Changing System Preferences
System preferences affect the feel of the program and the way it responds to certain input, and they can be changed or selected so that each time you use the program, you get the same look or response.
Establishing Fastfields
One of the reasons why people use software programs in their genealogy research is to cut down on duplication. One of the ways Family Tree Maker aids in this is through the Fastfields.
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TIP
The default setting is to have all of the Fastfields turned on. To turn any of them off, simply click on the check box next to the one that you want to turn off. If there is no check mark in the box, the Fastfield has been turned off.
Selecting Family Page Labels
The default setting for the Family Page and the reports is Husband and Wife. Some people do not like to use these terms, instead preferring something like Father and Mother. Family Tree Maker allows you to make changes to these labels.
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TIP
You can change one or all of the labels, or you can restore the default labels by clicking on the Reset labels to default button.
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CAUTION
Making these changes will affect your entire Family File.
Protecting Privacy
There has been much concern of late, especially in the genealogical community, about the sharing of information on living individuals. Family Tree Maker allows you to privatize this information.
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NOTE
The privatize option is intended as a temporary setting. It is designed to hide the Birth, Death, Marriage, More About Facts, Medical, and Notes information on living relatives so that you can share your database without passing along information on living individuals.
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NOTE
While your Family File is in privatize mode you cannot make any changes to the file. Once you have created the GEDCOM file or printed out the report you want to share, you will need to repeat steps 1 through 5 to turn off the privatize option so that you can make changes to the Family File.
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TIP
You will know when your file is in privatize mode because the Family page background will change from yellow to green.
Working with FamilyFinder Preferences
The FamilyFinder Report is a useful tool that lets you know of possible matching information on the Genealogy.com Web site or on the many Family Tree Maker CD-ROMs.
Working with Cue Cards Preferences
The cue cards that pop up as you move from one section of the program to another often include helpful hints and shortcuts so that you get more out of the program. You can turn them on or off as you need.
