The tutorial includes many simple examples which could be entered into a working database. Readers are encouraged to do exactly that, using a throwaway database (i.e., not one containing valuable data) to support their explorations. Appendix 1 describes how to set up an empty database.
For various reasons it is difficult to discuss models design without also mentioning other topics, namely data input and display. However, I do not present these in rigorous detail. Readers should consult the documentation prepared by the ACEDB developers themselves, Richard Durbin and Jean Thierry-Mieg, for a more complete view. Other ACEDB developers and users have also contributed documentation and tutorials. Materials in the ACEDB Documentation Library should be read carefully before any attempt is made to modify the configuration files or to load data.
If you intend to reconfigure ACEDB, I strongly urge you to send mail to Richard and Jean and let them know about your project. This will allow them to inform you when new versions of the ACEDB software become available, or when workshops are planned. In addition, a very friendly community of ACEDB database curators and developers, representing a variety of species, is a ready and willing source for guidance. The ACEDB FAQ contains information that will help you make contact.
New species groups have turned to ACEDB for a variety of reasons. One of the most important is that Richard and Jean have been available to collaborators and receptive to their suggestions and criticisms. I would like to thank them for answering my many questions and supporting my efforts to learn more about ACEDB. They are, of course, not responsible for any errors that appear here.
This document has been updated for use with ACEDB version 4.5. Certain features, particularly those associated with map display, may not exist in earlier versions of the software.
Sam Cartinhour scartinh@coyote.tamu.edu
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