Managing digital family history using Family Tree Makers often involves handling a large number of media files, such as photos and documents. For users working across multiple computers, cloud storage services like Dropbox seem like an ideal solution for syncing their family tree maker files and associated media. However, this approach can sometimes lead to frustrating issues, particularly with media links becoming broken. Let’s explore a common problem faced by family tree maker users when using Dropbox and discuss potential reasons and solutions.
Many users employ a workflow similar to this: they have Family Tree Maker software installed on multiple computers and utilize Dropbox to keep their family tree files synchronized. This often involves storing the primary Family Tree Maker file in a Dropbox folder, allowing access and updates from different devices. Initially, this setup appears seamless. Changes made on one computer, once synced via Dropbox, become available on another. This includes the crucial linking of media files to individuals and events within the family tree.
The problem arises when, after a period of successful use, users find that their media files are no longer linked in their Family Tree Maker project. The software reports that media files cannot be found, even though the files are still present in their designated folders within Dropbox. This issue can manifest suddenly, sometimes after a system or Dropbox update. Users might discover this problem on one computer and then find the same broken links when accessing the same Family Tree Maker file from a different computer.
One potential cause of this issue could be related to how Dropbox updates and manages file paths. A Dropbox update might alter the internal pathing or file indexing in a way that Family Tree Maker, or similar family tree makers, struggles to recognize. When Family Tree Maker links media files, it records the file path. If Dropbox changes how these paths are perceived by the operating system or by applications accessing files within Dropbox, the links can break.
Another factor could be inconsistencies in syncing. While Dropbox is generally reliable, sync conflicts or delays can sometimes occur. If the Family Tree Maker file and the media files are not perfectly synced across computers at all times, especially during software updates or when making changes to file locations, it could lead to discrepancies in how media links are resolved on different machines. The experience of re-linking media on one computer not being reflected on another further suggests a syncing or path recognition problem specific to how Family Tree Makers interact with files in Dropbox.
For users considering using Dropbox or similar cloud services with family tree makers, it’s crucial to understand these potential pitfalls. While cloud syncing offers convenience, the way Family Tree Maker and other family history software manage media links, which are often based on local file paths, can be sensitive to changes introduced by cloud storage solutions. Careful consideration should be given to how media files are organized within Dropbox, and users should be prepared for potential re-linking efforts if pathing issues arise. Exploring alternative strategies for media file management within Family Tree Maker, or considering whether cloud syncing is the most robust solution for media-rich family tree projects, might be necessary to avoid these synchronization challenges.
While Dropbox can be a useful tool for file sharing and backup, its integration with software like family tree makers, especially concerning media file links, requires a cautious approach and awareness of potential synchronization and pathing complexities.
