TMG-L Archives

Archiver > TMG > 2000-06 > 0959936398


From: Judy Philip <>
Subject: [TMG-L:] Re: TMG-L: Why choose TMG
Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2000 18:29:58 +0930
References: <3932C9BA.6976.25429C5E@localhost> <4.3.1.0.20000531092017.00aab1e0@127.0.0.1>


Michael G McManness asked
"why someone should switch to TMG"
and Allen Mellen answered with some very good reasons indeed which, as a
TMG-user, I whole-heartedly endorse.

But perhaps there is no reason why anyone *should* switch to TMG.

Indeed, the answer may be - don't switch unless TMG is the genealogy program
which suits *you*!!

It isn't the program for everybody. You need both to *want* the flexibility that
TMG offers, *and* (very importantly) to be prepared to go through the learning
curve and to do the work that this entails.

I bought TMG in the second half of last year after I retired and was looking for
a genie program. Many years ago I'd had an early Mac version of PAF but hadn't
kept that up partly because of its limitations. For some time, I'd been keeping
my family history records in Word documents.

I looked at a few demos but one look at the TMG demo and I knew it was the
program for *me* - it obviously recorded all the information and details and
sources (so important) and proofs that I'd been trying to record myself in typed
up documentation but, of course, with the wonderful added facility that it was
what I understand is called a relational database i.e. (if I understand correctly
- please don't jump on me, computer buffs!) all the "bits" of information are
held separately and can be combined in any which way you want - fantastic. Of
course there are lots and lots of other benefits of TMG and they have been, and
continue to be, spelled out on the List - and the List itself is one of those
benefits. As is the tech support from Whollygenes (I used it only once but the
response was prompt, precise, user-friendly and totally helpful). Not to mention
other users in one's own geographical area.

I do agree with Lee H's sign-off that TMG is the "best" - but the "best" is not
what suits everyone. The recent analogy comparing TMG with a Formula I car was
perhaps a bit extreme - but with a kernel of truth.

It really is up to the individual user - as with everything that is worthwhile,
you need to put in some work with TMG.

I think that one of the best pieces of advice that Listers can give to new users
is - whatever you do, don't give up too soon.

Judy Philip
Adelaide, Australia

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