Ftm 2017 Cant Upload and Relink to Ancestry
Family Tree Maker* (FTM) 2017 was officially released 16 July 2017. The 19 months since December 2015 when Beginnings.com announced the retirement of Family Tree Maker have been a bumpy road for the venerable genealogy application. All support for FTM and connectivity with Beginnings were to accept concluded by ane January 2017.
Withal, in February 2016 Software MacKiev, the Mac version's developer, announced that they had purchased FTM from Beginnings and would go along development of both the Mac and Windows versions. At the same time, they promised free updates for owners of the so-current versions. While the MacKiev dot-one versions were put on sale within ii months, they were non officially released as free updates to the current versions until thirty Dec 2016. At that time, connectivity with Ancestry was also extended until its replacement could be rolled out. Ancestry connectivity, including TreeSync, the ability to synchronize an FTM tree with one at Beginnings, was turned off on 29 Mar 2017, with its replacement, called FamilySync, to be turned on 31 Mar. The news nearly FamilySync contained a scrap of a surprise: it would simply be bachelor in FTM 2017, the next iteration of FTM, which was to be released ancillary with the deployment of FamilySync. Users of FTM ii & 3 for Mac and 2012 & 2014 for Windows would no longer have any connectivity to Ancestry. If they wanted such connectivity, they would have to pay to upgrade to FTM 2017. Paid upgrades for software are commonplace in the industry then are to be expected, but unremarkably such upgrades comprise actual improvements and new features. FamilySync is a replacement for a previous feature, TreeSync, although it might be an improvement. FTM contains three actually new features. Still, some of its features seem to have been downgraded, while the user interface hasn't seen a major facelift in several years.
Opinions may vary about the balance of improvements to downgrades, merely this article catalogs my assessment. I've already evaluated how well FTM handles GEDCOM, so I will just discuss changes since then.
Improvements & New Features
The core functionality of FTM has not changed; the user interface (UI) has non changed much since version ane for Mac and 2010 for Windows. That's good in a style, since there's nothing much new to acquire, but there are drawbacks, also (more below). MacKiev touts four major improvements, each of which I'll discuss in turn:
ane. FamilySearch integration 2. FamilySync 3. Color Coding 4. Photograph Darkroom. Fig 1 FTM 2017 Flyer
FamilySearch Integration
FamilySearch is one of the major genealogy record providers, and then integration would be a skilful thing if it worked as well as integration with Ancestry. Previous versions of FTM immune merging information from FamilySearch and other websites using the web clipping characteristic, merely searching and merging from FamilySearch are similar, though not the same equally, Ancestry (Fig 2).
Multiple problems exist with the Source Citations from FamilySearch:
– The Source Citation to be added is likewise long (Fig 3)
– The actual citation that is added is different; while information technology's non too long, it is non quite in a recommended format (Fig iv)
– Instead of one citation beingness added for the FamilySearch record itself, multiple citations are added, including one for FamilySearch and ane for each of the citations at FamilySearch (Fig five & 6)
There should exist only one correctly formatted source citation for the FamilySearch tape. Hither is one example based on Evidence Explained past Elizabeth Shown Mills:
"Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : 01 March 2017), Abraham Rundle (PID L838-RDC); contributed past various users.
The consummate URL should simply get in the Web Address box, not in the Citation Detail, and each of the citations from FamilySearch should Not exist added.
FamilySync
I haven't seen a good explanation for why Ancestry decided to replace TreeSync. Initially they were going to eliminate it without whatsoever replacement, but after a public outcry, they decided to replace information technology with an application program interface (API) that works with both FTM and RootsMagic. RootsMagic announced they expected to gyre out their integration with Ancestry in April 2017 in a free update to their current production, RootsMagic 7 (it was actually released in June). This is a completely new feature for RootsMagic, and so this is a dissimilarity with FTM, which included their replacement characteristic as a paid upgrade. However, similar FTM, RootsMagic likewise experienced a delay in releasing their update, although it was only two months tardily instead of two and a half.
I definite comeback in FamilySync is that multiple copies of FTM can by synced with one Ancestry tree; TreeSync could sync only one FTM tree with one Ancestry tree. Subjectively FamilySync seems to exist faster than TreeSync. Information technology does the initial steps of the sync in the foreground, and then the sync window closes and the sync completes in the background so that the user can keep working (see Fig 7).
Another potential improvement is the new Sync Weather Report, which could exist useful, but only if information technology is kept up-to-engagement. Otherwise, it will merely be an badgerer to click through every time the user syncs their tree (Fig 8).
Then FamilySync is essentially a replacement for TreeSync, with a few improvements. It's interesting to compare FamilySync with another implementation of the Beginnings API, that from RootsMagic. RootsMagic released a video showing how their Ancestry integration looks and works, and you tin can try it out in the latest version, even their gratis RootsMagic Essentials edition.
Although there are similarities in how FTM'south FamilySync and RootsMagic'south TreeShare piece of work, TreeShare offers more precise control over changes. Get-go, RootsMagic has a dainty color-coded brandish of the changes (Fig x) instead of a text-simply modify log (Fig 9). 2d, users can accept or refuse single changes at a time instead of either accepting or rejecting all in a batch. For example, in Fig 11, the user changed a nascency date and deleted a death consequence in RootsMagic, but when reviewing the changes, he could accept the birth modify and reject the decease modify, instead of having to have or reject both.
Nevertheless, when information technology comes to Ancestry hints, which are a new addition to RootsMagic'south Web Hints characteristic, I call back that FTM is still slightly better because RootsMagic does non have a built-in spider web browser to view the actual record, equally FTM does. In FTM y'all can view both the hint and the image, if whatsoever, right within the Web Search workspace, but in RootsMagic, you have to open the link to the hint in your web browser to view information technology.
Color Coding
Color Coding is a new feature in FTM that enables y'all to assign up to 4 different colors to a person and their ancestors. It can likewise be used for filtered lists. The colors show upward in the Tree view, every bit well as in the Index (Fig 12). Other applications have had a like characteristic for quite some time. For example, Reunion allows you to Mark people, to include those in search results. Legacy Family unit Tree 9 has a similar colour coding (and they didn't even trademark "Color Coding"). Color Coding tin undoubtedly be useful, peculiarly for filtered lists. Marking is one of the features of Reunion that I missed when I switched to FTM. The ability to relieve filtered lists in FTM 2017 may be even more than useful than Colour Coding, although the two features piece of work well together. For case, if I want to filter a list of all people in my tree who died in New York between 1659 and 1999 and so I tin can search for them at Beginnings, I tin can now save the filtered list so I don't have to create information technology again the next fourth dimension I open FTM. Color Coding worked well for me, and so I don't have any complaints about it.
Photograph Darkroom
Photo Darkroom is a characteristic new to FTM that tin darken faded black & white photos. The characteristic is assigned to a new button in the Media workspace (Fig 13). There are three levels of repair, depending on how faded the original is: Light, Moderate, and Intensive. You can compare the earlier and afterwards earlier yous save the changes, and yous tin can also restore the original (originals are kept in a carve up binder inside the Media folder, which is a skillful matter).
There are too carve up settings nether Avant-garde Settings for Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, and Sharpness. I found that the tool fabricated a slight but perceptible difference on a very faded photo (Fig 14). My only complaint is that it was hard to notice the Aid on the tool. A search for both "photo darkroom" and "faded photo" produced no results. All the same, I found both search terms in the Companion Guide (I'm glad to see information technology'due south been updated), and once I knew where to look, I could drill down in the Aid file and detect them (Fig 15).
It's almost as if MacKiev changed their commonage mind about what to phone call the tool, since they refer to both "Photograph Darkroom" and "Faded Photograph Repair Tool," but they practise the same thing.
Other Improvements
Other than the saved filtered lists that I already mentioned, most of the other changes to FTM seem to be behind the scenes. The most important change is that both the Mac and Windows versions now share the same codebase. This means that their features are almost identical, and when the developer needs to alter something, they should usually only accept to do information technology in one case, instead of twice. Equally far equally I know, the only feature departure between the 2 platforms is that the Windows version allows charting and publishing plugins, while the Mac version yet does not.
Other important changes pertain to FTM's handling of GEDCOM. MacKiev president Jack Minsky previously committed to making FTM as compliant with the GEDCOM 5.5.ane standard equally possible. Changes in FTM 2017 that move in this management include:
- Using UTF-eight encoding by default and removing invalid grapheme sets
- Exporting "Crusade of Decease" as part of a death event instead of a custom tag
- Importing and exporting lat and long coordinates
- Exporting chain tags correctly
- Importing ANSEL character fix correctly
- Importing tag "RESN privacy" as individual facts
- Importing and exporting kid order correctly
FTM 2017 even so has room for improvement on GEDCOM 5.v.1 compliance, but at least information technology'due south making progress. Most other developers aren't fifty-fifty trying to meliorate their compliance.
Ane other last-minute improvement that was added to FTM 2017 is a characteristic they call the "FTM Co-Pilot Program," which was an out-growth of their Test Drive programme. This feature is supposed to check in with the user later on 48 hours of apply and "run an optional diagnostic test to confirm that everything has gone equally planned," according to the release electronic mail from Jack Minsky. Additionally, original exam drivers volition manifestly get priority service in MacKiev's 24/seven Live Conversation.
Areas for Comeback
The improvements in FTM 2017 are surely the figurative "two steps forwards," just in some ways it made no progress, or even regressed, starting with the UI, which hasn't changed much since the 2010 versions. It's kickoff to expect erstwhile and tired. I'1000 not advocating change for change's sake; the usability and accessibility of the application could be improved, both for power users and users with disabilities. Every bit a non-expert in this expanse, I offer ii examples of things that could be improved:
- Increase the contrast betwixt disparate elements of the UI so they are easier to distinguish. For example, the Filter button in Fig xvi is almost indistinguishable from its groundwork.
- Treat the Web Search workspace more than similar the web browser that it is. I accept never used a spider web browser that didn't include standard navigation keyboard shortcuts:
While MacKiev is at it, they could give FTM a much-needed facelift.
A few changes MacKiev did make to the UI I find abrasive. One such change is that the simple icons indicating media attached to sources (Fig 17) have been replaced with thumbnails (Fig 18). I do not see this modify equally an improvement.
It disrupts the nice, make clean look of the UI. In addition, the thumbnails truncate some of the text on the sources, which I detect more useful than the thumbnails. Just that'south just ane man'southward opinion.
Another area in which FTM 2017 could improve is its inability to open and catechumen versions of FTM files older than 2008 for Windows or 1 for Mac. FTM 2017 should be able to open & convert ALL prior versions of FTM, not just 2008 to the present. If RootsMagic tin can import versions one through 2014, then so should FTM. Information technology's ridiculous that users with old versions must first convert their files using the Family Tree Maker 2005 Starter Edition (as explained here). FTM should be able to automate this process so that it'south transparent to the user.
The final change I want to mention (you might observe more), which I consider a downgrade, is that users must now upload their trees to Ancestry if they desire to get green leaf hints (Fig xix). In the past, users could go Ancestry hints whether their tree was uploaded or not, but no more than. I created a new tree in FTM 2017 and, sure plenty, there were only hints from FamilySearch. I suspect this modify was driven by Ancestry. Since Beginnings no longer owns FTM, there'southward no need for them to give FTM special treatment. What better way for Ancestry to get more free content than to force the thousands of FTM users to upload their trees? It's interesting to see that RootsMagic users besides must upload their existing desktop trees if they want Ancestry WebHints. Please be enlightened that y'all can make your trees private and even keep them out of Ancestry'southward index if you don't want other users to see them.
Who Family unit Tree Maker Is For
People with Beginnings accounts: while RootsMagic has broken FTM's monopoly on Ancestry connectivity, FTM is still a skillful option, despite some problems with FamilySync, especially for existing FTM users who don't want to modify.
People who care about GEDCOM five.5.1 compliance: FTM continues to improve in this area, with more promised improvements to come.
Mac Users: FTM is still the best option for Mac users in terms of functioning, features, GEDCOM compliance, and web integration. While other applications have better centre candy, their GEDCOM compliance in particular is poor. I think a like case could be fabricated for Windows users, as well, but I'1000 non a Windows skilful, and at that place are several strong contenders in the Windows market, so I won't wade into that fence.
Users of FTM versions older than 3 or 2014 would probably benefit from upgrading, since in that location take been considerable performance improvements and bug fixes.
Personally, I fit into the showtime three categories, so I will go along to use FTM, even though I can't aid feeling slightly disappointed with version 2017. It certainly contains some improvements and new features, but they're simply nigh balanced out past the problems with FamilySearch integration and the brackish UI. I would accept to call back very hard about paying the full price of $79.95, but I think the upgrade price of $39.95 is worth information technology.
Disclosure: I paid the promotional upgrade toll of $29.95 for the Mac version of FTM 2017. I besides reviewed a Test Drive of FTM 2017 for Windows to ensure it was equivalent to the Mac version. I did not receive any compensation from any party for writing this review.
*Notes: Family Tree Maker, FamilySync, Colour Coding, Photo Darkroom, TreeSync, FamilySearch, and RootsMagic are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. This commodity was edited on 17 Dec 2017 to include the paragraph most FTM'southward inability to open old versions of FTM files.
The Family Tree Software Alternatives Series
Part 1: How to Scrub Your Data
Part 2: How to Get Your Tree out of FTM
Office 3: RootsMagic 7
Office iv: Reunion eleven
Function 5: MacFamilyTree 8
Part 6: Family Tree Architect viii
Office seven: Heredis 2015
Function 8: Granddad 5
Part 9: iFamily for Mac
Part x: GEDitCOM II
Office 11: Legacy Family Tree 8
Office 12: Ancestral Quest 14
Part 13: Family Historian half-dozen
Office 14: Should Yous Stick with Family Tree Maker?
Part 15: Blood brother'due south Keeper 7
How Well Does Ancestry.com Handle GEDCOM?
Family Tree Maker to GEDCOM to Other Apps Crosswalk
The Perils of Following the GEDCOM Standard
Why All Genealogy Apps Should Support GEDCOM v.5.1
willinghamjoods1973.blogspot.com
Source: https://genealogytools.com/family-tree-maker-2017-review/
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