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Replacing PAF

Replacing PAF

Posted: 12 Jul 2013 5:33PM GMT
Classification: Query
I'm looking at getting Ancestral Quest (free version) and I wonder what others are considering. Or thoughts about Ancestral Quest.

Re: Replacing PAF

Posted: 13 Jul 2013 1:12PM GMT
Classification: Query
13 July 2013

PAF was based on an earlier version of AQ, so making the change should be fairly painless. Layout and data entry are similar, though AQ has more features. I still consider PAF to be a solid genealogy database program, despite its age.

I have both PAF and AQ (AQ version is 12.1; not the latest) but continue to use PAF as my primary database. PAF works on Windows 7, but I haven't read whether it works on Win 8.

I believe I read somewhere that AQ Basic has a nag screen, but I don't know for sure. If nothing else, trying it will give you an idea whether you'd want to pay for the full version.

AQ can read and write to PAF files, so if you have PAF Companion you can continue to use it. AQ does want you to step up to their file system, but it's not necessary.

Another program that seems to be popular is Legacy. Wikipedia has a comparison of genealogy programs here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_genealogy_softwar...

Dave

Re: Replacing PAF

Posted: 13 Jul 2013 7:13PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks Dave,
I like PAF but this discontinued/not supported situation does cause concern. I think this is a "be prepared" thought though I've not had a problem with PAF for the many years I've had it.

Re: Replacing PAF

Posted: 30 Jul 2013 12:05PM GMT
Classification: Query
Just now realized I could not get a 'new' copy of the PAF software from the LDS web site.

It is NO LONGER there.

I did a browser search and did find a couple links, but had to read through several of them, to make sure I was getting

the actual software and not just a bunch of 'other junk' programs tagged on to it.

If I read the memo, that it was going 'dark', my brain did

not

register it.

Guess was too attention deficit because of the computer, NEW, HAHA, crashing.

And too finding out that although it is/was "NEW" in October 2012 to me, the

Microsoft also no longer supports the Windows 7 or the service pack on 4 15 2013.

So am getting it at both ends just now.

Also have to send my computer back to the factory once more

as it is STILL NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.



Same Thing here have had it since about 1.0 as it were.

Back about mid 1980s or so.

Am very comfortable with my PAF software, have had little

to none problems with it, save since I have copied it last

in October 2012 to my "new" computer. A Laptop.

It has had several problems, just stopping, and a message that says

"Sorry Personal Ancestral File has had a problem and

Needs to Close Now."

Then I have to go to it and bring it back on.

Seems to work again for quite a while, till the next "error'.

ALSO get messages similar that Internet Explorer has a problem "and Needs to Close Now".

Any one have any suggestions which may be the 'best' change

over Family Tree software.

Do I need to make a Gedcom of my data to input it to the

AQ or Legacy or the others that is listed on the

Wikipedia.com

web site?

Any insight is welcome.

Patricia
cw

Re: Replacing PAF

Posted: 31 Jul 2013 1:13AM GMT
Classification: Query
As I understand yes- you need a gedcom to transfer your trees to new software. I think that once you have the new program (software) you set up a tree and can send a gedcom from Ancestry or elseware. Believe the downside is that you don't get the sources (I'm still exploring). However the plus is that you save your work.

Hoping an Ancestry Quest user can clarify

Re: Replacing PAF

Posted: 9 Aug 2013 12:46AM GMT
Classification: Query
I begin using PAF many years ago. I now use Ancestry Quest and am very happy with it. The programs are very similar in adding data. You do not need to create a gedcom file first. Ancestry Quest will open a PAF file. You can use it as a paf file or Ancestry Quest has an option to convert it to the Ancestry Quest Format. With the AQ format you have more options. I have a paid version. I has a flash screen the gives the latest news and check to see if you version is up to date. I can be set to show each time you open AQ or only once a week. Hope this help. Most updates are free.

Re: Replacing PAF

Posted: 9 Oct 2013 1:44PM GMT
Classification: Query
I used PAF for many years, then about three years ago decided to look around to see what was available. I started by looking at the free offerings, which at the time were RootsMagic and Legacy. I live in the UK, and Roots Magic had a UK version. I felt Legacy was slightly better, but very US oriented (particularly wrt place names). RootsMagic at the time offered a read-only version which could be put on a disc to distribute the tree, which I thought was a very good feature, but I think they may have discontinued this. Roots Magic had better integration with the Family Search site than other programs. Just as I was about to make up my mind I discovered the Family Tree Maker site and watched some of the tutorials, here: http://www.familytreemaker.com/Learn/Tutorials
I came to the conclusion that it had a more professional feel, and it handled media and sources better than other programs did at the time. In the UK it comes with several months subscription to Ancestry (the length and type of the subscription is the main difference between the versions - all have the same program), and at that time could be obtained cheaply from Amazon. This meant I could buy the program for less than the cost of the included subscription, so I decided to try it out. I like the program a lot - especially the integration with Ancestry.co.uk. (e.g. when you find a census entry you go through a short dialog to say what you want, then the program downloads the image and creates source citations for name, sex, residence etc. for the people you selected). The latest version includes the ability to keep your tree in synch with the tree on Ancestry - although this is a fairly recent feature and can still be buggy. Most of the people who complain about the program on the forum seem to have very large trees (tens of thousands of ancestors), so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it if you are one of those. I have about 500 people in my tree and so far it seems to perform OK. The current version of FTM 2014 has just been released in the US (and is about to be released in the UK), but the price will probably drop in a few months (in the UK at least, if it follows the pattern of previous years). FTM will read in a PAF tree directly, by the way.
My advice would be download copies of any free programs you are interested in and try them out but also take a look at the FTM tutorials. Then choose whatever suits your individual likes and needs.

Chris.

PAF works in Windows 8.1

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 6:14PM GMT
Classification: Query
All,

I like the PAF software a lot and I still use it in Window 8.1 as my main program. I jumped from XP and I’m lucky I made a backup copy of PAF executable file, so I could install it on my new OS. I have had no problems yet.

I have used many versions of Family Tree Maker over the years and like that program too. I did not buy FTM 2014, because Windows 9 is coming out next summer. I will have to make two decisions; one is whether to upgrade to windows 9 OS and the other would be is it worth buying FTM 2015 ver. to take advantages of 9 and possibly more improvements with Ancestry? I hope PAF still works with Windows 9 OS.

Thanks for the link Dave,

Robert

Re: PAF works in Windows 8.1

Posted: 11 Jul 2014 9:57AM GMT
Classification: Query
Robert, any chance you'd be willing to e-mail me a copy of the PAF setup file? My computer recently crashed, and I'm desperate to get PAF back. I've tried a few other programs, but can't find any that I like even half as much.

My e-mail's emilyrose71982 @ yahoo . com (without the spaces, of course).

Re: PAF works in Windows 8.1

Posted: 14 Jul 2014 1:21PM GMT
Classification: Query
14 July 2014

The Silicon Valley Computer Genealogy Group (which has been around for a long time) has a link to a PAF download on another site:

http://www.svpafug.org/pages/downloads.html

As usual, scan the download for viruses, just to be on the safe side, but I would think it would be okay, coming via the SVCGG

Dave
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