Software Review of:
Ultimate Family Tree 
Platinum 

Minimum Requirements
Win 3.1, 95/98; 486DX/66 MHz processor (Pentium or equivalent strongly recommended). SVGA color monitor (8-bit color, 16 bit color recommended when using color photographs), double-speed CD-ROM (quad speed or faster recommended). Win 3.1: 8MB RAM, 49MB of hard disk space. Win 95/98: 16 MB RAM, 70MB hard disk space. Ultimate Family Data Library Master Index and Pictureworks Technology Netcard require Win 95/98. Netcard requires e-mail software that accepts file attachments (e-mail software not included). Optional 14.4 Kbps modem (28.8 Kbps or faster recommended). Sound card & speakers (for multimedia) and Scanner (for photo features) recommended. 

Installation
The program was installed on a COMPAQ Presario 4550 with a 233 MHz AMD-K6 MMx processor; 4 GB HD; 512 KB Cache, 48 MB of DRAM Memory; and 24X CD-ROM using Disk One of Four CD's provided in the UFT Platinum package. Installation went quite well using only the Quick Start Printed Guide and the On-Screen Prompts. Added instructions are included in a 275 page User's Manual which comes with the software. While installing, I chose the Typical Option which adds the Kennedy Sample Project. This option is recommended for first time installation and provides the new user examples of what to expect in following the program instructions. One of the installation steps is the Browser Setup which identifies a browser to use for WWW access without leaving the UFT program. 

Getting Started
When using a genealogical program for the first time, the user must either import family data found on a GEDCOM file built using some other brand of genealogy software or begin entering family tree information following the input process provided by the newer program. To test UFT Platnium, I chose to enter information on a branch of my wife's family. Identifying the Project (Family Data File) was simple using the Project Information window provided by the program. Then came time to enter information about individuals comprising the family tree. This information can be limited or quite large depending on the amount available to or found by the user / researcher. The UFT software provides what is called the Individual Record window that enables the user to perform this all important task of entering genealogical data to build the family tree. 

Using this primary Individual Record and the numerous secondary Event windows one is able to enter a wide array of genealogical data available for each individual to be included in the family tree. These Vital Statistics includes all the essentials -- Name of Individual, Spouse(s), Children/Siblings, Date/Place of Birth(s), Marriage Date(s), Date/Place of Death(s), Burial Place(s), Divorce, etc. Additionally, one may enter a wide range of life Events such as Graduation, Education, Residences, Emigration, Immigration, Roles, Languages, Aliases, Travel, etc. Entering data using the Individual Record and the many Event windows is more involved than advertised by the UFT software manufacturer. I chose to use only the Quick Start Guide and one of the four Wizards provided by UFT to begin entering the family data. I soon ran into some difficulty in calling / sequencing the different data entry windows. For example, the Individual Record window cannot be closed -- only minimized. Only, after close referral to the 275 Page User's Manual and the Help Menu, along with a bit of Trial and Error, was I able to establish proficiency in manipulating these windows so that entry of names, dates, places, etc. proceeded at a more rapid pace. 

Each search window provides options for defining the scope of one's search and locates all records for which the contents of the specific field matches the search criteria. Both are great tools for managing the large amount of family data one has entered. 

Current versions of genealogy software have options to print genealogical charts and reports. 

UFT provides a wide variety of such, ranging from simple lists to a fully indexed and documented book Many different formats are provided for these reports/charts so the UFT user can customize to his / her own preference. The on-screen reports called from the View pull-down menu cannot be printed. However, a Reports menu has been included to call a large number of genealogical reports and charts that may be printed -- and / or previewed on-screen. These include standard Family Tree (Pedigree) Charts, Ancestor (Ahnentafel) Reports, Descendant Reports, and Descendant Box Charts. Additionally, one may print numerous reports needed to manage the entered data or provide useful information to other interested parties. A sampling of these are the Family Group, Individual Summary, Events Summary, Biographical, Index, Place Summary, and GEDCOM Exception Reports. There are many more. Finally, the UFT user has the capability of producing a Family Journal Style Report - with options to select from different formats approved by either the National Genealogical Society or the New England Historical Genealogical Society; or customize it to meet one's own needs or desires. 

• Be sensitive to the wishes of family members who may not want certain information published on the WWW
• Include your e-mail address so other researchers and family members can contact you.
• Remember your family data is only as useful as its documentation -- cite its sources. 

Other features of UFT Platinum include the following: 

1. World Photo Studio

Used to create family albums & personalize them with maps and photos from around the world; 
2. Records Request

Very useful tool to generate letters to request official records from around the world and log the request. Provides a Wizard to do this in several different languages (was neat to watch); 
3. Gazetteer

Pinpoints an early ancestor's birthplace in the U.S. in 1833 & 1853. 
4. Family Tutor

Excellent tutorial on where to find/research Basic Records in Genealogy; Immigration and Naturalization Records; and English and Welsh Records. (5) Three volume set of CD-ROM's with a Social Security Death Index -- Can be used to locate and request vital information about deceased persons in the U.S. (If your name is Smith, Jones, or Garcia, be prepared to spend some time in scanning your family name after your Search. An all-state search of Robinson ended with over 100,000 names. Hope you know the state in which your ancestor died?) 

Availability and Price 
A check on the Paladium Web Site revealed the cost of the Platinum version is $69.95. The Deluxe version sells for $39.95 (Win) or 59.99 (Mac). A comparison of UFT vs. the Competition on the Web Site shows both versions of UFT have more features than the popular Family Tree Maker, Version 5. Both UFT versions are excellent buys. Considering the moderate price of UFT Platinum and its extra features, I would recommend it over the Deluxe version. Incidentally, with the announced merger of Paladium Interactive with the Learning Company, Ultimate Family Tree and Family Tree Maker become not only competing, but sister products. Hopefully, both survive the merger. Each have their own niche in the genealogy software world.