Free software and databases

[Gerald R. Noonan]

         A new version of the OmniMap computer program is available at
http://www.mpm.edu/collect/invert/noonan/omnimap/prg/omnimap1.html

         OmniMap is a computer program written by myself to run under
MS-DOS. It's designed to: (1) speed the recording of research specimens
data; (2) help in the checking of research specimens data for accuracy; and
(3) produce specimen databases suitable for use in GIS software.  It
compares geographic information entered into a record against a database of
either 1,413,905 or 124,706 places in the United States. When data in a
record match those in the places database, decimal latitude and longitude
values are inserted into the record. The user may search the places
database directly if desired. The user determines at installation whether
to install the large or the small place named database. The large database
contains entries for all feature names (populated places, mountains, lakes,
streams, ravines, etc.) found on U.S. topographic maps while the small
database contains entries for many of the populated places in the U.S. A
future version will reference a database of 5,039,988 features for
countries other than the United States.
         If you install the large version of the program, you will have
access to all the feature names found on U.S. topographic maps. The large
places database also contains some listings for U.S. trust territories such
as various Pacific islands. You may also download just the places database
and design your own interface for querying it. The contents of the three
files for the large places database are:
bigpl1.zip-- contains places.dbf The main database file.
bigpl2.zip-- contains places.cdx A FoxPro index to the database. This index
is used by OmniMap.
bigpl3.zip-- places.fpt Memo field file for the places database.
         OmniMap was originally designed to speed data entry for several
small-scale monographic studies. It now is being revised and updated for
use in the OmniGeography Project
http://www.mpm.edu/collect/invert/noonan/omnig/int1.htm
         This project will use GIS technology to study a large sample of
insects on a global basis.
         While the program and databases are free, I do ask that anyone
using them provide appropriate citation in their papers.


*************************************************
* Gerald R. Noonan Ph.D., Curator of Insects,                    *
* Milwaukee Public Museum                                               *
* 800 W.
Wells                                                                      *
* Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233                                           *
*
carabid at .mpm.edu                                                             *
* voice (414) 278-2762                                                        *
* fax (414)
278-6100                                                            *
*************************************************