Export to USB thumb-drive?

These days new computers tend not to have CD drives so I am looking for a way to export my Legacy file to a USB stick.

Ideally, it would be self-booting ie not requiring installation, perhaps by using a cut-down version of Legacy that operated as a viewer only? If that is wishful thinking, is there a way to put together a self-booting ged viewer, although then my media files would not be included I guess?

What I want to end up with is to be able to distribute USB drives to family members who are interested in viewing the data without needing to operate on it in any way. Any suggestions on how I could achieve this would be most welcome.

Oh, and greetings to all in the group from a first-timer :-)

Comments

  1. I also am VERY interested in this as I've tried all manner of things to be able to share all my hard work with family without any real success.  I'd love to be able to send them all something that is the same as I have (media included) so that they have all the info that I have and are able to add details to their copy of their spouses families.

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  2. I discovered that problem also a while back and there is a very great solution. There is an app called "Families" that allows you to share your entire legacy files, data and media, with anyone else, via email, cloud, or usb drive, or a second computer, or in my case my cell phone. It works beautifully. I have it installed on my cell phone and so wherever I am at I can access my entire Legacy file, make changes when I want to, and then via a USB port sync my changes back to my master file. I also use it to have an offsite backup in the form of my Son-in-Law, who I convinced to purchase Legacy software. So all I have to do is send him my file via email and it becomes, number 1 a reliable backup for my files, and number 2, he can make changes on it, Uses it to add and edit his own tree on Legacy, and if and when he makes changes to mine, all he has to do is send me a file via email and I can sync it with my tree. 

    Two things you need to know. If you decide to use Legacy on two separate computers, or one computer and your cell phone, you do need to purchase the "families" app, very inexpensive. I installed it on my cell phone, and then installed it also on my computer (you only buy it once for both) Now wherever I am at I can access my tree on legacy. It has a different look to it, but its virtually all there and just as easy to use.

    The other thing you need to know is how to use it to send to your relatives etc. In the Family Tree Webinars, there is a webinar listed under Geoff Rasmussen called "Using Legacy Family Tree to Support Famiy Groups/Associations". The whole Families app is discussed entirely in it. I have it on my playlist so I can easily get to it to review whenever I want. The first time you watch it, there is a lot of other stuff in the webinar also, but the speaker that Geoff hosts, is the designer of Families, and he steps you through how to use it. Whenever I want to review it, I just fast forward to the section that explains the step by step process and watch it again.

    From what you described, I believe this could be the answer you are looking for. I love it and use it all the time.

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  3. As far as I know there's only two options for viewing a Legacy file. Either you need Legacy or you need some other genealogy software that will import a gedcom of your Legacy file.

    You can share your Legacy file with family by putting it on a CD. http://support.legacyfamilytree.com/article/AA-00524/14/Tips-and-How-Tos/Share-Legacy-Family-Tree-and-Your-Family-File-on-a-CD.html

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  4. Wow, thanks for the info on Families. I bought that a while ago and have it running on my Android tablet but I didnt know it could do what you suggest. I will watch that webinar now, many thanks for your help.

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  5. great explanation Curt - and Pat, let us know how that works for you. I know we have several LVUG members who use Families. I need to check that one out.

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  6. I would buy an external CD drive that plugs into a USB port instead of using a thumb drive.  These drives are about $30.  The CD should last longer than the thumb drive. 

    I use Families on both my iPhone and iPad.  All the Legacy information is on both the iPhone and iPad.  Format is a little different but it definitely is a good way to keep the information.   While Families allow to modify the file on the Phone or tablet and then sync back to the computer, I prefer to make all my changes on my computer and then sync to the  portable device.  Syncing can be done either wireless or by USB.  I sync using the wireless feature.  Sync takes less than 10 minutes per device.

    When we took an unexpected detour back from the west through Illinois, my wife was driving and we passed into Piatt county where her Great grandfather lived,  We stopped at the local library and because we had the entire Legacy  file on our iPad, we could easily find information on the relatives that lived in that county.

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