Software

 

Page Contents:

 

Software for recorders
- a summary of available titles.

Below this level:

Software for Biological Recording

Many different computer programmes are available for handling biological data. Some have been developed to suit the needs of just one taxonomic group, whilst others handle a wide range of species or habitat data. Some conform to the new NBN data model, and many incorporate mapping facilities or can link to GIS or other programmes. Some software suits the individual recorder, whilst others better meet the needs of fully fledged Records Centres. Support, cost and ease of use all differ.

Listed here are details of some of the commonly available programmes currently used by recorders and records centres in the UK. We hope this information will help you choose the programmes best suited to your needs. The NFBR recommends that programmes conforming to the NBN data collection model are considered first. The details have been provided in good faith; the NFBR cannot offer advice or support on specific products.

Note to suppliers: To add or update software titles to this list, please email the NFBR with details of programme name; cost; description (max 80 words); contact point for purchase and support (plus website and egroups); system requirements, NBN data model conformity.

The following database products are listed in alphabetical order:

The following related products are also listed:


Name


Description


On-line Resources


Cost, Availability and Support

NBN Data model compatable?


System requirements

AditTrec Pro
(for professional ecologists)
AditTrec Special
(includes AditSite)
AditTrec Recorder
(use with Recorder 2002/Recorder 6)
AditTrec Standard
(simple spreadsheet reporting)
AditSite

Sophisticated mobile recording in the field (AditTrec) together with desktop recording and mapping software (AditSite) for all your ecological, biological and wildlife needs. Select species, recorders, sites, and their associated maps and build the data set. Obtain positioning information via built-in GPS, bluetooth, clicking on a map or manual entry. Lat/Long is supported for use outside UK.

Other products include AditSite: desktop recording software with straightforward analytical, reporting, mapping and graphing facilities; pool data with a national or international recording database; extensive data import and export facilities to enable integration with everyone working in your field, irrespective of software used

AditForm: toolkit for designing forms to enable you to collect data on your handheld computer while out in the field

AditLink: automatic, powerful and easy to use link between various wildlife recording systems and DMAP for Windows

AditWalk: for Phase 1 habitat mapping

See website for other products and more information

Website
E-Group
Support

AditTrec Pro £160 +VAT
AditTrec Special £60 +VAT
AditTrec Recorder £45 +VAT
AditTrec Standard £35 +VAT
AditSite from £135 +VAT
AditForm £90 +VAT
AditLink £29 +VAT
AditWalk £29 +VAT

Lifetime support

Supplier: Adit Limited, Tyn Rardd, Dwyran, Anglesey, LL61 6AJ.
Tel: +44 (0) 1248 430075

Supports NBN Data structures for Importing and Exporting.

Microsoft Windows (98 to Vista)

BIOBASE

Since transfer in April 2005, Adit Limited has continued to support existing BioBase users

Upgrade to a BioBase version of AditSite, optimised for recording a single taxon (multi-taxa version also available)

Website (follow links to Products/BioBase)
E-Group
Sales


Support

Prices from £15 +VAT
depending on data-loading requirements
Further information from:
Adit Limited, Tyn Rardd, Dwyran, Anglesey, LL61 6AJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1248 430075

?

 

BIRDING DATABASE

 

AWAITING SUPPLIER'S DESCRIPTION

Website
Sales
Support?
Egroup?
Other?

£30.00 (Western Palearctic List Version)

Everett Associates Limited

?

486 PC computer or Pentium Processor Windows 95, 98, ME, XP or Windows NT 4.0; CD- ROM, 16 Mb RAM. 25 Mb Disk Space min, Sound card with speakers opitional. (Mac with latest OS v.80 and running 'Virtual PC' with 128Mb of memory)

BIRD RECORDER 32 ver 3.5

 

AWAITING SUPPLIER'S DESCRIPTION

Website
Sales?
Support
Egroup?
Other?

Standard Edition £70
Wildlife Computing, 6 Fiddlers Lanem, East Bergholt, Suffolk, CO7 6SJ. United Kingdom Telephone:(+44) (0)1206 298345

?

 

FieldWorker Data

FW- GPS

FW-Sync

FieldWorker is a generic field data collection environment that can rapidly be configured to suit specific data collection requirements, including biological recording. The system supports 15 types of data input controls including, formula, multipick, note, sketch - that can be combined into nested hierarchical data forms. FW supports links to digital photos and documents and FW-GPS supports GPS data capture of points, lines and polygons and raster map display. FW JNCC Phase 1 Habitat Survey and Natura 2000 projects are available.

Website
Sales
Support

Egroup?
Other?

FW-Data - £310 +VAT
FW-GPS -
£360 +VAT
FW-Sync - POA

Tim Richards
Conservation Technology Ltd.
4 Old Tarnwell
Upper Stanton Drew
Somerset BS39 4EA  UK Tel: +44 (0)1275 331223
Fax: +44 (0)1275 331223


No

MS Window *, MS Pocket PC, MS Windows CE, Symbian EPOC 5.

MapMate®

Details of this product have been withdrawn from this page at the request of Teknica Limited.

 

 

 

 

Natural Resources Database

(NRDB)

The Natural Resources Database (NRDB) is a GIS tool for developing and distributing environmental databases. It is also a powerful GIS application which can be applied to a wide variety of applications.
Uses include:
* Storing species and habitat records
* Maintaining information on   environmental resources
* Production of thematic maps of environmental concerns
* Training in environmental management and spatial mapping.

Website
Sales?
Support?
Egroup?
Other?

NRDB (Standard edition) may be downloaded for free. Includes on-line help, tutorial and demonstration database.

 

No

Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2K/XP, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Data Access Components, Internet Explorer

RECORDER 3.x

Powerful DOS-based software developed by JNCC c 1993, and now used by over 700 individual recorders and record centres across the UK. Still in use, but no longer formally supported. Species can still be added to dictionary.
Users egroup. Software now superceded by RECORDER 2002.

Website n/a
Sales
Support n/a
Egroup
Other: (FAQs etc)

Price: Nil Still available from JNCC at no charge unless manuals required.  Formal support has ceased, but see RECORDER Help Pages plus the RECORDER 3 User egroup

 

No

DOS based programme operating on Windows 3.1, Win 95/98/2000. Expanded memory required.

Can be run in Windows XP - Stuart Ball is preparing a FAQ on this topic.

RECORDER 2000/2002

 

AWAITING SUPPLIER'S DESCRIPTION

Website
Sales
Support

Egroup
Other

Available through registered resellers. See RECORDER 2000 pages on NBN website.

Recorder 2000 Forum;

 

Yes

To use Recorder 2000 you'll need a computer running a Windows operating system, i.e. Windows 95/98 or NT. A Pentium 233 or better processor with 32 mb or more of RAM is desirable.

Other Software Products not primarily regarded as Databases:

ARCVIEW
(GIS software)

AWAITING SUPPLIER'S DESCRIPTION

Website?
Sales?
Support?
Egroup
Other

Arcview  GIS discussion group. 200+ members. Public archives

 

DMAP
(ver 7)

Mapping software designed specifically for producing Distribution Maps and Coincidence Maps, displayed in colour, with multiple zoom capability. Maps can be printed at high resolution in colour or black and white, or exported to other software. Data entry for DMAP is very flexible and can be done in a wordprocessor, spreadsheet, database, or a biological recording software package (including AditSite, BioBase, Recorder, IPMR, Bird Recorder). DMAP is used by over 1,000 individuals and organizations, including the National Biological Records Centre.

Website
Sales
Support

Egroup n/a
Other

Price: £70
Supplier: Dr Alan Morton, Blackthorn Cottage, Chawridge Lane, Winkfield, Windsor, SL4 4QR.Tel. 01344 883929 Email: Email Or order online

Support: As above

Any PC running Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP

 

MAPINFO
(GIS software)

"MapInfo provides location-based GIS solutions and services that help organizations better..."

Website
Sales?
Support?
Egroup (£)
Other

£1000 (c £500 with educational licence)

 

R2DW

Linking programme to send output from Recorder 3.x to DMAP

 

Martin Newman

 

    No matter what software you decide to use, the NFBR urges all recorders to:

  • protect their data files with regular backups (kept off site, of course.)
  • ensure paper records and computer records are closely linked together.(Create a filing system.)
  • ensure that relatives understand the importance of their specimens and records (Individual recorders should consider leaving clear instructions for the disposal of their collections (do you have a will?) and should speak to their local BRC or Museum?
Picture

 

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