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BlimeyGrimey
Collector of Spores




Registered: 08/24/05
Posts: 3,790
Loc: Puget Sound
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Mushroom Microscopy Database Software
#8248474 - 04/06/08 09:28 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I recently had an idea for some software. Its a pretty basic and simple idea. Make a program in which you can input microscopy data such as spore color, spore size, and spore shape and hit search and it'll pick the most likely candidates for an ID.
The program would have a built-in database editor so people could add new entries and save whenever they like. Someone could take the time to make a nice database file by inputing the complete Psilocybe monograph and other sources. Time consuming, yes, but it would only need to be done once.
If this is of interest I'll gladly begin work on the project, though I must admit I'll probably write it in Visual Basic to save time as C/C++ gives me headaches.
-------------------- Message me for free microscopy services on Psilocybe, Panaeolus, and Gymnopilus species. Looking for wild Panaeolus cinctulus and Panaeolus olivaceus prints.
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ToxicMan
Bite me, it's fun!


Registered: 06/28/02
Posts: 6,725
Loc: Aurora, Colorado
Last seen: 4 hours, 46 minutes
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Re: Mushroom Microscopy Database Software [Re: BlimeyGrimey]
#8248800 - 04/06/08 10:42 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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There's already something like that. It's called Matchmaker, and it can be used online for free.
It doesn't allow updates, though, so your idea is a good one. You probably ought to look Matchmaker over to see what ideas are worth copying.
I can't think of any good reasons that VB shouldn't be OK for the coding.
Happy mushrooming!
-------------------- Happy mushrooming!
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Montanahunter420
Mushroom Hunter



Registered: 05/10/06
Posts: 1,188
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Re: Mushroom Microscopy Database Software [Re: ToxicMan]
#8248885 - 04/06/08 11:22 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Very interesting ToxicMan. I really think something like this has potential if the interface was done nicer. BlimeyGrimey I highly suggest coding it for the web instead of an application.
-------------------- All of my posts are purely fictional and for hypothetical purposes.
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Nerotik
PersonalityChallenged



Registered: 04/04/08
Posts: 386
Loc: Somewhere between me and ...
Last seen: 1 year, 5 months
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I think coding it as an application and for the web would be great. If it was coded as an app, then it could be ported relatively easily to a web app. Or simply allow an update option that sends and retrieves data from the online database allowing it to be a community collaboration in developing accurate mycology data. It could even be coded to behave more like a P2P client as far as data swapping is concerned, however then there would be less control over the accuracy of the information in the database. IMO I think the best of both worlds would be a centralized online interface and database that was able to send and receive data to 'client' applications on individual PC's. I know this would require more coding such as a SQL database and possibly Java. Not to mention handling TCP/IP and/or FTP connections. If you need any help just let me know. I make my living with Computers, teaching classes, diagnosing and repairing HW and OS problems, making websites and all that fun stuff. I have been a slave to the digital demons for about twenty years now. Maybe I should file a lawsuit against my Guidance Counselor.
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cactu
culture and magic


Registered: 03/06/06
Posts: 3,913
Loc: mexicoelcentrodelconocimi...
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Re: Mushroom Microscopy Database Software [Re: Nerotik]
#8249841 - 04/07/08 09:14 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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that sound terrific . specially if cointains information about new species with all microscopic data after all we have many people finding new thing around here and people with microscope and willing to help , so we can be ahead of micologist and they can consult this latter ,that is maybe the most advance idea i have seem around here, some real serius study can be made for many mushrooms after all micologist aficionados , we all play a role maping and dyscovering all the mycodiversity .
we also have good micologist around that can contribute , i am a perdoker with computers , but count me in case of help with micological issues and espècially from mexico and latin america.
all my best vibrations
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  cuando una rafaga del pensamiento nos pasa al lado se puede sentir que valio la pena haber vivido, y cuando ese pensamiento se convierte en sueño no paramos de soñar hasta realizarlo
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haymaker
Mr Psychonaut




Registered: 10/26/07
Posts: 1,374
Loc: United Kingdom
Last seen: 4 years, 3 months
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Re: Mushroom Microscopy Database Software [Re: cactu]
#8249888 - 04/07/08 09:34 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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VB is erm... an interesting choice of language. I think coding it as a web application may be more portable, although if it was written in Java, with a SQL back end that could be stored on a server, then it could also be ported to mobiles.
Java application with a php web interface, and SQL backend?
-------------------- "Make hay while the sun shines" My Trade List
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Nerotik
PersonalityChallenged



Registered: 04/04/08
Posts: 386
Loc: Somewhere between me and ...
Last seen: 1 year, 5 months
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Re: Mushroom Microscopy Database Software [Re: haymaker]
#8250219 - 04/07/08 11:08 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I agree haymaker, having the engine written in Java and connecting to a SQL database would allow for use on the web, as an off line application and could be ported to PDA's and other mobiles to be used on or off line in the field while mushroom hunting. Yeah, we need to get some coders together and start this project. It could prove to be an absolutely invaluable resource, especially if we incorporate the ability to upload 'in the field' photo's from mobiles for instant cross referencing in the database and maybe even reviews and responses by other users who are connected to the online application at the time. It would be like taking the entire Shroomery community with you on every hunt, real time identification.
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BlimeyGrimey
Collector of Spores




Registered: 08/24/05
Posts: 3,790
Loc: Puget Sound
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Re: Mushroom Microscopy Database Software [Re: Nerotik]
#8285276 - 04/15/08 01:26 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Sorry I haven't replied to any posts in this thread. Kind slipped my mind.
I like the ideas that were given but the thread kind of got off topic. My idea was a simple database query for microscopic comparisons. This would easily allow people to identify mushrooms based on microscopic features with out having to look through monographs trying to find a match.
This would only however be as effective as the people who input data. New finds and matches would be added to the system. Thus if you find and input PSilocybe stuntzii, it would add it to the stuntzii folder and you could then compare descriptions, locations and pictures etc of various stuntzii. This would not only help people with microscopes but would allow the community to view the various phenotypes of individual species. We can already do this by searching the forums but the downside is that we often have posts such as "How to find Gyms" which aren't useful for taxonomy purposes. Even though new data would be added to each species there would still be a single main database description for each species based on actual published data.
The program would use a central database on a server (i'd need someone to do that, i can't) or maybe update files to update the database. Like anti-virus scanner do. If someone wants to help setup a server for a central database method , your help would be greatly appreciated.
Now back to all the ideas presented before. A mobile identification system would be great! My only worry is that most people on this site get annoyed by camera-phone pictures being posted for ID. They are usually too blurry to be of much use. Technology is advancing and some newer phones have amazing cameras built into them but most of us (or atleast I) don't have a good camera phone. Just a 1.3MP on mine.
Other than that if someone wants to try to setup a system for mobiles I'd gladly help as much as I could but I know nothing about coding for mobiles.
Maybe an easier approach would be to setup a WAP page like the MatchMaker site. Coding an app that worked without bugs and crashes on a wide range of phones would be a big task. Coding it as a wap page would allow anyone with internet access on their phone to connect to the database.
Anyone want to help with either project?
-------------------- Message me for free microscopy services on Psilocybe, Panaeolus, and Gymnopilus species. Looking for wild Panaeolus cinctulus and Panaeolus olivaceus prints.
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Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist


Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 48,311
Last seen: 1 day, 10 hours
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Re: Mushroom Microscopy Database Software [Re: BlimeyGrimey]
#8285363 - 04/15/08 02:08 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I have a friend that reads monographs and makes excel spreadsheets with the various microscopic features. The species are on the left and all the various features are along the top. Once he has all the species input it makes it easy to find matches.
The people at http://mushroomobserver.org are talking about making a mobile client.
A mobile chat client that supports pictures and rooms with lots of people could work pretty well.
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Montanahunter420
Mushroom Hunter



Registered: 05/10/06
Posts: 1,188
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Shroomery mobile mushroom hunting forum coming to you soon. That would be cool.
-------------------- All of my posts are purely fictional and for hypothetical purposes.
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undergrounder
fluffy bunny



Registered: 11/10/06
Posts: 1,394
Loc: Sydney
Last seen: 1 year, 8 months
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Can we have a visual scan (think retina scan) for our mobiles so we can just point the mobile at the mushroom and get an immediate ID? now THAT would be cool.
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RIP Bigger and bolder and rougher and tougher in other words sucka there is no other...
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