There’s More Than Just the GEDCOM, Talking About Genealogy Software. . .

Last week I posted a question on Facebook that generated a lot of interest, and I thought it might be helpful to recap some of the discussion here, and invite even more input.

My question was prompted by a move from PC to Mac platforms; now that I have new software options,

I want to know what Mac users use for a genealogy database. Do you stick with Mac: Reunion, MacFamilyTree, Fam Tree Maker Mac or run something through Parallels/VM Fusion?

A tally of results shows that of the 12 Mac users who responded

Reunion – 8
Family Tree Maker Mac – 2
Roots Magic via VM Fusion – 1
Family Historian via Parallels -1

 

Source templates, note-taking, and research logs all seem to be the major features of concern. It takes a lot of time and effort to learn a new program and then accurately transfer data via GEDCOM, so there needs to be a pretty compelling reason to switch.

Randy Seaver has done a great job at Genea-Musings evaluating GEDCOM transport in and out of various PC programs. Has anyone done a similar work-up that includes Mac programs like Reunion, iFamily, FamilyTreeMaker Mac, or MacFamilyTree?

I have used or sampled Legacy 7, RootsMagic, Reunion, and MacFamily Tree and had varying degrees of success with GEDCOM imports and exports, but for me there’s more to a great genealogy database than GEDCOM.

I am looking for a few specific features in my ideal program. In addition to the expectation that it will reliably handle “standard” genealogy event and fact data, my ideal program has to:

• be fairly intuitive to learn and use

• have a crisp, attractive interface that is uncluttered and easy to use

• offer extensive source options (preferably ESM-style)

• offer easy navigation and keyboard shortcuts

• offer several customizable report formats and charts

• be well-supported by company teams and user forums

• offer tutorials, good documentation, and/or screencasts

   

• grow with me as I become more experienced

I won’t be a RootsTech this week, but I look forward to hearing about new developments in technology that will make our tasks even easier. What software do you use on your Mac or PC, and what features are on your software Wish List?