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As Mad Max says, there is a big difference between being dead and being mostly dead. Apparently, Personal Ancestral File is only mostly dead. I had several people point out to me that Personal Ancestral File was still available at some Family History Centers, on websites, and on CDs for download. When I get time, I will download a copy, which I could not find on my first go around and write about using the program with Microsoft Windows 10 or whatever.
One thing I thought that was interesting is the fact that people indicated to me that the program was available on CD. Only some of the newer computers come with a CD drive by the way. None of the new Apple computers or devices now come with a CD or DVD drive. You might not have noticed, but that technology is also dying rapidly in competition from online streaming and flash drives. I do have a CD drive hooked up to my iMac, but I had to buy it separately. You might also try to load a program from a CD onto your tablet or iPad if you want to see what is really happening.
By the way, Apple is merging both their Mac OS X operating system and their iOS operating systems. Google is merging its mobile Android system with Chrome on its Chromebooks. Microsoft has so far failed to make any headway into the mobile operating system market. But Windows is still the dominant operating system worldwide for desktop and laptop computers. See "Operating System Market Share." But the huge mobile market is dominated by Google Android and Apple iOS. See for example, "Global mobile OS market share in sales to end users from 1st quarter 2009 to 2nd quarter 2017."
This is a situation where Microsoft is winning the battle but losing the war. The real war is in mobile computing. Both Apple and Google recognize this and that is one reason why they are moving to merge their operating systems. The issue with Personal Ancestral File is much more fundamental than merely whether or not it will operate on a Windows machine. The real issue is that future operating systems will not be Windows-like, they will be Android or iOS like. Can you run PAF on your iPad or tablet running Android? Try it.
Yes, you can probably pick up a copy of PAF in a Deseret Industries store around the U.S. But is that a viable outlet for the software you want to use to archive your days, months and years of genealogical research effort?
However, the PAF issue goes much deeper than just that one program. It is symptomatic of a deeper issue with genealogists and technology. I just recently spent almost an hour with two different people trying to retrieve their logins and passwords to FamilySearch.org. You can guess that both of these people are not young. You might not realize it if you are reading this blog post, but most of the younger people I know would not even realize that desktop computer programs for genealogy even exist, much less be interested in using a program that was discontinued before they were born.
For me, PAF is the genealogical symbol the digital divide; the outward and obvious indication that huge segment of the genealogical community as simply out of touch with technology. That is the main reason this subject comes up periodically and will continue to be a subject for comment until the program really dies.
Well PAF 5.2 I think was the same program as Ancestral Quest 1 and it was a good program, Ancestral Quest 2 was even better and still used the PAF files. The current version of Ancestral Quest is 15, and it is compatible with Family Search Family tree and runs on Windows 10. And it is still compatible with the PAF 5 files.
ReplyDeleteWhile not disagreeing with the point of your posting I would question the wisdom of the way the computer industry is going.
ReplyDeleteOn a much more disturbing note than whether a single program will work on a modern system is the dangerous reliance on cloud storage and on line programs.
Many might see this as progress but really it is a regression to a time when only huge companies controlled computers.
The problems with Rootsweb and indeed Ancestry’s frequent other problems highlight the dangers of relying on the internet and such problems are going to get worse.
Yes people who use old computers and old programs may have a few minor problems as you have described but those are nothing compared to the enormous problem caused when online provision fails.
The local problems can normally be quickly solved, even if this means resorting to a saved back-up but when the on line program or storage fails even the back-up may be inaccessible.
Perhaps someone will explain to me what protection is in place for when the next Carrington Event hits. Most people using old fashioned computers will be safe as it is likely their computers could be switched of at the time, but on line servers may be subject to a disastrous failure.
Don’t misunderstand me I am not saying do not embrace the new technology and online services but rather do not rely on the internet to store what you think important.
Ensure you are responsible for that by having the equipment and storage of your data under your control locally.
Cheers
Guy
I would not be interested in genealogy if it wasn't for the ability to research on a computer, soft ware, web sites etc. I also know I would not be willing to start over, if I lost everything. So in addition to doing the back ups etc, I'm writing and donating a book that summarizes my research. Unless a well sourced descendancy book is already written (doesn't have to be perfect) about your ancestors - then one step in the computer back up process for me is a book.
ReplyDeleteYou can still download PAF5 from
ReplyDeletehttp://parowansoftware.com
Here it is 2023 and I have a question about PAF. A distant cousin still uses it and has downloaded a copy of his database for me. When I watched him use PAF I was struck at how easy it is to use, to search etc. and thought I'd get a copy and use it as well. So what should I do? I'd like to get a copy of PAF but I have a Mac and have heard it doesn't run well on a Mac - even if I could find a copy. Any advice?
ReplyDeleteSorry about the delay in responding. PAF for Mac was discontinued in 1994. The only way to run the PAF for PC is though an emulation program.
DeleteGet Ancestral Quest, it similar to PAF and is easy to use and search.
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