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Archiver > TMG > 2000-07 > 0965036171


From: David Ward <>
Subject: [TMG] Convert to TMG
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 11:36:11 +0200


Good morning all

The last few days has seen a lot of traffic on the subject of "Why should I
change to TMG?", particularly from UFTers who are not yet sure which way to
go. Perhaps I may be allowed to add my tuppence worth here.

Three months ago, I converted to TMG after hesitating at least 8 months
trying to decide what to do. The program I had up to then was FTM ver 5 and
the FTM DOS 4. In April, I made my choice and decided to go for FTM v7.5.

In a nutshell - BAD MOVE. Within 3 weeks of that decision, I'd purchased
TMG 4. I literally threw 7.5 into the bin, re-activated FTM 5 and started
learning the practical side of TMG - EXCELLENT MOVE. I have had nothing but
positive answers to all my queries and the program itself is a joy to use -
as one person said recently - TMG is tailored to MY use and I can choose
how to do it. I know it will take quite a while to learn all its
idiosyncrasies but I think I'll have fun doing it.

What is amazing is that not once have I needed to contact TMG Tech Support
because the TMG network of "helpers" seems to make them redundant. Compare
this to the FTM 7.5 problem I had and never got an answer to my query, then
you know you are in good company. And this weekend, I mothballed FTM 5.

Yes there are still problems but TMG is so versatile that a number of
different solutions are always around the corner. Two areas I haven't
solved however - but haven't made any concerted effort to do either - is
report making, it needing a high tech university level degree(vbg) to
understand how to use the filters. and tree printing. For the latter, I
still use and update FTM 4(DOS) which to my mind, whilst very limited, has
the excellent capability of printing up to 5 boxed generations giving all
BMDs on a single A4 page. Until I have learnt how to produce the same on
TMG, this antiquity will stay on my computer. ((A rather surprising side
effect of this, particularly when a branch of the family is reluctant to
part with information, is to show them all the blank boxes on their side of
the family. Its something visual and they suddenly feel they too have to
contribute - and one thing leads to another.))

Is TMG difficult to use? I find it has a rather steep learning curve but
having spent 7 years with FTM that is not surprising. One thing I would
like Bob to consider is that the demo for ver 5. if there is to be one, can
at least be used by others considering a change, let them fill in a 3 or 4
generation dataset to play with.

So my advice for anyone on the fence, for what it's worth, is make the
change NOW - you won't regret it.

A convert.

Dave
Utrecht Holland

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