Family Tree Maker 10

Rating:
Summary: Generations Family Tree by Broderbund is a better choice.
Review: Family Tree Maker is an okay genealogy program. For the very novice or someone that needs an extremely simple format for inputting - this one's for you. Otherwise for beginner's and experts alike, get Generations Family Tree (now distributed by Broderbund). The charts and family group sheets are easier to use and have superior results compared to Family Tree Maker. Don't go for the "deluxe" versions, the extra discs of "information" contains very little useful data - plus the same information can be readily found on the internet. I've been using genealogy programs for the last 5 years and have tried several. It's too bad that Broderbund bought Generations (from Sierra Home software) and won't promote it - as it's a better product over their Family Tree Maker.

Rating:
Summary: Watch out! (and buy a better another product)
Review: I don't usually like Broderbund software and once again they prove I should not have bought their software. It's easy to set up and use but every click to research a relative brings an offer to buy software that you need to get that information. $ for the software, $ for census software, $ for the files of a single state during a specific time period and I don't even know if my relative lived there. The family search name took me to family trees that didn't even have the names in them I searched on. Not one name in my family is in their CDs that contain "over 1100 years of history". The complaint list goes on and on. That's the very last time I buy Broderbund software. Ever!

Rating:
Summary: Family Tree Maker strikes out
Review: I don't usually like Broderbund software and once again they prove I should not have bought their software. It's easy to set up and use but every click to research a relative brings an offer to buy software that you need to get that information. $ for the software, $ for census software, $ for the files of a single state during a specific time period and I don't even know if my relative lived there. The family search name took me to family trees that didn't even have the names in them I searched on. Not one name in my family is in their CDs that contain "over 1100 years of history". The complaint list goes on and on. That's the very last time I buy Broderbund software. Ever!

Rating:
Summary: Easy to use, and a helpful entry into family tree work
Review: I have been using this program, in several versions, for several years now. Anyone who chooses to get involved in the research aspect of their family will be able to get into their work very quickly by starting up the program.

Overall, the program makes it very easy to insert pictures of your family-individuals, groups, activities and such, and import information from the huge supporting sites like Rootsweb that allow you to download a file that may potentially include family information related to you, then merge it with what you have on your tree.

FTM is the largest, most comprehensively derved program for genealogists that I am aware of. There are versions of the program with more CD data disks, but once you have bought the full version, with its oodles of information, you shouldn't need to upgrade to such a level again, simply going for one of the very affordable upgrades to the program only when they come out. Similarly, the data CDs put out by Broderbund are available, but given that their usefulness can expire quickly as you import what you need, they are not too cost effective if you pay full price. For those, go to your nearest LDS Family History Center, and see if they have them, or barring that, use Ebay.

I have been very happy with my use of the product over the years, and the newer features of version 10 have made me happy, especially since I upgraded last to version 8 a few years ago. The addition of more ways to print out your own trees and sort the information have been a real plus. With the infinite sources on the web for family history, as well as an incredibly helpful online site for help, leads, and more, FTM 10 has been a great investment for me and my family.

Rating:
Summary: Easy to use, and a helpful entry into family tree work
Review: I have been using this program, in several versions, for several years now. Anyone who chooses to get involved in the research aspect of their family will be able to get into their work very quickly by starting up the program.

Overall, the program makes it very easy to insert pictures of your family-individuals, groups, activities and such, and import information from the huge supporting sites like Rootsweb that allow you to download a file that may potentially include family information related to you, then merge it with what you have on your tree.

FTM is the largest, most comprehensively derved program for genealogists that I am aware of. There are versions of the program with more CD data disks, but once you have bought the full version, with its oodles of information, you shouldn't need to upgrade to such a level again, simply going for one of the very affordable upgrades to the program only when they come out. Similarly, the data CDs put out by Broderbund are available, but given that their usefulness can expire quickly as you import what you need, they are not too cost effective if you pay full price. For those, go to your nearest LDS Family History Center, and see if they have them, or barring that, use Ebay.

I have been very happy with my use of the product over the years, and the newer features of version 10 have made me happy, especially since I upgraded last to version 8 a few years ago. The addition of more ways to print out your own trees and sort the information have been a real plus. With the infinite sources on the web for family history, as well as an incredibly helpful online site for help, leads, and more, FTM 10 has been a great investment for me and my family.

Rating:
Summary: False Advertising on Box
Review: I purchased Broderbund Family Tree Maker because on the box it states all of the types of data I can access. That is not accurate. Once the software is installed and opened, there is no data to access, only advertising to sell access to the information at high prices. Also, no phone number to call and verify what I have encountered in case I am mistaken and there is some secret way to bypass the sales pitch.

Rating:
Summary: Watch out! (and buy a better another product)
Review: I would be very suspious about buying this product after using Family Tree Maker version 9. In that version, Broderbund has an application called aqueduct.dll that routinely creates an aqueduct.txt file in your root directory that completely "profiles" your computer. I have a complex system, and the profiler file was over 2000K - rather large for any text file - and it compiled a list of every piece of hardware, software, and program setting on my machine with personal info. (If you are a version 9 user, look at it. You are in for a shock!) Talk about loss of privacy. Goodness knows what they do with this information!!... A download from the FTM site site is supposed to "fix" this, but the patch does not load, requests to tech support simply return unrelated automated "help" messages. I have never received a reply for a real person. - The program in general, creates lots of ads, pointed requests for signing-up for other paid services at every turn...and in general, is a very middling product. The companion software "to help you build your family tree" is undocumented stuff that is simply worthless to anyone serious about finding their roots.(There is much controversy about supposed "spyware" in this product on computer message boards that are worth looking at too. Responses by a guru named Dick Eastman, who appears to have never really looked at the product, and Genealogy.com should be taken with a grain of salt, and in some ways are laughable.) - - If you are serious about genealogy, I recommend "The Master Genealogist" which is top rated by writers of the National Genealogy Society newsmagazine, but there are other better and less annoying products to choose from too. - - As a former version 9 user, I would recommend you avoid this program like the plague.

Rating:
Summary: Deceptive Advertising
Review: The CDs containing "1100 Years of History" of searchable information are nothing more than an index of available CDs for sale by the vendor.

The vendor also invites you to include your family tree in the "world family tree". However, access to the "world family tree" requires a paid subscription.

The program itself is not bad, but I object to the deceptive advertising.

Rating:
Summary: False advertising - bait and switch
Review: This ... software package gives you no useful data. All it does is give you teasers and try to sell you the details---either additional CDs or a web site subscription. Do not buy it. Do not believe anything printed on the box. It does NOT give 1100 years of data. It does not give church records, land rccords, marriage license records, or anythnig else of value.