Yes, it does have sync problems. You don't have to use the sync capability, however, and then those problems won't effect you. I don't use sync and don't have plans to use it.
I'll give you my assessment of FTM:
1) To achieve a published result (in a published book or article in a professional journal) - absolutely terrible - an "F"
2) As a piece of software that has all the bells and whistles that are expected in a really good genealogy program. C+. Look at Master Genealogist for A in this regard, but consider the increased learning time.
3) As front-end of accessing an on-line set of databases and merging that data into your dateabase and publishing on-line - an A
So... pick out what you want to do.
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I use it primarily for Number 3 above, the ability to access ancestry's great set of databases - and they are adding more all the time. It's easy to use, no fuss, no muss. I have made hundreds of discoveries using FTM to access these database. The biggest drawback is the length of the source citations, which are way overly long - but don't cause much problem in on-line publishing of your tree.
As for No 1 professional paper publishing, it doesn't do page-by-page footnotes, which knocks it out of the running right off the bat. It doesn't do line-by-line, chapter-by-chapter ancestors reports, the industry standard, and if one has used FTM's databases, the length of the footnotes will get you into trouble with a publisher.
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You asked about how this looks compared to "this site"?? I presume you mean compared to ancestry trees - FTM is completely different.
I'll give you my assessment of FTM:
1) To achieve a published result (in a published book or article in a professional journal) - absolutely terrible - an "F"
2) As a piece of software that has all the bells and whistles that are expected in a really good genealogy program. C+. Look at Master Genealogist for A in this regard, but consider the increased learning time.
3) As front-end of accessing an on-line set of databases and merging that data into your dateabase and publishing on-line - an A
So... pick out what you want to do.
_______________________
I use it primarily for Number 3 above, the ability to access ancestry's great set of databases - and they are adding more all the time. It's easy to use, no fuss, no muss. I have made hundreds of discoveries using FTM to access these database. The biggest drawback is the length of the source citations, which are way overly long - but don't cause much problem in on-line publishing of your tree.
As for No 1 professional paper publishing, it doesn't do page-by-page footnotes, which knocks it out of the running right off the bat. It doesn't do line-by-line, chapter-by-chapter ancestors reports, the industry standard, and if one has used FTM's databases, the length of the footnotes will get you into trouble with a publisher.
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You asked about how this looks compared to "this site"?? I presume you mean compared to ancestry trees - FTM is completely different.