Accessing the
Aquatic Plant Database

During March, 1996, almost 200 individuals from 23 countries gained access to and used the APIRS aquatic plant database through our Web site. The database now includes more than 42,000 citations. Use of the database, whether through our Web site or by contacting the APIRS office, is free of charge to anyone.

We have received many compliments and suggestions from successful Web users, and are grateful for them. Now we are certain that remote use of our database is a valuable service to those who are able to access and use it.

From our e-mail and telephone calls, though, we know also that many of you have tried but failed to get into the database, or to make it work properly, through our Web site. Here are a few answers:

You Get to the Database Through Telnet

To use the database, your computer must have a "telnet application" (such as QVTNET), in addition to your Web browsing software (such as Netscape). When properly configured, your browser will automatically start the telnet application when you click on "Telnet" on our Web site database page. Your computer will then present a text only window with the word (or prompt) “login:”. Now you type "guest" as the password and follow the log on instructions as provided on our Web site database page.

Many users have no difficulty accessing the Web site, but when they go to the database page, and click on "Telnet" to get to the aquatic plant database, the message “unable to find application” appears. In short, Web users who get such a message have a problem at their end, and need to contact their local computer guru for help in further setting up their Web browsing and telnet capabilities.

The Database Interface Can Be Confusing

Because of financial considerations, the APIRS Web/Database interface is plain, old-fashioned, and user-noncomplaisant. The database "search" and "display" screens are obviously unlike the rest of the Web site, and are somewhat confusing as a consequence. About twenty thousand dollars, the cost of interface software compatible with our system, should fix the problem nicely.

"Sorry"

Sometimes users get to the database search screen but when they attempt to go further they get a message that only says, "Sorry". Because of software user licensing limitations and the unwillingness or confusion of users who do not "quit" their search sessions properly, the number of user channels can be reduced to zero. At this point the "Sorry" message appears, and no one else can get into the database until our office "unlocks" the channels. About ten thousand dollars, the cost of enlarging our user license, would reduce the "Sorry" messages by about three-quarters. When you are finished searching the database, please quit according to instructions.

The Database Is Not Easy to Use

Because of the aforementioned financial considerations, use of the APIRS database requires a reasonably knowledgeable user; one who has used other scientific databases such as those in DIALOG, for example. Users who want to search our database by themselves are expected to know, or to read and learn about, the standard Boolean search strategies and specific database commands. Instructions are provided on the Search Survival Pages that are accessible from the Web site database page.

For very limited telephone assistance to help solve your telnet problems, you are welcome to call the APIRS office (352-392-1799) and ask for Vic Ramey or Kimberly Meyer.

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