68 replies to this topic

[Vyger]

I'm not sure of the degree of the core re-write but there have been many wishes for the likes of non modal, live reports, less clickiness etc which have been around a long time but I don't see any of those as big selling points. Whilst RM7 has many niggly little shortcomings which could easily be overcome, imo, I have got to know and trust it, maybe that's the master plan to encourage me to upgrade.

 

Therefore I am in no rush to see RM8, but cash flow might disctate otherwise. I pushed hard for the release of RM4 and that became a disaster, I don't take responsibility for the disaster as it was being teased for nine months before release, it simply should have been tested more thoroughly. Anyway it was not a launch RM would wish repeat so as long as steady quality programming is going on I am happy to wait, it will be interesting to see what the hooks for existing users to upgrade will be.

[John_of_Ross_County]

Whenever a new version is released, I download the free version, setup the folder structure, move a copy of the data from the previous version, and try it for a period.  As patch versions are released, try them.  Then buy the new release.  BUT I still keep using the older version for production work until the new version seems stable.

[Vyger]

Whenever a new version is released, I download the free version, setup the folder structure, move a copy of the data from the previous version, and try it for a period.  As patch versions are released, try them.  Then buy the new release.  BUT I still keep using the older version for production work until the new version seems stable.

 

Good strategy, I know and trust RM7, with RM8 being a different base that might take me some time, I lost data by adopting RM4 too quickly, I won't be repeating that mistake. I will be very happy to work with the free version and a copy of my data, test and provide feedback to get the new baby weaned, at the end of the day it's in all our interests that RM progresses into the future.

[Trebor22]

Very much agree with the last 2 posts and its a strategy I will adopt but it just occurred to me I wonder if we will see more than one (windows) version of RM8 - 32 & 64 bit ? My old laptop is 32 bit so I could be testing twice or perhaps I should get my act together and buy the new laptop :-)

[RStevens]

Trebor22, I agree that data lock-in by genealogy programs is a very bad thing and that users should look carefully at how well a program supports data openness and transfer. The data you enter is yours and you should be able to get it out so you can transfer it to another program. RM users are lucky that Tom has a well developed toolkit of data access programs, I think that no other commercial program allows for this interaction.

Trebor22 said: "A reliable common standard is still on my Christmas wish list :-)"

The closest thing to this answer is GEDCOM but I don't know of a Commerical software program that supports it correctly and completely.

 

@Trebor22, @KFN: I came across this project recently and have been watching it: https://github.com/OpenGenOrg/rosetta.  Lofty goals, but if they succeed, it would solve the vendor lock-in problem.  I just wish I knew how to program so I could volunteer to help them.

[Trebor22]

 

@Trebor22, @KFN: I came across this project recently and have been watching it: https://github.com/OpenGenOrg/rosetta.  Lofty goals, but if they succeed, it would solve the vendor lock-in problem.  I just wish I knew how to program so I could volunteer to help them.

Thank you for the link, sounds interesting, programming such as this is also way beyond my skills, hope it is successful!!

[hemmingsdd]

On 29 December 2018, I was recommending and helping a friend put RM7 on her machine.  She paid for the product (download only) and received her order number and key code.  When we tried to download RM onto her machine we were told that she had to wait for RM8 to be released, and was not given access to the full RM7 which she had purchased.  Clearly, there is a problem here!  She is now working with Essentials with NO news of when her order will be fulfilled by RootsMagic.  Should I now recommend to my Workshop of genealogy beginners that RootsMagic is currently in limbo and unable to satisfy them with even the existing product, which could later be updated when the RM8 release arrives - whenever?

Since I have recommended RM to over 200 of my students, I am concerned that this corporate behaviour is quite unacceptable for a firm that heretofore has had a good reputation.

Best for 2019.

David Hemmings. hemmingsdd@gmail.com

[robertjacobs0]

She probably entered the RM8 key code accidentally. There should also be an RM7 key code.

[TomH]

Take it up with Sales or Tech Support. There's nothing a User Forum can do to resolve her/your problem. If the key code began with "RM8", then that Robert's suggestion is bang on.