Differences Between RM3 & RM4

[mjones]

Hi I have RootsMagic 3 and love the program, its got so many useful features

I was wondering what extras RM4 has?

Is it worth upgrading?

Ooo I've just found you can add a poll, ok lets see who thinks it's worth upgrading to RM4?

Many Thanks

MJ

[DrRoots]

Have a look here What's new

[nickrayment]

Although I voted for the upgrade from RM3 to RM4, I have been using RM2... I have found RM4 a completely fresh look. There are lots of adjustments to the rewrite, things that make the layout better viewing. I've only scratched the surface, I haven't even delved into the deepest darkest recesses yet.
What I might say, is that I bought the basic version, because I felt that I could use RM2 quite well and didn't feel the need for the extras, but I think in hindsight that I would have gone for the release with the video tuition, as there are loads of shortcuts that make life easier.
If only I could get hold of that...

[dallenhewitt]

I started with RM2, upgraded to RM3 (which I thought was brilliant) and now am using RM4 which I think is excellent.

As a user with a major eyesight problem I find it so much easier to use. When editing an individual it is so much easier to see exactly what I am doing, all in one view. No more switching to a new page to enter dates, addresses, occupation, etc. It's all there in the same view.

The introduction of "witnesses" means I can now add all people in a particular census page, will, or whatever as "witnesses" to the event without having to enter all the details separately for each person as it automatically adds the event to each person. It is so simple to create a new role and suitable sentence for any event.

I also like very much the ability to customise sentences for a particular person/event without affecting that sentence elsewhere.

I am now getting to grips with the new system of creating sentences and using templates. It is easier than it looks at first.

The addition of "place details" makes my Place List much less cluttered!

I recommend upgrading to RM4. It really is worth it.

BIG PLUS - RootsMagic To-Go. Install the complete progrqamme and copy the entire database to a USB stick, slip it in your pocket and take it anywhere. Much easier that carrying a laptop around!

[Prop Doctor]

I bought RM3 in June 2008 as my first genealogy software program and was impressed with what I could do with no tuition and very little assistance.

I waited for a few of the first initial bugs to be sorted before temptation got the better of me and I recently bought RM4.
As everyone says, RM4 is a very different program to RM3.
I am however disappointed with the bugs in the RM4 Narrative Report and I have gone back to using RM3 until they and some others are fixed.

The interesting thing I found is that after the brief time I used and learnt something’s about RM4, I have returned to RM3 and found more of the excellent features I did not know were in RM3.
I may be wrong but I have put that down to RM4 being more intuitive than RM3. Has anyone else thought that?

I now think that for myself and because I already own it, I still have plenty to learn about fully utilising a very good and stable RM3 package.
I shall look forward to trying RM4 again, after a few more bugs have been sorted.

If you think you know all there is to know about RM3 then perhaps RM4 is already the deal for you?

[JohnPatrick50]

RootsMagic To-Go. Install the complete progrqamme and copy the entire database to a USB stick, take it anywhere. Much easier that carrying a laptop around!

Still getting used to the new facilities. I have noted the reference to 'Witnesses' that I hadn't noticed yet!

[Prop Doctor]

Hi JohnPatrick50. RootsMagic To-Go is a brilliant idea. Provided you have a decent sized USB Stick I do not see anything to stop someone from putting RM3 on it along with their image file and doing the same thing. Has anyone tried that?

[nickrayment]

The idea behind RM-to-go is that it will run completely from the USB stick and doesn't need installation at all. You don't need a large capacity either, as it's only the program and the database that are there. You don't need the multimedia files. They are viewable, but it shows the links as broken, because the files themselves are on your PC at home.
Once you have viewed and updated the USB database while out, transfer using RM-to-go when you get home and your database on the PC is now up-to-date.
You'll probably find that trying to install RM3 on a USB stick will still only allow you to use it on the PC it was installed on.