"How could the second
version possibly be better?"
"How do I get the new edition?"
"What are the features of the first
edition?"
"What system requirements do I need?"
"How do I order?"
"Where does ReefNet get all its
photographs?"
"How could the second version
possibly be better?"
· a 2 CD-set
· 555 species and 101 families (up from 500 species and 93
families of the first edition)
· ~2000 photos and 450 video clips (up from 1500 photos and 220
video clips - half of the previous photos have been replaced with
even better images for identification)
· resizable and movable video windows (New Feature!)
· additional fish identification tools, e.g. family silhouettes,
case studies,
fishwatching hints (All New!)
· fish identification quizzes with varying degrees of difficulty
and duration (New Feature!)
· 56 printable maps covering most of the islands in the West
Indies (New Feature!)
· a video show designer and player (New Feature!)
· enhancements to the intuitive features of the
first version
· and more...! (Check out the ReefNet
website for more details.)
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"How do I get the new edition?"
This new edition will be retailing for $64.95 US plus $5.00
shipping for new customers of ReefNet. HOWEVER, through their
generosity, ReefNet has given the Field Station a special price
of $54.95 plus shipping with proceeds from sales of the CD going
towards offsetting costs of operating the Field Station. For
registered users of the first edition, updates are available at a
cost of $15 plus shipping ($5.00) and will be ready for order at
the end of February.
(Previously, when the updates were mentioned to buyers of the
first edition, it was thought that the old CD would have to be
sent in with the upgrade purchase. This is no longer the case, so
shipping of the first CD is not a concern.)
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"What are the features of the
first edition?"
Next to the Reef Fish Identification book by Paul Humann, this CD
program takes a lot of the guesswork out of newly encountered
species. The software has detailed descriptions of 500 species
and 93 families (physical characteristics, habitat, behavior,
abundance, and distribution). It contains ~1500 photos and 220
video clips showing various life stages, color phases, habitats,
and habits. It has annotated sketches for every species, pointing
out its distinctive features. The taxonomy of the animals is
given in great detail with audio pronunciations of the Genus
species. There is a search feature for the fish you are curious
about using body shape, tail shape, and other features you may
know. The program then determines a list of matches and slight
mismatches. The text, images, and pictures are printable, and it
also has a slide show the user can design and play as a cycling
presentation with music and other options. It is a great display
tool when I conduct my fish ID seminars. Both Greg and I are
extremely impressed with its performance, features, and ease-of-use.
As the Field Station, it is our first resource for assisting our
surveyors in identifying an encountered species.
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"What system requirements do I
need?"
As for the system, both versions require Windows 95, 98, or NT
with 16 MB of RAM and at least 8 MB of free disk space. The first
editon can install completely on your computer, where the disk
would not be needed when you want to run the program. It is
recommended to have a Pentium processor with true color display (16
bits or better) and audio capabilities. Also available are real-time
hints and extensive on-line help. It does come with a printed
user's manual as well.
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"How do I order?"
Suggested retail for the product is $64.95 (plus shipping),
however, through the Field Station, the price is $54.95+ $5.00
for shipping and handling. To order, please contact the REEF Field Station of the
Northern Gulf of Mexico. Proceeds from sales of the CD go
towards offsetting costs of operating the Field Station.
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"Where does ReefNet get all its
photographs?"
ReefNet has a staff of many very talented photographers and
videographers, but as it is in the business of fish
identification and recording, there will always be the ones that
got away. ReefNet, therefore, has corroborated with the
photography of others to compile the most useful fish
identification resource possible. ReefNet keeps a Species
Wishlist for the upgrades in the future and welcome any
photographer to contact
them with photos on these species. They will inform you of
their royalty scheme upon request. In this second edition, our
own Field Station co-founder Greg
Bunch has contributed six photographs from his own portfolio.
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Please email all questions to info@reefngom.org.