On the whole RODIS works really well however a few suggestions:

Records have a habit of randomly duplicating themselves.

The "Our Location" Find data entry box needs a bit of work. Whilst I appreciate its impossible to list every site it seems odd that when recording a sighting just outside the main entrance to Chorlton Water Park I have a choice of a 2 mile long stretch of riverbank or Southern Cemetery to select as the nearest location. Ultimately it probably doesn't matter but in the future if somebody looks back at the sightings for Southern Cemetery they may have a few surprises.

A link to the various listed sites again would be helpfull. Despite living in the area for 20+ years I'm unsure of exactly where the boundaries of the listed sites are eg. Barlow Eye SBI. If a layer of the various sites could be added to the Google Maps tool it'd be very useful.

Is there an easy way to share sightings/records with other users. At the moment record submission seems to be for the benefit of the local record centre only (and hopefully the wildlife). If other users records could be accessed it'd help the establishment of a network of recorders. Personally I quite like the idea that in a few years time another recorder may want to revisit the sites I've visited and compare their sightings with what I've seen.

Thanks for introducing RODIS it's a very good system and relatively easy to use.

Hi Geoff,

We're pleased to hear that you're giving RODIS a try. Have you done the following?

Log in and create a new file (or opened an existing one)

Input the details of your first record into the data entry screen

Click on the Sticky button at the top of the screen and tick each box you want to keep for the next record e.g. Date, Observer, Determiner

Click on Add Record button on the left hand side of the screen

You should then see your record in the grid below the data entry screen. If not it means your browser has been set to view at more than 100%. To alter this in IE will need to click on View/Zoom and make sure 100% is ticked.

Don't click on the Submit File button until you've finished inputting all the records for the week/month. Once a file has been submitted you won't be able to add any more records to it. If you'd like to enter a small batch of records from say a day's birding and submit to us, we'll check them out and let you know whether you're on the right track.

If you need any further help just drop us an email with your phone no. and best time to catch you in. We can give you a ring and go through inputting a few records. RODIS is easy to use once you've got the hang of it. However, we know that there are a few basic mistakes that people make when they first try it out.

Steve

-- Edited by GM Local Record Centre on Thursday 17th of January 2013 01:49:41 PM

I'm using the link from here (Manchester Birding) as I don't have an android phone. I am a killer and loser of mobile phones so I just buy cheap 20 quid ones, as long as you can make and receive phone calls and texts they'll do me haha!

Signed up and opened a RODiS account. Time to start submitting my sightings!

If your New Year's resolutions include submitting your records to the GM Bird Recording Group and you're an android phone user then your prayers have been answered.

Following the recent launch of RODIS on Manchester Birding there is now an android app available which has been developed by the Cheshire Local Record Centre. This has been field tested during the past two months by the GM Local Record Centre and we can recommend it whole heartedly. It's really easy to use:

It takes a few seconds to create a file for your records.

Species can be called up from the inbuilt dictionary by just typing the first few letters of the bird's English name e.g. bull brings up Bullfinch

The date is automatically inserted by your phone. The site and recorder's name are entered manually and can then be locked for all subsequent records.

The app makes use of your phone's GPS to provide an accurate grid ref for your location and for those of us who can't walk on water, Bing hybrid maps are included. If you see a grebe in the middle of Scotman's Flash you can click on the location and the grid ref is added automatically.

What's also great is that you can view any records entered via the maps and also generate stats showing the number of species recorded at a site. It also has the advantage that you don't have to lose valuable birding time sitting in front of a computer inputting your sightings as you are doing it whilst you are out and about.

Once you're ready to submit a file of records these can be emailed to info@gmwildlife.org.uk who will process them and supply them to GMBRG. They will also be made available for the GM Ecology Unit's work which includes selecting and reviewing Sites of Biological Importance across GM.

So as Ian stated in his recent New Year's message there are now no reasons not to submit your records.

You can download the app on a 14 day trial basis from Google Play
If you decide to continue using it then it costs a mere £7.99 per annum.

For anyone who doesn't have an android phone then you can submit your records via the RODIS link at the bottom of the page. Any questions then please contact GMLRC. Our contact details are on the RODIS log-on screen.

Happy New Year.





-- Edited by GM Local Record Centre on Friday 4th of January 2013 02:38:52 PM

Cheers, will give that a go.

Thanks, Ian. I think I speak for most when I say that I appreciate your efforts in trying to get out all-important records out of us - I shall give this a look (after I have submitted a record I had been meaning to do!)