login failure from MacFamilyTree v9

allan.reid

Recently I discovered that I can no longer login from MacFamilyTree v9. I contacted SYNIUM and they say it is because FamilySearch have changed the login procedure. SYNIUM say I have to upgrade to v11 (a paid update for 70 euros) to be able to sync with FamilySearch.

I am disappointed with both FamilySearch and SYNIUM for the lack of understanding that some people can't always follow updates - especially if you aren't informed beforehand.

Every improvement is a change, but not every change is an improvement.

Regards, Allan Reid

MandyShaw1

@allan.reid

FS withdrew their previous integration login mechanism well over a year ago. As I understand it this was for security reasons. The change affected the other integrated 3rd party products just as badly - they all had to update their software accordingly. (I had to buy an upgrade to RootsMagic myself.) However, FS gave all the suppliers considerable notice, and the matter was much discussed at the time, including here on Community.

I am confused that this is only now affecting MacFamilyTree - do you have any further detail? I would have expected your previous integration to have ceased to work many months ago (see, for example, several threads here concerning the delayed availability of a compatible version of the Family Tree Maker software).

I've just been looking at Synium's website and they don't seem to mention this matter at all, nor can I find a relevant discussion anywhere else online (they don't seem to have any sort of support forum). I can completely see why you are frustrated with them, but I honestly don't think FS are at fault here.

allan.reid

Maybe it's just my on and off use of MacFamilyTree and FamilySearch that's to blame, MFT was probably affected some time ago. I just didn't see it because I haven't been doing any research at all for the last year and previously almost always used FamilySearch via MacFamilyTree login so I completely missed any notification from FS that the login API was changing. There was also no notification from Synium that the login would be deprecated in MFT version 9 and that users would need to pay to upgrade to MFT 10 or 11.

I can understand FS changing things for security reasons but I would expect that it is good practice for suppliers (like Synium) to modify their software and release a security update instead of a full blown (paid) upgrade.

I will contact Synium again about their "compulsory" update policy.

Wayland K Adams

Hi Allan Thanks for your understanding. I too had to upgrade my roots magic some time ago with a paid upgrade. But as experienced by MandyShaw1, there was plenty of notice from both FS and Roots Magic. Good luck in getting this sorted out.