* Portable FamilyHistorian?

[edmacke]

FH tech support tells me there's no way to create a "portable" version of Family Historian (i.e. a version of the program and data that can be run solely from a flash drive on a computer that doesn't have FH installed).

I was wondering if anybody knew of a workaround, or an alternate way of providing that functionality.

Currently, I'm using RootsMagic7, and it allows me to do this. I can go to the library, run RM and see my current data and input any new findings, and upon returning home, sync the new flash drive data with the old desktop data.

I can't imagine going to the library and doing research without this. How am I supposed to see my current data - an exported GEDCOM file? Eww. A printed copy? For 15,000 people??? And how am I supposed to input my new findings? Write it down on a paper pad and transcribe it when I get home? I've tried that, and it's not a lot of fun....

Any ideas?

[edmacke]

Dang it, wrong forum.

I think this should be in Using Family Historian > General Usage, as opposed to User Group Information > General.

Sorry.

[tatewise]

I have moved this to the General Usage Forum.

See how_to:family_historian_on_imac_ipad_android_etc|> Family Historian on Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, etc that offers ways to get your FH data onto portable devices, but not pen drives. One alternative is PC Remote Control such as TeamViewer which is available as a portable app and is free for personal use.

Many FH users simply have a cheap laptop/netbook to take out and about, that works in many other situations than libraries. (Your FH licence allows two installs - see how_to:about#licence_agreement|> FH Licence Agreement.)

I am not sure that every library would allow portable programs to be run from pen drives anyway, as they may compromise the PC setup. Some libraries offer WiFi and maybe that grants the same access to research tools as the library PC?

[edmacke]

Many FH users simply have a cheap laptop/netbook to take out and about, that works in many other situations than libraries.

Hmm. That's not a bad idea. I think I have a spare laptop or two lying about. I could take care of manually syncing data to my desktop, that's no problem.

The biggest downside I could see is that notes or images couldn't simply be copy-and-pasted/saved from one device to another, but I could live with that.

I am not sure that every library would allow portable programs to be run from pen drives anyway, as they may compromise the PC setup.

Honestly, I was a little surprised they did! I was fully expecting for something to kick in and disallow running an executable from a flash drive, but nope...!

Some libraries offer WiFi and maybe that grants the same access to research tools as the library PC?

That's a thought, too.

All the library's tools are browser-based (many you can use from home by signing in, but some - like Ancestry - you have to use from a library computer). But if I'm on the library's WiFi, I might be considered a "library computer". One way to find out...

[tatewise]

It is perfectly possible to synchronise your entire Family Historian Projects folder (including all Media files) or any other folders, between two PC via cloud storage or other sync utilities. See fhugdownloads:synchro|> Downloads and Links ~ Synchronise and Backup Tools for DropBox, OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.

Ancestry can be used at home via a subscription (some services are even free) just like FindMyPast and virtually all other web research sites. Although often library membership lets you use Ancestry there for free via the Library subscription. See research:useful_research_web_sites|> Useful Research Web Sites. What makes you think Ancestry cannot be used at home? I use it at home.

[edmacke]

What makes you think Ancestry cannot be used at home? I use it at home.

Sorry if that was confusing.

Our library itself has a license to Ancestry, so it's free for patrons (I just found out about this recently). You log into the library website, and follow their provided links, and it redirects you to the site (presumably using some library licensing credentials or whatnot). They also have licenses for newspaperarchive.com, Fold3, MyHeritage, HeritageQuest, and many others, which is awesome.

For virtually everything, you can use the sites by logging into the library website from the comfort of home.

But for some reason, for Ancestry, you can only use it if you're using a computer that's physically located in the library. It must be part of the licensing agreement they have with Ancestry.

[tatewise]

Yes, that is awesome and all your assumptions are probably correct.
Here in the UK we have to visit the library to use their subscription services.

Did the cloud storage FH synch technique make sense?

[edmacke]

Did the cloud storage FH synch technique make sense?

Sorry, yes! Thanks for the info and links - very helpful.

Between the laptop idea, and using Google Drive for syncing, and understanding that a single GEDCOM file is the master source for FH, I feel like I have quite a few options now!

[Valkrider]

One thing you could consider is running VirtualBox on your flashdrive. This give you a virtual machine with Windows and Family Historian. It is similar to what I do on my Mac to run Family Historian.

See http://www.howtogeek.com/188142/use-por ... verywhere/ for instructions on how to do this.

Caveat: I have not tried this.

[tatewise]

Colin, I don't think that is viable on a library PC, because it says to install the appropriate drivers and system services Administrator access is required , and that will not be granted on a public PC.

[Valkrider]

Mike, it may be worth a try though, it just depends on how the library computer is set up. For the sake of a bit of work to set up on the memory stick it may be worth it.

[edmacke]

I could try the VirtualBox, although I do agree it sounds like a longshot.

So what about this... instead of FamilyHistorian, what if I installed AncestralSources and my FH GEDCOM file on the flash drive, and ran that?

[tatewise]

I don't think AS is a portable app any more than FH.