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Archiver > KYBRECKI > 2004-08 > 1093964302


From: Carole Martin Hada <>
Subject: Legacy vs FTM 2005
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 07:58:22 -0700
References: <200408310800.i7V80WNo008598@lists8.rootsweb.com>
In-Reply-To: <200408310800.i7V80WNo008598@lists8.rootsweb.com>


Although my wife and I have used Legacy for several years now, formerly
we used Family Tree Maker for Windows (FTW) exclusively and I was a beta
tester for each new version of the software for several years until this
year. I was not a tester for FTW 2005. I guess I didn't get invited
to do the testing this year because I was on vacation last year during
the beta testing and did not contribute too much.
Anyway, I use the Deluxe version of Legacy and am perfectly satisfied
with it except for trying to print out big family trees. Legacy cannot
print trees; there is another program that will take your Legacy file
and make a tree. It doesn't work all that well and is more expensive
than upgrading to FTW. Due to this weakness in the Legacy program,
every two years before my wife's family reunion, we have to export her
file from Legacy to a GEDCOM and import the GEDCOM into FTW to print a
tree. Of course GEDCOM files don't export the pictures and so we have
to relink all the pictures after the export/import. Not fun! We always
mount the tree on a wall at the family reunion. This years was 4 feet
tall and 30 feet long. The family is growing!!!

I just bought the new FTW 2005 and was very impressed with it, although
it still has the deficiency that made me change to Legacy, sourcing your
new entries. Legacy is far superior in its ease of sourcing, FTW is
much more cumbersome. (At least it was, I haven't used the new version
to check extensively, only cursorily have checked.)

It really almost comes down to what you intend to do and cost, Legacy is
cheaper but FTW is not that much more expensive any more and the upgrade
was only $19.95 plus shipping (about $27 total) this time. Of course
the original cost is higher. Legacy Basic is free and Deluxe Legacy is
14.95 downloaded with no shipping costs. If you're not sure, you can
try the Legacy Basic for free as long as you like and then decide if
you like it. I notice that FTW has copied a lot of things in its latest
version that Legacy has had for a while.

OK, that's my 2 cents.
Gary Lynn Hada (sitting at my wife's computer)




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