This tutorial contains guidance and additional information to help install FieldNotes on your computer.

This tutorial assumes that you have have read the relevant product information on the FieldNotes website (http://www.fieldnotes.co.uk/), have decided to use FieldNotes software to record wildlife and environmental information on your computer, and are ready to install the software for use.

Please close all other applications before installing the software.

Installing FieldNotes

FieldNotes uses a 'wizard' (a set of sequential dialog screens) to simplify installation. The five dialogs displayed during FieldNotes installation are described below, together with information about content and input fields. To avoid switching constantly between your web-browser and the FieldNotes software, you may prefer to print the tutorial for easy reference.

1. FieldNotes Installation - Introduction

The first page of the installation Wizard summarises the FieldNotes installation process.

FieldNotes Installer - Introduction [Page 1]

Input data fields

Field		Notes
	Installation information	A brief description of the application installer, including FieldNotes version (see note below).

1.1 Version information

Before continuing to install FieldNotes on your computer, you may wish to check the software version information (http://www.fieldnotes.co.uk/product/versions/) on the FieldNotes website to ensure that you are installing the most recent version of the software.

2. FieldNotes Installation - Target folder

The second page of the installation Wizard allows you to select an appropriate location for the software on your computer.

FieldNotes Installer - Target folder [Page 2]

Input data fields

Field		Notes
	Installation folder	The path where the software will be installed
	Disc space required	The amount of free space required on your computer's hard-drive to install the software.

2.1 Target folder location

The preferred location for installing new programs varies on different versions of Windows. The installer will choose the correct location for the version of Windows on your computer - in some cases the folder path may differ slightly from that shown.

2.2 Disc space requirements

Modern computers are invariably equipped with one or more large hard-drives, and disc space is rarely an issue. However if you are short of disc space, this statistic will allow you to check that you are not approaching capacity.

3. FieldNotes Installation - Start menu options

The third page of the installation Wizard allows you to choose which start menu icons will be created.

FieldNotes Installer - Start menu [Page 3]

Input data fields

Field		Notes
	Start menu folder name	Software identifier within the Start menu.
	Don't create a start menu folder	No start menu folder required.

When FieldNotes is installed on your computer, a corresponding entry will appear in the Start menu (accessed from the 'Start' button at the lower left-hand side of the screen) with a shortcut to the program and the uninstaller script. The usual name for the folder (menu item) in which these two shortcuts are displayed on the start menu is FieldNotes, however this dialog allows you to change this name if you prefer.

4. FieldNotes Installation - Additional tasks

The fourth page of the installation Wizard allows you to choose which other program shortcuts will be created.

FieldNotes Installer - Additional tasks [Page 4]

Input data fields

Field		Notes
	Desktop icon	The installer will create one additional shortcut icon, allowing you to start FieldNotes from your desktop.

4.1. Create a Desktop icon (shortcut)

Whether you prefer to start your most frequently-used programs by clicking on a desktop icon or by selecting them from the start menu is a matter of personal choice.

If you keep shortcuts to all your favourite programs on the desktop, you should leave the 'Desktop icon' checkbox ticked.

Alternatively, if you prefer to keep the desktop free of clutter (perhaps to emphasise outstanding jobs) you should clear the checkbox.

You may of course delete the desktop icon at any later point without affecting the software.

5. FieldNotes - Installation Summary

The final page of the installation Wizard displays a brief summary of your settings, before installing the software onto the computer.

FieldNotes Installer - Summary [Page 5]

Input data fields

Field		Notes
	Installation Summary	A brief description of the installation settings.
	Install button	Start the installation.

6. FieldNotes - Post-installation options

The final page of the setup Wizard confirms that the software has been installed successfully and provides several post-installation options for exploring your new software.

FieldNotes Installer - Post-installation options

Getting started:

view relevant documentation, signup to the FieldNotes wildlife recording network (web-page link) start using FieldNotes straight away.

6.1 View the README file

The README file contains a wealth of information about the software, associated files and resources that should give you a quick feel for where everything is. As there is a lot more information than can be taken in quickly, a copy is also provided on the FieldNotes website for reference (http://www.fieldnotes.co.uk/notices/).

6.2 Signup for more recording information

FieldNotes Wildlife Recording Network (WRN) provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and resources relating both to wildlife observations and recording issues. Membership is free, and information exchange encouraged using a variety of methods and formats.

If you wish to signup to the Wildlife Recording Network sometime later, an option is available in FieldNotes Help menu.

6.3 Launch FieldNotes

Start FieldNotes and explore the environment around you!

Finish

Select the 'Finish' button to end the installation.

Notes:

If you encounter difficulties when installing FieldNotes, check each step against this tutorial to identify and correct errors or omissions.

The FieldNotes 'Answers' documentation includes compilations of Frequently-asked Questions (FAQs) which may include similar or identical issues - it is worth checking if a solution or workaround is given here.

If you continue to have problems installing the software, email FieldNotes support - contact details are provided on the website (http://www.fieldnotes.co.uk/contact/) Please ensure that you include the following information:

1. Which Operating system you are using (as much detail as possible, eg. XP Professional Version 2002 SP3);
2. What installation settings (Folder, etc) you were using, and;
3. What went wrong (including relevant error and warning messages).

If you use our online contact form, don't forget to include your contact details!

Using FieldNotes

Congratulations, you have successfully installed FieldNotes recording software.

Before you can start adding your wildlife observations you will need to set up the database - this quick and easy process is described in the next tutorial Tutorial 1.2 - Setting up your FieldNotes database for use. The tutorial is displayed during the setup procedure.