Configuration Overview
The Configuration tool within Specify is found by clicking Configuration at System > System Setup > Configuration. It offers many tools for setting up Specify for your specific institution as well as individual collections within the institution. The Configuration tool (and menu) is only available to Administrators.
Side Bar Global Data
The side bar offers Institution, Division, Discipline and Collection forms for adding these levels within Specify. Users that have run the Specify Setup Wizard have their Institution as well as one Division, Discipline and Collection already configured within Specify. If more of any of these Institutional levels are required within Specify they need to be added before any data is entered. Directions for performing these tasks can be found at Adding Collections, Disciplines and Divisions.
Side Bar Discipline Data
Preparation Types are Pick Lists that have an additional function; they determine if specimens with specific preparations can be loaned. For this reason they have a form for editing purposes. Simply click Preparation Type on the side bar to bring up the form. For additional information please refer to Editing the Preparation Type.
Pick Lists that are included on the default Specify forms are referred to as 'System Pick Lists' and can be edited for individual Disciplines within Specify. This is accomplished using the Pick List Editor. System Pick Lists can also be imported and exported using additional buttons on the side bar. Please refer to Editing System Pick Lists for additional information.
Cleanup Syononyms is a specially designed function for Specify 6 databases which have been created from earlier versions of Specify. The taxon synonym cleanup operations the tool performs will not affect collection databases created for the first time in Specify 6, nor on Specify 6 databases converted from other legacy systems. For Specify 6 databases converted from Specify 5, visit the Specify Project web site (www.specifysoftware.org) and read the document entitled, Specify 6 Synonym Cleanup Tool, before using this function.
Block Logins will block all other users from logging in to Specify. This feature is only available to a Specify Administrator. While the logins are blocked the administrator that blocked the logins can still login and use Specify in a normal capacity. This feature is often helpful when maintenance tasks for the Specify database are being performed.
Close Specify Database Button
When logins are being blocked the button will change to allow logins.
Open Specify Database Button
Any users that try to login to Specify while they are being blocked will be alerted that they may not login until logins are allowed.
Activate Subform allows a Collection Object Attribute, Preparation and/or Determination record to be automatically created at the same time a new Collection Object is created. If a form has been edited to include a default value the new record will be created and include the default value. For instance, if a collection uses only one Preparation and does not wish to create a new Preparation each time a new Collection Object is added to their collection, the Preparation form can be edited to include a default value and when a new Collection Object is created a new Preparation will automatically be created for that Collection Object.
Note: Preparation requires a default value to be set on the form before Specify will automatically create a Prepation for each new Collection Object. If a default value has not been set in the new Collection Object Attribute and/or Determination form a blank record will be created.
Show Users Logged In displays a list of users currently logged in to Specify.