How
do I copy the Resource Directory from one machine to another?
The
Resource Directory consists of a database (.MDB) file and document files.
Typically the database file will be named "EMD.MDB" unless you
created a different one. The documents associated with this database will be
in a directory named "EMD Documents." Assuming the default file
names and locations are used, the following steps can be used to copy files
between machines.
- Open
Windows Explorer and navigate to the "C:\Program
Files\Emergency Management Database\Data" directory.
- In
the right pane will be the file "EMD.MDB" and the folder
"EMD Documents."
- Click
on "EMD.MDB" then hold down the Crtl
key and click on "EMD Documents." This will highlight both
entries at the same time.
- Then
simply right click on one of them and select the "Send To"
open on the menu that appears.
- Select
"3 1/2 Floppy A:" or "CD-RW Drive." These files may
be too large to fit on a floppy. A CD may be required.
On
the destination machine:
- Open
Windows Explorer and ensure that the "C:\Program
Files\Emergency Management Database\Data" directory is visible
within the left pane.
- Insert
the disk with the files and click on the disk's icon "C:\Program
Files\Emergency Management Database\Data directory.
- If
these files already exist, you will be asked to overwrite the existing
files. Overwriting will cause any existing records to be replace
with the ones being copied.
Does
the program run on Windows Vista?
Yes.
However, Windows Vista has new system security restrictions - data can no
longer reside in the Program Files directory. A new version has been
released to relocate user data to a different directory. Existing versions
can simply move the data file to an unrestricted location. Contact the
author if assistance is needed.
Does
the program run on the net? (Internet)
No.
Here's why:
1.
Network reliability and availability is questionable:
As
John C. Dvorak, a well known technology pundit, once said "The
network sucks. First of all, apps running over any network are subject to
network congestion and outages. I would have a field day doing commercials
highlighting the frustrations you can expect running apps over the
Internet. 'I have to have this report done! What's wrong with the
network?' 'Fred is using BitTorrent, and it's killing the network."
Even
with all the talk of "Cloud" computing, you'll notice even
Microsoft isn't planning to offer Access through the Internet
2.
There's much less security for online data. Where does the reside? How often
is it backed up? Who has access?
3.
There's no ownership. With shrink-wrap software, you have the disk. If an
online company goes out of business, so does your access to your software!
4.
There's less restrictive terms of service when you own the software. Suppose
your software use takes up too much bandwidth. Guess who pays for that?
5.
There's no control over versioning. Suppose you don't like the new version?
You have no ability to go back to a previous version with online
applications.
6.
It's costly. Make no mistake, companies selling "Software as a
Service" or "Cloud Computing" are not out to make less money
than if they sold you a disk.
7.
How many emergency managers have online access in the field?
The
focus rectangle disappears is missing when using the keyboard to navigate the
Setup Options dialog box.
It
appears when the "Hide underlined letters" feature is on, the focus
rectangle is hidden. In Windows XP, click the Appearance tab on the Display
Properties of the Control Panel. Click the Effects button, then uncheck
"Hide underlined letters for keyboard navigation until I press the Alt
key." Click Ok.
How
to handle FEMA Resource Types:
One
of the features of the Emergency Management Database is its use of free-form
data. It's likely that an emergency service agency would meet more then one
resource type definition. If the program had a single field for resource type,
how would you search for the others?
In
the Emergency Management Database, simply list ALL the applicable resource
types for the agency in the Equipment or Information field. The record will be
located when the resource type is searched.
How
to use the Event Log in the field:
During
emergency management, people are often deployed in the field doing important
work that should be tracked or noted. This is where the Event Log
shines.
Simply
deploy a laptop with field personnel. They can make entries in their personal
Event Log. When they return to the EOC, simply "import" their
personal log, which will add their entries to the incident Event Log. You can
import their personal log each time they return as the program only imports
new or unique entries, so you won't get duplicates.
How
to backup your data:
In most installations,
simply copy the "C:\Program
Files\Emergency Management Database\Data" directory to a flash
drive or CD-RW.How
to consolidate resources for more than one county:
This is a bit tricky, in
that my personal preference is maintain two separate data sets. Here's why:
if you simply import another county's resources into your own, how will you
sort through the records to update those from your county? Its easier to keep
one data set of your county, then create a dataset for both counties. Here's
how.
- Select "New
File" from the File menu and give the file a name, such as
"Regional Resources."
- Select "Import
File" from the File menu and import your county's records.
- Select "Import
File" from the File menu and import the records from the other
county.
- You now have your own
county data set, and one with records from both counties.
Keeping
your data healthy.
Optimize your database (Resource Directory and
Event Logs) frequently. Before closing, click the Optimize button in the
toolbar. "Optimizing removes extra space from your file and checks the
integrity of the data, fixing any errors it finds. So to keep your data
healthy, optimize often. A good habit to form is optimizing right before you
exit the program.
Why
does your site use scripts?
No personal information is gathered by this site
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Analytics which tracks which pages are viewed. The anonymous data is used
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