Ancestry Tree-sync & FTM 2017

Has anyone received the non-expiring version of FTM2017 yet. I must be on my 5th 48 hour test drive edition, but the promised non-expiring version never materialises.

 

Latest sad news from MacKiev, they must be about ready to throw the towel in.


SYNC ALERT - JUNE 6
We have received an elevated number of reports of syncing issues in the past 24 hours for beta test drivers (build 207). Please either hold off syncing until we clear this alert or check carefully the number of changes in the sync change window to make sure you have made all of those before proceeding with syncing. As always make sure you have backups. This alert does not apply to beta test builds (300-series).

 

This was the message that I received when I attempted to commence a FTM sync. I must admit I got cold feet and cancelled.

 

Version 2017 (23.0.1.1207) Build 1207.

 

I have been 'testing' FTM 2017 and cannot believe the unprofessional approach taken by McKiev.
Having been a tester in a past life I was expecting to receive a list of known issues and feedback on the issues I was raising. None of that happened.
I am amazed that Ancestry did not build a test system and we are testing live data.

Today, I saw on the Ancestry blog that Roots Magic is now 'syncing' with Ancestry and their new version is available to download.
They have beaten McKiev to it and I'm laughing up my sleeve.

 

From their update:
The likely start is late on Saturday, July 15th, beginning with test drivers. We will roll out as quickly as the system allows. Everyone will be notified by email when it's their turn to download.

That's Utah time and could take up to three days.

In the meantime my test drive version has expired due to an error on their part. I can re-load it but it also means re-loading a plug-in I have.
There was a bug in FTM test version that prevented the plug-in from loading and of course they haven't advised us of any fixes that have been made and there is no guarantee that bug has been fixed!

 

I have been following the FTM 2017 saga and have been a tester and, like everyone else, waiting for the (so called) final version, which I now have. I am not sure why I stayed the course as FTM had only one use (for me at least) and that was it's ability to Sync with Ancestry. Now that seems to be working (fingers crossed) I was surprised to find a hidden feature about ATM which has elevated it in my estimation, not in the first instance as a data base (although of course it is) but in its PLACES feature.

What a gem and those who use ATM will of course know all about it, but to me a hidden revelation. It is a built in map feature similar (if not the same) as Google maps; but contained within the program. So, so useful especially when researching an area not native to ones birth area. You can type in a place name (and it works world wide) found when researching (like I did for Apethorpe in Northamptonshire which I had never heard of) and lo and behold it appeared with all neighbouring towns, hamlets and villages displayed. It the name spelling is wrong (as often happens) it has an auto detect feature which suggests alternative spellings.

You can also click on an ancestor by name and select the 'Places' tab to find a map of his/her birth area. I am so taken with discovering this attribute of FTM that I now have it open at the 'Places' tab on a separate computer for interrogation when stuck on a place name. (It goes without saying the computer needs to have internet access).

 

Not particularly at the moment, especially since I downloaded the final version... and then was told to "get a new Beta".