If you read the soc.genealogy.computer newsgroup often, you've probably seen people recommending and comparing programs; such discussions can be useful when they detail specific functions, but all too often they end up being a "my program is better than your program" argument. Read everything you can find about the various programs, but reserve your judgment until you've had a chance to see the program, or have ruled it out due to other factors.

Software review and information resources:

• Genealogy magazines
• Computer magazines (usually feature the larger commercial programs)
• Society newsletters
• User groups
• Genealogy newsgroups and mailing lists
• Genealogy computer books
• Author or product Web sites
• Software sites such as the Software Springboard

Choosing the Program

There are five steps to choosing the genealogy program right for you:

1. Decide what type of program you want (beginner, intermediate, expert), and what you want from a program.
2. Choose the items which are important to you. If you want to print a book from the program, make sure it supports a book report function, or has the charts and reports you desire.
3. Investigate programs by reading reviews, soliciting opinions, and noting a program's limitations and abilities. Make a list of the programs you are interested in.
4. Weed out any programs which don't fit your profile, programs that are beyond your budget, require a more powerful system than what you have, run in an undesirable operating system, don't have the features you require, etc.
5. Evaluate the programs you have remaining on your list by downloading and trying demo copies.