C04j Exhibit 04_R1_Exams_Mobile_Workflows 1284LM26Q0099.docx

CSE Workflow

Notice: We’ll use Microsoft Edge for FSVeg. NRM applications don’t run well in Google Chrome or other browsers.

Topic A: FSVeg Links and Additional Examples

1. Pre-Work / FSVeg_links folder

a. Save the FSVeg_links folder to C:\Users\<your name>\Favorites\Favorites Bar

2. Contents of FSVeg_links: MANY OF THESE WON’T WORK IN GOOGLE CHROME; USE Microsoft Edge ONLY! If Chrome opens when you click one of them, just copy the URL in Chrome, then open a Microsoft Edge window and paste the copied URL into it.

3. On your tablet, the following folders will be created under Internal Storage > Download when installing Exams Mobile or when the tool is run:

a. ExamsMobile_BackupDBs – created when you run the tool

b. ExamsMobile_DataReport – created when you run the tool

c. ExamsMobile_ImportFromFSVeg

d. ExamsMobile_PreloadCheck – created when you run the tool

e. ExamsMobile_PrepFromTablet

f. ExamsMobile_SharedIncoming – some pre-built content has been added to this in class

g. ExamsMobile_SharedOutgoing

4. Decoding the Tablet Buttons of Mystery:

Cancel, return to a previous form, or hide the keyboard Switch between running apps

5. Class Materials / copy these folders to the C drive / insert URL of the Box folder / Copy these folders to the C drive Save the contents of copy these folders to the C drive:

Topic B: Install Exams Mobile from Google Play On the Android 11 or later tablet (Exams Mobile won’t run properly on earlier Android versions or phones, or on iOS):

1. WiFi-only tablets: Connect to a network (If you don’t have Exams Mobile on your tablet, you can skip to Step 4.)

2. Backup Exams DB since uninstalling Exams Mobile will delete all data files and personal templates.

3. Uninstall any previous version of Exams Mobile on your tablet:

a. Tap and hold on the Exams Mobile icon.

b. Uninstall

4. Download and Install Exams Mobile:

5. Open Google Play on your Android tablet

6. Search for “FSVeg Exams Mobile”

7. Select the FSVeg Exams Mobile item

8. If you were a beta tester for Exams Mobile, the page that opens will be labelled FSVeg Exams Mobile (Beta) – that’s just because you are listed as a beta tester in Google Play. To get to the production version, you need to remove yourself from the beta tester roster. Scroll down to the You’re a beta tester section, then select Leave. The next time you visit this page, the beta designation will be removed. You can always reinstate yourself as a beta tester for Exams Mobile in the future if needed.

9. Install and Open (Note: If you have the Update option instead of Install, it means you haven’t uninstalled the prior version – go back and complete steps 2 and 3, above. Never, ever choose Update; it will mess things up on your tablet, but it won’t be evident until you’re in the woods trying to collect data.)

The Exams Mobile installation includes both the app itself and its SQLite database that is preloaded with the Regional Templates with their associated User Definitions, Field Selections, and Default Sample Designs.

Topic C: Overview of the typical workflow:

Topic D: Setup – Create a Personal Template from a Regional Template NOTE: For this class, we will act as if we are all employees of the one forest we are using for training this week; however, when you return to your home unit, you will use the values for that unit.

Purpose: Create a Personal Template.

1. Main Menu > Select a Template or a Data File

a. Regional Templates > R1_WMT_ID.cse | Regional Template | CSE

2. Save As

a. Lolo CSE

i. Personal Template

ii. CSE

iii. Save

Topic E: Setup > User Definitions – Customize your Personal Template Purpose: Configure the Personal Template to save time and effort while reducing errors in the field. The User Definitions tool is where you can:

1. Identify values that will be populated by default whenever you create a new setting (i.e., stand exam).

2. Define Lists of Values (LOV) for data (such as Project Name, Location, Exam Level, EV & PV References, Examiner, Tree Species, and so on).

Tasks:

1. Personal Template’s name is showing in the Select box.

2. Setup > User Definitions – Set the following values as Default by using the Default button:

3. Make sure (Default) appears, or the desired values won’t autopopulate in the forms:

– in reality, the admin forest = 16; 0116 is a software thing

Hint: Be really careful typing in entries such as Project Name. Notice that the one, above:

The bottom line is that, to a computer, ‘CSE CLASS’, ‘CSE Class’, ‘CSECLASS’, ‘cse class’, and so on are all different project names!

Surface Cover = 1 Collected

You cannot use User Fields unless They are defined ahead of time

You cannot use User Fields unless They are defined ahead of time

1. Add these species:

a. EUES – leafy spurge

b. LIDA – Dalmatian toadflax

c. BRTE – cheatgrass

(not for this class)

Whenever creating a new Personal Template from a Regional Template, do these weird steps:

1. Turn off all Spp of Mgt Interest

2. Turn off, then on, all Tree Spp

3. Turn off, then on, all Veg Spp

Doing so will ensure that only Spp of Mgt Interest that are in your Forest’s Tree and Veg species lists will be set to Use It? = Yes

1. Use It? = No

2. Use It? = Yes

3. Then trim your species list

1. Use It? = No

2. Use It? = Yes

3. Then trim your species list

Note: The R1 Template does not populate Species of Mgt Interest, so if you want to use it, you need to add your own spp.

Why do we do this?

….to enable only the species of management interest that occur on your forest:

For attributes that have the Print button enabled, you can create a .txt file of the list contents saved to:

Internal storage > Download

Topic F: Setup > Field Selections – Customize your Personal Template Look over the field selections – remember, these were copied from the Regional template; your home unit may opt to collect more (or less) information.

Pay special attention to the intensity of the Tree tabs – there’s 3 different intensities!

There are five data areas to consider:

A. Setting – We can now customize the Setting Form! Make sure you select the following (uncheck all the others):

i.

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ii. PV Ref Code

iii. PV Code

iv. Stand Structure

v. Capable Growth Area %

vi. Elevation

vii. Aspect viii.

Slope

ix. Acres

x. Examiner

xi. Radial Growth 1

xii. Height Growth

B. Plot – Ensure that the following are checked (selected):

i.

ii. Latitude

iii. Longitude

iv. Capable Growth % (req’d)

v. Aspect (req’d)

vi. Slope (req’d)

vii. Elevation

viii. Potential Vegetation (req’d)

ix. User Defined Field (Plot)

In the real world, look on your unit; consider what is typically collected and why. For example:

a. Fuel Model: Classify the plot as one of the fuel models (1-13 or 91-204).

b. Residue Descriptive Code: Using the fuel photo reference recorded on the CSE Setting Form, identify the photo (by its residue descriptive code) that most closely represents the fuel conditions on the plot.

C. Tree, Quick: Make sure you select the correct intensity tab before making further field selections (Quick for this class; ref. AllStations Protocols.docx p. 15)

i. Site/GST

ii. Radial Growth (1)

iii. Height Growth

iv. Age

v. Tree Species (known issue: uncheck Dup)

vi. Crown Ratio (make it required)

vii. Crown Class (make it required)

viii. Log/Snag Decay Class

ix. User Defined Field (Tree)

x. Check GST Tally (known issue – bug)

xi. Remarks Note that Dup may be selected, but be advised that this function does not currently work.

D. Veg Comp – Protocols:

E. Downed Woody – 3 possible protocols: Brown’s, Piece Count, Photo Ocular.

i. Make sure Piece Length, Small End Diameter, and Large End Diameter are checked, because piece length enables pieces/acre computations and small end diameter may be needed for habitat analysis.

Topic G: Setup > Default Sample Design – Customize your Personal Template The Default Sample Design will be automatically applied to every new setting you create in the Setting Data Collection tool. You can customize the Default Sample Design to your unit’s resource conditions and analysis needs.

1/300th ac plot to survey live standing trees with a DBH of 0.01 to 4.99 inches DBH

1/300th ac plot to survey live standing DBH trees with a HGT of 0.5 to 4.49 feet

1/300th ac plot to survey dead standing trees with a DBH of 3.00 to 4.99 inches

B. Veg Composition data is collected using a combination of transect and fixed-radius plot:

Trees: 100’ transect, Cover by Lifeform + Cover by Lifeform and Layer, 3% to 100%, Subpop var = TRE Shrubs: 1/24th acre plot, Cover by Lifeform + Cover by Species, 3% to 100%, Subpop var = SHR Forbs: 1/24th acre plot, Cover by Lifeform + Cover by Species, 3% to 100%, Subpop var = FRB Grams: 1/24th acre plot, Cover by Lifeform + Cover by Species, 3% to 100%, Subpop var = GRM

12 foot transect for all pieces with an INTERSECTION diameter of .25- .99”

20 foot transect for all pieces with an INTERSECTION diameter of 1.0-2.99”

100 foot transect for all pieces with an INTERSECTION diameter of 3.00” or greater

The values in the default sample design will be automatically copied to new stand exams you create after saving it. It won’t affect stand exams that already exist on the PDR or on your PC.

For example, suppose you already have an exam for stand 4501, where large live trees are sampled using a BAF 40. Then you change the default sample design so that large live trees are sampled with a BAF 20 and create exams for stands 4502 and 4503. Then you change the default sample design so that large live trees are sampled using a BAF 10 and create exams for stands 4504 and 4505. The net result of these actions is that the expansion factors for the large live trees in these stand exams are:

Setup > Default Sample Designs: You change the BAF to 20 This doesn’t affect Stand 4501 (BAF 40)

Setup > Default Sample Designs: You change the BAF to 10 This doesn’t affect Stand 4501 (BAF 40), 4502 + 4503 (BAF 20)

Mini-Topic: Backup your Personal Template:

1. Backups > Backup Exams Database

2. Give it a distinctive name

3. Backup

A Backup DB is the way to share your Personal Template with your crew, contractors, etc.

Topic H: Create a Data File from your Personal Template

1. Main Menu (Home button )

2. Select: <your Personal Template name> | Personal Template | CSE

3. Save As

a. Crew 1

b. Data File

c. CSE

d. Save

Notice that we’re no longer working with Regional or Personal Templates;

from now on, we’re working with our Data File:

Because we’re now working with our Data File:

1. The Data File name appears in the Selected box.

2. The Data File contains two parts:

a. Setup (User Definitions, Field Selections, and Default Sample Design) that were copied from your Personal Template, but you can modify them further as needed.

b. Data Collection – where you will enter your stand exam data.

3. Note: Data Files can hold multiple stand exams. As a result, you have a lot of flexibility to group or separate your stand exams in ways that make the most sense to you.

Topic I: Setting Data Collection: Create stand exams in your data file and enter pre-survey data (Setting & Sample Designs) You will create two stand exams; one that you will use in the office exercise (xx01), and one that you will use in the “field exercise” (xx02), where xx is your Student ID for the class. Your ID, xx = Example: If your Student ID is 15, then your two stands will be 1501 and 1502

B. Main Menu > Setting Data Collection C. Notice that SELECTED SETTING is blank – because you don’t have any settings in the Data File yet.

D. Add Setting Notice that the default values that you set earlier will be entered for you in the Setting form (if you forgot to designate default values, go to Setup > User Definitions and set them to default, then navigate back here). Because the default values are entered for you onto the setting form, all you have to do is (1) check that they’re correct and (2) enter the following setting-specific data:

There will be some setting data that you won’t be able to enter until after you’ve seen the stand (“post-survey”).

Make certain that the sample designs match what you intend to sample in the stand (for this exercise, compare the values with the ones shown in Exercise F, above).

Everything here is important – they’re used to uniquely specify your subpopulations of interest (see Appendix 7 of this CSE Workflow), link tree etc. records to the appropriate subpopulation specifications and generate the correct expansion TPA and BA/ac expansions, but pay special attention to expansion factors and selection methods.

Remember, you are now editing the Setting’s sample design – not the Setup > Default Sample Design that gets applied to newly created settings in this Data File. Any edits you make to this setting’s sample design affect only this one setting to which it belongs – and your edits to this setting’s sample design won’t affect other settings’ sample design in the Data File.

Topic J: Enter Stand xx01 Plot 1 (you may ignore the shaded items) You’ve just hiked to the first plot. Use the Plot icon at the bottom of the Setting form to navigate to the Plot form. Use the Add Plot Record button to create a new plot record.

Note:

The Help and Option buttons can be very helpful when entering data. Also, column definitions appear in the light green bar near the top of the form.

Topic K: Enter Stand xx01 Plot 1 Downed Woody Material, Veg Comp, Ground Surface Cover Plot Data/Down Woody Material Data, Veg. Composition|Ground Surface Cover Data

Note: We collect the length so that we can compute pieces/acre; we collect the small end diameter because size criteria in most forest plans specify minimum diameter.

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2. Veg Composition and Surface Cover - Obtain the canopy cover occupied by the vegetation components of interest. FYI, most surveys collect just the first tab – but whether you collect one or all the tabs depends on the purpose of your stand exam. Canopy cover is measured as the cumulative vertical projection of the canopy onto the ground, by:

A. Lifeform (1st tab) B. Species and Layer (2nd tab) C. Species (3rd tab) Keep in mind:

· It’s as if you were viewing the plot from directly above (vertical projection of canopy dripline onto the ground).

· Treat each layer independently of the other layers, for example:

· TOT – All Trees: 75% canopy cover

· TOV – Overstory Trees (Hgt >= 6.1 ft): 60% canopy cover

· TSA – Understory Trees (1.6 ft <= Hgt <= 6.0 ft): 10% canopy cover

There are 2 different ways to do this:

a. Ocular estimate (by eye). Given how subjective this can be, this aid may help:

A circle with 1/10th the diameter of the plot is 1/100th of the plot area:

For anything heavily reliant on subjective judgement, it’s a good idea to meet with your crew/contractors in the field to get everyone on the same page before any data are collected for real.

b. Linear transect:

i. Lay out a 100’ transect.

ii. Tally vegetation (e.g., grass, tall tree, medium shrub, etc.) at each foot.

iii. Convert tally by vegetation to % cover.

Enter the following Vegetation Composition data for this exercise:

Cover by Lifeform (1st tab):

Cover by Species (3rd tab):

R1 Remarks: Enter Layer code prefaced with “L” – for example, L2

Ground Surface Cover (4th tab) – Surface cover is different from canopy cover; instead, we are trying to get an estimate of how much of a plane at the ground surface is occupied by different items. So for any type of vegetation, we are looking at the cumulative cross-sectional areas at the ground surface, and it’s a lot less than you would guess at first. For example, it’s estimated that in the densest tropical jungle, basal vegetation (BAVE) usually doesn’t go much above 15%.

Enter the following Surface Cover data for this exercise:

Surface cover must add up to 100%, so you must adjust if it doesn’t (it’s different than Veg Comp)

Topic L: Stand xx01 Plot 1 Trees Plot Data/Tree Data

Remarks

AE1: Est Age DBHxx: Shifted Tree Distance Tree Azimuth

DF dwarf mistletoe, sev. 3, middle 1/3 of crown (23/011/3/MT) Wildfire, sev 1, Base (30/31/1/BA)

broken top, sev 30%, Top (99/001/30/TO) mountain pine beetle, sev 3, Bole (11/006/3/BO)

Wildfire, sev 1, Base (30/031/1/BA)

AE1

DBH42

crook/sweep, 15%, bole (99/006/15/BO)

N

P

* Options > DBH/DRC Calculator: Compute the effective diameter from multi-stemmed trees that have more than one diameter > 3” **Should you really sample this tree? Look at the subpopulation definitions / sample designs.

Region 1 GST Guidelines: Select the first tally tree of each species and diameter class. (known issue with check):

Old Growth Exam GST Class

Region 1 Remarks:

breast height; xx = ht to 1/10 foot.

The Options button on the Tree form gives you access to several useful tools:

Apply Field Selections: Suppose you made it all the way to the first plot when you suddenly realize that you made an epic mistake with your field selections when setting things up, such as forgetting to include a really important field. You can fix the situation by doing this:

A. Enter the Enter required fields for all trees (or the form won’t let you leave) B. Return to the Main Menu.

Try it by adding Crown Width – see if it shows up on the Tree form.

Topic M: Enter Stand xx01 Plot 2

Topic N: Enter Stand xx01 Plot 2 Downed Woody Material, Veg Comp, Ground Surface Cover

1. Downed woody material was not found on plot number 2.

This is REALLY different from the situation where it is not sampled.

When this happens for any type of data (tree, veg comp, downed woody, surface cover), it’s a good idea to make a note of it in the Plot Remarks for the plot on which it occurred to prevent anyone from thinking that you may have simply forgotten to collect that part of the data.

2. Veg Composition and Surface Cover Cover by Lifeform (1st tab):

Cover by Species (3rd tab):

R1 Remarks: Enter Layer code prefaced with “L” – for example, L2

Ground Surface Cover (4th tab):

Note that surface cover doesn’t add up to 100% so you must adjust for that.

Remarks

AE1: Est Age DBHxx: Shifted Tree Distance Tree Azimuth

AE1

heart rot, severity 3, bole (22/001/3/BO)

DBH51

broken top, sev 10%, top (99/001/10/TO)

N

Topic P: Enter post-survey setting data for setting xx01 Setting Data Collection You’ve just completed the last plot in Setting 1 and have a pretty good idea of what the stand is all about.

Now you’re ready to finish entering setting data for Setting 1 based on your recent observations:

Remarks Comments to aid writing an Rx Seeps, surface rock, and Armillaria pockets in stand. Dalmatian toadflax in NE corner of stand and leafy spurge along road.

Setting Damages Seen in the stand but not on the plots Armillaria, Sev 4, Both crown and diagnostic signs/symptoms detected (21/001/4) Domestic cattle, minor (42/001/1))

Species of Mgt Interest Seen in the stand but not on the plots cheatgrass (BRTE ) Dalmatian toadflax (LIDA) leafy spurge (EUES)

*If collected, this data is taken on each plot and then summarized on the Setting Form after the stand exam is completed.

Topic Q: Collect data for setting xx02 (aka the “Field Exercise”) The scenario: You’ve prepped your tablet for Setting 2 in the office (remember, you did this in Exercise 1), and now you’re in the woods to conduct the stand exam. Your analysis for this exercise only requires tree information, so you won’t collect veg comp, surface cover, or downed woody data.

For this exercise, please do the following:Not used for this class

Group up in teams of at least 2 people, depending on the availability of tablets.

We will spend a day in the field to discuss the techniques used to collect stand exam data (a brief outline is presented in Appendix 6). As we do so, we will collect the data together, rotating stations. This enables people to immediately:

a. Get on the same page with regard to the protocols

b. Clear up any questions/burning issues If time allows, you are to visit other plots where you will:

c. Enter plot data (you may make this up; the minimum information, though, is plot number)

d. Collect the tree data, veg comp, surface cover, and downed woody data

Finish your stand exam by entering the post-survey setting data:

Remarks Comments to aid writing an Rx Rock outcrop and salt lick at top of stand; heavy use by deer and others. Good snag density and distribution.

Setting Damages Seen in the stand but not on the plots Armillaria, Both crown and diagnostic signs/symptoms (21/001/4) Checks and bole cracks, 5% (99/007/5)

Species of Mgt Interest Seen in the stand but not on the plots Johnsongrass (SOHA) Canadian thistle (CIAR4) Bell’s honeysuckle (LOBE)

You may enter additional plots as time allows to get more practice.

We may also discuss Contract Administration (Topic Z) in the field if time permits.

This page is not used for this class, since it’s virtual.

Alternate Topic Q for Virtual Students: Collect data for setting xx02 (aka the “Virtual Field Exercise”)

The scenario: You’ve prepped your Android tablet for Setting 2 in the office (remember, you did this in Topic I), and now you’re in the woods to conduct the stand exam. Your analysis for this exercise only requires tree information, so you won’t collect veg comp, surface cover, or downed woody data.

There is a PowerPoint of “Western Trees” – each slide is a plot – and the trees you see are the ones that met the selection criteria you defined for your project. Use the scales in the slides to estimate diameter and height for the trees.:

For this exercise, the objectives are to practice and develop a familiarity in navigating the Exams Mobile screens while collecting Tree data.

Visit at least three plots where you will:

A. Enter plot data (you may make this up; the minimum information, though, is plot number) B. Collect the tree data from the tree posters.

C. When you are done at your last plot, finish your stand exam by entering the post-survey setting data:

Remarks Comments to aid writing an Rx Rock outcrop and talus at top of stand. Good snag density and distribution. Heavy use by deer and elk.

Setting Damages Seen in the stand but not on the plots Armillaria, Both crown and diagnostic signs/symptoms (21/001/4) Checks and bole cracks, 5% (99/007/5)

Species of Mgt Interest Seen in the stand but not on the plots cheatgrass (BRTE) leafy spurge (EUES)

You may enter additional plots as time allows to get more practice.

Topic R: Preload Check

1. Select a Template or a Data File > select your Data File

2. Preload Check

a. If this is your first time using Preload Check on this device, you’ll get a pop-up asking what app to use. Choose HTML Viewer > Always.

3. Results are placed in a text file in Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_PreloadCheck

a. Pay special attention to the Tree Against Subpopulation check section.

a. There are NO sample design selection criteria matches to this tree.

Possible causes:

1. Tree shouldn’t have been sampled

2. Error in subpopulation definitions (i.e., Sample Design)

b. There are TOO MANY sample design selection criteria matches to this tree.

Cause:

3. Error in subpopulation definitions (i.e., Sample Design)

4. While looking in the Tree form, remember that Options > Sample Design will display the subpopulations without leaving the form. Use the Back button on the tablet to display the Tree form when done.

5. Use the Back button to return to the Exams Mobile main menu (aka, the Home screen)

6. To view the output file, open My Files then navigate to the file; notice that it has the date and time stamp of when it was created.

7. You don’t need to be connected to a network so you can run Preload Check in the field as often as you want, even at the end of every plot, to make sure that all the tree records are covered by the appropriate subpopulations. The only thing to keep in mind is that a new text file is created on your tablet each time you run it, so you may need to do some periodic housekeeping to remove the ones that you don’t need any more.

Topic S: Data Report

1. Select a Template or a Data File > select your Data File

2. Data Report

3. Results are placed in Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_DataReport

4. To view the output file, open My Files then navigate to the file; notice that it has the date and time stamp of when it was created.

5. To print it, move the file to your PC at OS (C:) > ExamsMobile_DataReport then print to an available printer.

Topic T: Overview of Data Transfer, Backup, and Sharing Tools

Topic U: Load Settings into FSVeg

Prepare Data File for FSVeg

1. Main Menu > Prepare Data File for Database Loader -- Creates a .txt for the selected Data File shown in the window, which may contain several settings (stand exams).

2. The prepped Data File is automatically named and includes a date and time stamp, then saved to Internal Storage > Download > ExamsMobile_PrepFromTablet. To view the entire filename and its path on your Android tablet:

Move Prepped Data File from Tablet to PC (Do this frequently to avoid losing data to some unforeseen, catastrophic event, like an asteroid hitting your tablet)

1. Connect tablet to PC with cable

2. Windows File Explorer: Open separate windows for:

c. Arrange the two windows side-by-side, like this, to make it easier to transfer the files:

d. Copy the ExamsDataLoaderFileCSEDataFile_<etc.> from the tablet to the PC

NRM Dashboard > FSVeg Main Menu > Exams Mobile Tools > Exams Data Loader

1. https://iwebtrn.fs.usda.gov/login/welcome.html (Train A environment for this class)

2. Default NRM Dashboard

3. USDA Employee/Contractor

4. PIV/CAC > Enter your PIN

5. Plus sign (+) next to NRIS

6. FSVeg (appears below NRIS)

7. FSVeg

The FSVeg main menu window will open; select Exams Mobile Tools > Exams Data Loader:

a. Select a File: Brings your Prepped Data into the form so that you can select which settings to load. The form will automatically begin looking in This PC > OS (C:) > ExamsMobile_PrepFromTablet. Open the folder where you’ve put your Prepped for Data Loader file and select it:

Troubleshooting:

· When trying to bring in a prepped data file with Browse and you instead receive this error, it means that your file is not a prepped data file and was instead created with the Send tool on the tablet. The solution to this is to return to your tablet and use the Prepare Data File for FSVeg tool to create the appropriate file.

1. Load Selected Settings.

a. If any settings already exist in FSVeg (i.e., same setting id, measurement date, purpose code, and exam levels), then you will have the option to either overwrite the existing data or cancel loading.

b. Settings with data errors will not be loaded and you will be informed of them.

c. You will be notified when loading is complete.

d. FSVeg Spatial implications: If the Location is checked out for an FSVeg Spatial editing session, you won’t be able to load data into it.

Topic V: Backups

Backup Databases are used to save a backup of all Exams Mobile Personal Templates and Data Files. Besides working great as backups, they are also an excellent way to pass Personal Templates and Data Files to others. The receiving tablet must perform a backup prior to replacement, since otherwise any existing Personal Templates and Data files would be lost.

Backup Exams Database:

To create a backup of the onboard SQLite database that holds all the templates and data files:

1. Back up Exams Database – Creates a .db file from the currently active SQLite database in Exams Mobile containing the Regional Templates, Personal Templates, and Data Files.

2. Rename it (e.g., crew_1_backup.db) or accept the default w/ timestamp

3. It will be saved to: Internal storage > Downloads > ExamsMobile_BackupDBs

4. Connect tablet to PC

5. Windows File Explorer: Open separate windows for:

a. Tablet: Navigate to Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_BackupDBs

b. PC: OS (C:) > ExamsMobile_BackupDBs

c. Drag-and-drop crew_1_backup.db from tablet to PC

6. The SQLite database crew_1_backup.db is now available for you to transfer via email, jump drive, T:\ drive, etc.

Replace Exams Database:

To use a SQLite database that someone has made available to you:

1. On your PC, save it to OS (C:) > ExamsMobile_BackupDBs

2. Connect tablet to PC

3. Windows File Explorer; open separate windows for:

a. Tablet: Navigate to Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_BackupDBs

b. PC: OS (C:) > ExamsMobile_BackupDBs

c. Drag-and-drop crew_1_backup.db from PC to tablet

4. On your Android tablet, select Replace Exams Database;

a. Navigate to Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_BackupDBs

b. Select crew_1_backup.db

c. You can save the current SQLite database as a .db file in Downloads if you wish

d. Replace Current Database

5. The SQLite database crew_1_backup.db has replaced the content in the onboard SQLite database and is available for use.

Topic W: Importing Data Files from FSVeg

If needed, you can pull Common Stand Exam data from FSVeg, move it to your Android tablet, and open it in Exams Mobile. This isn’t very common, but in the past people have wanted to have data from FSVeg loaded onto their tablet (and alternative to this is to simply put a text file created from Data Report onto their tablet. There are some considerations pertaining to the Setup configurations that will be assigned to them:

1. Common Stand Exam data stored in FSVeg is no longer associated with the Setup (User Definitions, Field Selections, and Default Sample Design) information under which it was collected, so all this information will instead be supplied by the configuration of whatever Regional Template, Personal Template, or Data File that you have selected at the time you tap on the Import From FSVeg icon in Exams Mobile on the tablet:

2. As a result, it is advised to select a Template or Data File whose configuration is as close as possible to the one under which the data was collected, especially in terms of the admin and proclaimed units, since the forest-specific species lists would be appropriate for the incoming data:

a. Admin Region

b. Admin Forest

c. Proclaimed Region

d. Proclaimed Forest But you might also consider having the other LOVs populated if the incoming data used them. Otherwise, their values may be flagged as incorrect, since they would not exist in User Definitions. Examples include:

a. EV Ref and Codes

b. PV Ref and Codes

c. User Fields for Setting, Plot, Tree, Veg

d. and so on.

The imported file will be saved in Exams Mobile as a Data File named NewCSEData.cse. It is advised that you edit this generic name to something that is meaningful and distinctive, however, especially since it can easily be overwritten if you import another file onto the tablet.

3. The imported data can be treated as any other Data File in terms of viewing, editing, etc.

Topic X: Tablet Sharing

The Tablet Sharing tools are used to pass a single, selected Data File from one tablet to another (via a PC and email or jump drive, etc.) without disrupting the existing Personal Templates and other Data Files on the receiving tablet.

The assumption is that the receiving tablet has a copy of the same Personal Template that was used to create the incoming data file, or at least has a Data File whose Setup (User Definitions, Field Selections, and Default Sample Designs).

The reason this is important is that Shared Data Files do not retain their original Setup configurations (User Definitions, Field Selections, Sample Designs). Instead, these will be inherited from the Personal Template or Data File that is showing in the Select a Template or Data File box at the time Fetch is used on the receiving tablet.

Send Data File

1. Select Data File

2. Send Data File

a. Saves -<Data File name><date and time stamp>.txt in Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_SharedOutgoing

3. Connect tablet to PC

4. Windows File Explorer: Open separate windows for:

d. Tablet: Navigate to Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_SharedOutgoing

e. PC: OS (C:) > ExamsMobile_ SharedOutgoing

f. Drag-and-drop -<Data File name><date and time stamp>.txt from tablet to PC

5. -<Data File name><date and time stamp>.txt is now available for you to transfer via email, jump drive, T:\ drive, etc.

Fetch Data File

1. Save the received Data File to OS (C:) > ExamsMobile_ SharedIncoming

2. Connect tablet to PC

4. Windows File Explorer: Open separate windows for:

a. Tablet: Navigate to Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_SharedIncoming

b. PC: OS (C:) > ExamsMobile_ SharedIncoming

c. Drag-and-drop -<Data File name><date and time stamp>.txt from PC to tablet On your tablet:

a. Select either a Personal Template or Data File with a Setup configuration appropriate for the incoming data. Why? Because your Fetched incoming data file will inherit the Setup configuration (User Definitions, Field Selections, and Default Sample Designs) of the selected Template or Data file.

b. Fetch Data File >

i. Select -<Data File name><date and time stamp>.txt

ii. Import Data File

c. SharedCSEDataFile | Data File | CSE (or SharedIMDataFile | Data File | IM)

i. EDIT – Rename this Data File for clarity and to be unique; otherwise, the next Fetched or imported file will overwrite this one entirely and you’ll lose it.

5. The new Data File is now available on your tablet along with any other existing Data Files you had prior to the Fetch.

For the next topic, we’ll use the Data Files in the ExamsMobile_SharedIncoming folder: Comment by Mita, Roy - FS, CO: Notes to self:

Create Crew 1 first; use it as the source for all other Data Files.

In stand 9902, create 7 plots w/ tree records.

Use the Wyckoff spreadsheet to generate heights. Need to generate a Curtis-Arney spreadsheet eventually, but for now the Wyckoff results aren’t bad.

Before creating class exercises on bad data and merge, enter these Locations:

Data File > Setup > User Defs > Location

5. Create separate Data Files for each different case, as seen at left.

OS (C:) > ExamsMobile_SharedIncoming

1. On the Exams Mobile main menu (aka Home page), select Personal Templates > [your Personal Template]

2. Connect tablet to PC

3. Fetch Data File: Follow the directions in the prior Topic to move and rename these Data Files to the tablet’s Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_SharedIncoming folder:

Topic Y: Bad data examples Subpopulation Hole and Subpopulation Overlap Do the following for the Subpop Hole and the Subpop Overlap Data Files:

1. Select the Data File

2. Preload Check

a. Results text file appears. Pay special attention to Tree Against Subpopulation Check

b. Remember, the results are in a text file is saved to Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_PreloadCheck

3. Toggle between Exams Mobile and the Preload Check results text file:

a. Back button to return to the main menu.

b. Tablet’s Home button to show the desktop

c. My Files

i. Internal storage > Download > ExamsMobile_PreloadCheck

ii. Select the file. If this is the first time you’ve opened a text file, a little dialog box will open, asking you what app you want to use to open it. Choose:

1. HTML viewer

2. Always

iii. The file will be displayed.

d. Use the Running Apps button to toggle between Exams Mobile and the Preload Check results text file. In this way, you can quickly reference any errors and make corrections to either the subpopulation definitions (Setting’s Sample Design) or the tree/veg/downed woody/surface cover records as needed. The way I usually do it is to:

i. Find the tree record that is flagged with the error:

1. Does it fit into one or more subpopulations?

2. Does it fit into none of them?

ii. Examine the Tree subpopulation records:

1. Are they mutually exclusive?

2. Are there any gaps between subpopulations?

4. Typically, what you would do right after repairing a Data File like this is that you would load it into FSVeg. Please feel welcome to do so with your repaired Data File, using the Train A environment (don’t load this data into the Production environment).

Topic Z: Merge The Merge tool is used to:

1. Consolidate different plots from one stand that were collected on two different tablets. The end result is one setting with all the plots in it on the primary tablet.

2. Consolidate multiple settings from two different tablets into one data file on the primary tablet. This is done mostly to make handling and storage of data files easier in the long run.

We will cover the most common 4 scenarios that people encounter.

Scenario 1: As the Crew Lead, you sent two crews to a single stand one day to collect different plots in the stand, with the intent to merge all the plots into one stand exam. Crew A collected plots 1, 2, 3, and 4. Crew B collected plots 5, 6, and 7. When they were done, they used Send to format their respective files and emailed them to you. You now have them in Internal storage > Download > SharedIncoming on your tablet.

1. Preload Check both to make sure all is well.

2. Merge Data Files

a. Select the Merge 1A Data File – the first file you select will be the Primary Data File and will end up with all the plots, while the other will be the Secondary Data File and remain unchanged.

b. Merge

c. Designate Merge 1B as the Secondary Data File

d. Make sure that the desired setting is checked (√)

e. Merge into Primary Data File

f. If both Data Files have settings with duplicate identifiers (Admin Region, Admin Forest, Proclaimed Region, Proclaimed Forest, District, Location, Setting ID, Measurement Date, Exam Levels, Exam Purpose), then you’ll have a choice:

i. Merge: Plots from the setting in the Secondary Data File will be copied to its corresponding setting in the Primary Data File.

ii. Overwrite: Plots from the setting in the Secondary Data File will replace (i.e., obliterate) all plots in its corresponding setting in the Primary Data File.

g. Back button to return to the previous screen. Notice that the Merge into Primary Data File button has been grayed out.

h. View the plot results for that Primary Setting in Data Collection. You can also Preload Check the file.

Scenario 2: One crew collected different plots in the same stand over two days on different tablets. Again, the job is to merge all the plots into one stand exam. Remember that the measurement date needs to be the same on both settings, and most people choose the latter date. Merge the two settings that are in the two data files:

The Data Files you will use for this exercise are:

· Merge 2a, with plots 1, 2, 3, and 4

· Merge 2B, with plots 5, 6, and 7 Remember, if the settings have different measurement dates, they will be treated as separate stand exams and the plots will not be merged into one stand exam. Instead, you’ll end up with two separate stand exams in the Primary Data File; one with plots from the first day, and the other with plots from the second day.

This will happen to you if you didn’t catch the fact that the measurement dates were different.

To recover from this:

1. Delete the second setting from the Primary Data File

2. Set the measurement date of the setting in the Primary Data File to match that of its counterpart in the Secondary Data File. It’s customary to use the latter of the dates as the measurement date.

3. Try merging them again; if the dates are identical, the result will be one setting in the Primary Data File with all the plots in it.

4. Preload Check that setting.

Scenario 3: The intent was to merge the plots collected by two different crews from a given stand into one stand exam, but one of the crews made a mistake; their large tree subpopulation has a different BAF.

The Data Files you will use for this exercise are:

· Merge 3a, with plots 1, 2, 3, and 4

· Merge 3B, with plots 5, 6, and 7 Did they really use the wrong BAF? Or did they actually collect trees using the correct BAF but just wrote it down wrong? The solution you implement depends on what they actually did.

Scenario 4: The intent was to merge the plots collected by two different crews from a given stand into one stand exam, but Crew B made some sort of mistake and ended up with a duplicate plot number.

The Data Files you will use for this exercise are:

· Merge 4a, with plots 1, 2, 3, and 4

· Merge 4B, with plots 1, 2, and 7 Did they just mis-number their plots? Or are the plot numbers correct, but they measured a plot that Crew A already measured? As before, the solution you implement depends on what they did.

Topic AA: Oracle Forms

1. Log into NRM:

a. Class (Train A): https://iwebtrn.fs.usda.gov/login/welcome.html - use your student account

i. Default NRM Dashboard

ii. Log In with your student account and password

b. Real life (Prod): https://iweb.fs.usda.gov/login/welcome.html - use your real account

i. Default NRM Dashboard

ii. Log In with PIV/CAC

c. Real life (VDI): Select VDI Network on this page: https://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/busops/cio/resources/nrm - use your real account

i. Navigate to:

1. Desktops

2. FS Production VDI Desktop – W11

3. Open

4. Categories

5. National Applications

6. Natural Resource Manager

7. NRM Dashboard

8. Default NRM Dashboard

9. Log in with PIV/CAC or your real username and password

2. NRM Dashboard Release 2:

a. Expand the ‘+’ sign next to NRIS

b. FSVeg (appears below NRIS)

c. FSVeg (appears on the right)

You’ll arrive at the FSVeg Main Menu:

NOTE: If the screen that appears after the steps in C. above:

a. stays blank (white), your PC is probably missing Oracle Client.

b. stays blank (grey), wait—it will eventually become…

c. the Java blue circle animation appears over the window, wait—it will eventually become…

Set your Admin Unit to the Region and Forest for the training (in real life, select your actual unit):

View / Insert / Edit / Delete

CSE (and Inventory and Monitoring, which is very similar with some added features)

1. Data are formatted according to the CSE Protocol (see diagram above); it’s very similar to ExamsPC/PDR

2. Find the setting of interest using Preferences Preferences aka Search Filter

1. Appears in almost all the functional areas in one form or another.

2. Used to quickly find your data of interest.

3. Specify the least amount of information needed (or you may not find the data you are looking for).

Try it - Get into the CSE form, use the Preferences to find a setting, and explore the forms such as Sample Designs, Plot, Tree, Veg Comp, and Downed Woody.

Database Tables FSVeg was designed to hold any plot-based forest vegetation data; there are many more data…