For those who can run DOS programs on your computer, you can use the GRIN database and not have to access the GRIN website at www.ars-grin/npgs/searchgrin.html This is done by installing a DOS program called pcGRIN, a stand-alone version of the GRIN database that contains data for individual crops. You'll also need to install the self-extracting archive SOFT.EXE in the same directory containing the crop information (in this case, it's called PEPPERS.ZIP). BTW, if you have a previous version of pcGRIN installed (pre Oct., 1998) you should remove it and any datasets and install new software and crop datasets. Requirements pcGRIN was developed for an IBM-compatible PC-DOS environment and requires a 386 or better (486 or better recommended) computer capable of running DOS programs with 640 K RAM minimum and a hard drive large enough to hold the desired crops. Smaller crops require 10 Mb, larger crops like WHEAT or SOYBEAN can require 80 Mb or more of disk space. The files on the web site are compressed so you can estimate at least a 5X increase after installation. pcGRIN has been tested in the MS-DOS, PC-DOS, Microsoft Windows (3.1, 95, NT using the DOS prompt), and OS/2 operating systems. The pcGRIN user guide lists tips for running under Windows and OS/2 operating systems. _________________________________________________________________ Installation In this version of pcGRIN the software and crop datasets are installed separately. You need to install a copy of the query software and then whatever crops you are interested in. _________________________________________________________________ User Guide The user guide is available online or you can download a copy and browse it locally on your PC. If you wish to download the user guide and browse it locally on your PC then download manual.exe . This file is a self-extracting zip file, extract it by typing its name at a DOS prompt or executing the file through the run file command in windows. Once extracted the documentation can be viewed by pointing your web browser to the file index.htm. pcGRIN Installation pcGRIN is a stand-alone version of GRIN that contains data for individual crops. You can download data from the GRIN database to your local PC and then search those crops offline. 1. Create a PCGRIN directory on your PC's disk (e.g. C:\PCGRIN). If you need instructions on how to create a PCGRIN directory click here . All of the following downloads should be put in this PCGRIN directory on your PC. 2. Download the pcGRIN SOFTWARE to your PCGRIN directory 3. Download one or more pcGRIN CROP datasets to your PCGRIN directory Trouble downloading via HTTP? Try FTP 4. When the software and all desired crops have been downloaded to your PCGRIN directory you need to extract the compressed files. Open a DOS window or exit to a DOS prompt (if you need help opening a DOS window click here). Attach to your PCGRIN directory and type SOFT to extract the query software when that extraction completes type INSTALL to install the crop datasets After the INSTALL step you should be able to start any of the crops you downloaded by typing the crop name (e.g. PEPPERS) in your PCGRIN directory. If you want to download additional crops later, simply download them using the link above to your PCGRIN directory and then type INSTALL again. Each crop is started using a crop.BAT file (e.g. PEPPERS.BAT). If you wish to create shortcuts or icons in Windows or OS/2, create them using the .BAT files. Opening a DOS Window * Windows 3.1 - the MS-DOS prompt icon is normally in the Main group, open the Main group and click the icon. Alternatively you can exit Windows to a DOS prompt. * Windows 95/98/NT - the MS-DOS icon is normally accessible via the START button and then the Programs option. Select the MS-DOS Command Prompt icon. Alternatively in Windows 95/98 you can reboot to a DOS prompt. * OS/2 - the DOS Window is normally found in the Command Prompts folder in the System Folder. _________________________________________________________________ Creating the PCGRIN directory If you are using a Windows or OS/2 operating system, open a DOS window as described above. At the DOS prompt * select the disk drive you wish to install pcGRIN on e.g. if drive C, type C: (if drive D, type D: etc.) * go to the root of the drive by typing cd \ * create the pcGRIN directory by typing mkdir PCGRIN _________________________________________________________________ Running pcGRIN To run pcGRIN at the DOS prompt you need to first open a DOS window (see above) if you are using a Windows or OS/2 operating system. At the DOS prompt * attach to your PCGRIN directory (replace the C: with the drive you installed pcGRIN to if it was not the C: drive) by typing C: * attach to the root directory by typing cd \ * followed by cd PCGRIN * run the desired crop by typing its name, e.g. to run the Capsicum or peppers dataset type PEPPERS. -------------------------------------------------------------------- You can find the necessary files (PEPPERS.ZIP) at ftp://sun.ars-grin.gov/pub/pcgrin The file SOFT.EXE is in the directory soft/ directly below the pcgrin directory and the file MANUAL.EXE is in the directory manual/ also directly below the pcgrin directory For further info on pcGRIN or to obtain a pcGRIN diskette[s], requests can be sent to the following: The Database Manager GRIN DataBase Management Unit (DBMU) USDA/ARS/PSI/NGRL Building 003, Room 003 BARC-West Beltsville, MD 20705-2350 You MIGHT get a reply from dbmu@ars-grin.gov ==================================================================== Bob Batson L 39 12 14 N 94 33 16 W bob@sky.net Kansas City TCS - Mystic Fire Priest USDA zone 5b ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Under the most controlled conditions, the experimental apparatus will do exactly as it pleases.