Recently, more and more people began to solve the problem of Mac or PC for photo editing more radically, changing not the old processor to a new and not outdated Windows on the newly appeared, but a stationary PC to the laptop, the traditional x86 on Apple Macintosh and the familiar set “office-Photoshop-Internet Explorer” for analogs for Mac OS X.
It’s no secret that modern photography consists of two parts – shooting and processing, and post-processing takes no less, and often much longer time than the process of photographing. For example, you can read the article “The secret of beautiful photos – what’s left behind the scenes photography” and make sure, that preparation to the photo session takes a lot of time too. Back to our post-processing, modern processing requires modern methods, methods are usually meant software, and for proper and fast work of the programs you need the appropriate hardware.
For example, most salons offering photo editing service with various additional services mainly works for Windows in Adobe’s 2 most popular programs, it’s Lightroom program and universal appeal Photoshop. But progress forges ahead and retouchers, designers and photographers choose “Apple” in increasing frequency, as it is the best Mac computer for photo editing, in the arsenal of which there are their own programs for adjusting photos. You know perfectly well that modern photographers are quite helpless without a computer. Although the main tool, it’s still a camera. But without a lot of programs, it would not be possible to get beautiful pictures. So now we will understand which computer or laptop is best suited for processing photos. First let’s talk, why photographer needs a computer. For example, you took a picture of a person. Without any processing on the photo, skin defects will be visible, even minor, perhaps excessive shine, some unevenness. And all this must be removed. Make the skin perfectly smooth, adjust the chiaroscuro, depth of field. And in this we are helped by the world famous program Adobe Photoshop. With it you can change the picture, as you need. You can add absolutely any effects or completely replace the background of the photo. Accordingly, this requires a lot of computer resources. And here any person asks himself: Mac or PC for photo editing? To select a suitable laptop you need to determine the purpose of its use. For example: 1. Use as a stationary computer for processing photos with the ability to take it with you on a trip. 2. Increase the speed and efficiency of work in photo sessions. The opportunity to see the footage on the spot, quickly send photos to the client via the Internet – now these are the standards in the advertising photo. 3. A means of demonstrating the results of filming the client, friends, relatives. Functions can be either combined or divided. It is also necessary to forecast further use of the laptop. This directly affects both the selection process and its cost. 10 things to go back from Windows in favor of Mac machines
Released on Mac at the same time as other platforms thanks to Feral Interactive, F1 2017 delivers an impressively realistic take on the popular motorsport with loads of compelling content to explore. Standout software allows you to share your work in a wide range of ways that include printing at home and sharing online. Digital Scrapbooking for Mac Users. If you are in the market for Mac digital scrapbooking programs, a few of your best options overlap with the list of PC scrapbooking software.
The fact is that Mac, unlike most other computers of other brands, uses not traditional Windows from Microsoft, but own operating system OS X.
1. One global creator. The licensure of its operating system is more cost efficient for developer (we can see at Microsoft example) that is why Steve Jobs chose one right way to produce both hardware and software and made it the ace of trumps. But when it’s not about the benefits, but about the convenience of the user – Apple’s choice is better for everyone: and for users who do not need to worry about program compatibility and do not need to rush between the hardware manufacturer’s service center and the OS developer’s support, if something does not working. One company “Apple” is responsible for all their jambs. It’s convenient for the manufacturer too-again, he does not have to worry about supporting the Chinese hardware that is unknown, do not puzzle over what inconceivable combinations the highly educated user will come to mind to plug in expansion cards and do not have to release a million patches fixing the compatibility problem with some rare application. 2. Autonomy of MacBooks. However strange it may sound, OS X is much more power efficient than Windows. So, the computer running OS X consumes much less electricity. Here the MacBook Air can work more than 12 hours in normal operation. One more thing of photo editing Mac vs Pc: Haswell PCs have already come out, but they still work for 5-7 hours. 3. Versatility. Sometimes it so happens that you need to use multiple operating systems on the same computer. If you can work on the Mac with Windows easily, then the reverse situation causes a lot of problems. Of course, virtual machines are for any system. But as effective as Parallels Desktop – is just for the Mac. You can work with any Windows-based applications as if they were written for Mac. But on Windows this is not. Well, which system is more functional now? By the way, the myth about the limitation of OS X is just a myth. Often people, who talk about some kind of banal fencing in OS X, confuse this operating system with iOS. 4. This is Unix The OS X general processor unit is called XNU, and XNU is essentially a modified FreeBSD – a Unix-like operating system, like GNU / Linux, for example. Operating systems, called Unix-like, are characterized by increased stability and high performance due to optimal interaction with computer resources. 5. Cheap and high-quality software. When you install yourself Windows (or buy a computer with Windows) – which programs are at your disposal, other than the OS itself? Well there is Notepad, Clock, WordPad, Calculator… There is also a set of programs of the Windows Live family (Windows Live, Windows Live mail) that expand the functionality of the computer, but not many of them really want to leave, and they need to be installed separately, spend it your time. In general, company “Apple” believes that the user should not waste his time tuning the computer – and we fully agree with this. The user needs to write texts, read and analyze data, adjust Images, draw, install video, and not install programs and patches and do not dig into configuration files. To get more from a Windows computer – you need to put additional software, some of which costs a lot of money. Office applications are also not cheap. All this makes one think, that all the same the best Mac computer for photo editing. But if you buy a Mac, it’s different. Only turning on the computer, you get the opportunity to use and a full-fledged office suite from “Apple”. There is also an iMovie video editor, its functionality is not compared to the simple Windows Live Movie Studio. And, all this is already installed on your computer and ready to go. In addition, you can buy (literally two clicks in the Mac App Store) RAW-converter, in combination, the cataloger Aperture, which is more than twice cheaper than the similar Lightroom. And the application Pixelmator, which will be enough for most “masters” Photoshop. 6. Single logical interface. Microsoft, it seems, still cannot decide what is better: the new-fashioned tiled Metro or the classic “Desktop”. From this suffer users: only get used to tiles, it is worthwhile to launch an application that does not support Metro, as it is necessary to return to the old one. Especially inconvenient to users of tablets: in the classic interface, the fingers are a pain. OS X does not have such problem. “Apple” did not confuse the essence: the tablet is a tablet. It runs under mobile iOS and is controlled by fingers. A PC – is a PC, it has smart OS X with a familiar graphical interface: the cursor, the window. Do not think that we are against innovation – perhaps sometime in the computers there will be a touch interface. Perhaps even the release of such PCs will be occupied by “Apple”. But it should be a thoughtful interface, so that if not any application, then at least 90% of all programs support it. By the way, a single top panel with menus for all programs in OS X is also a very convenient thing. All settings are always in one place. 7. Updates. OS X, unlike Windows, will never say when shutting down or, more importantly, when turning on the computer: “Hey, user, I do not care about your business, I need to update here, so just wait a minute. Or 10 minutes. Or half an hour, well, you understand, right? Go for a walk”. Of course, you can turn off automatic Windows updates, but why, because you always have an up-to-date OS – it’s convenient and safe. Most of the updates to OS X are put in the background and do not even need to be rebooted. And if you still need to reboot – the OS will ask if you want to complete it right now or wait until you finish your work. After all, the OS is for the user, not the other way around. 8. You can forget about viruses. No, of course, companies that make money selling antivirus software will scare you: you, the user, cannot feel safe anywhere! You are attacked by malicious viruses from all sides and on OS X and iOS and even your Casio digital clock is not protected from malicious infection! Antivirus companies can understand: the growth of the PC share is gradually decreasing, while the growth of the Mac share is rapidly increasing. So they panic. So official representatives of these companies often act ugly, calling any malicious program a virus, although they themselves know perfectly that this is not so. People just used to be afraid of a virus, that’s why they use this terrible word. So go to the Mac and forget about viruses and antiviruses. Let your OS X always get the latest updates (after all, you will not be bothered at all, as we have already found out) – and “Apple” will take care of you. Because unlike Microsoft, it does not blame anyone, in which case the user will come to complain to them. 9. Expensive Mac? Cheap Mac! There is another myth that “Apple” computers are expensive. People who believe in this myth either did not study the market themselves, or consider that the computer consists of a processor, a hard drive, a motherboard and memory slots. A screen (if it’s a laptop) consists of battery, body and other does not matter. Well, maybe someone really does not care what size a laptop or desktop PC is, how much it weighs, what quality the screen is and how it all looks, after all. But whatever priorities the user has, everything costs money – this cannot be avoided. Two different computers with the same performance will cost different money if one of them is more compact. Compactness is worth the money because a lot of computer nodes (the same hard drive) take up a lot of space. Pushing it all into a compact case, so that nothing overheats, is not so easy – it’s a serious task for engineers who need to pay money. And if the company does not like the first solution, like “Apple”, and it is ready to re-evaluate the concept over and over again until it reaches the optimal proportions that are close to ideal, it also costs money. If you try to find competitors MacBook Air in all parameters, carry out an analysis of Mac vs PC for photo editing, you will find that these competitors are worth not less than the MBA itself, and even more expensive. And the competitors of the MacBook Pro and iMac for price, performance and size you do not find at all. Some manufacturers (we will not once again point fingers) sell huge heavy boxes at the price of the iMac, with a much less qualitative screen at the same time. 10. Ecosystem The most obvious thing we left for a snack. Even if other arguments in favor of the Mac did not convince you, then this one is simply obliged. All Apple devices have a similar design, the principle of operation, and most importantly – they perfectly interact with each other literally at the touch of a button and completely without wires. For example, you can easily connect to the MacBook desktop next to your iMac and transfer files from one desktop to another as if it were a single computer. And portable devices: iPod, iPad and iPhone can be synchronized with the computer also by pressing one button. Just place a check mar – what songs, photos, movies and programs you want to see on your device. Of course, there are some analogues of such an ecosystem under Windows, but there, alas, everything is far from being so deliberate and to make it all work sometimes you need to press not one but a lot of buttons. Also constantly “google” on the Internet – which button to press, and then did everything according to the instructions, but it does not work. Yes, and Microsoft itself is constantly changing the solution: then it releases the Zune for synchronization, then replaces it with the Windows Phone application. Mac vs pc for photo editing – Try the Mac machines
“Apple” is the most successful IT corporation in the world. Sales of iOS devices are breaking records. IPad – the most popular tablet, iPhone – the most popular smartphone, and iPod – the most popular player. It would seem that a complete monopoly. But all these are mobile gadgets. In computers, “Apple” does not have everything so smooth. Microsoft still owns the lion’s share of the OS market for computers.
Today there is a trend of transition from PC to “Macintosh” everywhere. The company “Apple” every day expands its range and offers all new and advanced products for its customers. Despite the higher cost, the best Mac for photo editing computers are assembled from traditionally high-quality parts, their design is well thought out, they are not becoming obsolete due to the manufacturer’s policy. The software on the “Macintosh” also features high stability, convenience, it is well optimized. On “Apple” computers running Mac OS X there are no viruses. Due to the thoughtfulness of the platform, the user does not need to know the details of the settings of the installed programs, think about network administration, cares about the interoperability of utilities, etc. Nevertheless, the ease of use and beauty of design solutions in the design and interface programs is still secondary. Like any computer, “Macintosh” is useful only as much as you personally benefit from the programs available on this platform. And there are a lot of programs on the “Macintosh”: office packages, development environments, graphics editors, various utilities, games, but not all of them deserve close attention – even in light of the possible purchase of “Apple Mac”. But we will tell you about the iconic products, programs that have the right to take the place of a convenient, everyday tool. To make sure you are finally convinced that the best Mac computer for photo editing, we will tell you what programs for processing and cataloging photos are offered by Mac. “Apple Aperture” is a program for complex processing of digital photo images, combining the capabilities of RAW-converter, simple image editor, cataloger and utility for preparing images for printing and posting on the Internet. The Aperture program was received by users of the Macintosh, fond of photography, with great approval. True, there were also voices of critics – especially since many alternative programs were already presented for professionals on the “Macintosh” and PC, many photographers put Mac vs PC for photo editing, because both has Adobe Lightroom, and a built-in Photoshop converter RAW-files. Summarizing the above, it can be argued that “Aperture” is aimed at professional photographers and is called upon to compete on an equal footing with competing RAW-converters on PC and for programs of photo editing Mac vs PC. But “Aperture” is winning thanks to expansion the audience, its mission to fill out niche programs for processing and cataloging photos combining ease of use and powerful potential. Super-tools for demanding users
From the “amateur” functions of programs for photo editing Mac vs PC, let’s move on to tools that are likely to be of interest to both the mass public and the more demanding users. Like any self-respecting program for “end-to-end” photo processing and publishing, “Apple Aperture” editor can help us design and print photo albums of various sizes directly as one of the stages of processing photos. There are several sizes available for page layout, several themes, and the ability to download new themes. Yes, now we do not need to run cumbersome programs, delve into the subtleties of layout, and all this lead to conclusion that the best Mac for photo editing.
Of the essential and unique features of “Aperture” in terms of image processing capabilities, we would like to mention, for example, the possibility of dotted retouching with the help of the “brushes” mechanism. This mechanism allows you to locally reproduce all the effects of “general” editing (lightening, darkening, changing exposure etc) – supporting for this such “thin” things as the degree of pressure on the pen (when working with a graphic tablet) and self-recognition of the edges of the object. Brushes also allow blurring the edges of the objects depicted, improving the skin texture in portraits, correcting light and chromatic problems. As a true large graphics processor, “Aperture” allow you to change the color ratio in a photo using the finest “curve” setting. The tool “Curves” in skillful hands is able to draw out literally any cadre, turn a good image into a masterpiece. So, add together all mentioned above, we can say that a very simple and convenient interface with clear logic of actions is the traditional property of most programs for Macintosh, excellent optimization for the hardware of the current line of models of Apple computers and the use of all the features of the 64-bit operating system Mac OS X, the widest set of tools for fine-tuning images from any The complexity of changes, the mass of options that allow dramatically improve the photo and effectively teach it in the network and on paper, accurate and high-quality algorithms for RAW-conversion and support for almost all modern photo formats A tome-meter – that’s what “Aperture”. It is a worthy continuer of the line of fine programs for “Macintosh” and one of the best modern developments of its kind. 7 best Mac-applications for photo editing
Probably often, looking through your digital photos, you said to yourself: “Not bad. But you can do a little better if something is corrected”. Useful utility iPhoto, built into any Mac, allows you to remove the red-eye effect, crop the image and play with color to understand that Photoshop Mac or PC applications are different. But if these functions are not enough for you, we advise you to familiarize yourself with more complex programs.
• Acorn 4 Acorn is an easy-to-use editor, a kind of alternative for those who do not need expensive and complex editors, such as Adobe Photoshop. In addition to a variety of standard functions and filters, Acorn allows you to overlay text over an image, as well as use various drawing tools, including vector graphics. The application supports Automator, AppleScript and JavaScript for more advanced users. Acorn costs money, but fully justifies its price thanks to numerous useful features. The application includes learning the basics, so you will never get lost in it. But if you face some problems and hesitations which program to choose, look at this video “Mac vs PC: Which One Is Better for Photo Editing?”, and Jerad of “State of tech host” will tell you some peculiarities. • GIMP GNU Image Manipulation Program, abbreviated GIMP, is a free alternative to Photoshop. This program is not available in the Mac AppStore, but it can be freely downloaded from the official developer site. And also you can download it on PC, try it both and decide where Photoshop Mac or PC works better? The menu is very different from the standard one, which we are used to seeing in other programs. However, its functions largely coincide with Photoshop. There is also a brush, a pencil and a stamp, there is an opportunity to work with text, apply various filters, and work with exposure and improve photos in other ways with just a couple of clicks. For some users, the program may seem too complicated; in this case, they should pay attention to other graphical editors. • Adobe Lightroom One of the main advantages of “Lightroom”, of course, is working with files in the RAW format. When working with photos, their originals remain unchanged, and you can very easily return to the original picture, canceling all previous actions. The difference from its older brother Adobe Photoshop is that “Lightroom” is great for cataloging and processing multiple photos. If you need more in-depth editing of individual photos, in this case, Photoshop is indispensable. In “Lightroom”, you can easily and quickly view the entire extensive library of photos, select or reject images, and then adjust their contrast, brightness, white balance or other important parameters. Any self-respecting company of photo processing has a part of photo editing prices, where they point what type of adjusting they offer, but almost no one share their secrets in which program they fix images. • PhotoLine PhotoLine is another alternative to Photoshop, but, this time, it’s not free. This editor is also designed for an advanced user and professional photographer-retouchers, who has already edited a lot of photos, knows the subtleties of processing and the tools he needs. Its user interface is a little weak, but despite this drawback, PhotoLine has an impressive set of useful functions. You can easily download a demo version of the editor from the official website of the developers, try out its features and make about it your own impression. • Photoshop CC What to say, this is the king of image editing programs and it does not matter which Photoshop Mac or PC you use. As you can already see, all the listed programs are somehow compared with Photoshop, and this already speaks for itself. This is a truly golden sample for all photo editors. Of course, it is not designed for the average user, but is an incredibly complex tool with many functions. But if you, having spent a lot of time, will understand it, you will get really beautiful photos. • Photoshop Elements If your needs are modest enough, and you do not need a full-fledged version of Photoshop, we suggest that you pay attention to another product from Adobe – Photoshop Elements. It also has many useful tools, but the interface of the program is more friendly and understandable. Here you can easily move objects to photos, remove the red-eye effect, enhance the color or create a panoramic image. And for customary user we can offer you to read the article about interesting effects “Best Photoshop manipulation ideas to try” to turn your photos into magazine’s cover. • Pixelmator In our opinion, this is one of the most convenient graphical editors for Mac. It supports many formats, it allows you to work with layers, apply various filters and other useful tools and for this is the best Mac for photo editing. Here there is a complete set for a full-fledged photo editing, starting with different ways of selecting objects and many brushes, finishing with the overlay of shadows and applying various effects. On the official site you can download a free trial version and evaluate the convenience of Pixelmator. Perhaps we have not listed the main features and benefits of Windows, but you probably know about them. Of course, you can read a lot of such articles and eventually choose: Mac or PC for photo editing?
Modern genealogy software has tons of useful features for everyone, from the rank amateur just starting out to the seasoned professional.
But with so many choices of software out there, which one is the best for you? Read on, and we’ll give you our top five picks.
Our picks
* Prices may vary; check websites for the latest prices before ordering. We may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post which help support this site.
2017 Mac ProGenealogy software basics
There are a bunch of things that you can expect any genealogical software to do:
In addition, some genealogy software today will let you:
So if all genealogy software does all this, does it really matter which program you pick?
Yes, it does, because each program does certain things better than others. The best one for you depends on how you plan to use it.
Here are our top 5 picks for genealogy software, in no particular order because they are all best at something.
Family Tree Maker 2017
Family Tree Maker, or FTM, has been around for decades, and is the best known and most widely used genealogy software.
It packs a lot of power, and is good all-around at just about everything.
Pros and cons
Family Tree Maker provides all of the features that you would expect from a genealogy program, and it does most of them very well.
The latest version of Family Tree Maker added a unique feature called FamilySync, which lets you automatically synchronize up to three family trees.
This is perfect if you have relatives who are working on the same tree as you. Any information you enter gets added to their trees, and vice versa.
They have also added the ability to color code your ancestors with up to eight different colors each.
This can be used to help you keep track of your research status, easily see which children were by a first wife or second wife, or any other use you can think of.
Family Tree Maker 2017 also includes a lightweight built-in image editor so you can make simple changes to enhance any photos connected to your family tree.
The program connects easily to both the Ancestry and FamilySearch websites, allowing you to download records directly into your tree.
It also provides extensive hints on places to search for more records when you are connected to the internet.
FTM 2017 is one of very few programs that now allows you to include same-sex marriages in your family tree.
On the negative side, while Family Tree Maker 2017 does offer an improved set of charts and reports, the charts are still not as extensive as Legacy 9.
Also, the company that produced Family Tree Maker changed in 2016.
The new company, Mackiev, has made a number of changes and improvements with their 2017 version, but don’t count on them to provide much support for older versions.
Family Tree Maker also tends to be the most expensive genealogy software out there, but for many people, it’s worth it.
Compatibility
FTM is available for both Windows (7.0 or later) and Mac (10.9 or later).
Online support
Because it has been around for so long and is used by so many people, Family Tree Maker has a wealth of online support in the form of tips, step by step instructions and tutorials, and even how-to videos.
Their website includes a free digital companion guide to get you started on using all of the program’s features.
While all this support is great in most cases, be aware that Family Tree Maker has changed a lot over the years, so some of that support might be out of date.
Still, there are so many users out there that you can always find a forum to ask questions and get expert answers quickly.
Integration
For years, Family Tree Maker has allowed you to connect with Ancestry to upload your family tree and to directly download records from Ancestry into your tree.
With the latest release, FTM now includes that capability for FamilySearch.com as well.
That means you can easily connect and share with the two largest genealogy sites out there with billions of online records available.
Where to buy
Family Tree Maker is available from http://www.mackiev.com/ftm/. There is no free trial available.
Legacy 9Best Mac Software Of 2017 2018
Legacy 9, also known as Legacy Family Tree 9, is a fully featured genealogy program that is considered by many to be the best on the market today.
It has plenty going for it, and only a couple of weak areas.
Pros and cons
Legacy 9 provides everything you would expect, plus a lot of neat extras that are new in the latest edition.
One powerful tool is the compare two people tool, which lets you examine two people side by side.
This is especially useful if you have two records with the same name, but you’re not sure if they’re the same person.
The side by side display lets you check them out easily rather than having to keep flipping back and forth.
Legacy 9 has the most extensive (and in most cases best looking) set of charts out of any genealogy program.
This gives you all sorts of options for printing out your results.
The latest release even includes a new X-DNA chart to track your genetic inheritance.
In addition to printed reports, Legacy 9 has built-in support to turn your family tree into a webpage automatically.
It also has a built-in web browser so you can check out online sites without having to switch back and forth between windows.
The program includes color coding for easy organization of your ancestors, such as tracking children from multiple marriages, and up to nine tags that can be used however you want.
Legacy 9 even includes a secure online backup for your family trees, so you never have to worry about losing your database.
On the down side, Legacy 9 does not support same-sex marriages yet, though that is supposed to be coming.
The Legacy website is less flashy than most and a little harder to navigate at times, but still includes a help center, forums, and more.
Compatibility
Legacy 9 is only designed for Windows, though their website includes instructions for how to make it work on a Mac using an emulator.
Online support
The Legacy website provides a variety of training videos and programs, and an extensive help center that includes user forums, troubleshooting advice, and even a suggestion box for you to tell them what features you’d like to see added.
Integration
Legacy 9 is specifically designed to work with a variety of useful (and free) websites, including FamilySearch, FindMyPast, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Find A Grave.
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It can search these sites for your ancestors automatically and give you hints on where to find more information.
Where to buyApple Mac Pro Desktop 2017
Legacy 9 is available from their website here, and is available in two versions.
The Standard version is completely free, allowing you to sample most of the features of Legacy with no time limit.
If you want to access all of Legacy’s features, you can purchase the Deluxe version.
Family Historian 6
Family Historian 6 is not nearly as well-known as Family Tree Maker or Legacy, but that doesn’t mean it is any less useful when it comes to recording your findings.
Pros and cons
Family Historian’s greatest strength is its ease of use.
If you’re looking for a program that you can use right out of the box from day one, this is it.
You can get started right away without having to read a lot of manuals or watch a bunch of tutorials.
Entering information into Family Historian is simple and intuitive.
The main screen includes both an ancestry chart and a separate details box for a selected individual, letting you enter information without losing sight of the big picture.
Family Historian includes a “smart trees” option that lets you expand or collapse different parts of your tree as needed.
That means you can concentrate on just a small section at a time without your other branches filling up the screen.
The program also offers tools to view two family trees side by side so you can compare them before deciding if you want to merge them.
Family Historian includes a dynamic mapping tool that not only lets you see where your ancestors were, but lets you color code them, zoom in and out, view all the events that happened at a particular location, and more.
Family Historian 6 also offers powerful tools for sharing your family tree with others in print or electronically. It includes about twice as many charts as Family Tree Maker, though not as many as Legacy 9, and they are not as artistic.
The lack of backgrounds leaves Family Historian charts looking a little dull compared to other programs.
Unfortunately, Family Historian 6 does not offer any support for DNA results at this point.
Compatibility
Family Historian 6 runs on Windows (Vista, 7, 8, and 10).
Online support
The Family Historian website includes quick start guides and tutorials, but has a more limited online community compared to other products, especially Family Tree Maker.
On the other hand, because it is produced by a British company, the Family Historian community might be particularly helpful for those researching family roots in the United Kingdom.
Integration
The program links directly with the MyHeritage and Findmypast websites, letting you easily locate information on your ancestors and download it directly into your family tree.
However, unlike the other programs on our list, it does not include direct linking with Ancestry or FamilySearch.
Where to buy
Family Historian 6 is available from Amazon here. There is also a 30-day free trial if you want to test it out before you buy.
RootsMagic 7
RootsMagic is not as well-known as some of the other genealogy software, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t just as good. It offers all of the basics you need, plus some useful bonus features.
Pros and cons
RootsMagic has some powerful features that you won’t find in many programs, including the ability to have more than one database open at the same time.
That makes it a lot easier to compare databases and copy information from one to the other.
You can even drag and drop people directly from one database to the other.
One of the best things about RootsMagic is a unique feature called RootsMagic To-Go, which lets you load a portable copy of the program onto a USB drive.
That way you can take it with you and use it on any computer wherever and whenever you want.
This can make doing research on the road, at libraries, courthouses, or wherever, much easier, and lets you enter search results right away.
RootsMagic makes it simple to share your findings. Built-in tools help you create custom webpages, CDs, and DVDs, and offers plenty of print options as well.
This program is one of the few that currently allows you to include same-sex marriages in your family tree, and can manage other complex relationships as well.
Compared to other programs, RootsMagic does not have as many charts available, but it has extensive options for creating every sort of report you’re ever likely to want.
On the negative side, RootsMagic’s interface is not as nice looking or easy to use as other programs. That can make it more frustrating for folks just starting out in genealogy.
Compatibility
RootsMagic 7 works on the greatest range of operating systems of any of our picks, including every version of Windows since Windows 2000 and XP, and on Macs (10.8 and later).
Online support
The RootsMagic website is more limited than most of the others. It does include some video tutorials and how-to guides, but not as much other support, and has a smaller user community.
Integration
RootsMagic 7 is able to connect and download directly from such sites as Ancestry, MyHeritage and FamilySearch, giving you access to a ton of online records and databases.
Where to buy
RootsMagic 7 is available from Amazon here.
RootsMagic Essentials 7 is a free version of the software which includes all of the basics you need to get started, and can be used as long as you want.
However, the free version does not include a lot of the best features, such as RootsMagic To-Go.
Family Tree Heritage 9
Rounding out our top five picks, Family Tree Heritage 9 lacks a lot of the bells and whistles that the other programs have. Still, it covers all of the basics with flying colors, and has a few great features of its own.
Pros and cons
Family Tree Heritage lets you connect to Ancestry, FamilySearch, and RootsWeb, giving you instant access to billions of online records.
Even better, it can help you add other sites as well, something most software doesn’t allow.
That can be a great help when searching for information from other countries around the world.
Like our other top five choices, Family Tree Heritage provides web hints for getting the most out of your online connections.
Family Tree Heritage has powerful tools to make it easy to merge two family trees together, saving you hours of crosschecking and identifying duplicate records.
The program makes it easy to add news sources, and a ditto tool that lets you quickly connect one source to many individuals. This can be a great time saver.
Best Mac Software Of 2017 Pdf
One of the best features of Family Tree Heritage is the way you process bulk changes in your family tree all at once.
If you find a mistake, like a misspelled town name, you only need to fix it in one spot, and the program can update it everywhere else for you instantly.
Other features include a research timeline that organizes what you do (and don’t) know about an ancestor chronologically, color coding to help organize family branches both on your computer and in print, and the ability to add up to three custom tags to each ancestor so you can group them however you want.
Family Tree Heritage is mixed when it comes to producing charts and reports.
It is great for producing quick, easy to read reports, but it has a more limited choice of charts with generally uninteresting backgrounds.
So if you want fancy charts, it’s not so hot, but if you want to see your info in report format, it’s probably the best.
On the negative side, Family Tree Heritage is the only one of our five picks that does not include an in-app browser.
That means you have to switch back and forth between programs if you want to look up information online in most cases.
However, it does support direct searching of Ancestry and FamilySearch databases from within the program.
Family Tree Heritage 9 does not include a mapping feature, so you can’t track your ancestors visually. It also does not support same-sex marriages.
Compatibility
Family Tree Heritage 9 is only available for Windows.
Online support
Family Tree Heritage 9 has some online tutorials, but overall offers a lot less than the other programs on our list. It has a very limited online community.
Integration
The software allows direct downloads of records from Ancestry and FamilySearch.
It can often be set up to work with other websites as well. However, it does not let you directly modify your family tree on Ancestry, only through manual uploads.
Where to buy
Family Tree Heritage 9 is available from http://www.familytreeheritage.biz/. There is no free trial available.
So which software is for you?
Which program is best? As with so many things, that depends on you, and how you plan to use it.
In the end, don’t agonize too much about picking the wrong program. In most cases, all of them will do what you need especially if you are just starting out.
Worst case scenario, all these programs let you export your data as a GEDCOM file, which can be loaded into any other genealogy software.
It won’t copy everything, such as photos and videos, but it will save you from starting from scratch.
So decide what your main priority is, pick the program that looks best for you, and get started searching for your family roots today!
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