Run FH Project from Flash drive

Johnyeates · Post by **Johnyeates** » 02 Oct 2010 12:44

Hi,
Is it possible to install FH onto a flash drive with all the media etc so it will run. There are 16+ Gb memory sticks available now.
I want to give my children the Family tree so they can just plug the flash drive into their computers and run FH even if I have to buy further copies.

John

ID:4816

Post by **tatewise** » 02 Oct 2010 13:52

A number of options immediately come to mind - all free.

You could download and install the free Family Historian V3 Read Only Version on your children's PC. Then all you need to give them is a memory stick containing the entire Project Folder. It even works if you are using FH V4. However, there are some limitations to the Read Only Version see http://www.family-historian.co.uk/downl ... ly-version.

You could use Tools > Make a Family Tree CD and put the results onto the memory stick.

You could even use Internet > Create a Website and either put that on a memory stick or even publish it on the Internet!

Johnyeates · Post by **Johnyeates** » 02 Oct 2010 20:14

The Web Site idea appeals.
I assume that it can be password protected.
The other thought is will the 3000 odd media files (mostly jpg) be able to be viewed and will the multimedia links be kept intact?
How long would it take to update a website of 3000 odd files?

your advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
John

Post by **tatewise** » 02 Oct 2010 22:07

I will answer your questions in reverse order.

(4) How long would it take to update a website of 3,000 odd files?
Assume each file is a JPG of about 1Mbyte or roughly 10Mbits.
So you have 3,000 x 10Mbits = 30,000Mbits to upload.
Assume upload speed is roughly 1Mbit/sec (usually about a tenth of your broadband download speed).
So the upload would take roughly 30,000 seconds or 8 hours!
Therefore, you may need to be selective about which media gets included.
For this size of database you will need to purchase an Internet URL/domain name with web space on a server.
Having got all your media uploaded, I don't know if you have to do it all again when you update your data.
Does anyone know if the FH Website Wizard keeps the media file-names the same from one creation to the next??
If it does, then you only have to upload the new ones.
Uploading all the individual summary report pages is not such a problem, because they are quite small.

(3) The other thought is will the 3000 odd media files (mostly jpg) be able to be viewed and will the multimedia links be kept intact?
Yes, providing you get your FH Website Wizard settings correct and the multimedia don't tick the Exclude from Reports flag.

(2) I assume that it can be password protected.
Yes, probably, with the appropriate purchased web server.

(1) The Web Site idea appeals.
I have to confess that when I said all the options were free I did not include the cost of a large website database.
(A small database might fit in the web space that often comes free with a broadband service.)

Can anyone else offer any further advice.

Johnyeates · Post by **Johnyeates** » 02 Oct 2010 23:45

Thanks for the answer, I think that the dynamic web site will be rather cumersom, a static website with just the Family group sheets and little media (just thumbnails of peoples heads) might be mor manageable, although it will still require a fair amount of work.
I think that I will have to define more clearly what I am aiming to achieve and then look at the options.
I was thinking that it would be easier for my daughters to just 'Plugin & Go' but I think now that I was being too simplistic.
Back to the drawing board.
Thank you for all the help in quantifying what I should have thought of first.
Regards
John

Post by **tatewise** » 03 Oct 2010 01:06

In your original posting you said you wanted your children to run Family Historian on their PC.

My first suggestion was to install Family Historian on their PC, and send them the entire database on a flash drive/memory stick.
(The other options were just alternative ways of exporting your database. I always like to offer all possibilities.)

In your last posting you say you want your daughters to just 'Plug & Go'.
With FH installed on their PC it is that simplistic.

If you don't think they can download and install FH, then just send them the Created Website files on a flash drive/memory stick. They click on the index.html file, and the whole lot will open in any browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc). You can include all your 3000 JPG media, etc, etc.

I only mentioned putting it all on the Internet half jokingly, but you bit the bullet. The other options are simplistic 'Plug & Go' methods.

Johnyeates · Post by **Johnyeates** » 03 Oct 2010 16:57

What you have said makes sense, I will give it a go.
thanks again
John

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