Software Questions

Moderator: MOD_nyhetsgrupper

Svar
Keith nuttle

Software Questions

Legg inn av Keith nuttle » 16 jan 2007 15:43:27

I received "Family Tree Maker 2006" V. 15 for Christmas

Does anyone know if the data imputed into the program can be exported to
a standard data type. DBF, CSV, Access, etc.?

I would hate to invest all of the time in putting the data into the
program and then find I am locked into a proprietary program with no
options for improvement, except to upgrade to there next version.


--
Keith Nuttle
3110 Marquette Court
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317-802-0699

Ron Martell

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Ron Martell » 16 jan 2007 19:06:34

Keith nuttle <keith_nuttle@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

I received "Family Tree Maker 2006" V. 15 for Christmas

Does anyone know if the data imputed into the program can be exported to
a standard data type. DBF, CSV, Access, etc.?

I would hate to invest all of the time in putting the data into the
program and then find I am locked into a proprietary program with no
options for improvement, except to upgrade to there next version.

Genealogy programs in general, including Family Tree Maker, support
the GEDCOM file format which is a structured text file originally
developed by the Mormon Church (http://www.familysearch.org).

You will probably find that Family Tree Maker, once you have become
familiar with all of its functions and capabilities, will suffice for
your needs. However there may be some aspects of it where you would
prefer a different approach, such as in the formatting or content of
certain reports, the style and content of the web site information it
produces, etc. In that event it is quite easy to export a GEDCOM
file from your current database and then import that data into
whatever other program you wish to try.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

Charles Ellson

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Charles Ellson » 16 jan 2007 19:10:15

On Tue, 16 Jan 2007 09:03:15 -0600, Sherry <sherdh@excite.com> wrote:

Keith nuttle <keith_nuttle@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
news:jw5rh.10310$ji1.1680@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net:

I received "Family Tree Maker 2006" V. 15 for Christmas

Does anyone know if the data imputed into the program can be
exported to
a standard data type. DBF, CSV, Access, etc.?

I would hate to invest all of the time in putting the data into the
program and then find I am locked into a proprietary program with no
options for improvement, except to upgrade to there next version.



Genealogy programs can create a gedcom file which can then be imported
into another program. None of those file types you mentioned can be
imported into other genealogy programs.

However, be forewarned that gedcom translation is not 100%. One major
problem with FTM's gedcoms is that Facts are exported with a PLAC tag
which is reserved for locations, so the importing program will most
likely import the Facts to a location field.

As well as GEDCOM format, many genealogy programmes can print reports

in custom formats usually allowing a "print to file" in a
comma-separated (CSV) format which can be imported to most database
and spreadsheet programmes.

Hugh Watkins

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Hugh Watkins » 16 jan 2007 21:47:57

Keith nuttle wrote:
I received "Family Tree Maker 2006" V. 15 for Christmas

Does anyone know if the data imputed into the program can be exported to
a standard data type. DBF, CSV, Access, etc.?

I would hate to invest all of the time in putting the data into the
program and then find I am locked into a proprietary program with no
options for improvement, except to upgrade to there next version.


menu >> file >> export >> all >> gedcom >> Temple ready

then I upload mine to wc.rootsweb.com

Hugh W
--

a wonderful artist in Denmark
http://www.ingerlisekristoffersen.dk/

Beta blogger
http://snaps4.blogspot.com/ photographs and walks

old blogger GENEALOGE
http://hughw36.blogspot.com/ MAIN BLOG

Michael Kenefick

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Michael Kenefick » 17 jan 2007 01:12:51

Hello Keith,

Yes. But no. No, the output (nor import) is in a typical MS program
format. Yes, the output / import can be as a GEDCOM. GEDCOM is the
input / export standard for genealogy programs. It started way back in
the DOS days.

In reality you do have a proprietary program. However with the GEDCOM
you can use most any other genealogy program. So you are not "stuck".
Before breaking the seal, try some of the free genealogy programs.
Posters here like them. They recommend them to others (review the
archives). Any info you enter in the free programs can be exported via
the GEDCOM to FTM, so waste of time is not incurred.

On your mark, get set, go ahead and start that tree. Remember to site
sources. Many posters here like hard copies of the actual documents.

Back up often. Not just your genealogy work but all your important
computer files. Search the alt.genealogy archives for the horror stories.

If you decide not to use the program, I am not above being a receivee of
a re-gift 8>) My FTM is version 9.

Mike in Ohio

Keith nuttle wrote:
I received "Family Tree Maker 2006" V. 15 for Christmas

Does anyone know if the data imputed into the program can be exported to
a standard data type. DBF, CSV, Access, etc.?

I would hate to invest all of the time in putting the data into the
program and then find I am locked into a proprietary program with no
options for improvement, except to upgrade to there next version.

Nigel Bufton

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Nigel Bufton » 17 jan 2007 12:16:19

"Sherry" <sherdh@excite.com> wrote in message
news:Xns98BA47C9F6AC4TansyRagwortNetscape@216.196.97.142...
Keith nuttle <keith_nuttle@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
news:jw5rh.10310$ji1.1680@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net:

I received "Family Tree Maker 2006" V. 15 for Christmas

Does anyone know if the data imputed into the program can be
exported to
a standard data type. DBF, CSV, Access, etc.?

I would hate to invest all of the time in putting the data into the
program and then find I am locked into a proprietary program with no
options for improvement, except to upgrade to there next version.



Genealogy programs can create a gedcom file which can then be imported
into another program. None of those file types you mentioned can be
imported into other genealogy programs.

However, be forewarned that gedcom translation is not 100%. One major
problem with FTM's gedcoms is that Facts are exported with a PLAC tag
which is reserved for locations, so the importing program will most
likely import the Facts to a location field.

Sherry

The other major problem with FTM's gedcoms is that FTM does not export OBJE
tags (for images).

Nigel

Sherry

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Sherry » 18 jan 2007 21:24:11

"Nigel Bufton" <nigel@bufton.org> wrote in
news:45ae06cd_3@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com:

<snip>

The other major problem with FTM's gedcoms is that FTM does not
export OBJE tags (for images).

Nigel


Could that be because the images are embedded in the program rather than
linked?

Sherry

Hugh Watkins

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Hugh Watkins » 18 jan 2007 22:40:33

Sherry wrote:

"Nigel Bufton" <nigel@bufton.org> wrote in
news:45ae06cd_3@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com:

snip

The other major problem with FTM's gedcoms is that FTM does not
export OBJE tags (for images).

Nigel



Could that be because the images are embedded in the program rather than
linked?


sensible users of FTM do not add images to their master file


Hugh W


--

a wonderful artist in Denmark
http://www.ingerlisekristoffersen.dk/

Beta blogger
http://snaps4.blogspot.com/ photographs and walks

old blogger GENEALOGE
http://hughw36.blogspot.com/ MAIN BLOG

Nigel Bufton

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Nigel Bufton » 18 jan 2007 23:09:35

"Hugh Watkins" <hugh.watkins@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:51a7qiF1jb7r1U2@mid.individual.net...
Sherry wrote:

"Nigel Bufton" <nigel@bufton.org> wrote in
news:45ae06cd_3@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com: <snip

The other major problem with FTM's gedcoms is that FTM does not
export OBJE tags (for images).

Nigel



Could that be because the images are embedded in the program rather than
linked?


sensible users of FTM do not add images to their master file


Hugh W



Even so, there's no reason why FTM couldn't export the image. Others do.

Nigel

Nigel Bufton

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Nigel Bufton » 18 jan 2007 23:16:31

"Hugh Watkins" <hugh.watkins@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:51a7qiF1jb7r1U2@mid.individual.net...
Sherry wrote:

"Nigel Bufton" <nigel@bufton.org> wrote in
news:45ae06cd_3@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com: <snip

The other major problem with FTM's gedcoms is that FTM does not
export OBJE tags (for images).

Nigel



Could that be because the images are embedded in the program rather than
linked?


sensible users of FTM do not add images to their master file


Hugh W



Even so, there's no reason why FTM couldn't export the images. Others do.

Nigel

Brad Rogers

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Brad Rogers » 19 jan 2007 10:57:10

On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:16:31 +0000, Nigel Bufton wrote:


Even so, there's no reason why FTM couldn't export the images. Others do.

Such behaviour as FTM exhibits is called "lock-in". Yes, FTM /could/
have been programmed to export images. However, the software manufacturer
wants you to keep using their product. This inability to export images is
one way of achieving that aim. The logic is that, by the time the user
finds out they can't export images, they'll have lost the will to start
another database in another software suite which *can* export images.
Another suite that exhibits lock-in in some other way, as often as not.

Common business practise.

--
Regards _
/ ) "The blindingly obvious is
/ _)rad never immediately apparent"

I'll tell you something, I think that you should know
Rich Kids - Rich Kids

Hugh Watkins

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Hugh Watkins » 19 jan 2007 11:12:01

Brad Rogers wrote:

On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:16:31 +0000, Nigel Bufton wrote:



Even so, there's no reason why FTM couldn't export the images. Others do.


Such behaviour as FTM exhibits is called "lock-in". Yes, FTM /could/
have been programmed to export images. However, the software manufacturer
wants you to keep using their product. This inability to export images is
one way of achieving that aim. The logic is that, by the time the user
finds out they can't export images, they'll have lost the will to start
another database in another software suite which *can* export images.
Another suite that exhibits lock-in in some other way, as often as not.

Common business practise.

anything you can see on screen is not locked


as all webmasters know

Hugh W

--

a wonderful artist in Denmark
http://www.ingerlisekristoffersen.dk/

Beta blogger
http://snaps4.blogspot.com/ photographs and walks

old blogger GENEALOGE
http://hughw36.blogspot.com/ MAIN BLOG

Gene Y.

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Gene Y. » 19 jan 2007 13:42:17

Hugh Watkins wrote:
Brad Rogers wrote:

On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:16:31 +0000, Nigel Bufton wrote:



Even so, there's no reason why FTM couldn't export the images.
Others do.


Such behaviour as FTM exhibits is called "lock-in". Yes, FTM /could/
have been programmed to export images. However, the software
manufacturer
wants you to keep using their product. This inability to export
images is
one way of achieving that aim. The logic is that, by the time the user
finds out they can't export images, they'll have lost the will to start
another database in another software suite which *can* export images.
Another suite that exhibits lock-in in some other way, as often as not.

Common business practise.

anything you can see on screen is not locked

as all webmasters know

Hugh W

You missed the point Hugh. In this case lock in refers to the fact that

it becomes so difficult to extract the information that the user feels
he is "locked in" to that piece of software because it is too difficult
or too much trouble to try to migrate his data to another program. It
is just a less than savory way of keeping users who might abdicate to a
competitor. A user like you or I might just migrate the data anyway,
just because of this challenge. The majority of users, though, are
typically not computer skilled to the level required to accomplish this.
(Actually many more people are capable than they themselves realize.
It is this mind set that some software manufacturers rely on.)

Gene Y.

Hugh Watkins

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Hugh Watkins » 19 jan 2007 16:44:15

Gene Y. wrote:

Hugh Watkins wrote:

Brad Rogers wrote:

On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:16:31 +0000, Nigel Bufton wrote:



Even so, there's no reason why FTM couldn't export the images.
Others do.



Such behaviour as FTM exhibits is called "lock-in". Yes, FTM /could/
have been programmed to export images. However, the software
manufacturer
wants you to keep using their product. This inability to export
images is
one way of achieving that aim. The logic is that, by the time the user
finds out they can't export images, they'll have lost the will to start
another database in another software suite which *can* export images.
Another suite that exhibits lock-in in some other way, as often as not.

Common business practise.

anything you can see on screen is not locked

as all webmasters know

Hugh W

You missed the point Hugh. In this case lock in refers to the fact that
it becomes so difficult to extract the information that the user feels
he is "locked in" to that piece of software because it is too difficult
or too much trouble to try to migrate his data to another program. It
is just a less than savory way of keeping users who might abdicate to a
competitor. A user like you or I might just migrate the data anyway,
just because of this challenge. The majority of users, though, are
typically not computer skilled to the level required to accomplish this.
(Actually many more people are capable than they themselves realize. It
is this mind set that some software manufacturers rely on.)


that was true 10 years ago but now the grand children can do it in 10
minutes

good house keeping defeats any of the above
just back up the originals
the online ancestry family tree is annoying many people now

newbies start disliking ancestry because they cannot export a gedcom to
a tree program

Hugh W
--

a wonderful artist in Denmark
http://www.ingerlisekristoffersen.dk/

Beta blogger
http://snaps4.blogspot.com/ photographs and walks

old blogger GENEALOGE
http://hughw36.blogspot.com/ MAIN BLOG

Hugh Watkins

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Hugh Watkins » 19 jan 2007 23:23:22

Hugh Watkins wrote:
e 10 years ago but now the grand children can do it in 10
minutes

good house keeping defeats any of the above
just back up the originals
the online ancestry family tree is annoying many people now

newbies start disliking ancestry because they cannot export a gedcom to
a tree program


that is no longer true - an update was in my mail

http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/tutorial.aspx
Export GEDCOM

You've asked for this feature and we're happy to say it is finally here.
On the "My Ancestry" page look for the "Export GEDCOM" link. This
process will allow you to export all the names, sources, relationships,
etc. in GEDCOM format. For information that GEDCOM does not handle well
(e.g., photos, stories, Ancestry records) we provide a link back to the
original item on Ancestry.<<

sensible people listen to thir customers :-)

Hugh W



--

a wonderful artist in Denmark
http://www.ingerlisekristoffersen.dk/

Beta blogger
http://snaps4.blogspot.com/ photographs and walks

old blogger GENEALOGE
http://hughw36.blogspot.com/ MAIN BLOG

Brad Rogers

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Brad Rogers » 20 jan 2007 18:18:06

On Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:12:01 +0000, Hugh Watkins wrote:

anything you can see on screen is not locked

Yes, okay. I used a poor example to get my point across.

as all webmasters know

You can sometimes spot such people on eBay. That is, those that use a
link to somebody else's images, rather than use their own. If/when they
get found out, it's not uncommon for the image to be changed to something
that is derogatory about the thief.

--
Regards _
/ ) "The blindingly obvious is
/ _)rad never immediately apparent"

It's only the children of the ------- wealthy tend to be good looking
Ugly - The Stranglers

Brad Rogers

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Brad Rogers » 20 jan 2007 18:18:06

On Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:44:15 +0000, Hugh Watkins wrote:

that was true 10 years ago but now the grand children can do it in 10
minutes

Not everyone is as happy as Gene, you or I with computers, even now Hugh.
It tends to be the older people, but not always;

I know several oldsters that can run rings around me, PC savvy-wise.

Equally, I know several young technophobes.

In any event, it's not always ability, but desire that is the issue, as
Gene pointed out.

--
Regards _
/ ) "The blindingly obvious is
/ _)rad never immediately apparent"

When I say ugly, I don't mean rough looking, I mean hideous
Ugly - The Stranglers

jj206

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av jj206 » 02 feb 2007 06:53:53

Keith nuttle wrote:
I received "Family Tree Maker 2006" V. 15 for Christmas

Does anyone know if the data imputed into the program can be exported to
a standard data type. DBF, CSV, Access, etc.?

I would hate to invest all of the time in putting the data into the
program and then find I am locked into a proprietary program with no
options for improvement, except to upgrade to there next version.

I searched for info about the dbf format as it applies to Family Tree
Maker 2006 and found nothing. I also do not know Access very well,
but a search of Access and Family Tree Maker 2006 came up with nothing.
However, I did find many sites about csv format. However, some people
have had difficulty importing dates that are older than 1990.

Here is a blurb from the Family Tree Maker 2006 Tips PDF:

"EXPORTING FILES
This command is on the File menu. Use it to export the current report,
tree, book, or other view into a file that can be imported or viewed in
another application. In trees and reports, it export the current view
only (in the Family View page, it export a Family Group Sheet for the
current family; in books, it export the entire book). To export your
actual Family File itself, use the Copy/Export Family File command instead.

File Formats:

Note that not all formats are available in every view.

• Acrobat (*.pdf) —This universal file format makes it easy to share
documents and graphics with others, no matter what computer system they
have. Requires Adobe Acrobat PDF viewer (available at http://www.adobe.com) to
view.
• Word Processor (*.rtf) — Rich Text Format (RTF) is a file format that
preserves text formatting for exported files. Although it can be very
useful for sharing text, it does not preserve photographs and other
graphics. Files exported to RTF (rich text format) look the same when
imported into Microsoft Word as the original file looked in Family Tree
Maker.
• Plain Text (*.txt) — Files exported to plain text will be viewable in
Notepad or any other plain text editor. Although they contain all text
from the report, they do not retain the report's formatting, so they do
not look like the original.
• Spreadsheet (*.csv) — Comma-separated value (CSV) files can be opened
and viewed in spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel, or imported
into a database such as Microsoft Access.

Note: Microsoft Excel automatically converts imported dates to the Excel
Date format. However, Excel only recognizes dates after January 1, 1900.
Dates earlier than this will be imported as plain text cells."

http://www.rootsweb.com/~fltgs/handout-ftm-ramsey.pdf

Jonathan

Hugh Watkins

Re: Software Questions

Legg inn av Hugh Watkins » 02 feb 2007 09:29:46

jj206 wrote:
Keith nuttle wrote:

I received "Family Tree Maker 2006" V. 15 for Christmas

Does anyone know if the data imputed into the program can be exported
to a standard data type. DBF, CSV, Access, etc.?


yes

its own two FTW and back up is FBK are the ones used daily
PAF 3 and PAF 2 are for the freebieprogram Personal Ancestral File
and it also supports Ancestry Family Tree anothe freebie


and the gedcom which can be read and edited in any family tree program

which is in fact a text file
with internal links staing who is related to who

I export as gedcom

and export
with up to 2000 names to a freebie from the web publish menu
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/us ... index.html
also viewable as
http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=:3011593

eg
and upload to world connect if a bigger file
http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=hughw36 is the latest version

which is a website of about 2700 pages created in five minutes
from FTM data exported as a gedcom

I also updated my LAPHAM one-name study
http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=lapham
(which with the password I can download again asa a back up off site)

I also email myself copies of my master file as attachments to google
mail as a second offsite back up


I have been using FTM for about 8 years with all the upgrades
the latest is the freebie to version 16

menu >> help >> check for updates

study the help files
they are comprehensive and more on line in the knowledge base



In my blog
http://hughw36.blogspot.com/
I found out yesterday
http://hughw36.blogspot.com/2007/02/vis ... r-and.html

what do do for MS Vista incompatability

=========================
my biggest mistake
not learning Control S
to add sources toall data from the beginnning

===================
tips from advanced users

back up before merges

before merging with another persons data

examine and edit the new file
deleting any duplicates FIRST

ideally only ever merge 2 people at a time

=========================

images

personally I never import images

If I wanted to, I would export a new FTM file to use for making a book
or illustrated tree and keep my master file simple

2)
when you import images they will be compressed (and tricky to recover)

ALWAYS keep and back up original RAW scans

just as if working with Photoshop for example

=================

these ideas for good practice are based on the errors I have made myself
and the typical cries for help seen on the forum

http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.softw ... er/mb.ashx

==========
do make full use of any feebie offers for ancestry.com includeed in your
package


Hugh W

--

a wonderful artist in Denmark
http://www.ingerlisekristoffersen.dk/

Beta blogger
http://snaps4.blogspot.com/ photographs and walks

old blogger GENEALOGE
http://hughw36.blogspot.com/ MAIN BLOG

Svar

Gå tilbake til «alt.genealogy»