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Yesterday’s post got me wondering how many genealogy programs passed the Windows 7 Logo Requirements and are allowed to show the Windows 7 Software Logo. When I search for Windows programs at GenSoftReviews, the site indicated that there are 337 Windows programs for genealogy.
Microsoft allows vendors to add their programs to their Windows 7 Compatibility Center. They can state themselves whether they think their program is compatible or not. But only those submitted for testing that pass the tests will show the Logo beside their program name. I searched around the site for all the genealogy programs I could find.
There are only a few genealogy programs listed:
1. Family Tree Heritage, Version 7, by IndividualSoftware. This company packages hundreds of different types of software, and FTH is their genealogy entry. You can find it on store shelves. It makes sense that a company like this would want to get Microsoft endorsement on all their physical boxes that they sell. The endorsement doesn’t necessarily mean the program is good. Three reviews on GenSoftReviews gave it an average 2.81 rating out of 5. *** COMPATIBLE AND MET LOGO REQUIREMENTS ***
Interestingly, other genealogy programs by IndividualSoftware listed are: Family Tree Legends Version 6 and Family Tree Legends Deluxe Version 6. Both are listed as “No information available”. That means the evaluation is still in progress - although I suspect it has been like that for a long time. *** NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE ***
2. Embla Family Treasures, Version 8, by Embla Software Innovation. The program has both a Norwegian and a Dutch site, but for some reason does not display the Windows 7 logo prominently, except buried on their news page where they said they became the first to meet the requirements. *** COMPATIBLE AND MET LOGO REQUIREMENTS ***
3. Gaia Family Tree, Version 1, by Lulu Software. Here’s a legitimate one. They proudly display the Compatible with Windows 7 logo on their website, along with Microsoft Certified Partner, FamilySearch Website, BBB and Tucows. *** COMPATIBLE AND MET LOGO REQUIREMENTS ***
4. RootsMagic, Version 4, RootsMagic. RootMagic is considered one of the best programs available. They are listed as compatible. So I wonder why they didn’t bother to take the time to submit to the logo tests? *** COMPATIBLE ***
5. FamilyTree Maker Everyone knows what this program is. But how it’s listed at the Compatibility Center is really screwy:
Family Tree Maker 2011 Deluxe, by Avanquest. *** COMPATIBLE ***
Family Tree Maker 2010 Deluxe, Ver. 19, by Avanquest. *** COMPATIBLE ***
Family Tree Maker 2010 Platinum, Ver. 19, by Avanquest. *** COMPATIBLE ***
Family Tree Maker 2009 Deluxe, by Avanquest. *** ACTION RECOMMENDED ***
Family Tree Maker 2009 Ver. 18, by The Genealogy Network. *** ACTION RECOMMENDED ***
Family Tree Maker 2009 Deluxe, by Avanquest. *** ACTION RECOMMENDED ***
Family Tree Maker, Version 10, by Avanqust. *** ACTION RECOMMENDED ***
Who Do You Think You Are, Version 3, by Avanquest. *** NOT COMPATIBLE ***
Who Do You Think You Are Deluxe, by Avanquest. *** NOT COMPATIBLE ***
Who Do You Think You Are - Family Tree Maker, by Avanquest. *** NOT COMPATIBLE ***
Most of these are by Avanquest, who is a United Kingdom distributor. Only one version is stated to be by The Genealogy Network. Avanquest claims the 2010 and 2011 versions are compatible but were not submitted for the logo test. I don’t know if Avanquest would be allowed to submit it for testing if they are only a distributor.
6. Modern Genealogy 2010, by Modern Genealogy. No such program seems to exist. *** NOT COMPATIBLE ***
7. Create your own Family Tree Grand Suite, by Focus. This is FOCUS Multimedia’s packaging of Family Tree Legends. *** NOT COMPATIBLE ***
The bottom line is that there are only 3 genealogy programs available now that can display the “Compatible with Windows 7″ logo. Those are: Family Tree Heritage, Embla and Gaia.
I am close to making Behold the 4th one.
*** Six days to Version 1.0 and counting *** :-)
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