Reunion 5 to Reunion 8

[Maxine Crabtree]

I am going to upgrade from version 5 to version 8 and would like to know if a user's guide comes with version 8. I seem to remember that version 6 did not have a paper manual, and there were a lot of unhappy Reunion users. I don't know if I can handle an online guide. Maxine

[David G. Kanter]

I am going to upgrade from version 5 to version 8 and would like to know if a user's guide comes with version 8.Yes; there's a comprehensive electronic manual that is installed on your computer as part of the routine installation.
I seem to remember that version 6 did not have a paper manual, and there were a lot of unhappy Reunion users.Some users (including myself) were, at least initially, bothered by not having a hardcopy manual; however, the folks at Leister Productions have provided an excellent, easily searched, well-written, manual—full of screen shots—that provides superb support. And, as it is an electronic manual, it has been linked directly to the Reunion windows so help that's tailored to what you are doing is just a click away using the "?" in the window. On a day-in and day-out basis, I've been sold on their electronic manual as more quickly getting me the specific answer I need as I'm using Reunion than even their excellent paper manual had done for the old versions.

I don't know if I can handle an online guide.Sure you can.:D

Just to clarify, as the manual is on your computer, using it has nothing to do with an Internet connection. Then, importantly, the fundamental user interface remains the same Family Card with which you are already familiar and it remains just as intuitive as before so there is no steep learning curve to face. And the manual also includes a step-by-step Tutorial to easily walk you through all the basic steps.

Bottom Line: IMHO, don't hesitate. Go for version 8 now so you can begin to benefit now from all the great improvements you'll find over your version 5. (For those who are looking for the wealth of improvement of version 8 over version 7—and over the earlier versions—they are listed this New Features page at the Leister Productions Web site (http://www.leisterpro.com/doc/Version8/NewFeatures/NewFeatures8.html).)

I'm confident you'll find all the help you need to make the transition readily available from the electronic manual—and, of course, this ReunionTalk is another of the resources standing by to assist, if needed.

P.S. Don't worry about using all the information in your current Family File. Reunion 8 will take care of making it ready for use with the new program. As the Manual explains: When you open Reunion 8, right there in the Open window is an "Upgrade Family File…" button. When you then tell Reunion that your old Family File is from Reunion 5 and then navigate to select your old Family File, you'll be asked to name what will be your new, converted Family File. Reunion 8 will then create that new Family File and open it for you. (Your old Family File will not be changed in any way.)

[metfordplatt]

Please don't hesitate to upgrade to Reunion 8. I was also one of those people who was disappointed in not seeing a hard copy manual for the software. I agree with David that Reunion 8 remains very intuitive and that the "on-line" manual is very good. It stays on your hard drive and answers many questions as you go along. Unfortunately I disagree slightly in that I still wish I had a hard copy. I keep on going back to the old guide to look for things I might have missed. I enjoyed reading the old guide (that's why I keep it!) because it was such easy reading. I am sure I still miss things in Reunion 8 because the software is so complete. I just found out some new things this week in fact (which would have been more accessible if I had read it first). But, DO UPGRADE TO REUNION 8! You will love it and you won't regret it for a minute or any cent you have spent on it! Michel