GenDetective Update #3

So, I'm now patiently waiting for Rumblesoft, Inc.'s technical support folks to get me that test file to try to make GenDetective work with MyHeritage Family Tree Builder's GEDCOM export.  While waiting, I figured I'd take the GEDCOM 5.5 exported from Legacy 7.5 and play with GenDetective, even though the data is a little out of date.  At least I could get a good idea of what I could expect from GenDetective.

So, like Randy Seaver over at Genea-Musings, I ran the GenDetective Analyzer.  It appeared to import the data properly, not even an error in the process.  Great!  I looked at the data statistics, and they look reasonable.  Okay, exit the Analyzer, which automatically runs the Reporter (I left the little box checked to do that). 

Let's look at some reports...   Hm.  Lots of people in here, but there's a problem.  The people in the report are NOT MINE.  These are the sample data people!  How did they get in here?  I exited the Reporter, looked for and deleted every sample file I could find, and tried again.  Same results! 

Okay, I really want to play with this software, but the problems I'm having, and the problems Randy is having, are making me think Rumblesoft needs to work on this a bit longer before releasing it.  I'll wait until the tweaked version gets installed to make a final pronouncement, but so far it doesn't look good. 

I've used GenSmarts for a while now, and never had a problem with it.  It's not real pretty, but it does a good job of showing me where I need addiditonal research and data.  I was wondering if GenDetective would do a better job, or maybe be prettier, but so far I can't even get it to run properly.

More updates as they happen...

GenDetective Update #2

For being in attendance at the Jamboree, the tech support folks at Rumblesoft, Inc. sure are responsive!  I the support is this good when they're out, it should be truly awesome when they're in the office.

Per my post earlier today, I sent a copy of my GEDCOM file produced by Myheritage so the folks at Rumblesoft could try to figure out why it wasn't working with the newly released GenDetective product.  I was unsurprised to hear back from them that GEDCOM files produced by MyHeritage are not currently supported.  However, they do say that they are working with the MyHeritage team to get support added. 

I was offered two choices: either 1) wait for the support to be added (estimated to be the end of the month) or 2) let Rumblesoft connect to my computer and tweak my installation of GenDetective with a test version that would (hopefully) allow the MyHeritage-created GEDCOM file to import properly.  They also included two report files generated by using my data, which let me get a sneak peak at some of what I could expect to get from GenDetective when it's working properly for me.

Well, being 1) not always patient, and 2) an IT professional of some experience, I replied that I am willing to go the test route.  I am now waiting to hear from them to arrange the tweaking.  I will post more as things happen on my end.

GenDetective Update

Despite the e-mail I received that Rumblesoft, Inc.'s tech support people are all attending the Jamboree, I received another e-mail this morning informing me that the issue I reported has not been reported by anyone else.  It also requested a copy of my GEDCOM file for testing purposes.

For being gone to Jamboree, that's a reasonably quick response.  I did expect to wait until they returned next week, reasonably.  I have sent them a copy of the GEDCOM file in question, and will let you know what answers I get.

Unitl then, enjoy the Jamboree, Rumblesoft!

GenDetective

After seeing a few others posting about the new GenDetective product from Rumblesoft, Inc., I decided I would download it and use the 10-day evaluation to determine whether to recommend it or not.  I've used GenSmarts for a while now to help me figure out which data is still missing, where I have errors, and so forth.  I wanted to see if GenDetective would give me a compelling reason to switch products, and better help me clean up and fill out my database.

Unfortunately, I ran into a slight problem.  GenDetective appeared to install correctly,  and when I ran to program, it started with a setup wizard like many programs do now.  However, after importing my GEDCOM file (apparently successfully, as it reported some statistics on the data), it crashed on the screen where I would select individual(s) as my anchors.  Try as I might, it crashed at that point every time.  I tried their sample GEDCOM included with the download, and it ran fine, allowing me to look at the reports it creates.  Even after that success, it failed again when trying my data.  I even went back and tried an older version of my GEDCOM (exported from MyHeritage Family Tree Builder, my main genealogy software)that I used when playing with Legacy after the 7.5 release.  Same crash, at the same point.

My GEDCOM has over 5,000 people in it, I wonder if that's the issue?  I could see a trial version being limited.  Or maybe there's a problem with the way MyHeritage's Family Tree Builder exports a GEDCOM?  I've never had a problem with that before, but to test that, I exported a GEDCOM 5.5 file from Legacy 7.5 (also with over 5,000 people, to test that theory).  Well!  Fortunately, that exported GEDCOM file was accepted into GenDetective just fine.  I'll report back on my findings once I've had some time to play around with it.

In the meantime, I sent an e-mail to Rumblesoft's Technical Support folks.  I got a response that was understandable, but less than helpful in the short term:

We will be out of the office from Wednesday June 8 thru Monday June
13th attending the Southern California Jamboree!  We will respond to
your email as soon as possible.

-- 
Regards,
Technical Support

So, all of you folks at the Jamboree, enjoy yourselves, and send those guys back to work so they can look at my problem! 



This and all other articles on this blog are © copyright 2011 by Daniel G. Dillman