Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008
by The Generations Network
The successor of Family Tree Maker - Up to Version 16. Their parent site is Genealogy.com that also operates Ancestry.com. They have a Family Tree Maker category in their blog. In 2008, Family Tree Maker was completely rewritten with a different look than previous versions. Use this entry to review the new version, and use the FTM Up To Version 16 entry to review the earlier versions.
Purchase • Windows • Full Featured • Builds Website
http://www.familytreemaker.com/ |
| Enjoy Using It |    2.26 | | Use It Often | 2.86 | | Easy Input | 2.57 | | Useful Output | 2.23 | | Overall Rating | 2.24 |
|
61 Reviews of Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008
RSS
Showing 1 - 20
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Katie McDonald, Aug 22, 2010
Hate it! Hate it! Hate it! and being forced to use it since my new PC(64 bit) cannot properly utilize my old FTM2006 and FTM not willing to create a patch that would allow it to do so. And now having issues getting 2010 to accept my existing file, potential to lose decades of research and merged media.
Work area way too busy - too much on the screen - I don’t need trees and indexes and personal profiles all at one time - media does not open in separate IE window for side by side comparison - always starts me out at the home person, rather then where I left off. To top it off it is SLOW SLOW SLOW - And these dislikes are from only two attempts to use it.
I have been using FTM since version 1. This stinks. It is clearly meant for new users to create serious ‘Oooh’ factor without having the functionality that long term users need and are accustomed to having. It seems to be all about those stinking little leaves that no one who has been in the game at all requires. They are writing code to match their TV marketing campaigns with no consideration to their faithful client base.
Biggest Pro: none
Biggest Con: everything
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Linda Arnold, Aug 21, 2010
Since FTM was rewritten beginning with Version 2008, I thought this was going to be a good program and would be an improvement. It is NOT because what used to be an easily adaptable program to the way I want to input, edit and produce descent reports, these new FTMers are not adaptable. If you tweak it a bit, the program doesn’t know what you want it to do and will try to force you to use their defaults.
I bought 2008, 2009 and tried 2010 for a while and always revert back to FTM Version 16 which is a very nice program that is adaptable to the way and look I want in a genealogy program. They have lost me as a customer of FTM and am looking at Legacy 7.0 and RootsMagic 4 which are much better than the new formatted FTM since Version 2008.
Biggest Pro: Cannot think of one single thing that would be considered to a Pro for these versions of FTM since 2008
Biggest Con: FTM Since Version 2008, this program does NOT allow for customization and wants to be ALL there is to genealogy. It is NOT.
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Thomas Wihlman, Aug 4, 2010
In my opinion a much underated program in this forum. Clean and useful interface, easy handling overall. A little slow though.
Biggest Pro: Excellent interface, useful features, Ancestry links.
Biggest Con: None except somewhat demanding on recources.
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by amiable1, Jul 29, 2010
The new interface is clean, complete, and intuitive.
Biggest Pro: Seamless integration with Ancestry.Com
Biggest Con: Loading time, speed, and memory use.
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Lisa Franklin, Jul 19, 2010
A long history of proprietary gedcom format makes Family Tree Maker a no-go for me. Combined with a company that has been a bit ’shady’ over the years in their financial pursuits and this one’s a lose-lose in my book
Biggest Pro: none
Biggest Con: doesn’t play well with ANY other software out there
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Andrea, Jul 18, 2010
I HATE the new interface - it is awkward, cumbersome and difficult - the changes make to the usability of this program have made it a nightmare - I HATE it!!! - This coming from one who has used FTM since it’s beginning - what a shame!
Biggest Pro: The cons outway ANY pros there might be!!!
Biggest Con: Where do I start??? It is NOT intuitive - you can do almost nothing naturally - I HATE it!!!
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Geoff, Jul 18, 2010
Have been using FTM since Ver 8.0. The latest version is the best ever. Easy to use; comprehensive. Really appreciate having so much information on the page. It may take a while to adjust to the new format, but not too long if you don’t try to work with earlier versions at the same time. Converting from earlier programs was error free and efficient. For those with older versions migrating to 2010, one needs to install FTM 2005 (free from “pastftm” site) as a bridge between earlier versions and the latest. There will always be something in such programs that users would like, but that’s life.
Biggest Pro: Ease of use & compreheniveness.
Biggest Con: None
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Lyn Holgate, Jul 17, 2010
I have been using FTM since version 4. Loved the programme. Easy to use, did everything I needed and all on an unclutered screen. Then came version 2010. What a heap of…… Yes I have spent weeks attempting to use the new programme. Clutered screen, difficut to use, a right royal pain. How could this company get is so wrong. I am now looking for another programme and I have cancelled my Ancestry subscription. I am not recommending this programme to anyone.
Biggest Pro: None left
Biggest Con: Not easy to use, default to everything UAS, clutered and dito to the other comments above.
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Stacie, Jul 2, 2010
I’ve used FTM since the beginning. I will not be upgrading to 2009 or 2010. Each and every new release removes the features I like about FTM and replaces them with features that frustrate me.
I’m in the market for a new program now.
Biggest Pro: WAS easy to learn and use.
Biggest Con: they do reply to questions, but there is never an answer. FTM doesn’t do what I need it to do, and they don’t seem to want to include user suggested ideas.
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Michael from Milwaukee, Jun 15, 2010
I have been, by default probably, a fan of FTM from early on. Since I work with a surname genealogical society I often get files from members with their lineage, and about 20:1 they are FTM files. I had gone to FTM version 16 (2007) and liked it very much. It worked, and it gave you various export options for the whole FTM file to members who perhaps were not on Version 16.
The mystery here is that this particular software has been passed around through a number of owners. And each one has usually decided to add their stamp (of new ownership) to the product. I think Version 11 was the last major change before they came out with FTM 2008. From the get go, I have disliked the new product. It was too radical a change. A change, I think, for change sake. I was particularly unhappy that you could not export back to an earlier version once you got into FTM 2008. My advice to everyone in The Society has been to go no further than Version 16. And if you can’t find that anywhere, to look elsewhere for your genealogical computing needs.
Biggest Pro: None really!
Biggest Con: The whole new file format, screen layout, you name it.
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by David, Jun 1, 2010
I am currently using FTM 2009 and find this easy to use, perhaps because I have used previous versions of FTM. Not sure if I will upgrade to FTM 2010 or maybe try something different so I am currently looking through this review to see if I might consider whether any of the packages shown will give superior results, ie the output of charts, etc., and/or shows a more user friendly package.
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Vivian Hull, May 28, 2010
I purchased FTM 2010 and am extremely disappointed. I have been using FTM for many years but this is the worst ever. It jams too much information on a single screen causing it to be very cluttered in appearance. Its hard to maneuver and hard to get a clear picture of one’s files. I have not had problems with the running of the program on my machine but I find this software cluttered, ugly, hard to maneuver. FTM is too busy trying to sell and link to their Ancestry products instead of producing a software that works for people who are serious about their research. DON’T BUY IT.
Biggest Pro: ABSOLUTELY NONE
Biggest Con: Cluttered, hard to maneuver, does not view well …
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Nolan, May 15, 2010
I have used FTM since the early versions. I have used every version shortly after it was released and I can’t say that I ever had major problems that weren’t do to learning the new program. I’ve usedFtm on every version of Windows except Vista, however I have seen FTM working well even on Vista. I don’t know if I use FTM differently than a lot of people or not but I use it every day for all my genealogy needs. I have to say I am happy with this program.
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Linda, May 4, 2010
I have purchased both Version 2008 and 2009, but will not purchase 2010. I do NOT like the way this program wants to do everything for you. You can force customization in the fields but the program fights your inputs. I have reverted back to the very good FTM 2006 Version 16. Now with a new Windows 7 64 bit computer, I am told Version 16 will NOT work with my new computer.
I am looking for a good genealogy program. I have TMG 7 and while it is a “powerful” and far superior product than any of the Family Tree Makers, it is cumbersome and I default to Version 16 for most of my genealogical research/input/search results.
Why they had to screw up a good program is beyond me! You cannot crop the census images and you end up with all those black edges. If you need to enhance the image to see more clearly as you can in Version 16, you cannot do this at all in 2008, 2009 and from what support said not in 2010 either. You can enhance, crop in your own photo editing program, but that is just another step making the use of 2008-2010 not pleasureable.
I prefer using my method of inputting of locations simply as: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. When I have locations such as South Otter Twp., Macoupin County, Illinois, the program fights it and the mapping feature (which is why I fell for this in the first place) cannot find it!
They have lost me as a customer … although I will continue my subscription to Ancestry.com.
They want to be the end-all to genealogy! They are NOT!
Biggest Pro: Cannot think of any.
Biggest Con: Fights customizations.
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by IT pro, May 2, 2010
I took a hard look at FTM 2008 many months ago and looked at FTM 2010 more recently. I find myself aghast that the developers could have made such a royal mess of what had once been one of the gold standards for genealogists (user friendly, efficient, enough feature and function to satisfy). I’ve been an IT professional for 30 years and in my experience, very bad things are going on internally at any company that would turn such a blind a eye to what was once a loyal customer base. Either they now employ some of the worst developers on the planet (doubtful) OR there are much bigger internal issues. Users are actually being told that it’s “only” the “old” users who are reporting problems because they’re being resistant to change. Please!!! That’s just the party line (excuse) they’ve come up with to hide behind. Don’t believe it for a minute. Most people embrace change when it’s good. But this is one very very bad change. The earlier reviewers have done a very good job of sounding the alarm on these upgrades (that are actually serious downgrades). Be very afraid of this company going forward. Nothing good will come from the direction they’re headed in. Unfortunately they’re gobbling up genealogy real estate on the web as fast as they can in order to herd the genealogist crowd in a direction that will fleece their once loyal users even worse than they’re being fleeced right now.
Biggest Pro: There isn’t one. Please overhaul this ugly and unwieldy thing asap!
Biggest Con: Where do I start?
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Jan, Apr 18, 2010
Last decent FTM was version 16. I have had 2008 2009 and now 2010 and I have a brand new desktop with 9 gb of memory and dual 750 gb hard drives and high speed processor. My Laptop is a Toshiba purchased last November, AMD Athlon with plenty of memory and hard drive space. I had the problem on 08 and was insured going to 09 wouid solve it then when it happened on 09 I was told 2010 has fixed all those issues with Vista and 7. Both my computers are on 7 laptop was Vista and that didn’t make a difference either.
When I reach a certain point of entering information (in any version), the file closes when I try and enter new info. Recently on 2010 on my laptop, just started crashing when I was changing addresses. One day later desktop starts crashing doing same thing. To me that says there is some glitch in the program that cannot handle files over a certain size. I did the compact thing and it made no difference.
I still have my old xp desktop I keep to run a favored Epson Photo printer that wont work with newer OS systems and I hate to give it up. So I am thinking of going back to 16 on that machine. And looking for something else. Becuase no matter what bells and whistles this program has that exceed other software, it has too many bugs to work with. Right now I am trying Legacy. Imported Gedcom from FTM and all is well changing addresses like crazy with no crashes. Not crazy about the look or moving around in it but I can adjust. Will try a couple of others to decide final one to purchase.
My opinion, ditch FTM not worth the aggravation. Instead of fixing any versions they just comeout wiht a new one and make you pay big for it instead of offering as upgrade.
Biggest Pro: Look of screen and inputting multiple fields one screen
Biggest Con: Too glitchy and too many crashes no matter what OS you have
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Franklin Stahl, Apr 4, 2010
I think I should put my two cents in after reading some of the other posts. We were VERY UNHAPPY with the latest versions of FTM. We have used it since Version 5 or something like that–since the early 90’s at least. We upgraded every other year until last year. The latest versions I have seen are almost completely different and give the user less control with printing CHARTS, etc. I hate it and dropped it. I SWITCHED to the Master Genealogist and I am not thrilled with it’s friendliness like FTM has had. BUT ….I don’t like the limits. What happened to FTM, did they get new management? Did they fire the software writers? Perhaps some of the newer customers will never know the difference. AND…we can’t INSTALL the older versions and use them on VISTA. Sad story for a good beginning. If any FTM writers want to convince me otherwise please DO so.
Biggest Pro: Easy entry of data
Biggest Con: Can’t use older versions (that gives printing options) with VISTA
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Lynn L, Mar 12, 2010
The Family View & all others for that matter, is so “busy” that it is not particularly enjoyable to use. If I could go back to FTM 2006, I would but the computer died & I’m stuck with Windows 7 for the time being. The program no longer shows “merged” on historical records that have been added to an individual. My advise is to pick another genealogy program–I’m reading reviews for other programs & will be changing.
Biggest Pro: More intuitive on variant spellings
Biggest Con: Not easy to navigate smoothly.
Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008 Review by Grmpy, Feb 23, 2010
After happily using FTM ver 16 for several years I upgraded to FTM 2010 - What a disappointment! I found it difficult to navigate and “to much information” on the open pages to be easily and initively handled. Most of all I am extremely disappointed in the chart printing options. By deleting much of the flexibility of FTM 16, the program promotes using the Ancestry.com printing services - essentially it takes away the option of printing nice looking family trees at the local print shop.
I’m switched back to using the older FTM 16 and taking my family tree printing as pdf files to my local Staples for printing.
Biggest Pro: pretty graphics and online “hints”
Biggest Con: can’t print family trees worth #@%^7*( - crippled the old printing options in order to force business to Ancestry.com printing services
Show 21-40 »
Add Your Review of Family Tree Maker - Since Version 2008