A software can have several types of functions. Some of them will be linked to the system (like anti-virus software), others will allow to read and eventually edit files (like word processing software).
Here we will talk about the second type. You will find here an article dedicated to anti-virus software : Click here
What does the software do?
A software will allow you to open a file. Some will only allow you to view the content (like the free Acrobat Reader that allows you to view a PDF) and others will allow you to edit the content (like Microsoft Word that allows you to write text).
The Heredis software is in the second category : you can open your genealogy file and view the information present, but you can also enter new data.
Software versions
Most software releases different versions over time. This is not innocent or unnecessary. Each new version contains new features, improvements to existing features, and most importantly, new versions bring updates to the technologies used by the software.
Software that is ten years old is unlikely to work perfectly on a computer with an operating system that is up to date. This is perfectly normal: technologies have evolved in the meantime and what was in force ten years ago is not necessarily in force today. And conversely, there are things today that didn't exist ten years ago and which are therefore by definition not supported by older software.
Let's take an example with the Office Open XML standard. In concrete terms, this is the .docx that appears for your Word files. This standard was created in 2007 and is therefore supported by all word processing software published from 2007. And because of this, Microsoft Office 2003, for example, could not (and still cannot) support documents in .docx format. And this is quite logical : docx did not exist in 2003.
Just like for operating systems, the editors of the different software provide maintenance for their products for a more or less determined period of time, depending on the editor. For Heredis, we offer technical support for a period of 2 years after the purchase of the software within the limit of the respect of the compatibilities announced for the software as well as the respect of the conditions required for the use of the operating system.
You can consult our article on operating systems here : Click here
Once a software is no longer maintained by its editor, it will not receive any modification or update. It will not be adapted to new technologies. This is valid for all software, whatever they are. It is therefore necessary to be vigilant about the maintenance periods of the different software. Once a software is no longer maintained, malfunctions are bound to appear and will not be solved by the editor.
An important concept: the location of the files
A software program does not contain the data itself.
When you type text in a Word document, the text is written to a computer file. This computer file is stored in a defined location on your computer. It can be directly on the desktop, or in a specifically chosen folder.
It is important to understand that this file is not in the software.
When you open the file, either by double-clicking or by using a shortcut from a home page, the software calls the file from the computer and opens it.
The file is in the computer's memory. It is not in the program. A program does not have the ability to store a file directly inside itself.
Also, you have to be careful with files. If you delete them from the computer without having made a copy somewhere else (on a USB key, a cloud software, a backup service...), this file is lost and nobody can find it.
But conversely, if a file does not appear on a home page or in the usual location of a shortcut, it does not necessarily mean that the file has been deleted from the computer. It is most likely still there, simply that the shortcut has encountered a problem.
The extensions
Each program can open and/or edit files with specific extensions.
The extensions are the .xxx that you see after the file name. Like for example .docx, .pdf, .heredis. They define the type of file and determine which types of software can open them. You will have noticed that your word processor (Word) cannot open a PDF and vice versa.
And that's where the operating system comes in. It is your operating system that determines by default which software opens which extension. Sometimes the choice of operating system is relevant. But sometimes the operating system gets confused. And it tries, for example, to open a genealogy in .heredis format with Acrobat Reader (which opens PDFs). Of course, it doesn't work!
It is not irreversible. You can change the program linked to an extension at any time to indicate the right program.
A good thing : the procedure is the same on Mac and on Windows. Right-click on the incorrectly assigned file and select "Open with" then "Open with another application". Then let us guide you to choose the right program and don't forget to check the "Always use this app" box so that the change is permanent.
On Windows
On Mac
To each his role!
Each program has a specific function. It is possible that a program calls upon other programs to perform certain functions or that it sends part of its data to another program for further processing.
This is the case with Heredis software when you edit documents (lists, cards, books, trees). Heredis compiles the information and sends it to the appropriate software. Well, more exactly to the one designated in the operating system settings.
Once Heredis has sent the information, the rest depends entirely on the receiving software. It is the receiving software that will manage everything else, from presentation to sending for printing. And the printing itself will be managed by the printer.