GEOLocate Standalone Desktop Application (version 3.xx)

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Features | Frequently Asked Questions | Updates | Downloads

    GEOLocate is a comprehensive electronic georeferencing solution funded by the National Science Foundations and developed by Tulane University's Museum of Natural History designed to facilitate the task of assigning geographic coordinates to specimen locality data associated with natural history collections. It is similar to how google maps helps find your house or the nearest Starbucks, but instead of deciphering addresses, GEOLocate analyzes specimen locality descriptions. Unlike addresses, locality description of specimen collections are quite varied and oftentimes difficult to pinpoint. Therefore, GEOLocate also provides an interface to visualize and correct as nessesary the results of automated georeferencing. 

    Georeferencing allows data from previous collection events to be displayed on digital maps, permitting researchers to visualize the spatial and temporal intensity of scientific collecting activity, examine species distributions, and develop predictive models of species habitat use. It also allows researchers to use natural history data to address important scientific and societal needs such as conservation, environmental restoration, and preparing for global climate change.
It is estimated that there are nearly 3 billion specimens in Natural History Museums worldwide, the vast majority of which, lack geographic coordinates, underscoring the importance of automated tools for georeferencing.

Verison 3.xx is the original standalone desktop application.

Features

• Import of existing locality data via XML, CSV, or TXT files.
• Batch processing for unattended georeferencing
• Detailed visual map display, including street level data for the United States
• Drag and drop correction of georeferenced coordinates
• Polygon error determination

Features | Frequently Asked Questions | Updates | Downloads
 

FAQs

1)Is there an easy way to record coordinates generated from user input mode into another program?
Yes, right-click on the calculated coordinate you wish to copy and select copy to clipboard from the popup menu. You can then paste the number into another program or file.

2) Is there a way to select an entire column of data from the file input data screen and copy it to another program like excel?
Yes, right-click the column heading you with to copy and select copy to clipboard. Then open excel and paste the column of data into your spreadsheet.

3) Is it possible to measure distance on the map display?
Yes, hold down the shift key while you left-click and drag to make a straight line measurement in miles.

4) How do I pan the map display?
Hold down the ctrl key while you left-click and drag to pan across the map display.

5) How come TRS data appears to work for some localities and not others?
GEOLocate uses data from the TRS2LL program developed by Marty Wefald. Therefore GEOLocate can only calculate latitude and longitude from TRS data for the following states: AZ CA CO ID KS MT ND NE NM NV OK OR SD UT WA WY

6) How does GEOLocate compare with Biogemancer?
To answer this, we randomly selected 100 unique hand-georeferenced locality records from the TUMNH fish collection database. Each record was initially verified against digital maps for accuracy of its coordinates. Inaccurate and non-continental records were removed from the test dataset. The data were then georeferenced using GEOLocate and Biogeomancer and the results were compared against the original hand-georeferenced coordinates (Table 1). GEOLocate and Biogeomancer use similar gazetteer data for the United States, but employ different georeferencing algorithms. GEOLocate also supplements its core gazetteer with additional data such the river & road networks, legal land descriptions and river miles. Both tools had comparable accuracy, as indicated by the similar means and standard errors of distances between computed and hand georeferenced coordinates. However, Biogeomancer was only able to georeference 39% of the records, whereas GEOLocate was able to use its additional data sources to accurately georeference 95% of the records. Moreover, GEOLocate has the added feature of allowing the user to visualize and adjust coordinates for all of its determinations. An independent assessment of georeferencing tools published in 2004 also found GEOLocate to be the most accurate and efficient of computer-based georeferencing solutions available at that time (Murphey et al. 2004).

7) How can I represent locality uncertainty within GEOLocate?
The Standalone desktop application allows users to create polygons to define uncertainty for a given locality.

8) How do I cite the current version of GEOLocate?
Citation is shown below download link, near the bottom of this page. Click here to go straight there.


Features | Frequently Asked Questions | Updates | Downloads

Updates

3.21 August 19, 2010 (update available via autoupdate option)*

• Improved usability of collaborative georeferencing interface.
• Added manual edit capability to collaborative georeferencing.
• Updated live maps link to bing maps.
• Added GEOLocate Web visualization.

3.2 January 21, 2010 (update available via autoupdate option)*

• Added ability to restrict georeferencing to county orlower administrative unit.
• Added ability to define default map view extents on startup.
• Increased the total number of U.S. States where TRS can be found to 35 (click here for details).
• KML Export
• Misc. geocoder enhancements
• Added error handler to community datasource selector

3.11 February 5, 2009 (update available via autoupdate option)*

• Corrected problem with some multi-lingual displacements and/or patterns being incorectly identified.

3.1 January 23, 2009 (update available via autoupdate option)*

• Added correction browser to collaborative georeferencing.
• Improved record selection for collaborative georeferencing.
• Added ability to skip records for collaborative georeferencing.

To update GEOLocate, select Help->Update GEOLocate->Check for Updates Now from the main toolbar. Follow the onscreen instructions.

*requires version 2.03 or higher

3.0 October 14, 2008 (update available via autoupdate option)*

• Improved global georeferencing.
• Added collaborative georeferencing.
• Added multi-lingual georeferencing.
• Added link to maps.live.com.
• Added link to maps.google.com.
• Improved Georeferencing algorithm.

To update GEOLocate, select Help->Update GEOLocate->Check for Updates Now from the main toolbar. Follow the onscreen instructions.

*requires version 2.03 or higher

2.13 June 6, 2005 (update available via autoupdate option)*

• Improved Georeferencing algorithm.

To update GEOLocate, select Help->Update GEOLocate->Check for Updates Now from the main toolbar. Follow the onscreen instructions.

*requires version 2.03 or higher

2.12 May 22, 2005 (update available via autoupdate option)*

• Miscellaneous bug fixes.

To update GEOLocate, select Help->Update GEOLocate->Check for Updates Now from the main toolbar. Follow the onscreen instructions.

*requires version 2.03 or higher

2.11 April 20, 2005 (update available via autoupdate option)*

• Fixes a problem connecting to Microsoft Terraserver after a Terraservice update.

To update GEOLocate, select Help->Update GEOLocate->Check for Updates Now from the main toolbar. Follow the onscreen instructions.

*requires version 2.03 or higher

2.1 April 8, 2005 (update available via autoupdate option)*

• Added support for enhanced visualization via Microsoft TerraServer - under the Display menu
• New vizualization features include Aerial (USGS DOQ), Topo (USGS DRG), and USGS Urban Area
• Added ability to save TerraServer maps as Jpegs
• Added ability to correct results against TerraServer maps

To update GEOLocate, select Help->Update GEOLocate->Check for Updates Now from the main toolbar. Follow the onscreen instructions.

*requires version 2.03 or higher

2.04 April 8, 2004 (update available via autoupdate option)*

• Added ability to correct multiple selected rows in datagrid at once.
• Added Full Extent, Zoom In, Zoom Out Buttons to toolbar.
• Improved extents of full extent option on georeference options tab.
• Changed some toolbar icons to more aesthetic versions.
•  Added Display Menu Item to Main Toolbar.
• Added Scale Bar option to Display Menu - Displays Scale bar on map when checked.
• Added File Save and Save As features for easier saving.

To update GEOLocate, select Help->Update GEOLocate->Check for Updates Now from the main toolbar. Follow the onscreen instructions.

*requires version 2.03 or higher

2.03 Cumulative Update January 8, 2003 (click here to download)

• Updates GEOLocate version from 2.0 (or 2.01/2.02) to 2.03.
• Impoved detection of "best" point found among multiple results.
• New menu item added under the help menu which integrates automatic Internet based updating.

To install, unzip the patch2_03.zip file to any directory on your hard drive and double-click the Patch2_03.exe file.  Follow the onscreen instructions.

   
2.02 Cumulative Update December 3, 2003 (click here to download)

• Updates GEOLocate version from 2.0 (or 2.01) to 2.02.
• Corrected an issue where Yuma county would not display in the county picklist for Colorado.
• Coordinates returned by geolocate are now rounded to 6 decimal places.
• Increased accuracy of displacement calculations over large distances.
• Map and data panes are now resizable.

To install, unzip the patch2_02.zip file to any directory on your hard drive and double-click the Patch2_02.exe file.  Follow the onscreen instructions.   

 
2.01 Update September 22, 2003 (click here to download)

• Updates GEOLocate version 2.0 to 2.01.
• Corrects an issue regarding incorrect displacement calculations involving decimal numbers.

 To install, unzip the patch2_01.zip file to any directory on your hard drive and double-click the Patch2_01.exe file.  Follow the onscreen instructions. 
   

Features | Frequently Asked Questions | Updates | Downloads

Downloads

End User License Agreement.
GEOLOCATE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT AND DISCLAIMER This is an End User License Agreement (EULA) between the User and the Tulane University Museum of Natural History (TUMNH). The term "Software" includes modifications, enhancements, improvements, updates, derivative works, documentation, and all materials related to GEOLocate. This EULA is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or an entity) and TUMNH. By installing, copying, or otherwise using the Software, you agree to be bound by all terms and conditions set forth in this EULA. If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, you do not have permission to install, copy, or otherwise use the Software. 1. License TUMNH grants to User a non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free license to use the Software in object code form only. No license is granted to User for any other purpose. TUMNH reserves all rights not expressly granted in this EULA. 2. Reproduction of Software User may reproduce in its entirety a single copy of the Software for archival purposes only. User may not reproduce or redistribute the Software or any part of the Software to any third party for any purpose. 3. Intellectual Property The Tulane University Museum of Natural History retains all intellectual property rights to the Software not expressly granted in this EULA, including all rights under United States copyright, trademark, and under any other applicable laws, and all applicable international treaties. User agrees to observe all applicable copyright and other intellectual property laws, both domestic and foreign, concerning User’s use of the Software. User agrees to include any and all notices of copyright and trademarks with any reproduction of the Software pursuant to Section 2 of this EULA. User agrees that User does not obtain any intellectual property rights in the Software under this EULA. All content accessed through the Software is the property of the content owner and may be protected by applicable copyright law. 4. Non-Disclosure/Confidential Information The Software source code contains confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information. It is the express intention of this EULA to protect and restrict disclosure of the Software source code in its entirety. User agrees not to modify, adapt, disassemble, decompile, or reverse engineer the Software. User agrees not to disclose to any third party the Software source code or any portion or portions thereof, regardless of the manner in which it is obtained. 5. Representations, Warranties and Disclaimer Unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties in writing, TUMNH offers the software as-is and makes no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the software, express, implied, statutory or otherwise, including, without limitation, warranties of title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, noninfringement, or the absence of latent or other defects, accuracy, or the presence of absence of errors, whether or not discoverable. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so such exclusion may not apply to you. 6. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification a. TUMNH shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential, special, or indirect damages of any kind arising with respect to the software or this agreement, even if TUMNH has been advised of the possibility of such damages, to the extent allowable by law. b. User agrees that User is solely responsible for the protection and backup of all equipment, hardware, software, and data used in connection with the software. c. User agrees that User's sole and exclusive remedy against TUMNH for any loss or damage caused by the software, regardless of the form of the action, shall be replacement of the software. This limitation shall not apply to liability for personal injury or death where prohibited by law. 7. Indemnification User shall indemnify and hold harmless TUMNH and its agents from any claims, demands, suits or causes of action, including all judgments, damages, and costs (including reasonable attorneys fees) resulting from or arising out of User’s use, licensing, or storage of the software. 8. United States Government Users This Software was developed under a grant from the National Science Foundation. Accordingly, the Government of the United States may have certain rights in the Software under the terms of the NSF grant. This EULA is subject to Government rights under the terms of the NSF grant and any other applicable laws or regulations. Any rights not expressly granted to the Government under the terms of the NSF grant or applicable laws or regulations are reserved by TUMNH. Government users agree to abide by the terms of this EULA to the extent that they do not conflict with any rights granted to Government under the terms of the NSF grant or with any applicable laws and regulations. 9. Termination TUMNH may terminate this EULA at any time if User fails to comply with any of the terms and conditions herein. Upon notice to User of Termination, User shall immediately destroy all copies of the Software in User’s possession, custody, or control. User may terminate this EULA at any time by destroying all copies of the Software in User’s possession, custody, or control. User agrees that Sections 2, 3, and 4 of this EULA shall survive any termination. 10. Miscellaneous a. This EULA constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all written or oral previous agreements or understandings. No variation or modification of the terms or provisions of this EULA shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the parties hereto. b. Waiver by TUMNH of any breach by User shall not deprive TUMNH of any rights arising out of any subsequent default or breach. c. All matters affecting the interpretation, validity, and performance of this EULA shall be governed by the laws of the state of Louisiana, U.S.A., without reference to conflict of laws principles. d. The invalidity of any provision of this EULA under any applicable law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision or of the EULA as a whole, that provision notwithstanding. e. User agrees that any breach by User of Section 4 of this EULA will substantially diminish the value of the proprietary information covered by this EULA and will cause the Tulane University Museum of Natural History irreparable damage in a short period of time for which the recovery of money damages alone would be inadequate. User further agrees that, in the event of any breach by User of Section 4 of this EULA, TUMNH will be entitled to immediate entry of a preliminary and permanent injunction in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Tulane Museum of Natural History 21 November 2004

If you agree to the license agreement, click here to download GEOLocate (880 MB).

*You must update GEOLocate after downloading to get the latest version by clicking "Help->Updates->Check For Updates Now" from the program menu bar.

If you encounter any problems downloading & installing or prefer to recieve an installation CD set, please contact: Nelson Rios

How to cite:

• Rios, N. E. & Bart, H. L. (2010). GEOLocate (Version 3.22)
    [Computer software]. Belle Chasse, LA: Tulane University Museum of Natural History.

Additional downloads & links:

• User Manual v. 2.0 (pdf)
• How to format an excel spreadsheet for import into GEOLocate

Features | Frequently Asked Questions | Updates | Downloads

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