* Running Family Historian successfully on Mac OS X

[mjashby]

As I've had some spare time over the past couple of weeks I decided to experiment a bit more with the alternative methods of installing and running Family Historian versions (and some other Windows Genealogy software) on Mac OS X. As I have licenses for Windows 7 and 8/8.1 my main method is to run a Virtual Windows Machine on both of my Mac Computers using Parallels/VirtualBox.

Having experimented with various methods of creating a WINE based Family Historian package that runs 'independently' of a Windows installation my preferred approach is to work with the Opensource software 'Wineskin' available at http://wineskin.urgesoftware.com/tiki-index.php - I've discounted use of Winebottler - http://winebottler.kronenberg.org - for a variety of reasons; and see little point in paying for the commercial alternative 'Crossover' which, it seems, cannot produce a better result than the Opensource alternatives.

After undertaking a bit of research into the installation processes and what Windows dependencies are required by Family Historian I have successfully created working copies of Family Historian Versions 2, 3, 4 and 5 - still have the software and licences/registration IDs for each version - and it was a relatively painless process.

My Version 5 installation displays the same trait (problem) as those conversions undertaken by others with Crossover, i.e. narrative (rtf) reports don't display on screen, but can be seen in print preview and/or can be printed. It's is also not possible to launch the PDF User Guide from 'Help', but it's an easy task to copy the PDF out of the installation to view it externally on the Mac. Strangely, narrative reports are viewable on screen in Versions 2, 3 and 4 of Family Historian, so Calico Pie developers obviously changed something in Version 5, but it's not clear what.

I still need to fully test use of plug-ins, but everything else seems to function well and I can freely edit my Family Historian Projects/Gedcoms without having to fire-up a Windows Virtual System for the full experience on every occasion.

If any Mac user wants a walk-through of the Family Historian installation process using Wineskin, just let me know. As an aside I have also achieved a working installation of Ancestral Sources 4 and some other Windows genealogy software. i.e. Behold, Geves 2 and RootsMagic 6, each of which I use from time to time.

Mervyn Ashby

[Jane]

Please feel free to extend or add a page with the details already on
how_to:install_family_historian_with_crossover_wine|How to Install Family Historian with Crossover and Wine.

[mjashby]

Jane,

Thanks. I'll try to put together a step-through process this week for installing FH4/5 with the Wineskin app and see if I can blend it into the current Knowledge Base page design.

Technically, it should be possible to put together a pre-prepared Wineskin Wrapper (referred to as a 'Bottle' in Crossover) which is user ready for a Family Historian 4/5 installation. This could then be downloaded by anyone interested. I'll take a look at this possibility as well.

Mervyn

[Jane]

Thanks that sounds great. If it is possible to build a run ready bottle, if you let me have a copy I can upload it on to the FHUG servers for you.

[amk1609]

Mervyn
Was very interested to read your post, I have just purchased my first Mac (MacBook Pro) and after a lot of reading, still confused as to the best option to take for running Family Historian (currently running V5 under Windows 7).
I don't have a standalone Windows licence (only the OEM version which comes with my PC) - needed for Parallels??? VM Fusion ???? but not for Crossover/Wine if I have understood correctly.
Would appreciate any advice/help you can offer - I am not a huge user of plugins if they are a problem, though I have downloaded (and tailored) one or two which I find very useful.
Completely off topic, but I also need to run Microsoft Money 2005 on the Mac, so it would be useful to know if you have any experience of that, and if any one of the possibilities for FH would be preferable taking that into account?
Not in a great hurry to do this as about to go on holiday, but would like to look at your solutions next month if possible.
Thanks in advance
Andrea

[mjashby]

Andrea,

I'll post a 'full' reply and list of options for your return from holiday.

Basically there are two:

1. A Windows Virtual Machine
2. Use one of the 'Wine' options to 'convert' individual Windows software applications to run directly on the Mac without a Windows installation.

To try these out and decide which approach is best for you, I would recommend trying the 'free' Opensource route first, rather than 'investing' in commercial software you may not be happy with, i.e. VirtualBox to try running a full Windows Virtual Machine; and/or try Wineskin or Winebottler to create a Mac-like version of your individual applications

I primarily use VirtualBox/Windows 7/Windows 8.1 having recently converted from Parallels, but have also created and am continuing to test working versions of Family Historian and Ancestral Sources using both Wineskin and Winebottler. I also use Microsoft Money 2005 in a virtual Windows setup: It reportedly can run under Wine, but I haven't tried it yet. Will test when I have a few minutes, to see if it's a straightforward conversion.

Have a great holiday.

Mervyn

[tatewise]

I believe both Parallels and VM Fusion require a Retail Windows Licence (not OEM Licence) whereas Crossover/Wine definitely do not.

This page on Crossover website suggests Microsoft Money does not run:
https://www.codeweavers.com/compatibili ... curPos=500