In 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.

Remember 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 year end of the current calendar year.

The planned workshop scheduled for February 8, Getting the Most Out of Your Inventory Data with FPS: Building a Wall-to-Wall Inventory, has been canceled.  No real word on why from WFCA when asked.  This is the second time FSD has attempted to run this workshop in cooperation with WFCA and the second time it has been canceled by powers not in the control of FSD and no real information on why.  We know that many of you have been actively asking for this workshop and FSD will continue to try and run this but will have to find other partners to offer this with.  FSD will still as always provide on-site training for any organization.

The hope was that this workshop would iron the last of the bugs out of the I’ve Got FPS Now What A dirt foresters guide to using, understanding, localizing and calibrating the Forest Projection and Planning System book.  Instead we will continue by finalizing the cover graphics with the graphics designer and push to have this published as soon as possible.  Several people have offered to be beta testers and likely FSD will take them up on this.  More on the release of this manual as we get closer.

We are sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused.

Remember 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 year end of the current calendar year.

This post is large (MB) due to full resolution photos.  Viewing is recommended on high speed non-metered internet connection. Continue reading →

Here is a quick summary of the first day of the FBRI hosted event and some of the things we learned. Continue reading →

Here is a quick summary of the first day of the FBRI hosted event and some of the things we learned. Continue reading →

Hello everyone.  Just over a week ago FBRI announced the upcoming “FPS Localization by SiteGrid and CASH Card” to be held on June 7 – 8, 2016.  FSD will be sending one of the office penguins to attend this workshop as many of you have had great questions about the 10 meter site and associated projects.  In preparation for the upcoming workshop FSD has developed a quick calculator for Android.  (sorry IOS and MS) This calculator can be side loaded into your android device and can calculate 10m site based on tree measurements.  Hopefully this will be useful.

Download: 10mSiteCalc (The download will start automatically)

The download can also be found under Tips and Tricks and Downloads.

Don’t forget about the online calculator here.

The much anticipated FBRI Annual meeting happened today.  Did we learn anything? Continue reading →