My mom often accused me of not being able to learn from my mistakes. Years ago, I got burned by giving a date for a feature we were adding, and I promised myself I would never do that again. Then a couple of years later, we pre-announced a deadline for finishing work on our Ancestry integration, with mostly the same result. So, of course, I still haven’t learned my lesson, and once again tried to guess a release date in advance, this time for RootsMagic 8.
RootsMagic 8 is the biggest upgrade in our software’s history. I usually just say something like “it will be done when it is ready” and leave it at that, but we began telling folks that we hoped to have it out by the end of this year (2019). It seemed like a safe estimate, but like those other times this has bitten me, I underestimated the effects of outside influences on our development.
I underestimated the number of times we would have to stop work to fix breaking changes made to APIs that version 7 uses. I underestimated the number of times we would have to rewrite libraries we are using in RootsMagic 8. To be honest, I never thought we would have to actually rewrite commercial libraries from scratch because of their deficiencies, but we have actually had to do that multiple times. I also underestimated the amount of time tracking down bugs in other company’s libraries to help them fix issues that negatively affected performance in version 8.
So, where are we now? RootsMagic 8 won’t be released by the end of the year. And if you ask me for a new release date, I’m not going to say. But here’s what I am going to do…
Several months ago, we started doing blog articles with screenshots. But writing them pulled us off of actual software development, and were less than satisfying to you as a user. We want to do a better job of keeping you up to date on where we are, so I have recorded a 30-minute video below to show you precisely what RootsMagic 8 looks and feels like. As development continues, we’ll try to release more videos (although probably not this long) to keep you in the loop.
We know many of you can’t wait to get your hands on RootsMagic 8, and we are excited to be working on it. We just want to make sure that when we release it, you can depend on it working right.
And if you’re adventurous, we are still looking for more beta testers of all backgrounds to help us make version 8 the best it can be.
I want to thank you personally for your patience and understanding. Hopefully, you can see from the video the extent of the improvements and work that we’re putting into this release. We’re really excited by the feedback that we’ve received so far and we hope that you’ll find it worth the wait.
Speaking for myself, that’s no problem. Having worked in the field, I totally understand the delays that come with software development.
Software development is hard. I’d much rather hear you say “we’re still working on it” than radio silence for months.
Here too. I’m in the field and understand delays. I appreciate your honest comments and caring about us and your product.
Bravo. Quality before being expeditious.
Thanks for letting us know Bruce. Patience is a virtue.
Thank you for the updates. Your work is greatly appreciated.
Well, finally… a good honest announcement. I too have been a developer of published software. Some of the worse things you can do 1. Rush into publication – glad you are sitting back and doing the product right. 2. Over promise announcements and capability 3. Be silent – keep your customers abreast of what you are doing but no promises.
I can now move forward and make my decisions based on what you just said and not be in limbo in anticipation of something that’s not coming (within my time frame). I can work with that
This update is much appreciated and will adjust our expectations. Development effort over time spent on teasers makes perfect sense.
API problems have plagued FTM 2019 for 5 weeks after release and I have always feared the RM7 treeshare feature would consume development effort on RM8.
That said we mac users desperately need a good native RM8.
Loving the new look and screen layouts. I’ve been burned far too many times by website upgrades and software upgrades being released before thorough testing. Ruined several databases when that happens. I appreciate Rootsmagic not succumbing to user pressure and taking the time to get it right before rolling out for general release. Definitely suggest those who just can’t wait to signup to be a beta tester.
Please, take your time!!! Do it right!!! Yes, we all would love to have it now, but we don’t want a premature version that is full of bugs. We can wait, we can hold on!!! We trust you guys are doing the best you can and that’s enough for us.
Best of Luck
I am a MAC users, thus the real question is will we be able to update RM7 for use with MAC OS 10 (Catalina) or do we need to wait it out longer? ((For the record, I am trying hard no to buy new machine which comes with Catalina on board). Please advise.
Cheers!
Reply: Codeweavers is working on the 64-bit CrossOver wrapper for RootsMagic 7. As soon as they have it available for us we will release it. We do not have a time frame, but it is urgently being worked by Codeweavers.
Renee, RootsMagic
RootsMagic was the very slowest of software developers to release software compatible to the FamilySearch API in 2007-2008. Why? At the 2008 BYU Genealogy Conference, Bruce Buzbee said he refuses to release software that isn’t ready. In today’s world, that says a LOT about your integrity. Thank you for keeping us updated.
I am happy to wait, for the release of a quality product – so kudos to you and your staff for being honest and caring about us clients.
Looking very good. So glad that main emphasis has been making what already exists easier to use with just a few new tweaks. Don’t want to have to learn everything from scratch each time a program is updated.
Been there, done that – at work we got the first version of some software at v0.6 or so, when it broke frequently – we found a lot of bugs for them.
(I can live with RM7 for another year, actually. I usually have three or four files open, because I sometimes need to move data. (I’m in the process of merging the various versions from Ancestry, and fixing the mislinked info that FTM left is part of the job). I’d beta-test if you need more.)
Thank you for all of the hard work that the team is putting into RM8. I am looking forward to its release.
Awesome! Thanks, Bruce!
Great demo. I have 2 questions:
1. Will existing Tasks, To-Do List, etc. be integrated into RM8?
2. In the next video, could we see interface with Ancestry Tree and Web Hints?
Thanks for more details – answers a lot of questions I and my society user group colleagues have.
I don’t recall seeing the Publish button discussion? Is it similar to RM 7 only with different look?
Does not affect me but this will likely cause
Mac users to move to a different program. How long will they wait for the native version that will work on Catalina? Eventually they will need to upgrade to the new Mac OS and move on. To what I have no clue what genealogy software for Mac is out there.
Appreciate you getting it RIGHT!
Reply: Codeweavers is working on the 64-bit CrossOver wrapper for RM7 that will work with Catalina.
Renee, RootsMagic
No problem with the delay. I understand having worked on software development myself and finding problems with interfaces to external software. Whenever it is ready, I’m sure I will be happy with it.
This was helpful to left us know what is coming. I’d like to see how RootsMagic 8 is going to address autosomal DNA. (A screenshot or two would be nice.) The increased relevance of these tests is the biggest change in the field since RM7, which had no answer for them at all.
Cool looking, It be really be nice if you could send your reports strait to a office program editing etc. like MS. or better yet! Libre office, since Libre is free and it works on Windows, Mac and Linux. Plus Make Roots TV. into a Roku Tv. app. It be the first smart tv channel on Genealogy, bound to get more users.
I appreciate you being honest as to the fact it will NOT be available in 2019.
I can see how much thought and work has gone into the new version. I was very relieved to see, right near the end, the option to choose font and size. Plus, the timeline view is still there, my favourite screen. Thank you for taking the time to do this video, much appreciated.
Thanks for the excellent video update. I’ve used RootsMagic since 2000 and am completely satisfied with the way you guys have developed it over the years. It suits my style of family research and it looks like the new version will make it even more useful. But I’m happy to wait for a properly road-tested result.
WOW!! What a GREAT looking piece of software – Love all the improvements and the look!! Bruce, you do such a wonderful job of describing and explaining things. Thanks for all you and your band of Elves do to make this the BEST Genealogy software!!
Hi Bruce. Thanks for the update. Better right than quick is my attitude, so take your time. 🙂
Great video, actually watched the whole thing which is rare for 30 minutes.
I love the switched person feature on the edit screen, it will make things so much easier. Does it allow your to go forward as well as back (flip between two)?
Looking forward to RM8, it looks like it will be even easier to use than RM7 which I already think is great.
Thank you for the update. I appreciate an honest, we-really-care update that lets me know you want a decent product. So do I. Just a quick note to let us know you’re thinking about us. We can wait for something that is going to work, without a lot of fixes needed! Perfection takes time! (No pressure intended)
The new UI looks much more efficient, although it only overcomes the deficiencies of the current design it will be much more intuitive to many who struggle. The name Filtering is very welcome and I hope it works with partial surname and given names as I have many surnames with different spelling variations, I find this very beneficial in other software.
I always found Place Management a very cumbersome task in Rootsmagic and it’s such an important component. I do have to say if the statement by Bruce Buzbee regarding Places that “Much of what they do works exactly the same” then RM8 will sadly not be my primary program for the future.
Still the effort and redesign is very impressive, I have no problem waiting to see the finished product and wish you every success with a relatively problem free release.
Only those that have met every deadline and kept every promise should be able to complain. We are all looking forward to the update….
As a long time Roots Magic user I’d rather see you get it right, than get it fast. Nothing is more annoying than getting a product and then having numerous performance issues.
I’d love to be a beta tester.
my database is over 217,000 and growing.
I just published 2 new books using RM.
both books are 480 pp – full color, with both People and Place index.
My Ruston, Louisiana Relatives and Relations Vols 1 & 2.
Couldn’t have done either without this program.
My background is in computer programming and data storage.
I have published a number of other books over the years using RootsMagic, but none looked nearly as professional.
I recently submitted a ‘enhancement’ suggestion for the TOC page. The narrative report separates the family into generations, but the TOC ONLY lists the Start. Each generation needs to be shown like individual chapters. My publisher did this for me, but I don’t see why the program couldn’t do that on the TOC page.
I’m pretty sure that my database would be a good test for the program because it is LARGER than just about any one else’s that I’ve seen.
looking good.
Evolution not revolution is usually the best way.
Looking forward to it.
We will be happy when it is ready, I pre-ordered it, and got the Personal Historian at the same time. It is a lot of work, and we appreciate all your time and energy!!
I’d rather have a usable RM8 than an on-time RM8 with lots of bugs.
Great overview and exciting new features. How about a short video on any changes to the FamilySearch tool and features.
Good decision to get the new version right and to communicate delay and reason for delay. I submitted beta tester form few months ago. When will you open up more beta tester slots?
Hey no problem, here. When it’s ready, its ready. Like that you keep us posted.
RM8 development has pushed the long-standing issue of MAC compatibility even farther on the backburner. The latest MAC upgrade has rendered the old RM7 AND the future RM8 entirely incompatible. It looks like we MAC users will have to find another genealogy program altogether.
Reply: For now we recommend that you wait on upgrading to Catalina. Codeweavers is working hard on the CrossOver wrapper for RootsMagic 7. For the native Mac version of RootsMagic we will make sure it meets Apple’s requirements.
Renee, RootsMagic
T too have worked in the software development field and know what you’re talking about. Thanks for the update and I’m perfectly fine with using version 7, which is a high quality product, so take whatever time you need to get version 8 right. I’d much rather wait for a high quality product!! I love RootsMagic!!
Video very helpful but you skipped over the publish section which I am most interested in. Are there any new developments in publish.
And in publishing reports can there be more than the primary picture shown i.e. can the empty space next to the one picture be filled with other pictures.
Many thanks
Greatly appreciate you being up front with the delay. With all apps, there will always be bugs, but better to take your time and get them out and give us a great experience with the application. Thank you for the video, as it gave me a look of the next release.
“we are still looking for more beta testers”
I’m still happy to pitch in. I signed up twice since RootsTech and haven’t heard anything…
Reply: The beta test group is expanded as needed through random selection. When selected an email invitation with instructions and a confidentiality agreement will be sent.
Renee, RootsMagic
Just curious about the reporting options and capabilities. Are the same reports and options supported in RM7 available in RM8. BTW – the video was great!
The video was great. It’s nice to know what is coming and I have the patience to wait for it. Some of the changes scare me and some please me but I know it will only take a short time to get used to the new program. I am thrilled that I will be able to see who is using each citation.
Thank you for the update on the time element on the release date. I will pass it on to the groups I facilitate.
I appreciate the need to put out an update that is as bug-free as possible, but, as a Mac user, I am in the position of either foregoing useful enhancements in other software I use (including important security upgrades), or suspending any genealogy work until RM8 is released. That is an unfortunate “Sophie’s Choice.” The stop-gap “wrapper” for RM7 should be a priority. I like RM and have no desire to jump to another genealogy program with all of the potential problems that can create, but as it appears RM8 is now several months away, I won’t be able to put off the Mac OS upgrade much longer.
Reply: Codeweavers is working hard on a new CrossOver wrapper for RM7 so it will run on Catalina.
Renee, RootsMagic
I have been with you folks since Family Origins. Each new version you released i have used without any issues.
I have no doubt in my mind that Version 8 will be fantastic.
Enjoyed the update. Really like the idea being able to go directly to the edit screen for the wife from the husband’s screen. Would be even better if I could do a right mouse click to open the wife’s screen and leave the husband’s screen open.