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Archiver > TMG > 2002-07 > 1027022136


From: Richard Brogger <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Exporting Witness Tags
Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2002 14:59:24 -0500
References: <5.1.0.14.2.20020716185239.0399cdd0@pop3.norton.antivirus><F130spLFWdfOtvzSr690001808d@hotmail.com><5.1.0.14.2.20020716185239.0399cdd0@pop3.norton.antivirus><5.1.0.14.2.20020717201110.020f5878@pop3.norton.antivirus>


Lee Hoffman wrote:
>
> I still say that we already have a good transfer medium in GenBridge. It
> is already written (GEDCOM XML or it's extensions aren't). If we pressure
> the vendors to implement it, we could have nearly lossless data transfer
> within a year or two at the outside. As it is, I don't foresee any relief
> for five to ten years at best (and probably not then).
>
> Lee Hoffman/KY
> TMG Tips: <http://www.tmgtips.com>;
> My website: <http://www.tmgtips.com/lhoffman>;
> A user of the best genealogy program, The Master Genealogist (TMG)

Hi Lee and Wade,

Rather than pressure other vendors to adopt GenBridge, I think it is
better to talk people into buying TMG. Some that I have brought to TMG
were not very happy with me
at first. Once they got over the hump in the learning curve and
understood TMG, they were happy campers. With TMG5 being so much
easier to learn, I believe a lot more folks will make the switch.

I will make a prediction. Once TMG 5 is complete (reports etc. in and
most bugs out) TMG sales will double every few months. Two years after
completion, TMG 5 will have a major piece of the market worldwide. Not
number one in sales but a major piece of the action. That will put
pressure on other vendors to make improvements. GenBridge might be one
of those improvements. Every TMG user who gets someone to switch to
TMG is helping themselves, the one who switches and genealogy computer
programs in general.

Competition is good. TMG has not been competition to most software
vendors just because TMG was rated number one. TMG sales did not make
it competition to their bottom line and for many, that is all that
mattered. As TMG 5 sales grow and grow other vendors will see TMG as
being serious competition. Some will shift more money into
advertising. Word of mouth advertising can not be purchased. Satisfied
TMG customers can out sell slick ads if customers make a point of
doing so.

Some will shift more money into research and development. It does not
matter which vendor comes up with better ideas, the entire community
will eventually benefit. Bob Velke listens to users ideas. As long as
he continues to listen and implement some of those ideas, TMG will
always be rated number one. Satisfied customers can do a lot to make
TMG sales reflect the fact that TMG is the best. With every increase
in sales, more money will be available for development. With more
money for development, more wishes can be implemented. As TMG users,
we can each play a minor role but our combined efforts can have a
major impact.

If we spend time trying to convince users of other programs to
pressure their vendor into adding GenBridge, we might succeed. But,
what will we have accomplished? Few, if any, programs can present TMG
data as it is in TMG. I prefer to spend that time convincing users of
other programs to switch to TMG. That is the only way that they will
get a true representation of TMG data. Once they have learned TMG,
they will be using the best genealogy program available. If they stay
with their old program with GenBridge added, they will have some gain
but nothing like what they would gain by switching to TMG.

Richard Brogger

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