Multiple-Entry Keys

This page last modified on 27 July, 2008 ======== Return to Ken Bowles' SD Wildflowers page (on Internet)

This page and related pages are under construction during 2008.

Multiple-Entry keys offer a major advantage over the Dichotomous Keys used traditionally in most of Botany and in many other fields in which species identification is important.  While Dichotomous Keys present a major roadblock to inexperienced users, there is also a different problem with Multiple-Entry keys that has so-far not been overcome in keys intended for use by inexperts.

This page will offer several papers (and a few linked references) covering different aspects of Multiple-Entry keys - - especially those built using the XID system for publishing Multiple-Entry databases. A mostly downloadable copy of an XID Test Database is described below, as is a mostly equivalent version of the same database in the Lucid Multiple-Entry system for execution from the Internet.

Of special interest in the San Diego community is the XID database covering Wildflowers of San Diego, and published on CD in late 2007 by Flora-ID Northwest.

Descriptive papers and User-Guides:

• Search Strategy for Wildflower CD on San Diego Wildflowers by Flora-ID NW - - PDF Version
    
  
• Taxonomic Databases for Inexperienced Users - Missing-Data Problem  - - PDF Version
  

Identification Exercises:

• Plant Photos with No Species Identification
    

Test Database in XID:                             Test Database in Lucid

Note added 27 July 2008:  I have progressively been adding carefully selected Attributes to the Notable Recognition Clues (a.k.a. Differentiating Attributes) section of this Test Database (key).  Neither version is currently updated on this website because of time required to do so.  If you you wish to use this Key, the XID version can be updated on the website fairly quickly - - please let me know that you wish to do so. See bottom of this page.  The Lucid version can also be updated, but with more manual intervention.  Again let me know of your need.  ..... KLB

Interested readers may wish to experiment with a Multiple-Entry key/database designed as described in the paper "Taxonomic Databases for Inexperienced Users ..." (linked above under "Descriptive papers ...").  All of the necessary files for this XID database (except for the XID reader program) are linked below for downloading to your local disk.  I'm especially interested to hear about experiences of relatively inexperienced users who have attempted to use this database to identify any of the plants shown under "Identification Exercises" above. Please send your comments in Email directed to the address given at bottom of this page.

To use this database, you will need a copy of the XIDRO.exe program as published by XidServices.com. You can get this program in either of two ways:

• Acquire an XID database on CD-Rom.  You can then copy the file XIDRO.exe from that disc (you should find it in the outermost directory level of the disc) to the XID subdirectory included in the set of files you download from this website (see below).
    
• Buy a copy of XIDRO.exe by using www.PayPal.com to send $10 to rold@pullman.com  with a message to email you the XIDRO program.  If you prefer not to use PayPal you can mail a check for $10 to XID Services, Inc. PO Box 272, Pullman, WA 99163.  Be sure to include your email address. The program will be sent to you as an Email attachment which you should save in the XID subdirectory included in the set of files you download from this website.
     

To install the database, start by creating a new directory (using the File menu in Windows Explorer) in a convenient location on your hard disk.  You can give this <new directory> any name you wish.  Next dowload each of the xxx.zip files from the list that follows, and save it into a convenient temporary directory.  After each xxx.zip file has been stored on your hard disk you should double-click its name in Windows Explorer. This should open a new Explorer window showing the files contained in the xxx.zip file. (In at least two cases, that window will list just one name which itself is a directory.) Those files should all be copied into your <new directory>.  

Downloadable files:

In the future, I will post changes to files contained in these three sets either in additional yyy.zip files, or in complete replacement for the original xxx.zip file.

Test Database in Lucid:

Lucid is a system for building Multiple-Entry databases that competes with XID.  You can now run a Lucid key that contains most of the data exported from XID for this same test database.  To start the Lucid key, or read pages that compare the two systems, go to Lucid Key to SD Families.