Writing new recording/listing software

[_pauls]

Hi all...

This is an appeal for feedback/suggestions/criticisms etc.

Slightly frustrated by the poor quality of current commercial offerings and the limitations of keeping my records using spreadsheets, and as an experienced software developer for the last 20 years, I recently embarked on writing my own recording software (in fact my track record in software development is infinitely more impressive than my credentials as a birder as I've only really started to take any interest in keeping records over the last 12 months or so).

What I'm aiming for is something modern and user-friendly but equally powerful enough to satisfy serious listers and recorders. Once I get to the finish line I'll probably make the software available as shareware as its only a side project not the day job.

I've got quite a long way through the process and have set up a blog to gather feedback from potential users.

I'm keen on getting as much feedback as possible, so if you're interested in putting ideas forward and shaping the features please take a look at http://naturerecorder.wordpress.com/

I've attached a few screenshots here to whet the appetite - please note this is all still a work in progress and these screenshots are intended to show bits of implementation so some bits may show a lack of detail where more is to come.

Like I say - would love to get feedback so please check out the blog and let me know what you think.

[steviegee]

I have long been looking for a convenient way of record keeping and have yet to find one. One of the keep questions is who's listing is it based on?

If you can work up a good program I am sure it would be very popular.

Steve Gent
Winnebago CO IL

[_pauls]

Thanks Steve - its a good question.

I will provide import routines for popular formats. Currently I'm using the BOU list for British Birds but any list that is available in XML or CSV format will be easy enough to import, anything else will take more work but if people use it/want it then it would be worth investigating, and so long as its based on a hierarchical structure it should not be any problem to incorporate.

[_pauls]

I forgot to say yesterday, my master list is actually derived from the IOC list (downloaded from http://www.worldbirdnames.org/names.html) then filtered down to only the species on the BOU list for my own purposes, but there's no reason the full unfiltered list can't be used.

[MichaelF]

Locations from Birdguides? Or self-entered?

[_pauls]

Locations are self entered at the moment but I'm happy to look at importing data from other sources if they are freely available.

As far as I can tell BirdGuides locations are available to subscribers only, so I suspect that they wouldn't be happy to share them.

[_pauls]

Just in case anyone's interested, I've finally had the opportunity and enthusiasm to progress this project and I now have lots of new features including graphing of data, RSS feeds and will shortly have media links (ie allowing people to link photos to species/sites, ditto with audio files)

If anyone is interested please take a look at http://naturerecorder.wordpress.com

The more feedback I get from people the better the application will be, and ultimately I'll release something by way of a free offering - this isn't a commercial venture!

[_pauls]

Photo linking is now in place... video and audio to come soon...

[_pauls]

Just an update for anyone interested... Alpha test version will be coming soon... meanwhile I made a very short video demonstrating the simple report wizard which lets you easily add a new report to a site you've visited before.

This features a quick checklist of all the birds you've previously recorded at the same site so that you don't overlook the less glamourous birds in favour of just new patch ticks.

The video can be seen at my blog or at youtube..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNRMkCfVpvQ

or

http://naturerecorder.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/a-simple-video-demonstration/

[LeeEvans]

A few comments Paul

The ideal database requires the following -:

To be able to update on an ongoing project, how many individual species recorded in the past week (7 days), single day and entire calendar year (as well as to be able to show this feature graphically)

To compile from data individual county lists

To be able to do individual species' accounts, both in graphical terms as well as printable versions, and to embrace total numbers of individual species' flocks (no programmes available currently offer this facility) eg to be able to easily locate and summarise all of your wildfowl counts, Tree Sparrows, Corn Buntings and the like

I have a fully detailed UK400 Club Definitive list of both the Birds of the Western Palearctic and Britaina nd Ireland that I would be keen for you to utilise

The other thing I would really love is a map add-on facility whereby by dots of different sizes, one could automatically plot the geographical locations of the birds and create county dots clearly illustrating influxes of certain birds (eg, Little Egrets or Red-flanked Bluetails)

[markriley]

Hi Lee,

Try Birders Diary, it will do everything you want. You can have a free trial. I don't have a commercial interest. However I keep the Bou list up to date.

You may be interested to know that I have built A Uk 400 club WP list that I use for private use.

Regards


Mark

[_pauls]

A few comments Paul

The ideal database requires the following -:

To be able to update on an ongoing project, how many individual species recorded in the past week (7 days), single day and entire calendar year (as well as to be able to show this feature graphically)

To compile from data individual county lists

To be able to do individual species' accounts, both in graphical terms as well as printable versions, and to embrace total numbers of individual species' flocks (no programmes available currently offer this facility) eg to be able to easily locate and summarise all of your wildfowl counts, Tree Sparrows, Corn Buntings and the like

I have a fully detailed UK400 Club Definitive list of both the Birds of the Western Palearctic and Britaina nd Ireland that I would be keen for you to utilise

The other thing I would really love is a map add-on facility whereby by dots of different sizes, one could automatically plot the geographical locations of the birds and create county dots clearly illustrating influxes of certain birds (eg, Little Egrets or Red-flanked Bluetails)

Thanks Lee - sent you a PM.

I need to work on the mapping aspect but the rest is pretty much all doable within the current state of the application.

I've just posted another short video demo on my blog... viewable at http://youtu.be/50E9l7jEPT4

NB - I've had a trial of Birder's Diary and its quite good... but not good enough!

[MichaelF]

If you want a global list, I'd strongly recommend the IOC (http://www.worldbirdnames.org/names.html) list as the most reliable

[_pauls]

Hi Michael,

I currently use the IOC list for a global list and the BOU list for UK, however its possible within the application to edit the lists to accomodate changes, or to import a totally different list.

Cheers,

Paul

[MichaelF]

Hi Paul - from the 'Other Place' . . .
Could I ask a question which demonstrates clearly that I'm a foreigner in these parts... whereabouts exactly is Warkworth Gut?
Here:

[_pauls]

Hi Paul - from the 'Other Place' . . .
Here:

Cheers Michael - I figured thats where it was but I wasn't sure... an interesting area - made 2 or 3 trips there last year and looked a great habitat - lots of butterflies in the dunes as well as the birds in the channels and s....es.

[_pauls]

OK.. first limited functionality Alpha test version is available if anyone is interested.

This is aimed at a) validating installation on a range of platforms, and b) trying out the mechanism for creating records (ease of use, finding the species you are looking for etc).

More details on my blog at http://naturerecorder.wordpress.com/ along with video clips of some of the other functionality.

[_pauls]

Following a succesful first stage of alpha-testing from three continents and several different operating systems, I'm widening this up to the wider population.

Download is available from www.naturerecorder.com, however please drop me a line for instructions and details of some possible pre-requisites.

A second phase of alpha testing will start in a week or so with wider functionality to test.