* V7 Upgrade

[Lawrence]

I originally upgraded from V5 to V7.0.11. Help dropdown tells me that 7.0.18 is available. It won't download from my app and I don't see it even mentioned on the web site. What am I doing wrong?

[BillH]

For some reason it seems trying to update from within the program doesn't always work.

You can download the latest version here, https://www.family-historian.co.uk/install7.

Bill

[Gowermick]

That may be true, but it worked for me

[Mark1834]

Quite a few changes considering it’s only three weeks since the previous update. Many of them seem to reflect recent FHUG discussions, so good to see.

[tatewise]

The update details for V7.0.18 are listed at https://www.family-historian.co.uk/v7-updates and includes:

Some users – especially Windows 7 or Windows 8 users – reported that if they click “Check for Updates” on the Help menu, and are told that there is a new version, and then click the ‘Upgrade Now’ button, a progress dialog appears but the progress bar never moves. This has been fixed.

This is the problem that the OP and others have been reporting for some time.

[NickWalker]

I assume therefore that this issue will still be there for some users upgrading from an earlier version to v7.0.18 and will only be fixed for those who have v7.0.18 (or later) and update to another version in the future.

[tatewise]

Yes, that is my interpretation.

[Mark1834]

It's perhaps slightly disappointing that information about updates continues to be patchy. Sometimes, Jane makes an announcement, but presumably that needs both CP to tell her and for her to be free to make the announcement on their behalf. Sometimes, it's posted on the Family Historian Notice Board, but that seems to be managed on a "best endeavours" basis, with only one new post in the past five months.

IMO, RM do it much better, with permanent News and Updates sections on the home page, and with a list of recently used files. Yes, it's one more click to get working with your current project, but (again, IMO of course), well worth it for the more reliable communication with users.

[ColeValleyGirl]

I'm happy enough with checking for updates automatically on startup -- I'd rather not be bombarded via other channels about minor version upgrades (and thankfully, most of the other programmes I use don't do it either).

[Mark1834]

That's a perfectly reasonable position, but the patchy notifications in FH don't give a great impression. IMO, it should decide on the preferred route, stick with it, and do it properly. Even something like a permanent link to the latest updates might be useful, either within the program help menu or anchored to the top of the Notice Board page.

Anyway, who said anything about "bombarding"? All I'm asking for is that information be available (not proactively pushed down users' throats) in a consistent and accessible way.

[mjashby]

I usually do a regular single-click check via https://www.family-historian.co.uk/v7-updates if there have been no recent update announcements, probably because I rarely apply any software updates until/unless I've seen a corresponding change log; and I also tend to switch off autoupdates whenever possible.

Mervyn

[ColeValleyGirl]

Bombarding would be my backup software provider emailing me 10 times in the last two weeks to tell me there's an update, because they've noticed I haven't upgraded...

CP couldn't/shouldn't rely on any announcements here -- FHUG users are only a proportion of FH users.

Check for Updates (manually within the programme from the Help menu item) includes a link to 'What's New' if there's an update available, but I agree a link from the Notice Board would be good. As far as I can see, it's not on the FH websire menu at all, but buried as a link under Downloads > Latest Free Update.

[Mark1834]

If there is nothing in the latest update that fixes something that impacts me or is a must-have addition, I generally leave it for a couple of weeks to ensure there are no issues, and have my desktop on the current issue and the laptop on the previous stable one.

[tatewise]

Also, the link to 'What’s New in Version 7', the link to 'V7 Updates' and the link to 'Install FH V7' are uncoordinated with each on a different webpage. Presumably the Help > Check for Updates > What's New button links to 'What’s New in Version 7' which is not important for an interim update, and 'V7 Updates' is what matters.
i.e.
Home page links to What’s New in Version 7 but no links to installing or buying FH V7.
Latest Free Update links to Version 7 Updates but no other useful links especially as the advice to use Help > Check for Updates did not always work.
Download Archive links to Install Family Historian 7 which seems inappropriate here.

[NickWalker]

It's perhaps slightly disappointing that information about updates continues to be patchy. Sometimes, Jane makes an announcement, but presumably that needs both CP to tell her and for her to be free to make the announcement on their behalf. Sometimes, it's posted on the Family Historian Notice Board, but that seems to be managed on a "best endeavours" basis, with only one new post in the past five months.

IMO, RM do it much better, with permanent News and Updates sections on the home page, and with a list of recently used files. Yes, it's one more click to get working with your current project, but (again, IMO of course), well worth it for the more reliable communication with users.

I expect CP do what I do (and many other software creators do the same) which is to release an update fairly quietly so that those who 'seek' updates will find it, install it and these kinds of people are also likely to try it out and report any show-stopper errors fairly quickly. If all is quiet after a few hours or days (and CP will be able to count the downloads to ensure it has been installed by enough people) they will trigger the notification of the update in FH. Most people shouldn't be installing updates until they get a notification in the software.

[ColeValleyGirl]

Presumably the Help > Check for Updates > What's New button links to 'What’s New in Version 7' which is not important for an interim update, and 'V7 Updates' is what matters.

I think in FH7 it goes to V7 Updates, from memory.

Home page links to What’s New in Version 7 but no links to installing or buying FH V7.

Except for the bit that says 'For purchase options and prices, please visit the Store.'

Latest Free Update links to Version 7 Updates but no other useful links especially as the advice to use Help > Check for Updates did not always work.

Once/if the fix in 7.0.18 works, there should be no need for different advice?

Download Archive links to Install Family Historian 7 which seems inappropriate here.

Why is it inappropriate? It's redirecting people who have ended up in the wrong place.

[tatewise]

Latest Free Update links to Version 7 Updates but no other useful links especially as the advice to use Help > Check for Updates did not always work.

Once/if the fix in 7.0.18 works, there should be no need for different advice?

We shall see.

Download Archive links to Install Family Historian 7 which seems inappropriate here.

Why is it inappropriate? It's redirecting people who have ended up in the wrong place.

But that is the only link and if the user needs to keep an archive of old versions to revert to in emergencies then that installation page is difficult to find. It also has useful activation advice that I don't believe is readily available elsewhere.