Desktop workflow #
The second scenario is working at home on a desktop computer, a laptop, or a large monitor. Here you can take control of your data and organise it into a proper database.
What desktop work is for #
Working on a computer is convenient when you need to calmly process data from collections and field trips.
A database prepared this way is used for:
- digitising your own collection,
- recording field trips,
- working up foreign expedition material,
- organising photos,
- adding species,
- preparing reports,
- preparing data for publication.
On a large screen it is easier to compare records, review photos, check the map and correct record fields.
The full form #
On a computer you most often use the full record form. You can enter more data at once than in quick field mode.
You fill in the species, date, locality, GPS, specimen count, sex, host plant, notes and photos. If the record comes from rearing, you can also save the data needed to describe that case.
Collection digitisation #
ENTOMONE is well suited to digitising a collection. You can transcribe data from labels, add specimen photos, organise species and link records to a dataset.
That dataset becomes an organised database, not a loose folder of photos or a spreadsheet with no connection to the map and to sites.
Processing after a trip #
After a trip, you return to records, photos and sites. This is often when it becomes clear what was actually collected or photographed.
The work usually looks like this:
- Open the trip's dataset.
- Review records day by day.
- Create sites on the map.
- Check which records were assigned automatically.
- Complete species and details.
- Prepare a report, export or iNaturalist publication.