Specify comes in two flavors for each desktop operating system. The Full version of Specify 6 requires the MySQL database manager and Java language files to be installed before Specify can be run. MySQL may be installed on a server computer for shared database access across multiple workstations, or on a single workstation for access from that machine. In contrast, Specify EZDB does not require the pre-installation of MySQL, as MySQL is built into the Specify EZDB download package.
The step-by-step installation guides below step through MySQL and Java installation processes for Windows and Mac OS X. Linux users know how to install software for their version on Linux. Specify EZDB installations only need to pre-install Java.
For the full version, after you have MySQL and Java installed, or for Specify EZDB with only Java pre-installed, the next step will be to download and run the Specify installation package for your desktop platform (links to downloadable installers are below).
Once the full version of Specify is installed, but before actually using it to manage data, there is one additional preparation--the Specify Setup Wizard must be run. The Specify Setup Wizard (SpWizard.exe) is included in the Specify 6 installation packages below for each respective desktop platform. The Wizard will create: (1) a new empty database, (2) a manager-level user account for managing the site, and (3) the starting Geography and Taxon authority tables.
As described in the full Specify installation documentation, the Specify Setup Wizard requires the default MySQL database engine to be "InnoDB". Instructions for changing the default engine to InnoDB can be found on Changing the default MySQL engine to InnoDB. If you cannot change the MySQL default engine to InnoDB then you will need to manually create a new Specify database from within the MySQL software. For documentation and a script to build the database visit this page: Creating a Specify Database from within MySQL.
Note that for full Specify installations (not EZDB), when you install MySQL as your database manager you will be asked to specify during the MySQL installation process, a MySQL database "root" user ID and password. We call this the 'Specify IT user." For full Specify installations the Specify Wizard requires this account name and information in order to set up collection databases and create Specify manager and user accounts. For Specify EZDB installations, where you do not separately install MySQL, the Specify Wizard will simply prompt for a Specify manager account name and password and allow you to set up other Specify users as well, it does not require a MySQL database root user name.
When you plan to set up Specify for an actual, production database, carefully read the Wizard step-by-step PDF guide below. There are several configuration choices that you will want to be prepared to decide while running the Wizard which relate to how your collections' data and organization's administrative units will be organized within Specify. For evaluation installations, Wizard configuration choices (particularly with Specify EZDB) are not as critical, some can be changed later.
Instructions for using the Specify Wizard with both local workstation and network server database access can be found at:
Note to Specify 5 users: Specify 6 is a completely new program and has a new database design. Data in Specify 5 need to be converted to Specify 6 by Specify Project staff. Please contact us for conversion details and scheduling.
| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Specify.exe | Specify 6 application (uses the Java JRE small memory model, best for most users) |
| Specify1GB.exe | Specify 6 application (uses a 1 GB JRE memory model, for better performance if you have 2 GB or more of RAM) |
| SpBackupRestore.exe | This is Specify's database backup and restore tool, for site administrators. |
| SpiReport.exe | Specify's version of iReport for creating and editing label and report formats for printed output |
| SpWizard.exe | The Specify Setup Wizard creates the first new, empty, Specify collection database in MySQL. Additional collection databases can be added later from within Specify. |
| ImportFileSplitter.exe | The Import File Splitter reduces large Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files into separate files of 5,000 record rows or fewer to enable specimen or taxon data import through the Specify WorkBench. |
| DataExporter.exe | Data Exporter exports a schema map made within Specify for the purposes of exporting data in a particular format for external use. The Data Exporter also exports Specify data in the destination (mapped) schema to an external file. This function is used to create an IPT server cache of data from a Specify database. This application was previously known as the "SchemaExporter". |
| SpWizard.exe | The Specify Setup Wizard creates the first new, empty, Specify collection database in MySQL. Additional collection databases can be added later from within Specify. |
(Full version, requires prior installation of MySQL and Java on a server or workstation)
| Platform | Size | Download File |
|---|---|---|
| MS Windows (XP, Vista and 7) | ~90 MB | Specify_windows.exe |
| Mac OS X (10.5.5 +) Java 6 SE | ~90 MB | Specify_macos.dmg |
| Linux | ~90 MB | Specify_unix.sh |
(MySQL is embedded within SpecifyEZDB, requires prior installation of Java only, designed for single workstation use and single users, and for easier Specify evaluation without the need for a separate MySQL installation.)
| Platform | Size | Download File |
|---|---|---|
| MS Windows (XP, Vista, and 7) | ~125 MB | Specify_windows_EZDB.exe |
| Mac OS X (10.5.5 +) Java 6 SE | ~125 MB | Specify_macos_EZDB.dmg |
| Linux | ~125 MB | Specify_unix_EZDB.sh |
(For portable and batch data entry, download package is a zipped directory, download, uncompress and move to a working directory or USB flash memory drive. Do not overwrite any previous Mobile WorkBench installation or WorkBench data will be lost.)
| Platform | Size | Download File |
|---|---|---|
| All OSs | ~390 MB | SpecifyWorkBench.zip |
These files can be imported using the Specify Wizard when creating a new database or be imported into Specify 6 using the WorkBench after a collection database is created. The taxon data are from the Catalogue of Life Project 2008 Annual Checklist.
Note that the Specify WorkBench can be used to upload these taxon data spreadsheets after a collection database is created, but the data columns in these files may not be mapped correctly to the Specify 6 database fields when using the WorkBench. With the WorkBench Uploader you will likely need to re-map authors to the Taxon (import only) table and un-map them from the Determination table. You should also check in the Uploader that all other fields to be imported are mapped to the appropriate Specify 6 data field. Call or e-mail us if you have any questions on the process of mapping and uploading taxon data in these spreadsheets into Specify 6. When importing external files, the Specify WorkBench currently has a 2000 row limit on incoming spreadsheets, but one can use the Specify Import File Splitter to split large spreadsheets into files with 2000 or fewer records to then upload them through the WorkBench.
Most collections converting to Specify from legacy systems use their existing collection taxonomy, as will most Specify 5 to Specify 6 conversions. We will add to this list as needed. Contact us if you have an interest in Catalogue of Life taxon data for other major groups.
|
File
|
Taxon Records
|
Size (KB)
|
WorkBench Uploadable?
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
1657
|
557
|
Yes, can be uploaded without modification | |
|
19212
|
6768
|
Must split into files <2000 records first with ImportFileSplitter | |
|
626
|
224
|
Yes, can be uploaded without modification | |
|
56841
|
19719
|
Must split into files <2000 records first with ImportFileSplitter | |
|
5234
|
1862
|
Must split into files <2000 records first with ImportFileSplitter | |
|
49936
|
17944
|
Must split into files <2000 records first with ImportFileSplitter |