Recording / Mapping Software List:

We are now at the stage where the biological recording software market has shaken down and the number of packages has reduced. Most of these packages, though not all, major on allowing recorders to share their data with others. Some of these packeges are described below:

Over the last twenty years many, if not most, recorders have moved from maintaining paper based records of their sightings to computer based mechanisms. In the early stages many of these were based upon spreadsheets (e.g. MS Excel) and there then followed a number of commercial database applications by software manufacturers.

Recorder-2002 / 6:

Recorder-2002 was developed as a complete re-design of the older Recorder-3 software which had been written in the 1980s by Stuart Ball of JNCC. The re-design was undertaken after extensive consultation with naturalists and biological records managers across the country. It was undertaken to provide a more modern GUI based interface to run under MS Windows and to bring biological data management to a level which would enable the needs for security and share-ability highlighted during the development of the National Biodiversity Network (NBN).

Following the re-specification the development project was picked up by a software house (Dorset Software) and the first version (Recorder-2000) was released in 2000. Various updates were released over the next 2 year period and a large update with a name change to Recorder-2002 was released in 2002.

Since then much work has gone on behind the scenes to redevelop the software yet again – not only to enhance the functions and the underlying taxonomic dictionary database structure but also to shift the product away from MS Access (which has a 1 Gigabyte file limit which equates to approximately 1,000,000 records) and move it to another database platform (MS SQL Server) which comes with a run time version supporting 2 Gigabytes of data and with a purchased license can move into the 100’s of millions of records scenario (absolutely necessary for a long-term Local Record Centre like RECORD. Recorder-6 is due out in March 2007.

The advantages of Recorder include: standardisation, in-built taxonomic dictionaries, other dictionaries (e.g. VC’s, land designations, habitat type codifications, etc.), data sharing with static unique keys, mapping capability, VC maps and Ordnance Survey 1/10,000 maps available for free, etc., etc.

The software can be obtained from a suite of re-sellers for £20 – the list of re-sellers can be found on the NBN website at: www.nbn.org.uk Click here for a list of licensed resellers on the NBN website. In certain instances, depending upon which Borough you live in, we may be able to provide a copy for ‘free’ on the assumption that you will provide your data back to RECORD. For further information see the NBN website at: NBN Recorder Info.

Recorder-2002 (and Recorder-6 when it is released) is the database of choice used by YOUR Local Record Centre – RECORD.

MapMate:

MapMate is a Windows based database application written in MS Access by Mark Yeates which has gained a rapid acceptance amongst many naturalists, especially moth trappers. It is relatively simple to use, has many devotees in the Cheshire region following our initial suggestions to some moth trappers in the east of the County, and the author is very responsive to suggestions for evolving the product. However, despite an awful lot of work between Mark and JNCC there is currently no exportation method from MapMate to Recorder which makes things difficult for LRCs. Also, and a bigger failing at the moment from RECORD's viewpoint, is the fact that it is impossible to export standardised Site, People and Codes files from Recorder-2002 and import them into MapMate. This will mean a lot of manual work at RECORD to fix the site hierarchy each time someone donates their data. Currently, (As at February 2007) MapMate costs £24.99 for the installation CD and a 1 year license to run the software and receive updates and support. There is a need to extend the license each year to continue to receive the updates and support help – A MapMate 1-Year Licence Extension. Unit Price £12.00 - including VAT (£12.90 total on-line). Full product Licence, continued Online Support and free Product Updates for 1 year from date of purchase. For further information please see the MapMate website over at: MapMate Site. 

RECORD has a copy of MapMate to assist when bringing in data from other MapMate users.

AditSite:

A biological recording package written in MS Access. Adit reckon that AditSite has all the features you need to manage your recording, analysis and information presentation. Adit have a list of Key Features that you can compare against your own list. If you don't have a list then why not review what is described as an unbiased guide to Selecting Recording Software. If you are working within an organisation or need to pool data with a national or international recording database then AditSite is a good choice. The data import facility will guide you through the process of securing any existing data you may have and the export facility will ensure that you can continue to make your contributions in the required data format.

AditSite is fully integrated with AditMap and AditPlan. AditSite can be simply linked to other desktop software such as word processors or spreadsheets and all of the Adit packages can be integrated with other computer systems and to paper based records. AditSite is designed to meet the needs of the working professional yet it can be scaled to meet the collective needs of large working groups sharing a single integrated data set.

Adit Site and Products.

Recorder 3.3:

As at February 2007 this DOS based software package, written in AREV, is still available from JNCC for FREE although there is a charge if you require documentation (Manual + Tutorial). For some people, especially those with older machines or who prefer a DOS based computing environment, this may be the way to go. It was written to run on pre-Pentium machines and will run quite happily even on old 286 based PCs. A good buy at the current price (free) but hardly what one could now call leading edge software development. RECORDER 3.3 still comes on floppy disks - eleven in all. Copies can be obtained from John Morris at JNCC.

You will first need to install the 8 disks which gives you version 3.21b of RECORDER. You will then need to use the 3 further disks to update to RECORDER 3.3. (Note that Expanded Memory must be available if this upgrade is to work successfully, and that it is essential to make a backup copy of both the AREV and RECORDER directories.

To upgrade to RECORDER 3.4 you will need to run the final update to RECORDER version 3.4.5 which is available on the new RECORDER 2002 CD. This was circulated to all registered users of RECORDER 2000 at the beginning of the January 2003. This update should also be available shortly from the NBN website. (though only the update to version 3.4.3 was available as at 6th Jan 2003. It is essential that you perform this upgrade if you wish your data to be compatible with other RECORDER Users, and the final upgrade to ver 3.4 is essential to enable data to be readied for transfer to RECORDER 2002.

RECORDER 3.x is a powerful database still used by many individuals and local records centres across the UK. Though now replaced by RECORDER 2002, the inevitable withdrawal of formal support by JNCC has left many users feeling unsupported. NFBR wishes to help its members and others who still use RECORDER 3 by providing help pages. NFBR are working with JNCC, and individual NFBR members, to provide answers to a range of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and to promote the operation of an independent Users eGroup.All information is provided in good faith, and users are responsible for ensuring they have adequate backups at all times. Please see the webpages at: Recorder-3 at JNCC.

Mapping Packages:

DMap:

DMAP for Windows is mapping software designed specifically for producing Distribution Maps and Coincidence Maps which are displayed in colour on-screen, with multiple zoom capability. The maps can be printed at high resolution in colour or black and white, or they can be exported as high-resolution images to other software for incorporating high-quality maps in reports or publications. This has become the de-facto standard software for mapping for the production of species distribution atlases over the last 10 to 15 years. Boundary files for this program can be found on the RECORD website downloads area. See over at: DMap Website. Cost is approximately: £70.

MapInfo GIS:

MapInfo Professional is a powerful Microsoft Windows-based mapping application that enables business analysts and GIS professionals to easily visualize the relationships between data and geography. With MapInfo Professional, you can perform sophisticated and detailed data analysis by leveraging the power of location. Use MapInfo Professional to:

• Create highly detailed maps to enhance presentations and aid in decision making
• Reveal patterns and trends in your data that may otherwise be impossible to see in spreadsheets and charts
• Perform sophisticated and extensive data analysis
• Manage geographically based assets, such as sites, reserves, etc.
• Plan logistics and prepare recording plans

See over at: MapInfo details.

Please Note: GIS systems tend to be very expensive (in excess of £1000 – MapInfo do a 50% charity rate) and you need to purchase Ordnance Survey electronic map layers (very expensive) on top of the original cost.