Software for Mac and iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

Happy New  Year

We don’t usually share software sales, but . . .  we often get asked about Mac software that works with nFS! – and we couldn’t wait until Jan 8 to share this information for Mac users -and also some news for ipad/iphone/ipod touch users!  Maybe it will help someone you know?

MacFamilyTree and MobileFamilyTree Pro are both half price right now – http://www.syniumsoftware.com/macfamilytree/ – it says the special ends Dec 29 but they have extended it to Jan 9

MacFamilyTree is FamilySearch certified, has some nFS interaction but also works with nFS through Family Insight – MacFamilyTree requires a Mac OS X with 10.5 Leopard, 10.6 Snow Leopard or 10.7 Lion. Additionally, 1 GB of RAM and a 1 Ghz or higher CPU is required.

MobileFamilyTree Pro is the only full FH program for the ipad/iphone/ipod touch we know that syncs data over wifi between devices either mobile device or mac! – great for charts – see their virtual tree, and fan! If you don’t have a Mac the app will accept a Gedcom file.

There is also FamilyTreeMaker for Mac that also works with Family Insight but haven’t seen any special prices for that!

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Help with Feature Changes at FamilySearch as of 23 Nov 2011

Should I be saying “Thank you” to those of you who joined with me in asking for a document listing Feature Changes in FamilySearch.org?  or maybe they intended to do this all along and just caught up with their work load?

Under the link to the Blog at FamilySearch.org you will find 2 helpful new documents that help with the November update to FamilySearch.org:

1.  Feature changes at FamilySearch.org – 23 November 2011

“The November release of the FamilySearch website includes some powerful new search capabilities that our users have been requesting. It does this while at the same time making the search experience simpler and more intuitive. Let us show you what we mean” – then click on the link to the Full Story.

2.   Using the New FamilySearch Historical Records Search Form

“Below is a summary of what the new historical records search form offers and how to use it. Most users will find this new form simpler to use, more intuitive to interact with and more powerful than the older forms.”  – then click on the link to the Full Story.

These documents are very helpful!

Thank you to CFHC for tipping me off about these articles!  I really like the weekly challenges they send out to their members of Staff!

2 other short items regarding software:

1. There is a version of Family Insight for the Mac that works with MacFamilyTree – this is good news for Mac users as it gives them more choice of products that work with nFS.  Another option is FamilyTreeMaker – otherwise you need to install Windows and use a Windows program.  MacFamilyTree offers a 25% discount to anyone who owns other FH software.  MacFamilyTree is already certified by FamilySearch and has some features within the program that work with nFS – just not as many features as Family Insight.  There is a version of MacFamilyTree called MobileFamilyTree Pro ($14.99) that works on the ipad and iphone and which will sync with the MacFamilyTree file so you can add or update information either on your ipad or your Mac and simply Sync.
2. Rootsmagic have released a new version of their software.  This is version 5 and there is a fee to upgrade from the current version 4.  See Rootsmagic.com for details.

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Family History Software for the Mac computer

Perhaps you own a Mac?  Probably you know someone who owns one?  Perhaps you have been asked what Family History (FH) software is available for the Mac?

There is good family history software for the Mac.  Unfortunately for the LDS family historian there are fewer choices than for the Windows computer user.

As we have written before (see article 5 June 2011 at http://peterfh.wordpress.com/) we encourage everyone to keep their own family history records on their own computer.  These are then my records.  What is on the Internet at sites such as new.familysearch.org are “our” records – where we collaborate with others and share with the world.

It is unnecessary for any Windows computer user to double enter data on their own computer and on new.familysearch.org (nFS).  There are several excellent software choices available that allow data to be moved to and from new familysearch without re-entering the information as well as allowing other interaction with nFS. Even PAF – old as it is – can do this with the help of either Family Insight or Ancestral Quest.  Several good alternatives to PAF can synchronize data with new familysearch such as Rootsmagic, Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree Maker with Family Insight, and Ancestral Quest to name but four.  Family Insight works as an intermediary between just about all the most popular programs and nFS!

What is available for the Mac and what works with the FamilySearch website?

To answer this question go to Familysearch.org, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on Products (you can get to the same information from the sign in page for nFS  – look for the heading More Great Products).  Here you can see the lists of products certified by FamilySearch – we often call them affiliates.  Many of them are utilities to help with printing or contacting people and some are personal family history record keeping products.  For each of these products there is a list of access features.  There is a long list of web products (18 as of 24 Sep 2011), a long list of Windows products (14) and a very short list for the Mac (5), and an even shorter list for mobile devices (1).  There are only 5 items on the Mac list!  Family Insight is there with a good list of features certified for working with nFS, and Mac FamilyTree with a short list of features for working with nFS.

What is the Mac user to do?

The situation is not quite as bad as it looks.

1. The FamilySearch list does not include Family Tree Maker (FTM) for the Mac which does work with the current Mac version of Family Insight.  But what if you don’t like FTM, or its price? – although remember that the price of FTM often includes several months access to an Ancestry web site.
2. Family Insight are beta testing a version of their product that will work with Mac FamilyTree and deliver a good list of features that work with nFS.  This is important news for many Mac users.
3. Rootsmagic have said that they intend to have a Mac version of their product available – perhaps by the summer of 2012.

Is that all?

One of the most popular Family History products on the Mac is Reunion.  You could export your data as a gedcom and then use Family Insight – but this is cumbersome and  I think unnecessarily complicated.

Are you willing to run a Windows FH program on your Mac?

There are 3 ways to do this and you can very successfully use any Windows FH program on your Mac.

1. Turn your Mac into a Macindow (????) or a Winmac (just joking!) by buying either Parallels and Fusion and then installing a full copy of a Windows operating system – if you don’t own a full copy of Windows you will have to buy one.  I have done this and with a click can move between the Mac and Windows operating systems.  I have PAF, Ancestral Quest, Family Insight for Windows, Rootsmagic, and Legacy Family Tree all working in Windows on my Mac. Files are shared between the 2 operating systems. Besides cost what is the downside of doing this?  You need to learn 2 operating systems, and you need to update 2 operating systems.
2. Every Mac comes with a free copy of a product called Boot Camp.  This will allow you to install a version of Windows – which you would have to own.  Then you can install any Windows FH program.  The downside is that you have to re-boot your computer to move between Windows and Mac operating system, as well as having to know and update 2 operating systems.
3. Install a Windows emulator program on your Mac and then install the Windows FH program of your choice. You do not have to install a copy of Windows and therefore don’t have to own a copy of Windows.  There are several Windows emulator programs available, such as Wine and Crossover Mac.  Some are free and some cost as much as $40.

One of the nicest articles on the ways to run Windows programs on a Mac can be found at Rootsmagic.com under the link to Support then Knowledge Base.  Search for “Mac” and then select Will Rootsmagic Run on a Mac? – go to the bottom of the article where there is a link to more information which gives you access to a table of choices and other information.

Well, that’s how I see things.  I hope this helps.

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