A. Migration
path
The zoological specimen
databases is being migrated along these lines.
- Labels,
- Catalogue Books (introduced
in the 1970's),
- MUSE (introduced in 1992
for birds)
- Excel (introduced in
1999),
- Excel
verification,
- Access
- SQL - web ready version,
restricted access to data (introduced 2002 in
collaboration with SIBILL's Lim Yun Ping)
B. Source of
financing
Intermittent, and is provided
by:
- Undergraduate student hire
(hired via RPs or Dept EOM),
- Polytechnic attachments
(Dept EOM/now OOE), Note: Dept OOE will probably be
withdrawn by April 2002 for this purpose. The Ford Grant
for Biodiversity of Singapore Project will provide me
with the hire of 2 x 2 months x 2nd year biology
undergrads (training involved). They can probably
complete the Fish database entry.
- Volunteers (rare,
considered for special interest groups in the
future).
- Polytechnic attachments,
self-financed (paid for by Singapore Polytechnic via
arrangement by Adrian Elangovan), 2001.
- RMBR OOE will be used to
obtain at least two polytechnic student on attachment for
other databasing tasks, not data entry. E.g. Developing a
user interface for specimen labels from excel
sheets.
C.
Documentation developed since 1999
- Converting MUSE to EXCEL -
Version 1.0 (2000). Version 2.0 (2002). *Note: all
existing MUSE databases were converted by March
2002.
- Documentation for Amphibian
and Reptile Specimen Database.
- Instruction Menu for using
Amphibian Specimen Database.
- Instruction Menu for using
Reptilian Specimen Database.
- Converting Marine Biology
specimen word labels into Excel database.
D. Curator
migration since 1999
Curator migration to immediate
enrty of specimen data into computers has been advanced
along these lines:
- Secure adequate computer
for curator (non-shared unit).
- Provide
template/standardisation
- Advise on excel data entry,
standardisation codes, backup etc.
- Direct data entry (without
catalogue book entry) from current specimens.
- Backlog of specimens is
converted by data entry projects.
E. Status of
curators
YKL
- Received second-hand
computer 133MHz in 1999 (Dept allocation to
SS).
- Initiated direct data entry
for crab specimens in Excel.
- As of 2002, Second in line
for upgraded computer system.
LHK
- Received second-hand
computer 233MHz in 2002 (Dept allocation to
DY).
- To be provided excel
template and training for data entry.
KLKP
- Received second-hand laptop
in 2002 (presented to SS by HK Voris, 2001).
- Will convert to direct data
entry into excel in May 2002, after training.
- As of 2002, next in line
for upgraded computer system (desktop).
F. Catalogue
book migration
- In Access and SQL =
Amphibia, Reptiles. Try the web-interface
(Version 1.0)
prepared by Yun Ping for minimum (guest) recovery of
data. E.g. Try using Species: salavator. Login: ****,
Password: ******
- In Excel - Current
Crustacea, Fish books 1-5.
- In Catalogue books:
Invertebrates except current crustacea.
- In labels only: most of
birds.
G. Jobs Queue
I - Hire of Biology undergraduates
- Next in queue for data
entry: Fish books 6-8, Mammals, Corals
- Pending major grant:
Mollusca, Crabs, insects and other
invertebrates.
- Pending major grant:
Birds.
H. Jobs Queue
II - IT poly student attachment
- Mollusca primer, from
converting the Marine Biology Mollusca Word labels into
excel data (*protocol already prepared, will be conducted
during next polytechnic attachment*).
- Partially completed:
Access Database-interactive system for specimen
loan.
- Access/Excel Database
system for generation of specimen labels.
I. Status of
Databases - VERTEBRATES
- Amphibians, 2 catalogue
books, EXCEL, SQL: OK.
- Reptiles, 3 catalogue books
EXCEL, SQL: OK.
- Fish, 8 catalogue books 80%
in EXCEL, NOT VERIFIED: BY END-2002.
- Birds, 1 catalogue book
MOSTLY NOT CATALOGUED, PARTLY IN MUSE.
- Mammals, 6 catalogue books
0% EXCEL: TO BEGIN END-2002.
J. Status of
Databases - INVERTEBRATES
- Other Invertebrates
(Including Crustacea), 9 books
- Current Crustacea: in
Excel
- Corals, 1 book
- Prawns, 1 book
- Mollusca, 3
books
- Insects, 5
books
H. Future
plans
- Attempt securing grant from
external agency to implement 3-5 year programme for RMBR
databases. An MBA tutorial group is working on a project
now and I will use their report to initiate the proposal
preparation in May and June.
- Phase I will be migration
of the remaining databases to Excel, and Phase II,
migration to SQL. The verification part of this procedure
for both data entry and physical specimens will be
exhaustive if we are successful in obtaining a
grant
- My intention for Phase III
etc., includes integration of all databases on a server
system within the museum and subsequent migration using
holistic technologies. This will give rise to specimen ID
programmes and make it effective in conservation efforts
locally and regionally.
|