I have found that Family Tree Maker and it's maker Ancestry.com has surpassed itself again in shoddy design. Attempting to delete many of my media files will crash the program. Rather than fix the problem, Ancestry has decided instead to have their sweat-shop Indian programmers make a report that lists everyone in the family tree (something even the crappiest freeware long since allowed). Naturally, I've attempted to get rid of whatever errors lurking in my database (I've also noticed that source counts on facts are sometimes off).

First (months ago), I tried "compacting" my file. Surely, this has error corrections built in. Not.

Second, I tried Repair Database. This is a really handy tool that goes through the database, and rechecks source counts, family members, media files.... All the usual suspects. Or, at least, it would if it existed. It doesn't. I think that was scrapped for a new "theme" that looked like the old one. The one with completely different but equally depressing colors.

Third, I exported to GEDCOM file (the "FTM 2012" version of the open standard). It got all the media. Except it generated errors importing for any media with a date or comment/description. Yes, it generated errors exporting from FTM 2012, into FTM 2012, using FTM 2012 format. Not only were all the descriptions and dates gone, so too were the categories. The dick up the ass - so too were links to sources and facts (not that it bothered to generate an error for that - it simply didn't bother). Unacceptable.

Fourth, I exported using the FTM format, with include media. Surely their superformat could mange some pictures.... It did get them, and with all the links and comments. And happily renamed them and moved all of them into one handy little folder (i.e. ignoring the thousands of folders I have set up). Unacceptable.

Fifth, FTM without media. Surely the superformat could save comments and source links, even if GEDCOM can't. Wrong. Performed exactly the same as GEDCOM. Unacceptable.

Sixth, downloaded the tree from Ancestry.com. As expected, fail, just as the FTM format. Unacceptable.

Somehow, for some reason, during one of the exports, Ancestry decided I really didn't want my tree linked online after all. So now I have to reupload my 2GB file (for the third fucking time. Or is the fourth?) And I have to reinvite family members, since there's no way to link between an existing offline tree and an online tree, even when they're exactly the same.

So after hours of trying these various things, and getting screwed by TreeSync once again, suffice it to say that I'm pinning my hopes on 2013... Lucky 13! Or failing that - 2014, 2015, 2020, or 2116. For now, your choices are to get no media, all media with nothing else except links to people, or all media with the files a jumbled mess.

Unfortunately, this means there is absolutely no way to rebuild one's tree while preserving media. Considering this is only one of the many problems with FTM, why do I bother continuing to use such a poorly designed program? Because I can't get my media files out!!!

I find it odd people are willing to be naked around dogs, but not other people. But we're willing to fuck other people and not dogs.

I've heard the arguments against the need for diagnosis for personality disorders (I prefer the term syndrome, but disorder is often accurate). I've heard arguments ranging from there being no need, to being an excuse, to it creating misleading stereotypes. I feel classification and diagnosis, despite the problems inherent in diagnosis of intangible and disparate qualities, to be useful.

A diagnosis allows a short-hand description of the issues someone (or group of someones) probably faces, or are more likely to face. It allows addressing social issues, such as the institutionalization of the education system, or the threat of criminalization of unusual behavior. On a personal level, is useful when dealing with teachers, psychologists, doctors, marriage therapists, employers, colleagues and acquaintances, spouses, etc.

It has also useful to me in learning more about myself. I never thought anything about my dislike for loud noise, my dislike for excessive environmental activity, my stim-like actions, my inability to remember names, etc. until diagnosis, With diagnosis came the understanding that everything I am (and that everyone, NT or otherwise), is linked together, thus helping me understand and accept many of the challenges I face. Despite the need to face challenges in life, whether specific such as interacting with individuals, or general like loneliness and stress, I am more likely to be able to face them, however successfully or unsuccessfully, without blaming myself. It has also allowed me come to the belief that if I were to attempt to changeany one thing about my personality, if successful (assuming it's possible), I would quiet likely change something else that I value.

Having had some problems with my computer today, it became imperative I figure out how to transfer my Family Tree Maker tree and the Ancestry TreeSync data to another computer. Obviously, you have to move the actual tree. It should be located in My Documents\Family Tree Maker\[tree].ftm. You also have to move the contents of the FamilyTreeMaker folder under Application Data. That's (usually) in C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\FamilyTreeMaker. You may need to enable hidden files, by going to Tools, ->Folder Options->View and selecting "Show hidden files and folders". Then you must transfer the FTM folder from the temp files. That's under c:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\Temp\FTM. I also exported the Ancestry.com registry keys, and moved the data under Local Settings\Application Data\Ancestry.com, but I really don't think those were necessary for just the TreeSync migration. Make certain they end up in the same foldern, that your My Documents path (as well as temp files path) are the same on both computers. The username does not have to be the same.  If you have any problems, contact me, and I'll help in any way I can.

This also allows multiple computers to sync to the same tree. Both Family Tree Makers would have to use a single Ancestry username and password, and I would hate to know what would happen should two FTM's tried to sync at the same time. Presumably something nasty, since they've specifically designed it NOT to ever be able to do that. I have yet to attempt it, and may not any time soon, due to my computer issues. If I get them resolved, I will create a test tree, and see what happens.

I've been using the new Family Tree Maker 2012 for about two weeks. The updates to this version are what I've come to expect from Family Tree Maker.

That is to say, where not completely useless, it's stuff that not only should have been added years ago, but still completely fall short of what it SHOULD be.

I'll break it down...

In the chart catagory, we have relationship charts between two people, and labels. The first could be done before by changing the "home" person, but it's nice to have, but still a rather minor addition. The second.... OH MY GOD! Text?!? I am STILL unable to add people (for instance, adding my children to an ancester chart), add custom boxes (or customize boxes), add lines, add shapes, add graphics, customize data, click and drag select multiple boxes, etc., etc., etc. So I say again: OH MY GOD! Text?!? It took 21 versions to get text onto a chart!!

In the report catagory, we have a notes report, a inviduals list report, and some Smart Story improvements.. The first, I was really excited about. I have notes on all sorts of people that I've never even seen, from importing other people's trees. Finally, a way to find and go through them all! Alas, it's not to be. It's for an INDIVIDUAL. For those incapable of copying/pasting text into Notepad, it might be nice. Skipping to Smart stories... I couldn't care less. I'm sure someone out there does - good for them. The inviduals report.... OMG! A list of inviduals?!? No way to add custom fields. Indeed, still no options at all. And STILL no option for a custom report of individuals, or even AN individual. By my definition of custom, there's still no custom report for AN individual. Sadly, you can't even put a text field on a report!! So, again, OMG! It took them 21 versions to be able to print a list of individuals!

Another change is combined families, showing step-children. They also claim it shows adopted children, but... um... (scratchs head)... Didn't it before? I have the admit the adopted children things is nice. No more adding people from a census, only to realize they're already there, under another spouse. My small complaint on this is smallupdate is you can not sort the children while in "blended" mode.

And finally, the coup de gras of 2012, "TreeSync". They FINALLY allow proper syncing with Ancestry trees! Although this is without arguement a HUGE improvement!, it too falls short. The biggest flaw is that you can not "link" to an existing Ancestry tree. If you happen to have one already, you will have to download it, and re-upload it. Have a bunch of people invited to it? Tough shit. But that's okay, because when the sync process fucks up - and it will! - you;ll have to do it all over again. So, your relatives and friends will rapidly get used to accepting invites to new trees, and you'll get used to keeping track of everyone and their access level. Oh, and when the sync process fucks up, and you have to reupload your tree, you can also kiss your hints good-bye. Including all the hints you may have ignored.

Another problem is the media syncing is pathetically slow. I'd been syncing media for two weeks, non-stop, with broadband (albeit slow broadband), and it STILL had not finished. One the bright side, by time you get it all uploaded, the you'll probably have to delete it all and start over anyways. And, of course, there is no option to turn media syncing on or off, either in general, or to temporarily preserve bandwidth.

In addition, there is absolutely no support for group trees. Not only can any given tree only be linked to one copy of FTM (including running it on multiple computers), when it syncs, everyone is locked out of the online tree. The issue of having multiple FTM installs linked to one tree could probably be overcome by copying the configuration files or doing some registry editing, but it's still a very cramped notion of online syncing. It's all very 1990.

As for what's not in the update... I still have what I think of as "orphaned" media - media that doesn't exist, and will crash the program if I try to delete them (2011 didn't fix it either). There is still no database error/inconstancy checking. I still can't sort my people by anything other than name, birth, death or marriage. There's still no way to show both birth and death date in the list. I still can not sort my place names (i.e. the Places screen is all but useless). I still can not search the database for keywords. There is still no way for me to find notes. It's still a pain in the ass to add media to multiple people. There is still no copy/paste for facts. There's still no way to change multiple people, media, facts or sources at once. There's still no way to mass move (or rename) media. There's still no way to maintain files names and directory structures while export media. Still no way to integrate other sites into Web Search feature. And finally, at least just off the top of my head, there's still no options in the tree display - it's quiet sad when the Ancestry site has more options than the program!

All in all, another lackluster, if not pathetic, update for Family Tree Maker.

The story of Christ portrays a saintly figure. He preaches tolerance and forgiveness.

For instance, his ministry begins with him leaving John the Baptist to die. He later chastises Peter for denying him, despite having done the same thing himself. We're told when Jesus hears of John's imminent arrest, he does what most red-blooded, yellow-bellied men would do, and runs for the hills [Matthew 4:12]. Indeed, he hides in the desert for 40 days, before showing his face in public again [Luke 4:1].

Later, during his ministry, he meets some men who are possessed by demons. None of the story makes much sense, but nonetheless, we are led to believe he casts the demons out and into pigs. The pigs then run into the water and drown [Luke 8:32]. Not only was he perfectly willing to see pigs possessed by demons, he allowed them to drown. In doing so, not only does he show no concern for the pigs, he also allows the pig tenders to become destitute. The towns' people were so pissed, they ran him off [Luke 8:36-37].

After arriving in Jerusalem, we are told that he is complicit in the crime of theft from money lenders (not to mention the peasant herders) [John 2:15]. Not only was he directly responsible for them loosing their gold, he broke the commandment in god's house.

Prior to his arrest, he admits having foreknowledge of Judas' plans, yet never does anything at all to prevent his suicide. We he is arrested, he not only allows Peter to put up an armed resistance [Luke 24:50], but actually makes sure that Peter was going to be armed, and even wanted others to be armed [Luke 22:36].

I just saw a news clip stating that atheists and agnostics performed, by far, better than Christians (excepting Mormons) on a quiz about religion, and I came to a striking realization...

All of the atheists that I know, converted to atheism from Christianity. No Christian that I know of converted to Christianity from atheism. Considering the number of people I know, this is certainly not statistically defensible statement.

I do find it interesting that I can state definitively how the atheists I know became atheist, but I can't say definitively the same about Christians. Atheists must defend their views, Christians do not. This might be a good thing, since atheists base their beliefs on observation, evidence and logic. Christians base their views on the prevailing norm, comfort and feelings.

But I do wonder, if atheism is arrived at from thought and learning, doesn't that defeat the "Faith" "argument"? I know that I have spent many years searching the truth; to a large degree, I have been looking for the evidence or argument that would allow me to believe. Despite this search, and many deep conversations on the topic  with Christians, I have yet to find anything. Indeed, I become more convinced that there is no god, and that Christianity is a muddled, self-contradictory myth. I have sought Faith. I have sought God. I have sought Christ. They aren't home.

This week, I was provided another insight into how I am outside the norm. It was a striking example, in that it is actual specifically in comparison to the outlook of a fellow geek (as well as a small community in general).

A situation arose in which a group of people were in danger of being... disrupted by a scandal in their midst. Basically, someone cheated on another with another, while denying it, at least to an extent. Everyone was concerned about the well-being of the person cheated on, the details, the reactions of everyone else, why the central figure lied, who spread what rumors, and in general who was to blame in what way.

Certainly I was concerned about the well-being of the one cheated on. But there the similiarity to everyone else seems to end. The most obvious way I seem dissimilar is that I largely kept out of being actively involved in any way, short of actually leaving anytime the topic arose. Also, the direction of the conversations I participated in (listened to) went in different directions than those which I was most interested in.

My biggest curiosity and concern was in whether the central couple was irrevocably broken up, and whether or not there was any way in which their relationship could be, would be or should be salvaged. My next concern was, assuming that relationship was over, whether the new relationship formed would have a future. At one point, it was wondered aloud by another whether the first couple was going to reconcile or not. There was a network of information being passed. There were numerous talks with the three central figures by several others. These talks involved reprimands of bad behavior, inquisitions, pep talks, etc. Despite all this talk, it seems that the future of either possible couple (let alone the triangle) was never discussed, except that once.

I admit I was mildly interested in the sordid details, but despite this, I had no interest in actually discussing them with any others, nor did I have any feelings of judgement towards any of three (or anyone else). Other than the perverse curiosity in the details, and a hope for the future happiness of the three, I had no interest in all the other concerns... Bunch of drama. Did not care.

I have spoken, debated and even argued with many Christians on many occasions, including family members, about their faith. I've even spoken to a hand-full of believers of other religions. Not only am I curious why people choose to believe in their religion, it is often in defence of non-belief while being told I should believe. Usually, particularly for Christianity, the reason boils down to needing "Faith". Unfortunately, this is basically the same as being told to believe something because there is no reason to disbelieve it. If I can not provide a factual reason to disbelieve in leprechauns, I should have Faith. Unicorns... Big Foot... Aliens.... Ghosts.... Nessie.... (Sadly, the very same rationale is provided for some of these as well.)

Although I can provide numerous rational reasons against every religion I've heard of, especially Christianity, I say that we should withhold judgement on anything that we have no specific rational reason to believe. Distinctly different than having no reason to disbelieve. If someone calls you and says they will make you rich if you send them a thousand dollars, practically no one would advise they do so. Yet, there is no specific rational reason to disbelieve them. Granted, thousands of others doing the same thing have been proven to fraudulent. But the fact that others have been proven to be untrue, doesn't make a specific case untrue - any more than the thousand other religions being wrong disproves any single one. We should not have Faith in the caller and their claims, because we have no specific reason to believe them. We should withhold judgement, and therefore not risk our money. The same applies to religion, even more so. Not only should we withhold judgement due to financial reasons of being asked to donate large sums of money on a regular basis, we should be even more critical in that religions ask, if not demand, that we modify our behavior and our very thoughts.