* Trying to send copy of FH Project to a friend.

[barbara348]

Hi, I am trying to send a copy of my Whole Project to a friend, (she & I are currently using FH Version 5) so that she can also have the info & see the photos as well that are in the Project.

I'm writing to ask for advice please which regard to the best way of sending it to her so could someone tell me if my proposed action as follows is correct:
I have used the 'Copy Project' option on the Project 'More Tasks' menu and copied the Whole Project to a USB flash drive, I then copied it from the flash drive to a seperate folder in my documents and then attached it to an email - pending being sent.(I'm not confident about sending the USB in the post because of all the family info on it).

Is my proposed action workable please?

If it is ,what method should my relative employ to open the folder correctly/successfully please, I need to advise her on this as well.

If my proposed action is incorrect, could someone advise me of the best/right way to copy & send my Project?

I kow that these questions must be regarded as pretty basic to the regular users of FH but I would appreciate some guidance please.. Thank you. Barbara.

[davidm_uk]

I guess the first question is how big is that folder with your whole project inside it? If it's much bigger than 10Mb your (or your friend's) email might not accept it. Does your email program tell you how big it is? If not, use Windows Explorer, find the folder, right click on it and on the drop down menu that appears click Properties at the bottom of that list. What does it say the Size: is?

If less than 10Mb then you're probably OK to email it. If not then you'll need to find another way of getting it to her (via a website maybe). Do you use Dropbox/OneDrive/Google Drive?

Assuming that the folder has the name of your project, and that your friend doesn't have a project with the same name, then when they get the email they can just save the attachment into their FH Projects folder on their computer. When they open FH it should appear in their list of projects, and they can just open it. First thing I'd do is use Tools...External File Links and check that all of the multimedia files (assuming that you have some - photos, images of certificates etc) are all displayed and that none are marked with a "x". If they are then come back here for help with fixing it.

What they won't get of course are any customisations that you may have made to your FH (custom diagram, reports, facts etc).

PS even the Family Historian Sample Project is 12.2Mb, and that's not a huge "tree".

[tatewise]

Much of David's advice is very good.

Check Tools > Work with External File Links and ensure they all start with Project Data Folder - Media and no disk drive letters are mentioned. Ensure there are no X marks. If any doubts here then please ask. The purpose is to ensure all Media in your Project's Media folder will transfer to your friend successfully.

Rather than Copy Project I strongly advise you use File > Backup/Restore > Medium Backup and save the .zip file in a memorable location. You then have just that one file to send to your friend. They will use File > Backup/Restore > Restore and select that .zip file to import your Project.

I don't think you can send a folder of multiple files as an Email attachment. You are more likely to succeed with a single .zip file if it is small enough. What makes you think Email is any safer than posting a USB stick? Email is not encrypted and easily intercepted. If you are that concerned then invest in an encryption tool and share the key with your friend.

If you have custom Fact definitions, or any specific Queries or Reports or Diagram styles you want to share then they need to be sent too.

[mjashby]

I agree with Mike Tate that sending 'confidential' information via e-mail is inherently unsafe. Just think about the dire warnings issued by financial organisations about NOT disclosing account or any personal details in e-mails?

Creating a 'zip' file is by far the most effective way and; if you create such a file with a utility such as the free '7-zip' compaction software rather than using FH's own backup method, you can also password the file(s) and communicate any passwords separately, which improves security. 7-zip can handle most compaction formats; and also has its own format which is more efficient than zip (smaller compacted file size).

Alternatively use a free Cloud service such as OneDrive, Google, Dropbox etc. to store the file; and simply provide your family member with a download link to the file, which counters the size limitations that exist on transferring files via e-mail, as these do exist on virtually all e-mail services. And, even if the file you create will transfer as an e-mail attachment, please remember there is nothing more irritating to a recipient than their e-mail account seeming to freeze endlessly while it downloads 'huge' attachments they have no control over.

Mervyn

[barbara348]

Hello David, Mike & Mervyn.

Thank you all for your replies and the advice therein.

It's all really helpful and appreciated.

I have discussed it briefly with my friend and she has requested a copy of the Gedcom file only at the moment, until we can decide how best to send the whole project in a way that she can understand also. I've sent her a copy of your posts to read.

I'm going to use the Export Gedcom in the Project window menu to send the Gedcom file to her as an email attachment, which hopefully will work o.k.

Thank you all for taking the time to advise.

Barbara.

[tatewise]

I don't think there is an Export Gedcom command in File > Project Window.

I suggest you use File > Import/Export > Export > GEDCOM File and Select All people but exclude all Media.

Send that Gedcom file and your friend can use File > Project Window > New Project and import that file.

[barbara348]

Hello Mike,

Thanks for that.

Barbara.