Based on AJ Jacobs interview on WNYC, I signed up and started my family genealogical history. But then I wanted to export it as a GEDCOM. I couldn't find any information on that and assumed it was a feature which only came with the PRO subscription. That thought infuriated me, and I wrote an irate letter about it to AJ Jacobs (copied below).
Geni should make finding out about GEDCOMS easier, to avoid experiences like mine.
COPIED:
AJ,
Listening to your interview with Brian Lehrer http://www.wnyc.org/story/are-you-related-j-jacobs/. Cool. I've been wanting to start a family tree, and this could be an interesting kick start.
Unfortunately, I won't be sending you a GEDCOM because I don't like the bait and switch sneaky way Geni.com gets you to put in all your data and work before telling you you can't get it out until you pay $120. They're strategy -- of getting you to invest the information and time before notifying you you can't get it out, therefore it's not really yours -- until you pay them $120 feels duplicitous, like bait and switch, and leaves me with a bad feeling about them from the outset. Why should I trust someone like that? I wouldn't have wasted the time on their *#&$ site. If they'd informed me clearly at the outset that I can't get my info out until I pay, had they offered smaller monthly billing fees, I'd be more likely to pay. But to have put the time in and only then after the fact to find out the data isn't really mine until I pay them for it -- that feels unethical not to have been informed of that sooner.
Good luck with sponsors like that.
The Wiki Tools are less user friendly, although I like their free and open source attitude and will try to make them work.
All the best,
