Riparian Frequently Asked Questions

How do I perform searches with common operators (>,<, etc.)?

The database utilizes the functionality of searches in the FileMaker's FileMaker Pro database application. The following table illustrates how to use FileMaker's FileMaker Pro operators in combination with the data you're searching. The operators can be used in combination. Remember to type these operators directly into the search field:

If you want:	Type this operator:	For example:
Greater than what you type next	>	>2500 or >10/12/94
Less than what you type next	<	<40 or <05/06/92
Within the range you specify	...	50...100
An exact match	=	=Smith (finds "Smith" but not "Smithson")
Less than or equal to what you type next	<=	<=50%
Greater than or equal to what you type next	>=	>=0.25
One unknown or variable text character	@	D@n (finds "Dan," "Don," etc.)
Zero or more unknown or variable text characters	*	*smith*
Literal text in a field	" "	"Dry Creek" or *" Allotment"
Empty fields	=	=

How do I print the results of my searches?

You may either print the list (as shown) of records resulting from your search; or you may print the individual polygon data forms of your "found set" one-by-one by opening each record and printing it. To print what is on your screen, pull down the "File" tab on the menu bar and release on the "Print" tab, or click the printer icon on the browser. NOTE: Be aware that printing the polygon inventory data form can be very demanding of printer time (depending on the capability of the printer) and paper. In the present format the polygon inventory data form uses a minimum of twelve sheets of paper. You may just want to print the list of polygons resulting from your search, and then refer to certain fields of interest on the screen.

How can I save the text for reports?

Saving text requires pulling down the "File" tab and releasing on the "Save As" tab and selecting the "Text" option at the bottom of the dialog box. Text can then be imported into a word processors, a spreadsheet, or database for reports.

Why is the database slow to load at times?

This database is one of the largest (length x width) on the Internet. It occupies approximately 500 MB's, with over 1,000 fields and over twelve thousand records. In order to search the database for polygon records having certain attributes, a set of instructions is sent from a requesting computer to the database server via an Internet connection. The database server processes those instructions, causing the database to return a "found set" or polygon records which satisfy the search criteria. This found set is then transmitted back to the requesting computer. Graphics display would drastically slow down response time. The database will respond faster as web browser technology improves. The internet is developing and changing at a rapid pace. New versions and updates of web server and web database software come out on a monthly basis. We are constantly testing and upgrading new hardware and software to improve performance.If multiple users are making simultaneous requests at the same time, the database will slow down.

Why aren't the vegetation and habitat type tables on the data form?

For readability and ease of viewing, we have provided "hot links" (blue highlighted text) that you can click on to view each table for a vegetation lifeform or for habitat types. Due to the structural nature of relational databases, the web database software does not allow easy viewing of related tables. We are researching methods that will allow us to show the related vegetation and habitat type tables directly on the data form.