What are the recommended hardware requirements and browser requirements for familysearch.org?
I know someone who is advising a mutual friend to upgrade his PC with an SSD, and to add memory so that his PC can do family search.
Before our friend spends hundreds of dollars needlessly, I would very much like to simply point him to an authoritative source, like a page on familysearch.org, that specifies the minimum and the recommended hardware and browser requirements for using familysearch.org.
Unfortunately, such a basic and seemingly obvious page doesn't seem to exist on the site.
I don't want to put my friend in a position of having to choose between my advice and the advice of our other friend. But I also hate to see him spend money and get no benefit from it.
It would be SUPER helpful for me, and probably for many people, if familysearch.org had a link in the footer that takes people to a page that outlines the minimum and recommended computer requirements for using the site.
Thanks for listening.
Answers
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Here's a help article that was just update december 2020:
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/which-internet-browsers-are-compatible
It doesn't talk specifically about hardware, but the main thing is the current browser versions and any OSs or hardware needed to support them.
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Thank you. Your point about browsers is correct, but it doesn't help me in my situation. I would still have to convince my friend that his hardware is adequate because it runs the current browser version, and that would oppose the advice he is getting from our other friend.
I don't want to put him in a position of trying to decide who knows more about computers.
Thank you, though.
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For the most part - FamilySearch is not a Resource Hog.
Most any basic computer that can browse the web reasonably fast - should be able to use FS. Of course the info Jeff W provided is very good info to know what Browser to be using etc. I would have at least 4MB of RAM. Trying to run things with less than 4 will be very slow.
Before I would recmmend anyone spend a lot of money upgrading their computer with the "latest and greatest" - I would merely make sure it has the lastest/correct versions of a browser and then just simply see how it works. It it has enough memory (hard drive and RAM) to run most current basic programs then it should for the most part be able to run FamilySearch.
A few questions: how much RAM does it have?
How much Free Hard Drive Space?
and what versions of windows/Browsers.
But again - you dont need anythig near to a super computer to run FS
and if it were me - and my computer wasnt even powerful enough to run FS
then I would not even waste time on trying to upgrade it - I would just get a totally new computer that is under warranty and has the latest operating system and browsers. Basic computers that can run FS are relatively cheap.
Trying to upgrade a very old computer is rarely a good idea - because you might fix one thing - but still have numerous components that are old, slow and unreliable and ready to die and out of warranty.
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Family Bible is right, Nearly all of the real processing power being used is occurring in the FamilySearch servers farm. The browser that you are using is simply the window mechanism to get to the FS databases.
Remember that access to the FSFT is available via smartphones and tablets as well.
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the browser really is the key
if his computer can run a current browser fast and effiiciently enough
and has enough RAM and free hard drive (which it doenst need much of) - than it should work
and if it doesnt - than he is in need of a new computer anyway . . .
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Sounds like your other friend wants to buy himself a new PC by proxy 😎
If all he is doing is adding an SSD (more speed, not memory) and adding memory to the existing PC, your friend really needs to just try using that PC on the FamilySerach website as it is, and see what issues he runs into (if any).
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I agree
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you definitely do NOT need SSD to run FS . . . .
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I am in complete agreement with each one of your points, and I sincerely thank you and everyone else for making the time.
I'd just add that my problem is that I can say these exact words myself, yet in my situation it would still be perceived as my advice vs. the advice of another trusted friend.
By the way, my friend has actually used familysearch.org twice with his computer as is — which could serve as evidence that he'll be fine, however the slowness of the experience has him leaning toward the hardware upgrade. I'd rather see a new computer than old wine in new bottles. 😉
At any rate, I really was just hoping for a definitive word posted on familysearch.org, or from a family search employee so I that I can guide him with someone's authority besides my own. 🙂
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you friend doenst have to rely on one other friends word over another friends word
the best proof is "in the pudding"
i.e. if it works as is - or with minor software upgrades - than whats the point of the hard ware upgrade. you dotn have to prove anyhting or be an expert on anything.
a slow computer using FS usually means a lack of RAM
also ensure that he has at least 2-4 GIGS of free space on hard drive (preferably more)
and also that he has a GOOD internet connection.
You can have a super fast computer - but if you have slug like Internet connection - than whats the point.
too many of us it just seems your friends friend has alterior motives.
Maybe he doesnt - but either way I just dont see the point of an SSD drive
(if at least his existing drive works and is not full to capacity)
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There are so many factors in a computer use and speed - that its hard to give a definitive requrement spec
the following are all factors
1) Age of computer
2) Up to date OS and Browsers
2) Amount of RAM (should at least have 4 GB)
3) Amount of Free space on Hard Drive - at least 5 GB
4) Internet download Speed preferably no lower than 35-50 Mbps (test with speedtest.net)
5) Running Anti - Virus and Malware
6) making sure the computer is free of unnecessarily installed programs and adware and doesnt load any programs at startup that it doesnt need to.
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All sounds like good advice given. The use of a SSD will have very little impact on the browser because it only comes into play for reading and writing "temporary Internet files" that the browser will access. There are typically very small graphic files from a web page such as thunmbnail pictures, company logos and other such icons. The SSD might come into play if using a Windows based computer with only 4 GB RAM and then its to access the system's "swap file" which Windows uses as its additional temporary RAM. But even without at least 8 GB or RAM, a mechanical hard drive usually will suffice for use with browsers. Even then, the use of SSDs is rapidly diminishing because of the use of M.2 devices on the newer motherboards. My brother just finished building his last system with just two M.2 1-terrabyte drive. No SSDs and no other mechanical drives.
But everybody didn't see the gorilla in the room. If you want a fast and enjoyable browsing experience then your Internet connection speed is the number one thing to consider. You can attach all the SSDs you want to a system but if you are tied to a 14.4K dial-up modem, then browsers move at a snail's pace. Most large cable ISPs are offering a starting plan at 100 MB service but there are many people accross the county that are still connecting at 5 Mbps with DSL or some other form of harware. I think it was Dennis J. Yancey who mentioned you can easily test your connection speed at "speedtest.net". A person may wish to contact their ISP to inquire about an upgrade in service. Once using the newer speeds, you'll never look back. Yes, I know not everybody on FS lives in the US but some foreign countries have starting plans even faster than the US. Unfortunately some are still stuck in the horse and buggie days.
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