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Plant Base FAQ

Can I use Plant Base to design my garden?

No, it is not a design application but it can help to select plants for a planting plan.

I have a laptop and desktop PC, can I run Plant Base on both?

Yes, our software license allows use on multiple computers within a household or organisation. We do stipulate a maximum of five machines for commercial use. If you can transfer files between your laptop and PC then you can also synchronise data changes between them.

Do I need to understand about databases in order to use Plant Base?

No, technical knowledge of databases is not required at all. Everything is done through the Plant Base program user interface, which is easy to operate.

I have added some of my own plant records, but I now wish to install a new version of Plant Base. How do I update my copy without losing my personal changes?

There are a couple of ways to to this, the best method is to:

  • first create a Plant Base Archive file.
  • then update the software from the CD (or download install file) in the normal way.
  • finally, Import your custom data back from the Archive file.

More detailed information about upgrading Plant Base can be found here.

What is a "patch update"?

A patch update is an executable installation file, normally downloaded from the web-site, which updates the Plant Base programs to a new version. However, it does not include any plant data or pictures, only the essential new program versions. It is much smaller than a full new version (currently about 1.9Mb), so it is relatively quick to download and simple to apply.

A copy of Plant Base has updated records and I want to use them in Plant Base on another machine?

Use the Import function:-
First either create a Plant Base Archive file or ensure that the database containing the new information is accessible via using a network connection.
If no connection is available, copy the Archive file or the complete database to removable storage media such as a USB key-drive or CD, then mount it on the second machine.
From the second Plant Base open the Import data screen, from the File menu.
Select the other database file as the import file and set any other import options (see Help).
Click Start Importing. The source import database file is not changed in any way.

Why aren't there more pictures supplied with the database?

Simple - though we love taking plant photographs, there are severe time and opportunity limits. Most of the pictures in Plant Base are own own, plus some from kind contributors. We always respect copyright rules and avoid using any of uncertain origin. More are being added continuously, but you can also include your own from various sources - see How to add pictures.

I've taken some nice plant pictures with my digital camera, can I use them in Plant Base?

Yes, no problem:- see How to add pictures

How do I move the database files?

While Plant Base in not running, use Windows Explorer to to move or copy one or more of the database files to another location - a different folder or disk. When you start up Plant Base, it may complain that it cannot open a file. Type, or select the new file path with the open dialog and click the Continue button. If the original files are still in place, open the Change/re-open dialog from the "File" menu. Check the correct files are open in the Help | About display.

What kind of database does Plant Base use?

Microsoft's Jet SQL database engine, as used by MS Access and many other products.

Will Plant Base run on a MAC?

No, at least not as a native program. It has been successfully run under emulation, using VirtualPC with Windows XP Home installed under it. At some time in the future we plan to write a native MAC version, and also an edition for Linux.

I don't use the Menu Panel, how do I stop it loading when the program starts?

Select File | Config options ... or click the Program Config Option toolbar icon. Remove the tick from the "Show Menu Panel at startup" option box. Click the OK button.

I am only interested in trees, but when I scroll through PlantMaster it takes time to get past all the other stuff?

Use the PlantSelector screen to set Plant type = tree. Run the search and in the results windows, double-click on any interesting name. The PlantMaster screen will now show a "Selected" toggle button and when you scroll the records only trees will be shown.

I don't understand all these horticultural words?

See the Glossary section of the Help.

I've displayed a plant picture, but when I move to another plant, it stays on the screen?

That may be correct. Plant pictures are each shown in a separate window and usually remain open until you wish to close them. So pictures for several different plant varieties can be on screen at one time. Useful if you want to compare them. To close all the pictures quickly, use the Window menu item "Close All Pictures". However you can also close picture windows automatically when you move to a new plant. This is controled by a program configuration option. Open the config screen, click the pictures tab and check or uncheck the box.

Can Plant Base make customised plant reports for printing?

Not directly, but Yes! Individual plant data sheets, Plant Lists or pictures can be printed directly, put printed output is otherwise quite limited. However, there is a method for preparing much more extensive plant information reports, by extracting to a disc file in HTML format. This may be valuable for some people. The HTML Reporter module can be found in the extras folder of the CD or downloaded, see the Reporter page or contact us for further details.