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FAQs about Personal Ancestral File (PAF) - The Answers
Probably the easiest approach in answering this question would be to tell you what PAF cannot do that is possible in TMG. The list is short!
PAF does not have a spell checker. This can be overcome by typing one's notes in a word processor, performing a spelling and grammar check,then copy/paste to notes in PAF. Very simple solution and you receive the benefit of having your text checked for grammar, as well.
PAF does not have the regnal date converter but there are several independent web sites that have such converters, if needed, including the regnal date converter to be found on this website.
The strictly English version of PAF does not have the 'accent' ability found in TMG nor can it output directly to a native file format for word processing. However, this last point can be easily overcome by exporting your PAF report to your word processing program in a "rich text file" format. Once the "rich text file" has written into your word processing program you will then be able to save the 'RTF' output to one of 30 or more different word processing formats as supported by your document program.
As for the 'accents': Although this is an interesting feature, a similar output can be produced through building a custom report in PAF.
The last big difference between the two programs is found in the 'Person View' screen. The Person View in TMG seems to have an embedded image of the information that PAF produces in the "Individual" view. TMG also shows, unsolicited, the soundex equivalent for the surname and the last edited date. I would like to see the last edited date for each individual as that could be very helpful. However, PAF stores edits to a log file that can be checked at any time. The soundex code, which is generally only required for access to some U.S. indices, can be generated by PAF through one of its' utilities. So, once again, PAF does possess the same capability as TMG.
The custom reports in PAF can be saved to a delimited file for import into a spreadsheet or database. This feature I couldn't find in TMG.
Absolutely everything else that TMG can do, PAF is likewise capable of. As with any program, it takes working with it, over time, to really discover all of its' unplumbed depths. PAF is certainly an example of this. I actually like the displays in PAF much better as they are clean and uncluttered. I also find data entry and construction of source citations in PAF to be extremely fast as there are all sorts of hot keys, smart remembers, etc. to employ. In my business, I need to be able to get a client's new information entered pronto and not spend too much time with non-necessaries. Looking at the TMG 'Person View' screen makes me want to run away! The price on PAF is much better as well. Somehow, I just can't complain about US$Free! It is also possible to add a few new tree and report formats to your outputs with the PAF Companion program.
Best wishes,
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