Free State DriversFounded
November 26, 2006
We are dedicated to the greater good of forestry here at Free State Drivers.
Have FSD help you with all of your forestry, computer and web needs.
We will get through any project we start with you.
FSD News:
-
Thneed Digest – Week 2018 – 29
Posted: 2018/07/16 Category: Thneed DigestJust some basic updates in communications.
Click here to read more… -
Happy New Years – Well for FPS
Posted: 2018/07/01 Category: AnnouncementsRemember that July 1 is the first day of the new year for The Forest Projection and Planning System (FPS). This means anything measured this year before today is assigned a year of last year for its measurement. Today ALL growth is considered to have happened, and it is a year-end of the current calendar year.
-
Thneed Digest – Week 2018 – 18
Posted: 2018/05/02 Category: Thneed DigestWe are not dead!!! Typically this would be meant as a joke however when we walk into a meeting and get looks of shock because people say “We heard you were dead!” It becomes something we have to remind people about.
Click here to read more… -
Nelder Plots in Forestry
Posted: 2018/01/02 Category: Thneed DigestMore and more the Penguins here at FSD are asked about the usefulness of Nelder plots and if they are worth it. So to answer the broader question this post will try to address this.
Bottom line… YES, Nelder plots are worth it.
Click here to read more… -
Thneed Digest – Week 2017 – 52
Posted: 2017/12/31 Category: Thneed DigestOnly an update. Did you get your new key for FPS????
Click here to read more… -
Thneed Digest – Week 2017 – 50
Posted: 2017/12/12 Category: Thneed DigestIt seems we have another fun-filled announcement from FBRI. Are we the only ones to see the underlying potential extortion part of the comments? “After all it would be a shame if that software you paid for stopped working…” While FPS has always had a 10-year expiration that was meant to be “in good faith” to prevent outdated science from being used when better biometrics could be employed with an update. This was then updated to a secret code to make the system work correctly otherwise bogus numbers would be created. Everyone implement that properly? Bet not. And now FPS will expire annually? That would be like starting up Word, and oh sorry you can’t do anything. Even Microsoft has a more graceful fall back than that. Who signed up for Biometrics as a Service? While we are not against the prospect of Biometrics as a Service that isn’t what the contract says. Only the wealthy can do scientifically backed forestry? Pretty sure this is to stem the current exodus of contributors, but everyone came on board knowing that your current version would work with or without FBRI. What happens when FBRI shutters its doors in a few years? As there is no data, transparency or documentation to the model once it expires at that point, it is done. Something to think about huh…
Did you get the latest FPS Update?? Does it work for you? We would love to hear your experiences so that they can be posted to the public bug log and wiki https://fps.wiki/.
Click here to read more… -
2017 Forest Biometrics Research Institute Annual Meeting. What we heard…
Posted: 2017/11/14 Category: AnnouncementsThe much anticipated FBRI Annual meeting happened today. Did we learn anything?
Click here to read more… -
New Software Screenshots
Posted: 2017/10/24 Category: AnnouncementsIn cooperation with The Natural Biometrician, the penguins around the shop here have been working on redesigning the FPS database developed by The Forest Biometrics Research Institute. Many times the developers have made the announcement that the FPS database is just an example and users are expected to customize it to fit their needs. The FSD Office Penguins are well on the way to making that a reality with straightforward updates, navigation menus, and functions. Check out some of the initial screenshots at The Natural Biometrician and tell us what you think. Want to use the interface for something else. Go for it. It is flexible enough to handle just about any MS Access database type of model.
Oh ya, the downside is the cost. FREE!!!! Yes, that is right we are giving it away as we should. Currently settling on the license before releasing in mid-November 2017. To protect the USER, we are actively considering GPLv3. Open Source! That doesn’t mean we would turn down contributions if you feel that it is worth the development.
Click here to read more… -
Thneed Digest – Week 2017 – 39
Posted: 2017/09/26 Category: Thneed DigestIt has Been a busy summer for the penguins with office visits and PROGRAMMING!!!! There has even been a smattering of biometrics and mensuration. Hopefully, this fall FSD will be releasing a few new free products to assist in the day to day work of forest inventory. Some of the projects will help with field work too. But for now, let’s update you on FBRI communications. The office penguins were not able to make it to the latest training because of the late announcement by FBRI. But needless to say, we will be attending the annual meeting in November. You should be too. Sounds like a lot of changes on the horizon…
Did you get the latest FPS Update?? Does it work for you? We would love to hear your experiences so that they can be posted to the public bug log and wiki https://fps.wiki/. Some of the last versions bugs were um interesting.
Click here to read more… -
Solar Eclipse 2017
Posted: 2017/08/21 Category: AnnouncementsOk seriously you think that on a day where the entire United States will be able to see some form of eclipse the office penguins will be in the office. NEVER!!! Viva la penguins! The office is packed up and will be in the center line of totality. Where will you be? We will post after the event.
If you are just seeing this it may be too late but for more information visit:
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/ I am a big fan of there work in general.
All of the office penguins have already been issued and fitted with #14 welders glass welding eye wear per the NASA recommendation.