Quick Start Guide
Register as a User
Query
Arrangement of Data
Data Entry
Batch Data Loading

Register as a User
Unregistered users have access only to locality numbers and coordinates. They can also use the Map to display locality positions.

Registered users can display full locality data and paleontology/adopted age data that is released, also enter and submit new data.

Query
Database records can be retrieved using the Query form, or the Map.

In the Query form, a range of localities can be retrieved by entering, e.g. M25/f1-100 in the Fossil Record No field. After running the query, click on the locality number in the Search Results screen to display the full database record.

There is a Help screen for the Map interface. The initial Map screen shows the masterfile areas. Zoom in to a region of interest - fossil localities show as blue squares. The easiest way to select a locality or number of localities from the display is to use the rectangle selection tool. Selected localities are highlighted in yellow, and are listed at the bottom of the screen. Click on the FeatureID number to display database information about the associated locality.

Arrangement of Data
Each registered fossil locality has a single database locality record. Recollections have separate records. Currently there are 3 types of locality:

• Outcrop locality records contain location, collection, stratigraphy, sedimentary features, and cross-reference fields. Some locality records at present contain only geographic coordinates.
• Drillhole locality records consist of a header with location and vertical datum fields, and a variable number of attached sample records. Sample records contain individual sample collection details, stratigraphy, etc.
• Vertical Section locality records (for cliffs, pit faces) also have a header and attached sample records.

• Paleontology records comprise a header and a variable number of fossil lists.
  • The header includes laboratory number and general information about paleontological results: name of paleontologist, date, determined stratigraphic age, and comments.
  • Fossil lists consist of a major fossil group name plus a list of taxa. Each taxon may have associated comments.
• Adopted Age records include name of geologist, date, stratigraphic age, and comment fields.

Data Entry

1. When you click on the Data entry link on the FRED home page, if you haven't already logged in, you should be shown a screen which asks for your login name and password.
2. Then you get a Folders screen. You need to create a folder to put new localities in. Use the New folder command at the top of the screen. Click on the new folder name to display its contents and enter localities. Don't change the folder access (Edit users button on right) unless you want to make it visible to another registered user.
3. To create a new locality use the New: Outcrop Locality (or Drillhole/Vertical Section) command at the top of the screen.
4. In the data entry form, type information into boxes, or use the pull-down lists. Some fields have a builder button at the right which assists with complexly formatted data (e.g. grid references). Best to use these builders for a start, although the resulting text can be edited directly in the main window. Fields with red labels are required content before a record can be successfully submitted.
5. When you have entered data in the new locality form, you can save it and return to it later to add or amend data, by clicking on the Edit icon at the right of the locality number. While in the data entry form you can Copy from another previously entered locality. You can also attach an image file (e.g. picture of the locality, map, geological diagram). When you are satisfied with what you have recorded, you Submit the locality.
   Submit automatically notifies the curator that a record needs numbering. The curator assigns a number, or sends back a message that something else is needed. Once a locality record is numbered, it will become visible to all registered users of the database, and you will not be able to edit it, although you will still see it in your folder, and can add Paleontology records or Adoption comments (remarks about age, usually added much later).
6. Paleontology and Adopted age records can be attached to new or existing database records.
   To add paleontology or adopted age data to an existing database record, retrieve the record via a Query, display it by clicking on the page icon at left of the locality number, then use the Add to Folder command at left of the screen (first selecting the intended folder from the pull-down list).
   Click on the locality number in the Folder Contents display, then you can add paleo and adopted age records by clicking on the green or blue buttons, respectively. While records are being created, before they are submitted and accepted into the database, they are only visible to the user creating them. When these records are submitted, their visibility to other users is controlled by the Security Setting that the user has selected. This feature is under development.
7. New taxonomic names need to be approved before a paleontology record is accepted into the database. As part of the submission process, the panel that approves new names for the relevant fossil group is notified by email. Once names are approved, the submission proceeds automatically.
   Record indeterminate specimens within a major group as "gen. indet." or, for example "Belemnopsis sp. indet."; informally named taxa "Belemnopsis spp.", "Belemnopsis sp.a" or "gen. A sp. b" are also acceptable.

Batch Data Loading
We now have a spreadsheet available for batch data loading of locality data and are working on extending it to include paleo data. The spreadsheet is available from the Data Entry page for registered users.