[coccoliths] Paleontological data collection software

[David Rutledge]

Hi All,

We have used StrataBugs exclusively for the last 17 years and have 30+ palaeontologists using it daily. This software fulfils our needs, and those of our clients. Data input (and export/transfer) is simple. The graphical output is sophisticated and powerful, and multi-well correlation panels incorporating many parameters are now generated quite easily, once the necessary templates have been set up. Having said this the process of chart generation has become more complicated (I would say unwieldy) following a change to a template-based model. Following lots of feedback from us StrataData are working on making the "Charts & Templates" model more user friendly.

Having never used Bugwin I cannot comment on the usability of this software. I have reviewed some Nannofossil distribution charts produced in Bugwin (or BugCAD?) and the chart quality was not comparable to StrataBugs; in fact interpretation of sample depths was difficult. Admittedly these charts were produced 10 years ago, and the graphical output may have improved, or there may be options to generate charts in alternative, higher resolution formats. I do not know.

If BugWin is available free for academic use then that is a major plus. Data logged in BugWin should be easily transferred to StrataBugs, and if the IODP's main database were in StrataBugs this would enable production of more sophisticated charts, and probably serve as a better long-term archive. I'm no IT expert and that's my personal opinion, for what it's worth.

Best wishes,

Dave

David Rutledge
Director / Nannopalaeontologist

-----Original Message-----
From: Coccoliths [mailto:coccoliths-bounces at fcnym.unlp.edu.ar] On Behalf Of Kahn, Alicia C.M.
Sent: 27 March 2018 23:43
To: Mailing list for INA members and other scientists working with living or fossil nannoplankton <coccoliths at fcnym.unlp.edu.ar>
Subject: Re: [coccoliths] Paleontological data collection software

I second David's message, although I do love the Sbugs charts output.  However, the newest version of Stratabugs is particularly unwieldy for sample logging.  Bugware is easy to use, and generates great (evergreen) charts very quickly.  

Alicia

-----Original Message-----
From: Coccoliths [mailto:coccoliths-bounces at fcnym.unlp.edu.ar] On Behalf Of Dr. Stacia A. Spaulding
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 4:54 PM
To: Mailing list for INA members and other scientists working with living or fossil nannoplankton <coccoliths at fcnym.unlp.edu.ar>
Subject: [**EXTERNAL**] Re: [coccoliths] Paleontological data collection software

He lives!!!

----- Original Message -----
From: David Watkins <dwatkins1 at unl.edu>
To: Mailing list for INA members and other scientists working with living or fossil nannoplankton <coccoliths at fcnym.unlp.edu.ar>
Sent: Tue, 27 Mar 2018 17:42:29 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: [coccoliths] Paleontological data collection software

Hi Denise,
I have used both Bugware and Stratabugs. Bugware is easy to learn and does most everything that one could want, including (and especially) importing other data files (e.g., NGR, L*) and forming reasonable charts. Stratabugs is expensive (>$5000 per year), hard(er) to learn, and has a tendency to produce charts that are unusable because of size. Since I would like to use the data I generate shipboard here in the lab (and for publication), I would prefer a program I can afford to keep up (i.e., Bugware).
I have not used any other products in many years.
Hope you are well and happy,
David


From: Coccoliths [mailto:coccoliths-bounces at fcnym.unlp.edu.ar] On Behalf Of Denise Kulhanek
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 3:21 PM
To: coccoliths at fcnym.unlp.edu.ar
Subject: [coccoliths] Paleontological data collection software

Hi all,

We are starting to explore options for replacing the IODP DESClogik application. As part of this process, we are exploring both off-the-shelf software packages, as well as developing our own in-house products for core description and paleontological data capture.

I’m familiar with Stratabugs and Bugwin; are any of you using other products? We want to make sure we are as inclusive as possible during this initial exploratory phase.

Thanks!
Denise

--
Dr. Denise K. Kulhanek
Staff Scientist/Expedition Project Manager JOIDES Resolution Science Operator International Ocean Discovery Program Texas A&M University
1000 Discovery Drive
College Station, TX 77845 USA
Work: +1 979 845 2024
Mobile: +1 979 446 3612
kulhanek at iodp.tamu.edu<mailto:kulhanek at iodp.tamu.edu>

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