Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Software for collecting

Posted by ChrisR on 13-06-2006 09:51
#2

I use a very old English software package called 'Recorder 3.3' (they released newer versions but I don't like them) but this only comes with a UK species list. Other people here often use MapMate (http://www.mapmat...), which is simple and very easy to adapt with local species lists etc - or Recorder 2002 (http://www.nbn.or...Level2ID=1). The most important thing (IMO) is a good species list as part of the package - so you should start by looking for Swedish software.

As for home-made packages the data recorded is usually different depending on who is doing it and which things they are interested in. The basic data falls into 2 groups:
1. data: exact location (including map reference or lat/lon); date of capture; collector's name. Secondary information like: habitat; altitude; any references to a wider survey/job that this is part of; any rearing information (host, foodplant, date emerged etc); method of capture; which collection it is in; voucher reference; collection aquisition code etc; cross references to other specimens linked to this one (genitalia/spore preparations etc).
2. name: the name and sex (the determination or 'det'); name of determiner; date of their det. Secondary information like: references to keys or publications used to make the det.

#1 is all static and is information that cannot change because it is all taken to be fact. But #2 is open to interpretation - the identification might be revised at a later date. In good packages the system should store BOTH determinations with just one being marked as the 'true' determination.

So, a person might just record the minimum of data OR they might choose to record more and that 'more' depends on what you are collecting (fly, moth, fungus, plant). :D

Personally, if I could avoid writing my own system I would - mainly because of the need for the species lists but also because you'd presumably want to link mapping to your data and I don't fancy writing a mapping package! ;) But if I did write it I'd write it in PHP/MySQL because this is 'web-ready' and I could then publish the data easily and make it available to the wider world. Remember, collecting data is just the start - some day you have to distribute your information to other organisations so that it can be made use of. :D

Cheers, Chris R.