Author Topic: Constructing a second database (Read 4814 times)

ideasguy · « **on:** April 07, 2009, 01:32:29 PM »

As you know, you can work with multiple databases with each item of my software.

To start work on a new database, all you need to do is download an empty database and install it.
I suggest doing that under igdata_sets for IG, IG Pro and Bonsai Genie, under fgdata_sets for FG.

To work on the database, you use the SWITCH program, found under the Tools tab on your menus.

What can you do with a second database?
You can use it for your own personal use, or you can distribute it on CD, DVD or Flash.
This is what I refer to as a SWAP database.
You can also offer the database as a Commercial product.

Ideas?

RHS Gardens (Laurie has taken the initiative on this one)
Houses and Gardens in England (I know a man with lots of such photos )
Gardens in Ireland
etc

roiphil · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2009, 08:40:23 PM »

hmm and how does one download an empty database and install it

, perhaps the full procedure in easy terms may help please

ideasguy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2009, 11:15:15 PM »

The empty IG Pro database was set up for a download for Laurie in July 2008.

Heres the instructions I gave Laurie:

Download this:
http://www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/EmptyFiles-dl.exe

Then start GA026
Click on the pop-up, and you'll find an entry with the name EMPTYFILES Go ahead and switch to it and make sure its working.
Its not entirely empty - it has 3 plants.

Next task is to rename that folder.
Close IG Pro
Use My Computer to get into the c:\igdata_sets folder You'll see the folder called EMPTYFILES Simply rename it to anything of your choice <MyDatabase>

Then start GA026
Click on the pop-up, and you'll find an entry with the name <MyDatabase>
Go ahead and switch to it, and you are in business!

roiphil · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2009, 11:46:25 AM »

Thanks for that, tried to download and i get this after download

any ideas

i am thinking groundhog day

Stranger its not in GA026 but when i go to programme files igdata_sets its there emptyfiles

??

NightHawk · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2009, 01:13:28 PM »

Phil, it's quite possible that the file got corrupted on the download.

I've just downloaded EmptyFiles-dl.exe from the link George provided, ran the program (double-clicking on the file) and it installed perfectly.

It gives a three-step process as can be seen from the screenshots I did below (just to show what you should get):

Step 1

Step 2

Accept the path that is suggested by the program at this point!

Step 3

Try downloading it again Phil then try again.

The file itself is not corrupted.

After successful installation, check the path C:\igdata_sets\emptyfiles\igdata.

In the igdata folder you should have 260 files, with extensions .CDX, .DBF, .FPT, starting with the file ARTAP1.CDX and ending with WSURLS.FPT.

If you don't have these files then it hasn't installed correctly.

Laurie.

ideasguy · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2009, 02:33:37 PM »

Very well explained, Laurie!

How did you create those wndow screen shots?

It could be a B****y Vista thing again!

NightHawk · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2009, 02:48:19 PM »

Quote from: ideasguy on April 08, 2009, 02:33:37 PM

How did you create those wndow screen shots?

As each menu came up I pressed the Print Screen (Prt Sc on my keyboard) then opened Paint Shop Pro and pasted the captured image from the clipboard into a new image and saved it, optimising it for the Web. I could have used Photoshop Elements or any other graphics software, but I find PSP opens up quicker than the others I've got when I'm in a hurry

.
I did this for each of the three menus.

Quote from: ideasguy on April 08, 2009, 02:33:37 PM

It could be a B****y Vista thing again!

I was thinking the same thing. Need someone else to try it on a Vista PC for comparison.

Laurie.

ideasguy · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2009, 03:06:09 PM »

Yes, thats a very good method, Laurie
Quick and easy

roiphil · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:01:44 PM »

got it now and i did exactly the same as i did the first time i tried to download, which is how you described it Laurie

Quote

Laurie
In the igdata folder you should have 260 files, with extensions .CDX, .DBF, .FPT, starting with the file ARTAP1.CDX and ending with WSURLS.FPT.

Yes i do but my files start ARTAP1 does finish in WSURLS.FPT, Not counted number of file though but i dont have any filles ending in .CDX, .DBF i do have the .FPT ones though

lovely explanation by the way
Phil

NightHawk · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:12:31 PM »

It still doesn't sound like you have a complete installation there though Phil. You shouldn't be missing any files. The count I got was immediately after installation without doing anything else to them.

If you view the folder in Windows Explorer and have the Status Bar displaying, it will show the number of files in that folder on the bottom left of the Status Bar.

Probably need George to come in here now and get his suggestions.

Over to you George.

Laurie.

roiphil · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:30:18 PM »

I have 260 files renamed it to mydatabase

perhaps you could compare against your empty files and see if you can spot the difference
look at the date modified in my pic 25/04/2008 is it meant to be that date

NightHawk · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:43:25 PM »

Phil, try changing your folder view in Windows Explorer to show all your filename extensions.

I know you have Vista but my explanation is based on XP, so you'll need to adapt the procedure.

Open Windows Explorer
Click Tools/Folder Options
Click View tab
Scroll down until you see Hide extensions for known file types. If the box is 'ticked', then untick it
Click OK and refresh your igdata folder in Windows Explorer

You should now see all the file extensions, which should now show the .CDX and .DBF ones you couldn't see before.

The Date modified of 25/04/2008 is correct. This is the date George last worked on the files.

Laurie.

roiphil · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2009, 09:04:55 PM »

your a star took a while to find in vista but i got their, now when i go into computer - local disk (c:) - igdata_sets - mydatabase - igdata i can now see the .CDX and .DBF files thankyou very much

ideasguy · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2009, 09:59:04 PM »

The best way to check if the database is valid is to use the SWITCH program.

Under Tools, Start GA026 and click the Get an IG Pro folder button
The program does a check on all files.
If any files are NOT intact, then the program will not enable the SWITCH button.

roiphil · « **Reply #14 on:** April 09, 2009, 09:50:27 AM »

thanks for that george, have tried yourway and it worked fine aswell

ideasguy · « **Reply #15 on:** April 09, 2009, 10:14:16 AM »

Then you are in business!
Now, what to do with it?

NightHawk · « **Reply #16 on:** April 09, 2009, 10:31:26 AM »

Ooohh!!!!

I feel another WPG coming on here.

You'd better run for cover Phil.

Laurie.

ideasguy · « **Reply #17 on:** April 09, 2009, 11:00:47 AM »

No, no... 'course not. Just curious to know

roiphil · « **Reply #18 on:** April 09, 2009, 11:49:05 AM »

Quote from: ideasguy on April 09, 2009, 10:14:16 AM

Then you are in business!
Now, what to do with it?

yes now what

? one thought is to use it as a database for plant production, seeds sown type and when etc, number germinated etc, transplanted out etc etc etc

or a database of plants availble is it possible to just save this new database to a disc and see what is on the disc even if you dont have igpro or flower genie

ideasguy · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2009, 12:52:43 PM »

More fun!

Author Topic: Constructing a second database (Read 4814 times)

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