If you're a technologically adventurous genealogist who loves being first to play with the latest gadget, you can give the next incarnation of Family Tree Maker a whirl.

Family Tree Maker 2008 is slated for official release in August, but The Generations Network is letting you download a beta version now at beta.familytreemaker.com.

(Editorial aside: What's with the erratic version naming? Things were moving along fine with 1 through 11, then we got year names with versions 2005 and 2006, then back to numbers with Family Tree Maker 16, and now we're on version 2008. Is this just to confuse users into thinking they've missed an upgrade?)

Files created with the beta version may or may not open in the release version. Among other warnings (it's almost like the genealogical equivalent of bungee jumping): The beta Family Tree Maker 2008 will stop working August 24, so you should export any stored GEDCOMs before then.

We hear the program interface is radically different with this release, so we're curious about your thoughts. Post them here or on the FamilyTreeMagazine.com Product News and Reviews Forum.