Family Historian User Group

It would be great to have some feedback on the new version. Please post any comments to this tread.

Thanks [cool]

ID:207

At first glance this looks to be an excellent upgrade.

There are so may changes that it will take weeks to look at them all.

The first one I found was the merging place names - brilliant for tidying up misspelt names.

I will keep looking at others and come back.

On a slightly downside - no support for wheel mouse[frown]

I find the wheel works in most places. As long as I ensure the 'focus' is on the list. eg click somewhere in the record window rather than in the position to box.

Downloaded, installed and working in about 30 seconds flat, fantastic.
Wheel mouse works fine for me.
Haven't checked all the amendments that's going to take ages but for the moment I'm happy that it just opens up the right size now.
Thanks Simon, Jane, and anyone else involved.[grin]

What a great Christmas Present!
I am extremely pleased with the large number of improvements.Many thanks to Simon for such a comprehensive FREE Upgrade.[smile]

What a great Christmas Present!
I am extremely pleased with the large number of improvements.Many thanks to Simon for such a comprehensive FREE Upgrade.[smile]

What a great Christmas Present!
I am extremely pleased with the large number of improvements.
Many thanks to Simon for such a comprehensive FREE Upgrade.[smile]

Agreed. Lightening installation and my files open with the familiar format, with no problems.

8 pages of new features will take some time to master, as I still have not  learnt all the features of version 2.18. But the ones I tried worked well.

Thank you FH.

OK - I really should read the notes before putting pen to paper (figurativly speaking that is!)

Yes the mouse wheel does work in most places when you set focus (not standard - but I will get used to it. It does not work in the diagram window but there is an alternative which is probably better anyway (in case yoy have not found it hold down the space bar and drag) Where it does not work is in reports - but no doubt this will come at a later date!

Non of this detracts from what is now probably the easist, and most powerful, programs of its type - can't wait to see what is in version 2.3[rolleyes]

I once had limited capabilities with the mouse wheel until I realised I had not reinstalled the mouse software after a system rebuild. I downloaded the latest mouse driver (I had upgraded to Win2000) and it now works in diagrams and reports.

Many thanks for 2.2 free download.  No problems downloading, and I am XP, (once I had worked out what you have to do - might have been good to have 'noddy' instructions for internet novices like myself, though Simon has now provided them on the Digest).

Love the support for places, occupations, etc.  one big problem solved (I like places, etc. input the same, where they are the same, but can never remember the format I used previously, so this is fantastic.  Works a treat.).

One thing I was looking forward to there being in this version, that doesn't seem to be there is book/narrative reports.  (Sorry, I know I sound so ungrateful, but I know a lot of us were looking for that.)  What are the plans for these?  As far as I'm concerned, once they're in FH, it's perfect.

Thanks once again for a great Xmas pressie.  Trouble is, I'm now distracted from the other things I should be doing...[grin]

Fran, take a look at the Mailing list article Simon posted yesterday.

By my reckoning, version 2.2 includes about 20 of the items on the Family
Historian User Group Wish List see the website), of which 5 were in the top 10 last time I looked. So do keep contributing to the Wish List. We check it periodically and try to implement Wish List items where we can.

I think that covers the future as well. Also don't forget an update, which covers the variety of things this one does is not bad for a freebe.

Hi Jane

I truly didn't mean to sound ungrateful for what is a very comprehensive and indeed free upgrade!  I just thought that the book/narrative reports would make a fantastic package just perfect, and was a bit disappointed that they weren't included this time.  I exchange info with quite a few people, and they find the narrative format the easiest to deal with.  They all use FTM, so once narrative/book reports are included in FH, I'll recruit many converts, I'm sure!

Hopefully next time, maybe?

I purchased and installed FH two weeks ago and have spent many a pleasant hour working through the User Manual. I upgraded to 2.2 today and things just get better and better! Congratulations to Simon and Co for a great job. Being a 'new kid on the block' I may be back with a few queries!

Hi Jane
I'm not sure if this applies to either general usage or is specific to 2.2. Using the example Peabody family in the User Manual and browsing records by expanding branches, there are numbers within brackets after each entry. What is the purpose of these numbers? What are they telling me? I do not recall seeing these in v 2.1, but then perhaps I did'nt notice them! I also am unable to find reference to these in the User Manual.

Robert,
The numbers you see are the record IDs for the record they follow. They are a new feature to FH version 2.2 and they can be turned off if you wish. Go to 'tools', 'record window options' and uncheck the box 'show record IDs for linked records'.
All of the new features in 2.2 are explained if you go to the Family Historian web site and open the link to 'whats new in FH version 2.2' It is well worth printing off a copy of this (about 7 pages) to study and refer to.
I hope this helps.
Peter E

I think there is an intention to update the manual fully at some point, but Calico wanted to get the upgrade out rather than waiting for the full manual.

I may be that either I'm doing something wrong (I am new!) or have found a possible bug with 2.2. I have added (via the Property Dialog box) both a family note and a note linked to several members of the same family. All works well until I find that pressing the 'Tab' button does'nt accept the note. However, closing the Dialog box and then reopening it confirms the note as been accepted.

I may be that either I'm doing something wrong (I am new!) or have found a possible bug with 2.2. I have added (via the Property Dialog box) both a family note and a note linked to several members of the same family. All works well until I find that pressing the 'Tab' button does'nt accept the note. However, closing the Dialog box and then reopening it confirms the note as been accepted.

Robert, I think this has been covered else where in the forums. It is to do with the way windows handles memo boxes such as that used for notes. Calico are aware, but it may be difficult to change.

I've spent only a few hours with FH 2.2, but my immediate response is that it is heading in exactly the direction that I had hoped for.  I had known that the ability to configure records columns was on the wish list, and I am happy to see this implemented so soon; the additional ability to add tags goes a long way toward taking care of the fundamental item on my wish list: organizational features.  Now if only there were more control over the sort order...

Don't forget you can use the properties dialog in conjunction with Query Results and Queries can be sorted on multiple columns.

In the records view, it is now possible to have columns with checkboxes to indicate inclusion in lists.  This makes me very happy, but alas I am already seeking enhancements.  A query can include or exclude individuals who are in a particular list, but I want to display all individuals along with their various checkboxes, and sort them as needed by clicking on columns so that the most recently clicked column becomes first in the sort order, with the previous order otherwise retained.  Sorting doesn't happen this way in the query results either; the initial order can be controlled for multiple columns, but it is static, and clicking columns wreaks havoc.  Someone requested sort order control on the user listserv, and Simon Orde responded with a description of exactly what I am requesting.  I don't see this on the wish list yet, so I'll add it.

Hello all,
In the notes 'whats new in FH 2.2' in the paragraph 'Improvements to the records window' there is a line which says 'un-editable data is now greyed to make it clearer that the data is not editable'. How do I see this greyed data, what is it, where is it? I seem to remember when I first installed the 2.2 upgrade that I saw some greyed in lettering in the records window but I cannot find it now.
Am I looking in the wrong place or has it disappeared.Will someone please direct me to it. Thanks.

Peter E[confused]

The greyed out information is when you drill down on families and the person you came down from is shown again.

Eg open person open family as child display children on family.

The original person is greyed out.