edition the database holds the same information. If you are just starting to trace your ancestors you will obviously want the latest edition but I see no sense in spending money upgrading just to have a better looking page. I will not be purchasing this edition but gave it 5 stars just for the database alone which is well worth the annual subscription; the price at Amazon will also take some beating.
Upadated and very much IMPROVED, 12 May 2008
This is a radical change from previous versions of this software, which has since been updated & now works brilliantly. Anyone who is used to using a point-and-click interface, such as a web browser will now find this software very easy to use. Charting is also much simpler to use than older versions. I'm still feeling some resistance to this new version, but that's about familiarity, not functionality. Unlike the old software which used to take regular holidays to Mars whilst it thought about things, this install seems to work almost flawlessly & instantly. Access to online mapping via Micro9soft Virtual Earth is seamless & actually quicker than using the Virtual Earth standalone software. Access to online census data, including LDS data is much improved. Placing all 'media' into a single folder on your computer's hard drive, rather than incorporating it within an ever bigger(and therefore slower) database is a substantial improvement. It also allows direct access to such media 'objects' from within Windows itself so that, for instance, Census images can be much more easily taken into applications such as Photoshop to be cropped & have the black areas removed from their edges, enabling easier viewing on-screen & much less wasted ink on printing.
Only gripe is the renaming of media when imported in a database created in a previous version of FTM.
Its not perfect, but its trying hard to get there & will appeal to seasoned researchers & newby technophobes alike.
Well woth the money. Buy the dearer version as, with the included 6-month online membership, it works out cheaper!!
What a shambles, 04 May 2008
This is not an update, it is a re-write. What is the point? Such a change should be re-titled and not just given a new date. The publishers have already created a confusion with introduction of Ancestry incorporating FTM. What are they playing at? Family history computer games?
It is high time that computer program writers addressed the neglected issue of user-friendliness. The are still writing for the professional computer user and ignoring the thousands of amateurs who form the majority of customers buying programs and subscribing to magazines. It is these amateurs who are the major providers of finance and data to this ever growing industry and their needs should be respected.
The new FTM2008 is an example of indulgence by FH program writers. I am stopping at FTM2006.
It's Family Tree Maker 2006, 01 Sep 2008
I have just installed this version which is Family Tree Maker 2006 (v13.0.285) and has loaded in our family tree from the 2005 version. As such, it represents excellent value for money, especially if you want to upgrade but not to the entirely new 2008 version. The carton says it will run under Vista with a download from the GSP site.
It comes with two discs, one with the program and the other with video clips and family trees of celebrities featured in the first three series.
Who do you think you are???, 10 Mar 2008
I have recently written a review on Who do you think you are deluxe. I previously had this product before the deluxe and definatly recommend this, and the deluxe to anyone interested in Family Trees.
I have even found some new family members. This product is so easy to use and get to grips with, I have brought my mum the Deluxe version (Its that easy to use.) I will continue to buy the upgrades when they get released.
Just a big advert!, 14 Jan 2008
I had high hopes to assist with the tracking of relations - however as good as the tree maker may be (excel can do the same) you need to spend more money if you want to register product and take advantages of the internet registry searches - and i dont have much faith in them to be honest.
If you are happy spending another ten pound here and there, then this is for you, but as a stocking filler for my wife - not the best - unless your surname is Snexergytimson, or you have time to search through the 4 million hits for the surname Smith....
Easy to use, 11 Jun 2007
Fantastic software that does what it say's on the box and is easy to use!
Well worth buying, thouroughly recommended.
Great for family trees, 06 Jan 2007
This is an excellent package for putting your tree together. Logical, user friendly and capable of turning out some excellent trees.
This can easily export trees to websites.
I wouldn't be without it!
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Customer Reviews
Good but full of bugs, 18 Sep 2008
Unfortunately on my platform (Vista Ultimate 64bit) this software is absolutely riddled with bugs (even after applying the patch). Straight out of the box, it does not connect to the internet - a stressful search around the support site eventually found the patch which enabled internet connectivity. Since then, the program suffers from consistent crashes to the desktop. The upside is that as they are consistent, you avoid performing certain tasks enabling you to use the software reasonably easiliy.
It's interaction with the My Ancestry web site is it's major plus point and recording your family's records is easy and straightforward.
I am hoping that the 2009 version has ironed out all of the bugs and crashes.
If you want an easy life and are running Vista Ultimate 64bit then I would avoid this unless you can confirm it runs on your setup.
Oh dear... don't buy..., 26 Jun 2008
I have been using the "less than pretty" Family Tree Maker 2006 as I am a young but very serious family history nut. So I was very excited about the new version. The redesign looks great, but is REALLY REALLY bad. It has annoying glitches, does nothing like the original (trees are much more limited) and was the biggest let down I have ever had with a new program. I actually sent it back. Your money is better spent on an Ancestry subscription than this rubbish. Great packaging, great look, great DVD and booklet - but appalling program.
Why Change, 24 May 2008
Having used the 2006 version I have traced every member of our family back to around 1840, that's my wife's and mine. This is simply an interface to view your tree, any program is only as good as it's database and whether you use the 2006 or 2008 edition the database holds the same information. If you are just starting to trace your ancestors you will obviously want the latest edition but I see no sense in spending money upgrading just to have a better looking page. I will not be purchasing this edition but gave it 5 stars just for the database alone which is well worth the annual subscription; the price at Amazon will also take some beating.
Upadated and very much IMPROVED, 12 May 2008
This is a radical change from previous versions of this software, which has since been updated & now works brilliantly. Anyone who is used to using a point-and-click interface, such as a web browser will now find this software very easy to use. Charting is also much simpler to use than older versions. I'm still feeling some resistance to this new version, but that's about familiarity, not functionality. Unlike the old software which used to take regular holidays to Mars whilst it thought about things, this install seems to work almost flawlessly & instantly. Access to online mapping via Micro9soft Virtual Earth is seamless & actually quicker than using the Virtual Earth standalone software. Access to online census data, including LDS data is much improved. Placing all 'media' into a single folder on your computer's hard drive, rather than incorporating it within an ever bigger(and therefore slower) database is a substantial improvement. It also allows direct access to such media 'objects' from within Windows itself so that, for instance, Census images can be much more easily taken into applications such as Photoshop to be cropped & have the black areas removed from their edges, enabling easier viewing on-screen & much less wasted ink on printing.
Only gripe is the renaming of media when imported in a database created in a previous version of FTM.
Its not perfect, but its trying hard to get there & will appeal to seasoned researchers & newby technophobes alike.
Well woth the money. Buy the dearer version as, with the included 6-month online membership, it works out cheaper!!
What a shambles, 04 May 2008
This is not an update, it is a re-write. What is the point? Such a change should be re-titled and not just given a new date. The publishers have already created a confusion with introduction of Ancestry incorporating FTM. What are they playing at? Family history computer games?
It is high time that computer program writers addressed the neglected issue of user-friendliness. The are still writing for the professional computer user and ignoring the thousands of amateurs who form the majority of customers buying programs and subscribing to magazines. It is these amateurs who are the major providers of finance and data to this ever growing industry and their needs should be respected.
The new FTM2008 is an example of indulgence by FH program writers. I am stopping at FTM2006.
It's Family Tree Maker 2006, 01 Sep 2008
I have just installed this version which is Family Tree Maker 2006 (v13.0.285) and has loaded in our family tree from the 2005 version. As such, it represents excellent value for money, especially if you want to upgrade but not to the entirely new 2008 version. The carton says it will run under Vista with a download from the GSP site.
It comes with two discs, one with the program and the other with video clips and family trees of celebrities featured in the first three series.
Who do you think you are???, 10 Mar 2008
I have recently written a review on Who do you think you are deluxe. I previously had this product before the deluxe and definatly recommend this, and the deluxe to anyone interested in Family Trees.
I have even found some new family members. This product is so easy to use and get to grips with, I have brought my mum the Deluxe version (Its that easy to use.) I will continue to buy the upgrades when they get released.
Just a big advert!, 14 Jan 2008
I had high hopes to assist with the tracking of relations - however as good as the tree maker may be (excel can do the same) you need to spend more money if you want to register product and take advantages of the internet registry searches - and i dont have much faith in them to be honest.
If you are happy spending another ten pound here and there, then this is for you, but as a stocking filler for my wife - not the best - unless your surname is Snexergytimson, or you have time to search through the 4 million hits for the surname Smith....
Easy to use, 11 Jun 2007
Fantastic software that does what it say's on the box and is easy to use!
Well worth buying, thouroughly recommended.
Great for family trees, 06 Jan 2007
This is an excellent package for putting your tree together. Logical, user friendly and capable of turning out some excellent trees.
This can easily export trees to websites.
I wouldn't be without it!
This Item Is Useless, 10 Oct 2008
I bought Family Tree Maker delux edition thinking it would be an improvement on the FREE disc I received with The Sunday Times how wrong was I .It does not do as it says in nearly all areas. Wish to print The Whole of your tree -- forget it ,only one individuals.
Try registering no go .Oh and as far as your free 3months to Ancestry no go.
So all in all a useless piece of software. My freebie was superb IS superb,Save your money buy an earlier edition 2006 or earlier
Software supplied is incomplete. Take care, 23 Sep 2008
The product itself is a very good engine for collating family tree information as a standalone solution but has one significant problem for buyers..........
The CD software will not operate fully as supplied and requires the downloading of a software patch to enable it to connect properly to the internet. From reviewing internet message boards this seems to be a not uncommon problem. Very disappointing and a major problem for buyers who are not IT literate.
Crammed full of features, 11 May 2008
I bought my copy of FTM from the USA via ancestry.com website without it dawning on me that I could have ordered it from Amazon (cost a bit more, too. Doh!). Looking at the screenshots and reading other reviews, I am sure it's the same product, except mine came with a DVD tutorial and a CD full of old American postcard pictures; not particularly useful in my case, but interesting.
I had dozens of names in my existing tree saved in a GedCom file and these were quickly imported into the program; I only had to make a couple of changes to date formats. Also, and I don't expect the UK version to be any different, the locations that were imported tended to be American; ie 'Birmingham' brought up a map of Alabama. These ambiguities are easily resolved by FTM, however.
Searching the internet without having to exit the program is useful; it's on the same screen, so that you can enter details manually while looking at them. There is also a facility for pasting bits of web pages into your work.
I don't know why it happens that names such as 'Higgins' are sometimes read as 'Biggins' despite it being clearly spelled with an H in the actual record, but it does. In other words, FTM is not a program that you can press a button, make a cup of tea, and have your family tree prepared when you get back. You have to do some investigation of your own. This might sound obvious to experienced researchers, but I have read reviews where an inability to find relatives is blamed on the program rather than the search engine being used, the fact that records might not exist, or anything else.
FTM is full of features to allow you to collect and enter data, print and make presentations in a variety of ways, and in short do anything you would wish to do, without having a pile of paper to rummage through. It must be one of the best genealogy packages on the market...and at a price less than you would pay for a video game, with twice the fun!
The good, the bad and the ugly, 04 May 2008
I can understand the disparity between the reviews received to date.
The good is the data entry page, and charting pages which are a vast improvement over previous versions of FTM.
The bad is that the program still severely restricts how you enter data, particularly dates. With a lot of my research I only need to record the year and quarter, but you cannot enter Q1 1925 for example.
The downright ugly is the "manual" that is provided with the software. The square root of useless comes to mind. I had a problem printing a family tree as important data was not being printed on the right hand side, due to the predetermined print size. After some hours I finally managed to resolve the problem. Was there any help in the manual-not even a mention.
Terrific, 15 Mar 2008
A terrific piece of software. A vast improvement on FTM2005. If you are really serious with your genealogy then this is the package for you. Plus subscribe to Ancestry.co.uk for a year. I was initially reluctant to pay the year's subscription thinking I probably wouldn't take full advantage of it but it's far the better option than buying bits of credit to this and that genealogy website.
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Product Description
" The UK's Best-Selling All-In-One Driving Test Software developed by driving experts at Learner Driver Centres (LDC), the UK's 3rd largest driving school. We're so confident that using this product will significantly increase your chances of passing the Theory Test, we're offering £50 worth of Avanquest software to anyone who fails the Theory Test, having thoroughly used the product+ November 2007. Awarded Best Buy 2007. The only 5 star product out of the top 10 UK products reviewed. Auto Express Magazine THEORY TEST
Includes the entire NEW OFFICIAL DSA Theory Test Question Bank for cars and motorcycles with 3 unique ways to learn: Grouped under the 17 DSA categories, in Highway Code order, or in conjunction with your driving lessons. No other product offers this flexibility and ease of learning! Pre-study illustrated learning notes for each of the above learning programmes with relevant extracts from the new Highway Code, our own unique supplementary notes (covers the theory needed that is not in the Highway Code) and the Motorcycle Riders the Essential Skills publication. Interactive Theory Test tutorial so you know what to expect on the day.
Highly REALISTIC Theory Test simulations with 6 pre-designed tests based on the most commonly occurring questions. UNLIMITED random tests, all with a balanced set of questions.
Unique traffic light progress monitoring detailing which of the Official questions have been answered correctly, incorrectly or not at all. The only product to make it easy to know when all the Official questions have been learnt or what's outstanding. Printable exam papers of randomly generated Theory Test simulations to allow you to test yourself away from the computer. Automatically sends feedback from the mock tests to the learning section, for tailored revision. Print, view or search the Highway Code workbook (worth £6.99) NEW LEARN ON THE MOVE - Practise OFFICIAL DSA questions and answers PLUS the HIGHWAY CODE on your mobile phone, iPod, PDA or other portable device that supports MP3 and Podcast files HAZARD PERCEPTION
With over 400 high-quality hazard perception clips, including the 10 official DSA practice clips and the test introduction video, this program will test your ability to spot potential hazards on the road. All the clips accurately represent those you will face in the real test so you can be confident you're properly prepared on the day! Includes OVER 400 high-quality hazard perception clips. Video is shot from outside the car in full PAL resolution just as on the real test not from behind the windscreen of the car in a lower, grainer resolution as on most other products. Interactive tutorials with animations and videos cover the test, hazard perception skills and defensive driving. 28 pre-set test simulations, each incorporating 14 clips, one for each hazard type. Exceptionally accurate anti-cheat mechanism to help you determine what type of clicking is and is not allowed. UNLIMITED mock hazard perception tests with the random test facility. 'Hazard Type' mock test facility lets you take a test on a specific hazard Review feature shows you exactly where you clicked and where points are scored. Review and retest your 10 weakest clips to identify problem areas and ensure test success! PRACTICAL TEST
With 20 interactive driving lessons, 19 Show Me, Tell Me questions and a fully interactive mock driving test, you'll have everything you need to know and do, to pass your driving test - first time! Follow the highly acclaimed LDC Learn-2-Drive programme of 20 lessons for you to follow with mum or dad or indeed your driving instructor. The computer lessons are composed of over 50 interactive animated presentations with exercises, video tutorials and quizzes to help you prepare for each in-car lesson in the LDC programme. Covers: Moving off
Gears
Steering
Co-ordination
The emergency stop
Junctions and hazard drill
Crossroads
Emerging from busier junctions
Roundabouts
Pedestrian crossings and traffic signals
Hazard perception and defensive driving
Dual carriageways
Town and city centre driving
Progressive driving
Mock driving test
Straight line reverse
Reversing to the left
Reversing to the right
Turn in the road
Reverse and bay parking An Interactive tutorial tells you all about the practical test with illustrations, animations and video. Interactive Examiners Marking Sheet with 25 pop up tutorials explaining what the examiner is looking for and what constitutes a driving fault. Interactive training notes to help you correct any faults you may have identified. NEW SHOW ME, TELL ME OFFICIAL QUESTIONS
Full Show Me, Tell Me driving lesson video with an expert instructor 19 Interactive mock test video clips showing examples of the 7 Show Me and 12 Tell Me Official possible questions Illustrated training notes about the marking process NEW - Show Me, Tell Me game to teach you the car's features - inside & out MOCK DRIVING TEST
Watch and interact with a full driving test as if you were the examiner - a great insight into what to expect on the day! NEW HIGHWAY CODE
Interactive version of the latest edition of the Highway Code with professional voiceover and extra training notes LEARN-2-DRIVE SYSTEM
20 Interactive driving lessons using over 50 animations, videos and quizzes to help you to prepare for each driving lesson SIGNS AND SIGNALS
Learn the signs, road markings and signals via pre-study lessons
Interactive game to help learn traffics signs with ease! PRINTABLE E-BOOKS
Includes a Theory Test Workbook (worth £6.99) and a Highway Code Workbook (worth £1.95) PASS GUARANTEE & FREE DRIVING LESSON OFFER* *Terms and Conditions apply
+ Pass Guarantee only applies to the Theory Test"
Customer Reviews
Good but full of bugs, 18 Sep 2008
Unfortunately on my platform (Vista Ultimate 64bit) this software is absolutely riddled with bugs (even after applying the patch). Straight out of the box, it does not connect to the internet - a stressful search around the support site eventually found the patch which enabled internet connectivity. Since then, the program suffers from consistent crashes to the desktop. The upside is that as they are consistent, you avoid performing certain tasks enabling you to use the software reasonably easiliy.
It's interaction with the My Ancestry web site is it's major plus point and recording your family's records is easy and straightforward.
I am hoping that the 2009 version has ironed out all of the bugs and crashes.
If you want an easy life and are running Vista Ultimate 64bit then I would avoid this unless you can confirm it runs on your setup.
Oh dear... don't buy..., 26 Jun 2008
I have been using the "less than pretty" Family Tree Maker 2006 as I am a young but very serious family history nut. So I was very excited about the new version. The redesign looks great, but is REALLY REALLY bad. It has annoying glitches, does nothing like the original (trees are much more limited) and was the biggest let down I have ever had with a new program. I actually sent it back. Your money is better spent on an Ancestry subscription than this rubbish. Great packaging, great look, great DVD and booklet - but appalling program.
Why Change, 24 May 2008
Having used the 2006 version I have traced every member of our family back to around 1840, that's my wife's and mine. This is simply an interface to view your tree, any program is only as good as it's database and whether you use the 2006 or 2008 edition the database holds the same information. If you are just starting to trace your ancestors you will obviously want the latest edition but I see no sense in spending money upgrading just to have a better looking page. I will not be purchasing this edition but gave it 5 stars just for the database alone which is well worth the annual subscription; the price at Amazon will also take some beating.
Upadated and very much IMPROVED, 12 May 2008
This is a radical change from previous versions of this software, which has since been updated & now works brilliantly. Anyone who is used to using a point-and-click interface, such as a web browser will now find this software very easy to use. Charting is also much simpler to use than older versions. I'm still feeling some resistance to this new version, but that's about familiarity, not functionality. Unlike the old software which used to take regular holidays to Mars whilst it thought about things, this install seems to work almost flawlessly & instantly. Access to online mapping via Micro9soft Virtual Earth is seamless & actually quicker than using the Virtual Earth standalone software. Access to online census data, including LDS data is much improved. Placing all 'media' into a single folder on your computer's hard drive, rather than incorporating it within an ever bigger(and therefore slower) database is a substantial improvement. It also allows direct access to such media 'objects' from within Windows itself so that, for instance, Census images can be much more easily taken into applications such as Photoshop to be cropped & have the black areas removed from their edges, enabling easier viewing on-screen & much less wasted ink on printing.
Only gripe is the renaming of media when imported in a database created in a previous version of FTM.
Its not perfect, but its trying hard to get there & will appeal to seasoned researchers & newby technophobes alike.
Well woth the money. Buy the dearer version as, with the included 6-month online membership, it works out cheaper!!
What a shambles, 04 May 2008
This is not an update, it is a re-write. What is the point? Such a change should be re-titled and not just given a new date. The publishers have already created a confusion with introduction of Ancestry incorporating FTM. What are they playing at? Family history computer games?
It is high time that computer program writers addressed the neglected issue of user-friendliness. The are still writing for the professional computer user and ignoring the thousands of amateurs who form the majority of customers buying programs and subscribing to magazines. It is these amateurs who are the major providers of finance and data to this ever growing industry and their needs should be respected.
The new FTM2008 is an example of indulgence by FH program writers. I am stopping at FTM2006.
It's Family Tree Maker 2006, 01 Sep 2008
I have just installed this version which is Family Tree Maker 2006 (v13.0.285) and has loaded in our family tree from the 2005 version. As such, it represents excellent value for money, especially if you want to upgrade but not to the entirely new 2008 version. The carton says it will run under Vista with a download from the GSP site.
It comes with two discs, one with the program and the other with video clips and family trees of celebrities featured in the first three series.
Who do you think you are???, 10 Mar 2008
I have recently written a review on Who do you think you are deluxe. I previously had this product before the deluxe and definatly recommend this, and the deluxe to anyone interested in Family Trees.
I have even found some new family members. This product is so easy to use and get to grips with, I have brought my mum the Deluxe version (Its that easy to use.) I will continue to buy the upgrades when they get released.
Just a big advert!, 14 Jan 2008
I had high hopes to assist with the tracking of relations - however as good as the tree maker may be (excel can do the same) you need to spend more money if you want to register product and take advantages of the internet registry searches - and i dont have much faith in them to be honest.
If you are happy spending another ten pound here and there, then this is for you, but as a stocking filler for my wife - not the best - unless your surname is Snexergytimson, or you have time to search through the 4 million hits for the surname Smith....
Easy to use, 11 Jun 2007
Fantastic software that does what it say's on the box and is easy to use!
Well worth buying, thouroughly recommended.
Great for family trees, 06 Jan 2007
This is an excellent package for putting your tree together. Logical, user friendly and capable of turning out some excellent trees.
This can easily export trees to websites.
I wouldn't be without it!
This Item Is Useless, 10 Oct 2008
I bought Family Tree Maker delux edition thinking it would be an improvement on the FREE disc I received with The Sunday Times how wrong was I .It does not do as it says in nearly all areas. Wish to print The Whole of your tree -- forget it ,only one individuals.
Try registering no go .Oh and as far as your free 3months to Ancestry no go.
So all in all a useless piece of software. My freebie was superb IS superb,Save your money buy an earlier edition 2006 or earlier
Software supplied is incomplete. Take care, 23 Sep 2008
The product itself is a very good engine for collating family tree information as a standalone solution but has one significant problem for buyers..........
The CD software will not operate fully as supplied and requires the downloading of a software patch to enable it to connect properly to the internet. From reviewing internet message boards this seems to be a not uncommon problem. Very disappointing and a major problem for buyers who are not IT literate.
Crammed full of features, 11 May 2008
I bought my copy of FTM from the USA via ancestry.com website without it dawning on me that I could have ordered it from Amazon (cost a bit more, too. Doh!). Looking at the screenshots and reading other reviews, I am sure it's the same product, except mine came with a DVD tutorial and a CD full of old American postcard pictures; not particularly useful in my case, but interesting.
I had dozens of names in my existing tree saved in a GedCom file and these were quickly imported into the program; I only had to make a couple of changes to date formats. Also, and I don't expect the UK version to be any different, the locations that were imported tended to be American; ie 'Birmingham' brought up a map of Alabama. These ambiguities are easily resolved by FTM, however.
Searching the internet without having to exit the program is useful; it's on the same screen, so that you can enter details manually while looking at them. There is also a facility for pasting bits of web pages into your work.
I don't know why it happens that names such as 'Higgins' are sometimes read as 'Biggins' despite it being clearly spelled with an H in the actual record, but it does. In other words, FTM is not a program that you can press a button, make a cup of tea, and have your family tree prepared when you get back. You have to do some investigation of your own. This might sound obvious to experienced researchers, but I have read reviews where an inability to find relatives is blamed on the program rather than the search engine being used, the fact that records might not exist, or anything else.
FTM is full of features to allow you to collect and enter data, print and make presentations in a variety of ways, and in short do anything you would wish to do, without having a pile of paper to rummage through. It must be one of the best genealogy packages on the market...and at a price less than you would pay for a video game, with twice the fun!
The good, the bad and the ugly, 04 May 2008
I can understand the disparity between the reviews received to date.
The good is the data entry page, and charting pages which are a vast improvement over previous versions of FTM.
The bad is that the program still severely restricts how you enter data, particularly dates. With a lot of my research I only need to record the year and quarter, but you cannot enter Q1 1925 for example.
The downright ugly is the "manual" that is provided with the software. The square root of useless comes to mind. I had a problem printing a family tree as important data was not being printed on the right hand side, due to the predetermined print size. After some hours I finally managed to resolve the problem. Was there any help in the manual-not even a mention.
Terrific, 15 Mar 2008
A terrific piece of software. A vast improvement on FTM2005. If you are really serious with your genealogy then this is the package for you. Plus subscribe to Ancestry.co.uk for a year. I was initially reluctant to pay the year's subscription thinking I probably wouldn't take full advantage of it but it's far the better option than buying bits of credit to this and that genealogy website.
Great!, 01 Oct 2008
I'm not quite 17 yet, but I bought this disk a few months ago in the hope that it would help - and it has! It has made me confident for when I start to learn to drive and for my theory test... would recommend it for anyone learning to drive!
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Customer Reviews
Good but full of bugs, 18 Sep 2008
Unfortunately on my platform (Vista Ultimate 64bit) this software is absolutely riddled with bugs (even after applying the patch). Straight out of the box, it does not connect to the internet - a stressful search around the support site eventually found the patch which enabled internet connectivity. Since then, the program suffers from consistent crashes to the desktop. The upside is that as they are consistent, you avoid performing certain tasks enabling you to use the software reasonably easiliy.
It's interaction with the My Ancestry web site is it's major plus point and recording your family's records is easy and straightforward.
I am hoping that the 2009 version has ironed out all of the bugs and crashes.
If you want an easy life and are running Vista Ultimate 64bit then I would avoid this unless you can confirm it runs on your setup.
Oh dear... don't buy..., 26 Jun 2008
I have been using the "less than pretty" Family Tree Maker 2006 as I am a young but very serious family history nut. So I was very excited about the new version. The redesign looks great, but is REALLY REALLY bad. It has annoying glitches, does nothing like the original (trees are much more limited) and was the biggest let down I have ever had with a new program. I actually sent it back. Your money is better spent on an Ancestry subscription than this rubbish. Great packaging, great look, great DVD and booklet - but appalling program.
Why Change, 24 May 2008
Having used the 2006 version I have traced every member of our family back to around 1840, that's my wife's and mine. This is simply an interface to view your tree, any program is only as good as it's database and whether you use the 2006 or 2008 edition the database holds the same information. If you are just starting to trace your ancestors you will obviously want the latest edition but I see no sense in spending money upgrading just to have a better looking page. I will not be purchasing this edition but gave it 5 stars just for the database alone which is well worth the annual subscription; the price at Amazon will also take some beating.
Upadated and very much IMPROVED, 12 May 2008
This is a radical change from previous versions of this software, which has since been updated & now works brilliantly. Anyone who is used to using a point-and-click interface, such as a web browser will now find this software very easy to use. Charting is also much simpler to use than older versions. I'm still feeling some resistance to this new version, but that's about familiarity, not functionality. Unlike the old software which used to take regular holidays to Mars whilst it thought about things, this install seems to work almost flawlessly & instantly. Access to online mapping via Micro9soft Virtual Earth is seamless & actually quicker than using the Virtual Earth standalone software. Access to online census data, including LDS data is much improved. Placing all 'media' into a single folder on your computer's hard drive, rather than incorporating it within an ever bigger(and therefore slower) database is a substantial improvement. It also allows direct access to such media 'objects' from within Windows itself so that, for instance, Census images can be much more easily taken into applications such as Photoshop to be cropped & have the black areas removed from their edges, enabling easier viewing on-screen & much less wasted ink on printing.
Only gripe is the renaming of media when imported in a database created in a previous version of FTM.
Its not perfect, but its trying hard to get there & will appeal to seasoned researchers & newby technophobes alike.
Well woth the money. Buy the dearer version as, with the included 6-month online membership, it works out cheaper!!
What a shambles, 04 May 2008
This is not an update, it is a re-write. What is the point? Such a change should be re-titled and not just given a new date. The publishers have already created a confusion with introduction of Ancestry incorporating FTM. What are they playing at? Family history computer games?
It is high time that computer program writers addressed the neglected issue of user-friendliness. The are still writing for the professional computer user and ignoring the thousands of amateurs who form the majority of customers buying programs and subscribing to magazines. It is these amateurs who are the major providers of finance and data to this ever growing industry and their needs should be respected.
The new FTM2008 is an example of indulgence by FH program writers. I am stopping at FTM2006.
It's Family Tree Maker 2006, 01 Sep 2008
I have just installed this version which is Family Tree Maker 2006 (v13.0.285) and has loaded in our family tree from the 2005 version. As such, it represents excellent value for money, especially if you want to upgrade but not to the entirely new 2008 version. The carton says it will run under Vista with a download from the GSP site.
It comes with two discs, one with the program and the other with video clips and family trees of celebrities featured in the first three series.
Who do you think you are???, 10 Mar 2008
I have recently written a review on Who do you think you are deluxe. I previously had this product before the deluxe and definatly recommend this, and the deluxe to anyone interested in Family Trees.
I have even found some new family members. This product is so easy to use and get to grips with, I have brought my mum the Deluxe version (Its that easy to use.) I will continue to buy the upgrades when they get released.
Just a big advert!, 14 Jan 2008
I had high hopes to assist with the tracking of relations - however as good as the tree maker may be (excel can do the same) you need to spend more money if you want to register product and take advantages of the internet registry searches - and i dont have much faith in them to be honest.
If you are happy spending another ten pound here and there, then this is for you, but as a stocking filler for my wife - not the best - unless your surname is Snexergytimson, or you have time to search through the 4 million hits for the surname Smith....
Easy to use, 11 Jun 2007
Fantastic software that does what it say's on the box and is easy to use!
Well worth buying, thouroughly recommended.
Great for family trees, 06 Jan 2007
This is an excellent package for putting your tree together. Logical, user friendly and capable of turning out some excellent trees.
This can easily export trees to websites.
I wouldn't be without it!
This Item Is Useless, 10 Oct 2008
I bought Family Tree Maker delux edition thinking it would be an improvement on the FREE disc I received with The Sunday Times how wrong was I .It does not do as it says in nearly all areas. Wish to print The Whole of your tree -- forget it ,only one individuals.
Try registering no go .Oh and as far as your free 3months to Ancestry no go.
So all in all a useless piece of software. My freebie was superb IS superb,Save your money buy an earlier edition 2006 or earlier
Software supplied is incomplete. Take care, 23 Sep 2008
The product itself is a very good engine for collating family tree information as a standalone solution but has one significant problem for buyers..........
The CD software will not operate fully as supplied and requires the downloading of a software patch to enable it to connect properly to the internet. From reviewing internet message boards this seems to be a not uncommon problem. Very disappointing and a major problem for buyers who are not IT literate.
Crammed full of features, 11 May 2008
I bought my copy of FTM from the USA via ancestry.com website without it dawning on me that I could have ordered it from Amazon (cost a bit more, too. Doh!). Looking at the screenshots and reading other reviews, I am sure it's the same product, except mine came with a DVD tutorial and a CD full of old American postcard pictures; not particularly useful in my case, but interesting.
I had dozens of names in my existing tree saved in a GedCom file and these were quickly imported into the program; I only had to make a couple of changes to date formats. Also, and I don't expect the UK version to be any different, the locations that were imported tended to be American; ie 'Birmingham' brought up a map of Alabama. These ambiguities are easily resolved by FTM, however.
Searching the internet without having to exit the program is useful; it's on the same screen, so that you can enter details manually while looking at them. There is also a facility for pasting bits of web pages into your work.
I don't know why it happens that names such as 'Higgins' are sometimes read as 'Biggins' despite it being clearly spelled with an H in the actual record, but it does. In other words, FTM is not a program that you can press a button, make a cup of tea, and have your family tree prepared when you get back. You have to do some investigation of your own. This might sound obvious to experienced researchers, but I have read reviews where an inability to find relatives is blamed on the program rather than the search engine being used, the fact that records might not exist, or anything else.
FTM is full of features to allow you to collect and enter data, print and make presentations in a variety of ways, and in short do anything you would wish to do, without having a pile of paper to rummage through. It must be one of the best genealogy packages on the market...and at a price less than you would pay for a video game, with twice the fun!
The good, the bad and the ugly, 04 May 2008
I can understand the disparity between the reviews received to date.
The good is the data entry page, and charting pages which are a vast improvement over previous versions of FTM.
The bad is that the program still severely restricts how you enter data, particularly dates. With a lot of my research I only need to record the year and quarter, but you cannot enter Q1 1925 for example.
The downright ugly is the "manual" that is provided with the software. The square root of useless comes to mind. I had a problem printing a family tree as important data was not being printed on the right hand side, due to the predetermined print size. After some hours I finally managed to resolve the problem. Was there any help in the manual-not even a mention.
Terrific, 15 Mar 2008
A terrific piece of software. A vast improvement on FTM2005. If you are really serious with your genealogy then this is the package for you. Plus subscribe to Ancestry.co.uk for a year. I was initially reluctant to pay the year's subscription thinking I probably wouldn't take full advantage of it but it's far the better option than buying bits of credit to this and that genealogy website.
Great!, 01 Oct 2008
I'm not quite 17 yet, but I bought this disk a few months ago in the hope that it would help - and it has! It has made me confident for when I start to learn to drive and for my theory test... would recommend it for anyone learning to drive!
Who do you think you are????, 10 Mar 2008
I really enjoy making my Family tree!
There is now so many new members of my family I have found just by using this. Ive had no problem at all loading known members or unknown members on to my tree.
Its so easy to use and simple to learn, I have even brought the product for my mum to do as a past time.
ABSOLUTE RUBBISH, 19 Feb 2008
I bought this deluxe version of the Family tree maker recently,only to find I cannot add my own brother to it ! nor my own childrens wife/partners or grandchildren what is the point of any family tree,if you cannot even add you own brother? as he is part of my family tree.
I am disgusted with this tree maker. do not buy it you are wasting your money.
Vista compatibility, 11 Jun 2007
Most features on 'Who Do You Think You Are? Family Tree Maker Deluxe' are unaffected by the new version of Microsoft Windows, Windows Vista. However, certain aspects (like exporting a view, book, or tree to PDF) will not function without an important update for Family Tree Maker. This update is completely free, and steps for updating your program can be found on the developers website, this can be reached via the Technical Support area of the GSP website.
Not good for Vista, 22 May 2007
Basic software is fine for information addition and collation but for some reason it will not access pdf reader from the program or save as pdf in "books". Unfortunatly the help access is a waste of space and no contact info with software outside the US. If you run Vista pick another FTM software package.
Great software, 04 Apr 2007
Watched the first and second series and decided to research my own family history.
Having looked around at the various products available I opted for this version of the Family Tree Maker but obviously branded as per the show, I reasoned that for the BBC to allow the use of their programe branding on a product they must have thoroughly checked it through .
I have not been disappointed.
I really need to do more research before I can fully use it, but having entered some basic info i've managed to create various charts and trees.
As someone who is relatively new to the hobby, I'm hooked!
I'd definitely recommend it!
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Rome Anthology (PC DVD)
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Avanquest Software;
Windows 98Windows MeWindows XP
2008-06-20;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £7.32
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Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 16 Deluxe (PC)
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Avanquest Software;
Windows XPWindows 98Windows 2000Windows Me
2005-09-02;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £4.99
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Customer Reviews
Good but full of bugs, 18 Sep 2008
Unfortunately on my platform (Vista Ultimate 64bit) this software is absolutely riddled with bugs (even after applying the patch). Straight out of the box, it does not connect to the internet - a stressful search around the support site eventually found the patch which enabled internet connectivity. Since then, the program suffers from consistent crashes to the desktop. The upside is that as they are consistent, you avoid performing certain tasks enabling you to use the software reasonably easiliy.
It's interaction with the My Ancestry web site is it's major plus point and recording your family's records is easy and straightforward.
I am hoping that the 2009 version has ironed out all of the bugs and crashes.
If you want an easy life and are running Vista Ultimate 64bit then I would avoid this unless you can confirm it runs on your setup.
Oh dear... don't buy..., 26 Jun 2008
I have been using the "less than pretty" Family Tree Maker 2006 as I am a young but very serious family history nut. So I was very excited about the new version. The redesign looks great, but is REALLY REALLY bad. It has annoying glitches, does nothing like the original (trees are much more limited) and was the biggest let down I have ever had with a new program. I actually sent it back. Your money is better spent on an Ancestry subscription than this rubbish. Great packaging, great look, great DVD and booklet - but appalling program.
Why Change, 24 May 2008
Having used the 2006 version I have traced every member of our family back to around 1840, that's my wife's and mine. This is simply an interface to view your tree, any program is only as good as it's database and whether you use the 2006 or 2008 edition the database holds the same information. If you are just starting to trace your ancestors you will obviously want the latest edition but I see no sense in spending money upgrading just to have a better looking page. I will not be purchasing this edition but gave it 5 stars just for the database alone which is well worth the annual subscription; the price at Amazon will also take some beating.
Upadated and very much IMPROVED, 12 May 2008
This is a radical change from previous versions of this software, which has since been updated & now works brilliantly. Anyone who is used to using a point-and-click interface, such as a web browser will now find this software very easy to use. Charting is also much simpler to use than older versions. I'm still feeling some resistance to this new version, but that's about familiarity, not functionality. Unlike the old software which used to take regular holidays to Mars whilst it thought about things, this install seems to work almost flawlessly & instantly. Access to online mapping via Micro9soft Virtual Earth is seamless & actually quicker than using the Virtual Earth standalone software. Access to online census data, including LDS data is much improved. Placing all 'media' into a single folder on your computer's hard drive, rather than incorporating it within an ever bigger(and therefore slower) database is a substantial improvement. It also allows direct access to such media 'objects' from within Windows itself so that, for instance, Census images can be much more easily taken into applications such as Photoshop to be cropped & have the black areas removed from their edges, enabling easier viewing on-screen & much less wasted ink on printing.
Only gripe is the renaming of media when imported in a database created in a previous version of FTM.
Its not perfect, but its trying hard to get there & will appeal to seasoned researchers & newby technophobes alike.
Well woth the money. Buy the dearer version as, with the included 6-month online membership, it works out cheaper!!
What a shambles, 04 May 2008
This is not an update, it is a re-write. What is the point? Such a change should be re-titled and not just given a new date. The publishers have already created a confusion with introduction of Ancestry incorporating FTM. What are they playing at? Family history computer games?
It is high time that computer program writers addressed the neglected issue of user-friendliness. The are still writing for the professional computer user and ignoring the thousands of amateurs who form the majority of customers buying programs and subscribing to magazines. It is these amateurs who are the major providers of finance and data to this ever growing industry and their needs should be respected.
The new FTM2008 is an example of indulgence by FH program writers. I am stopping at FTM2006.
It's Family Tree Maker 2006, 01 Sep 2008
I have just installed this version which is Family Tree Maker 2006 (v13.0.285) and has loaded in our family tree from the 2005 version. As such, it represents excellent value for money, especially if you want to upgrade but not to the entirely new 2008 version. The carton says it will run under Vista with a download from the GSP site.
It comes with two discs, one with the program and the other with video clips and family trees of celebrities featured in the first three series.
Who do you think you are???, 10 Mar 2008
I have recently written a review on Who do you think you are deluxe. I previously had this product before the deluxe and definatly recommend this, and the deluxe to anyone interested in Family Trees.
I have even found some new family members. This product is so easy to use and get to grips with, I have brought my mum the Deluxe version (Its that easy to use.) I will continue to buy the upgrades when they get released.
Just a big advert!, 14 Jan 2008
I had high hopes to assist with the tracking of relations - however as good as the tree maker may be (excel can do the same) you need to spend more money if you want to register product and take advantages of the internet registry searches - and i dont have much faith in them to be honest.
If you are happy spending another ten pound here and there, then this is for you, but as a stocking filler for my wife - not the best - unless your surname is Snexergytimson, or you have time to search through the 4 million hits for the surname Smith....
Easy to use, 11 Jun 2007
Fantastic software that does what it say's on the box and is easy to use!
Well worth buying, thouroughly recommended.
Great for family trees, 06 Jan 2007
This is an excellent package for putting your tree together. Logical, user friendly and capable of turning out some excellent trees.
This can easily export trees to websites.
I wouldn't be without it!
This Item Is Useless, 10 Oct 2008
I bought Family Tree Maker delux edition thinking it would be an improvement on the FREE disc I received with The Sunday Times how wrong was I .It does not do as it says in nearly all areas. Wish to print The Whole of your tree -- forget it ,only one individuals.
Try registering no go .Oh and as far as your free 3months to Ancestry no go.
So all in all a useless piece of software. My freebie was superb IS superb,Save your money buy an earlier edition 2006 or earlier
Software supplied is incomplete. Take care, 23 Sep 2008
The product itself is a very good engine for collating family tree information as a standalone solution but has one significant problem for buyers..........
The CD software will not operate fully as supplied and requires the downloading of a software patch to enable it to connect properly to the internet. From reviewing internet message boards this seems to be a not uncommon problem. Very disappointing and a major problem for buyers who are not IT literate.
Crammed full of features, 11 May 2008
I bought my copy of FTM from the USA via ancestry.com website without it dawning on me that I could have ordered it from Amazon (cost a bit more, too. Doh!). Looking at the screenshots and reading other reviews, I am sure it's the same product, except mine came with a DVD tutorial and a CD full of old American postcard pictures; not particularly useful in my case, but interesting.
I had dozens of names in my existing tree saved in a GedCom file and these were quickly imported into the program; I only had to make a couple of changes to date formats. Also, and I don't expect the UK version to be any different, the locations that were imported tended to be American; ie 'Birmingham' brought up a map of Alabama. These ambiguities are easily resolved by FTM, however.
Searching the internet without having to exit the program is useful; it's on the same screen, so that you can enter details manually while looking at them. There is also a facility for pasting bits of web pages into your work.
I don't know why it happens that names such as 'Higgins' are sometimes read as 'Biggins' despite it being clearly spelled with an H in the actual record, but it does. In other words, FTM is not a program that you can press a button, make a cup of tea, and have your family tree prepared when you get back. You have to do some investigation of your own. This might sound obvious to experienced researchers, but I have read reviews where an inability to find relatives is blamed on the program rather than the search engine being used, the fact that records might not exist, or anything else.
FTM is full of features to allow you to collect and enter data, print and make presentations in a variety of ways, and in short do anything you would wish to do, without having a pile of paper to rummage through. It must be one of the best genealogy packages on the market...and at a price less than you would pay for a video game, with twice the fun!
The good, the bad and the ugly, 04 May 2008
I can understand the disparity between the reviews received to date.
The good is the data entry page, and charting pages which are a vast improvement over previous versions of FTM.
The bad is that the program still severely restricts how you enter data, particularly dates. With a lot of my research I only need to record the year and quarter, but you cannot enter Q1 1925 for example.
The downright ugly is the "manual" that is provided with the software. The square root of useless comes to mind. I had a problem printing a family tree as important data was not being printed on the right hand side, due to the predetermined print size. After some hours I finally managed to resolve the problem. Was there any help in the manual-not even a mention.
Terrific, 15 Mar 2008
A terrific piece of software. A vast improvement on FTM2005. If you are really serious with your genealogy then this is the package for you. Plus subscribe to Ancestry.co.uk for a year. I was initially reluctant to pay the year's subscription thinking I probably wouldn't take full advantage of it but it's far the better option than buying bits of credit to this and that genealogy website.
Great!, 01 Oct 2008
I'm not quite 17 yet, but I bought this disk a few months ago in the hope that it would help - and it has! It has made me confident for when I start to learn to drive and for my theory test... would recommend it for anyone learning to drive!
Who do you think you are????, 10 Mar 2008
I really enjoy making my Family tree!
There is now so many new members of my family I have found just by using this. Ive had no problem at all loading known members or unknown members on to my tree.
Its so easy to use and simple to learn, I have even brought the product for my mum to do as a past time.
ABSOLUTE RUBBISH, 19 Feb 2008
I bought this deluxe version of the Family tree maker recently,only to find I cannot add my own brother to it ! nor my own childrens wife/partners or grandchildren what is the point of any family tree,if you cannot even add you own brother? as he is part of my family tree.
I am disgusted with this tree maker. do not buy it you are wasting your money.
Vista compatibility, 11 Jun 2007
Most features on 'Who Do You Think You Are? Family Tree Maker Deluxe' are unaffected by the new version of Microsoft Windows, Windows Vista. However, certain aspects (like exporting a view, book, or tree to PDF) will not function without an important update for Family Tree Maker. This update is completely free, and steps for updating your program can be found on the developers website, this can be reached via the Technical Support area of the GSP website.
Not good for Vista, 22 May 2007
Basic software is fine for information addition and collation but for some reason it will not access pdf reader from the program or save as pdf in "books". Unfortunatly the help access is a waste of space and no contact info with software outside the US. If you run Vista pick another FTM software package.
Great software, 04 Apr 2007
Watched the first and second series and decided to research my own family history.
Having looked around at the various products available I opted for this version of the Family Tree Maker but obviously branded as per the show, I reasoned that for the BBC to allow the use of their programe branding on a product they must have thoroughly checked it through .
I have not been disappointed.
I really need to do more research before I can fully use it, but having entered some basic info i've managed to create various charts and trees.
As someone who is relatively new to the hobby, I'm hooked!
I'd definitely recommend it!
Not much improved over older versions, 31 May 2008
I used Version 8 on Windows 95 to teach myself to type in the late 90s.
Then I thought it was great. It was a big help.
This version I expected to be more polished. Perhaps more scientific in it's approach; though really it hasn't changed much. Still good.
Purchased for my neice, installation hung on her XP machine during install/registration. Ctrl+Alt+Delete showed registration and installation to behave as two seperate applications. Killed registration and the installation proceeded.
The first thing I noticed was that the interface didn't scale well to a widescreen resolution of 1680 x 1050 some jumbled text in the options dialogue.
Installation problem + resolution irritation = minus one star.
Secondly: Even my niece (11) is irritated by the lack of keyboard navigation. The use of the enter key to start the next lesson would be a help. You have to reach for the mouse for every task.
This coupled with the fact that it runs full-screen (not in a window) is definitely minus another star.
The program occasionally gives / displays the wrong instructions for a UK keyboard but does register the correct key-presses - irritating.
The program doesn't appear to have changed in format much since version 8 which is a little disappointing. There is much more material but it's all much the same. I really thought teaching methods might have changed a bit though admittedly typing is still a muscle-memory skill.
This is generally useful and helpful software and could generally be recomended. It includes a Learn Word XP title as well which may be useful to some. While the actual training available from the software is of quite good quality the application as a whole is distinctly average.
I have bought more than one version, I like it so much!, 30 Mar 2008
I was already a very speedy typist when I bought Mavis Beacon for my husband, and for fun I tried the programme too: well, it immediately spotted my weak point: symbols and numbers (I rarely have to use them!), and earnestly presented me a lesson on those. I was mortified and I laughed, so started using it myself. This is one of the wonderful features: the programme sees where your weaknesses are, and in the next lessons concentrates on those. Then my son grew up, and started using it, then my daughter was born, and now she's almost 11 and has also started using it... of course it's a different version now, the third I own. I find it as brilliant as it was, although I must say that the changes from v.9 to v.16 are not that many. But then, if a thing is good as it is, why change it?
You have to be humble and patient, and Mavis will be very patient and very encouraging, even if you make a hundred mistakes: she will just say "OK, you need some more work on these keys. Let's begin a lesson with new combinations, and you will soon learn them".
An advice. If you want to see results, follow the programmes guidelines, don't rush to do the games (as my son does), just go through the lessons. You can easily repeat a lesson whenever you want, if you succeed at a test but still you don't feel confident (or if you succeeded by cheating, i.e. looking at the keyboard).
The interface is pleasant and relaxing, the music too, and gives you rhythm (but you can turn it off if it gets on your nerves, and put your own music or no music at all - or a metronome, if you so wish!).
A very nice feature is the keyboard with the moving fingers at the bottom of the screen (the key to be used is highlighted every time to help you see where it is). So you can start by not looking at your own keyboard and hands, just looking at the one on the screen, and then as you learn the keys don't look at anything but the text.
Who cares about the differences in spelling? You just have to copy what you see! If what you write beneath the examples is correct, it will be blue, errors are in red. You don't have to press "enter", it automatically goes to the next line. After completing the text, your WPM (word per minute)speed is measured, and then adjusted according to your mistake percentage, so that you are not tempted to type quickly but carelessly like a reviewer here who almost gave me a headache. Accuracy is far more important, and you are also encouraged to type rhythmically, with a steady rhythm. I had learned this in typing school, decades ago (in 1973, if you must know!), and I know how important is for developing speed.
The games in Mavis Beacon are great fun, although some can be stressful as you have to avoid sharks or crashing your iceberg etc... My children love creature creation, where by typing you can create fantastic creatures.
A useful video tutorial on how to sit correctly and align your arms and hands on the table for ergonomic work is also included.
OK, now on the funny note: Mavis Beacon's face gets whiter with each new version. Does this make for better sales?
I live in Greece and I had a font problem some years ago, which made use of the programme impossible (my font didn't align with their font, and everything I typed was marked as error). I e-mailed customer service. They were very quick to reply and helpful, although what they said didn't solve the problem - it was due to something else, I found out.
I recommend this programme to anybody. Yes, having British or French or Italian keyboard makes it useless, I agree. (I didn't have this problem because in Greece we use American/Greek keyboard).
Speedy typer thanks to Mavis Beacon, 10 Mar 2008
I have really learned form Mavis Beacon!!
I had a query if it was compatible with my computer so I contacted GSP customer suppert online and they got back to me really quickly and sufficiently. The product is Americanised but its not teaching you HOW to spell but HOW to type.(You should be able to figure the spelling bit out for yourself.) I would recommend this product to anyone wanting to learn how to type accurately and with speed.
Be careful with this one, 17 Feb 2008
Just bought this version and tried to install it on our brand new PC which is running XP...no GO, doesn't want to know yet, it simply will not respond/download. When I get more feedback I will leave another note here. But be careful. Our PC is brand new. However, my other Compaq PC which also runs windows XP has loaded "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 9" without any problems.
It's okay but could be better-designed, 31 Jul 2007
(Okayh, I've been practisign hard for a number oif weeks now so I'm going to test myself out by doing this as 'live' run to see how I'm doingso fqar.)
This is a pretty resasonabel prgoramme, with a decent range of optkons. NOt logn ago my tuyping skillls were prety non=existant and writing an onlone review could be an extremely slow process- taking uip ti hapf an hour *per setencne that is!). tHEse dyas I can type quite accjrately wihtout having to spend all of my tome lopking dowmn at my hands adn I can tyep at arounds80 worsd=per=minute. aS OTHER REVIEWRS HAVE POUNTED OUT, THE aMERICNA KEYBOARDS GHAVE DSIFFERENY PUNCTUATIOAN TO brITISG MODELS SO THE MOTRE ADVANCED EXERCXISES ARE PRETY USFELESS. aLSO, i FELT PPRESSSURED BYU SOME OF THE TIME-LIMITDS SO SOMETIMSE i TEDN TO RUSH TOOO MUCH. OH BUGGEWR THE CAPS LOCLK IS ONM¬
Okay, I've slowed down a little now, but my computer tells me that I averaged about 90 words-per-minute there- a new personal best! Perhaps I need to work on my accuracy a little more, but I'm definitely getting faster. As my piano teacher used to tell me- concentrate on achieving speed before accuracy. Or was it the other way round? Anyway, it was something to do with speed and accuracy...
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Zoombinis Triple Pack
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Avanquest Software;
Windows 98Windows NTWindows MeWindows XP
2004-10-01;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £10.95
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Product Description
0 These fun and exciting quests and daring rescues present Maths without numbers where children can learn mathematical thinking skills including hypothesis testing, algebraic thinking and set theory. Win 95/98/200/XP. NOT MAC compatible. Ages 7 to 12.
Customer Reviews
Good but full of bugs, 18 Sep 2008
Unfortunately on my platform (Vista Ultimate 64bit) this software is absolutely riddled with bugs (even after applying the patch). Straight out of the box, it does not connect to the internet - a stressful search around the support site eventually found the patch which enabled internet connectivity. Since then, the program suffers from consistent crashes to the desktop. The upside is that as they are consistent, you avoid performing certain tasks enabling you to use the software reasonably easiliy.
It's interaction with the My Ancestry web site is it's major plus point and recording your family's records is easy and straightforward.
I am hoping that the 2009 version has ironed out all of the bugs and crashes.
If you want an easy life and are running Vista Ultimate 64bit then I would avoid this unless you can confirm it runs on your setup.
Oh dear... don't buy..., 26 Jun 2008
I have been using the "less than pretty" Family Tree Maker 2006 as I am a young but very serious family history nut. So I was very excited about the new version. The redesign looks great, but is REALLY REALLY bad. It has annoying glitches, does nothing like the original (trees are much more limited) and was the biggest let down I have ever had with a new program. I actually sent it back. Your money is better spent on an Ancestry subscription than this rubbish. Great packaging, great look, great DVD and booklet - but appalling program.
Why Change, 24 May 2008
Having used the 2006 version I have traced every member of our family back to around 1840, that's my wife's and mine. This is simply an interface to view your tree, any program is only as good as it's database and whether you use the 2006 or 2008 edition the database holds the same information. If you are just starting to trace your ancestors you will obviously want the latest edition but I see no sense in spending money upgrading just to have a better looking page. I will not be purchasing this edition but gave it 5 stars just for the database alone which is well worth the annual subscription; the price at Amazon will also take some beating.
Upadated and very much IMPROVED, 12 May 2008
This is a radical change from previous versions of this software, which has since been updated & now works brilliantly. Anyone who is used to using a point-and-click interface, such as a web browser will now find this software very easy to use. Charting is also much simpler to use than older versions. I'm still feeling some resistance to this new version, but that's about familiarity, not functionality. Unlike the old software which used to take regular holidays to Mars whilst it thought about things, this install seems to work almost flawlessly & instantly. Access to online mapping via Micro9soft Virtual Earth is seamless & actually quicker than using the Virtual Earth standalone software. Access to online census data, including LDS data is much improved. Placing all 'media' into a single folder on your computer's hard drive, rather than incorporating it within an ever bigger(and therefore slower) database is a substantial improvement. It also allows direct access to such media 'objects' from within Windows itself so that, for instance, Census images can be much more easily taken into applications such as Photoshop to be cropped & have the black areas removed from their edges, enabling easier viewing on-screen & much less wasted ink on printing.
Only gripe is the renaming of media when imported in a database created in a previous version of FTM.
Its not perfect, but its trying hard to get there & will appeal to seasoned researchers & newby technophobes alike.
Well woth the money. Buy the dearer version as, with the included 6-month online membership, it works out cheaper!!
What a shambles, 04 May 2008
This is not an update, it is a re-write. What is the point? Such a change should be re-titled and not just given a new date. The publishers have already created a confusion with introduction of Ancestry incorporating FTM. What are they playing at? Family history computer games?
It is high time that computer program writers addressed the neglected issue of user-friendliness. The are still writing for the professional computer user and ignoring the thousands of amateurs who form the majority of customers buying programs and subscribing to magazines. It is these amateurs who are the major providers of finance and data to this ever growing industry and their needs should be respected.
The new FTM2008 is an example of indulgence by FH program writers. I am stopping at FTM2006.
It's Family Tree Maker 2006, 01 Sep 2008
I have just installed this version which is Family Tree Maker 2006 (v13.0.285) and has loaded in our family tree from the 2005 version. As such, it represents excellent value for money, especially if you want to upgrade but not to the entirely new 2008 version. The carton says it will run under Vista with a download from the GSP site.
It comes with two discs, one with the program and the other with video clips and family trees of celebrities featured in the first three series.
Who do you think you are???, 10 Mar 2008
I have recently written a review on Who do you think you are deluxe. I previously had this product before the deluxe and definatly recommend this, and the deluxe to anyone interested in Family Trees.
I have even found some new family members. This product is so easy to use and get to grips with, I have brought my mum the Deluxe version (Its that easy to use.) I will continue to buy the upgrades when they get released.
Just a big advert!, 14 Jan 2008
I had high hopes to assist with the tracking of relations - however as good as the tree maker may be (excel can do the same) you need to spend more money if you want to register product and take advantages of the internet registry searches - and i dont have much faith in them to be honest.
If you are happy spending another ten pound here and there, then this is for you, but as a stocking filler for my wife - not the best - unless your surname is Snexergytimson, or you have time to search through the 4 million hits for the surname Smith....
Easy to use, 11 Jun 2007
Fantastic software that does what it say's on the box and is easy to use!
Well worth buying, thouroughly recommended.
Great for family trees, 06 Jan 2007
This is an excellent package for putting your tree together. Logical, user friendly and capable of turning out some excellent trees.
This can easily export trees to websites.
I wouldn't be without it!
This Item Is Useless, 10 Oct 2008
I bought Family Tree Maker delux edition thinking it would be an improvement on the FREE disc I received with The Sunday Times how wrong was I .It does not do as it says in nearly all areas. Wish to print The Whole of your tree -- forget it ,only one individuals.
Try registering no go .Oh and as far as your free 3months to Ancestry no go.
So all in all a useless piece of software. My freebie was superb IS superb,Save your money buy an earlier edition 2006 or earlier
Software supplied is incomplete. Take care, 23 Sep 2008
The product itself is a very good engine for collating family tree information as a standalone solution but has one significant problem for buyers..........
The CD software will not operate fully as supplied and requires the downloading of a software patch to enable it to connect properly to the internet. From reviewing internet message boards this seems to be a not uncommon problem. Very disappointing and a major problem for buyers who are not IT literate.
Crammed full of features, 11 May 2008
I bought my copy of FTM from the USA via ancestry.com website without it dawning on me that I could have ordered it from Amazon (cost a bit more, too. Doh!). Looking at the screenshots and reading other reviews, I am sure it's the same product, except mine came with a DVD tutorial and a CD full of old American postcard pictures; not particularly useful in my case, but interesting.
I had dozens of names in my existing tree saved in a GedCom file and these were quickly imported into the program; I only had to make a couple of changes to date formats. Also, and I don't expect the UK version to be any different, the locations that were imported tended to be American; ie 'Birmingham' brought up a map of Alabama. These ambiguities are easily resolved by FTM, however.
Searching the internet without having to exit the program is useful; it's on the same screen, so that you can enter details manually while looking at them. There is also a facility for pasting bits of web pages into your work.
I don't know why it happens that names such as 'Higgins' are sometimes read as 'Biggins' despite it being clearly spelled with an H in the actual record, but it does. In other words, FTM is not a program that you can press a button, make a cup of tea, and have your family tree prepared when you get back. You have to do some investigation of your own. This might sound obvious to experienced researchers, but I have read reviews where an inability to find relatives is blamed on the program rather than the search engine being used, the fact that records might not exist, or anything else.
FTM is full of features to allow you to collect and enter data, print and make presentations in a variety of ways, and in short do anything you would wish to do, without having a pile of paper to rummage through. It must be one of the best genealogy packages on the market...and at a price less than you would pay for a video game, with twice the fun!
The good, the bad and the ugly, 04 May 2008
I can understand the disparity between the reviews received to date.
The good is the data entry page, and charting pages which are a vast improvement over previous versions of FTM.
The bad is that the program still severely restricts how you enter data, particularly dates. With a lot of my research I only need to record the year and quarter, but you cannot enter Q1 1925 for example.
The downright ugly is the "manual" that is provided with the software. The square root of useless comes to mind. I had a problem printing a family tree as important data was not being printed on the right hand side, due to the predetermined print size. After some hours I finally managed to resolve the problem. Was there any help in the manual-not even a mention.
Terrific, 15 Mar 2008
A terrific piece of software. A vast improvement on FTM2005. If you are really serious with your genealogy then this is the package for you. Plus subscribe to Ancestry.co.uk for a year. I was initially reluctant to pay the year's subscription thinking I probably wouldn't take full advantage of it but it's far the better option than buying bits of credit to this and that genealogy website.
Great!, 01 Oct 2008
I'm not quite 17 yet, but I bought this disk a few months ago in the hope that it would help - and it has! It has made me confident for when I start to learn to drive and for my theory test... would recommend it for anyone learning to drive!
Who do you think you are????, 10 Mar 2008
I really enjoy making my Family tree!
There is now so many new members of my family I have found just by using this. Ive had no problem at all loading known members or unknown members on to my tree.
Its so easy to use and simple to learn, I have even brought the product for my mum to do as a past time.
ABSOLUTE RUBBISH, 19 Feb 2008
I bought this deluxe version of the Family tree maker recently,only to find I cannot add my own brother to it ! nor my own childrens wife/partners or grandchildren what is the point of any family tree,if you cannot even add you own brother? as he is part of my family tree.
I am disgusted with this tree maker. do not buy it you are wasting your money.
Vista compatibility, 11 Jun 2007
Most features on 'Who Do You Think You Are? Family Tree Maker Deluxe' are unaffected by the new version of Microsoft Windows, Windows Vista. However, certain aspects (like exporting a view, book, or tree to PDF) will not function without an important update for Family Tree Maker. This update is completely free, and steps for updating your program can be found on the developers website, this can be reached via the Technical Support area of the GSP website.
Not good for Vista, 22 May 2007
Basic software is fine for information addition and collation but for some reason it will not access pdf reader from the program or save as pdf in "books". Unfortunatly the help access is a waste of space and no contact info with software outside the US. If you run Vista pick another FTM software package.
Great software, 04 Apr 2007
Watched the first and second series and decided to research my own family history.
Having looked around at the various products available I opted for this version of the Family Tree Maker but obviously branded as per the show, I reasoned that for the BBC to allow the use of their programe branding on a product they must have thoroughly checked it through .
I have not been disappointed.
I really need to do more research before I can fully use it, but having entered some basic info i've managed to create various charts and trees.
As someone who is relatively new to the hobby, I'm hooked!
I'd definitely recommend it!
Not much improved over older versions, 31 May 2008
I used Version 8 on Windows 95 to teach myself to type in the late 90s.
Then I thought it was great. It was a big help.
This version I expected to be more polished. Perhaps more scientific in it's approach; though really it hasn't changed much. Still good.
Purchased for my neice, installation hung on her XP machine during install/registration. Ctrl+Alt+Delete showed registration and installation to behave as two seperate applications. Killed registration and the installation proceeded.
The first thing I noticed was that the interface didn't scale well to a widescreen resolution of 1680 x 1050 some jumbled text in the options dialogue.
Installation problem + resolution irritation = minus one star.
Secondly: Even my niece (11) is irritated by the lack of keyboard navigation. The use of the enter key to start the next lesson would be a help. You have to reach for the mouse for every task.
This coupled with the fact that it runs full-screen (not in a window) is definitely minus another star.
The program occasionally gives / displays the wrong instructions for a UK keyboard but does register the correct key-presses - irritating.
The program doesn't appear to have changed in format much since version 8 which is a little disappointing. There is much more material but it's all much the same. I really thought teaching methods might have changed a bit though admittedly typing is still a muscle-memory skill.
This is generally useful and helpful software and could generally be recomended. It includes a Learn Wor | | |