- We want to make TMG fit our research needs and goals. We don't want to make our research practices fit TMG.
Why do I use
The Master Genealogist? Because it's the only genealogy software program I know that doesn't get in my way. I began using TMG in the days before it made its public appearance. I experimented with it; I pushed and pulled it; I broke it - and Bob Velke repaired it and delivered it to my door the next day. Despite my love and loyalty, I knew that TMG wasn't perfect. It couldn't do everything the way I wanted, so my suite of frequently used genealogy software tools expanded over the years to include
DeedMapper,
Second Site,
Word, and
Excel, but my TMG coordinated and interacted with all of them. Note that I said, "
my TMG." The program I call TMG isn't the same one used by anyone else, and in that statement lies its beauty. TMG is not, never was, and now never will be perfect, but it's still perfect for me. When Bob Velke issued his 29 July statement that TMG would be discontinued at the end of this year, I knew that I would continue to use it - at least until its equal in power and flexibility appears. I won't spend time moving my database to a program that will only get in my way.
The Tri-Valley TMG User Group's number one goal is helping our members become better researchers. I'm sure many of you plan to stay with TMG, at least for the near future, but - stay or transfer to another program - we will all have plans to make. Although I hope to continue our planned program series, I suspect that most members will want to discuss their own concerns, ideas, and plans at our next meeting. Be prepared to answer this question: "What genealogical software feature(s) can I not live without?"
Update: Read Terry Reigel's great article, "
The Future for TMG Users."
