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Saturday, November 10, 2012

DRC 3.0 Update - Build 3.005 is Available


Hi Everyone:

  I just released the latest update to Digital Rockhound's Companion Version 3.0.5

  This update is large in size and features.

When the DRC update is run, it will download .net 4.00 and crystal reports 2011 as needed if these libraries are not found on your computer. On a decent broadband connection you can expect the update to take 20-30 minutes to download install.  The good news is that .net 4.00 and crystal reports update will only be ever installed once.


Requirements:
      Microsoft .net 4.0 Framework
      Crystal Reports 2011.


       Enhancements

               Redesigned Data Explorer, Mine Explorer and Map builder
                       Supports online maps from Open Street map, Bing and Google    
                   
               Improved Fossil database
                       Added ability to add fossil images
                       Added Fossil labels
                       Enhanced Fossil support in Collection Manager
               Upgraded to Crystal Reports 2011
               Upgraded Application to use Microsoft .net 4.00 sp1                                    
               Added Support for Office 2003+ Word and Excel
               Stabilized error handling specifically in the following areas:
                       When Starting up application and linking to data
                       In the Map control for Mine Explorer and map builder
                       Code used to manage upgrades


        Bug  Fixes
               Incorrect DRC version number being displayed
               Incorrect Distance label on Nearby mines
               Folders being created in root of drive C:\
               Unhandled errors occurring at log
               Unhandled errors ocurring when using map builder
               Unhandled errors ocurring when using Mine Explorer
               Unhandled errors when upgrading
               User Preference, CD drive letter does not save.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Under Development - New DRC Map Feature

I am working on the next DRC update. It will contain a complete rewrite of the mapping feature, better error handling, improved fossil collection support, and several small overall UI tweaks (with the mouse wheel). Here is a sneak preview of the new maps will look like:
The map above is using Open Street Map tiles as the background.

I am planning to have the next update ready sometime in the 1st week October.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Google Malware Warning

Yesterday, I discovered this blog had been tagged by Google has having content from a site known to be infected with malware.  The site was Rockhound Blog.  I won't show the URL in fear of being snared again.

I want to reassure my visitors Google never found malware on this blog and I had two links to  Rockhound Blog which I have removed.


I am extremely careful about malware with digital rockhound's companion software.  I keep my anti-virus and anti-malware software on my development computer up to date and always scan installation packages before I make them available.


I apologize for any inconvenience and panic (both of which I experienced.)


Happy Hunting....
Gary Kindel

Friday, June 29, 2012

Photos from Fossil Park, Sylvania, Ohio


Photos taken June 26, 2012.
This is the main collecting area within the park.
Collecting at the park yielded some nice specimens: brachipods, gastropods, and trilobites.  There was plenty of nice material to collect.
Found some nice brachiopods…
Found some gastropods and even some corals.


It took awhile but eventually found some trilobite pieces: tails from phacop rana sp. and even a head.
Picasa Content

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Fossil Park, Sylvania, Lucas Co. Ohio

Address:  5675 Centennial Road, just south of Sylvania-Metamora Road, Sylvania Ohio.

Site: http://www.olanderpark.com/pages/Fossil.htm

Field guide for the park: fieldguide.pdf.

This park was built from inactive quarry owned by the Medusa Cement Co.  This quarry has produced world class specimens of phacop rana sp. trilobites and spectacular pyritized brachiopods.

Free admission no fees:

Park Rules: No hammers, chisels, screw drivers or other metal tools.
Recommended Tools: Toothbrush, hand whisk, bucket for holding water, cardboard flat, magnifying glass.

Park has a water tank for washing specimens.  There are also restrooms available. 

This park is very small kid friendly.

Park is open 1st weekend in April through 2nd weekend in November.
Hours: 8:30 am to 90 minutes before sunset.

Directions from Akron Ohio:

1. Take the exit onto I-77 N/OH-21 N Continue to follow I-77 N (11.1 mi)
2. Take exit 146 toward I-80/Toledo/Youngstown (0.3 mi)
3. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Interstate 80/Ohio Turnpike
Toll road (0.4 mi)
4. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-80 W/Toledo and merge onto I-80 W/Ohio Turnpike
Partial toll road (114 mi)
5. Take exit 59 for US-20 toward US-23/I-475
Toll road (0.6 mi)
6. Keep left at the fork and merge onto US-20 W/S Reynolds Rd
Partial toll road (4.8 mi)
7. Turn left onto US-20 W/N Reynolds Rd    (1.8 mi)
8. Turn left onto OH-120 W/US-20 W/W Central Ave (3.6 mi)
9. Turn right onto Centennial Rd

Review: My wife Joanne and I went on a overnight fossil collecting trip to Sylvania Ohio for our 20th anniversary.  (Okay, I know you are thinking or says geeks… perhaps but it was the perfect for two geologists who have met at school and have spent the last 20 years mineral and fossil collecting together.)

The park was very easy to find.  Some of the park rules like no hammers and chisels are annoying and a lot of the nice collecting area is marked off limits with a fence.  The Medusa company that operates the active quarry (which you cannot see from the park) supposedly dumps new material at the park but it looks like it has been awhile since new material has be brought in.  Also, it would be great  to visit this park right after a hard rain. 

Despite the rules and the lack of new material, the visit to the park was very enjoyable.  We found 6 trilobite (phacops rana)  tails and one head.  Also, found on relatively large Paraspirifer bownockeri and many smaller Mucrospirifer sp, and Atrypa reicularis.  Also collected a couple horn corals, and very tiny crinoid stem segments..

I give this park 2.5 of 4 stars.  This could be a 4 of 4 stars site when new material is dumped at the park.

I give high praise to the OlanderPark system and the Medusa Co. for creating a fantastic fossil collecting park.  We spent 5 hrs over two days and collected enough specimens to be satisfied with trip.  I also was able to share my knowledge and specimens with 12 or so kids who were visiting with their families. 

There should be more parks like this one allowing people to have an hands-on experience with Ohio’s natural heritage.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

US Mines listed rhyolite flows

Rhyolitic flows can have high concentrations of fluorine gas dissolved in the lava which allows the rhyolite to become more fluid. Fluorine gas is a key component in the formation of topaz. These mines listed have the potential to have topaz. I collected topaz crystals from a couple rhyolite locations in Colorado and Nevada. Almandine garnets are often found with topaz in rhyolite deposits.

NameStateCountyLatLongTownshipRangeSection
94 RowsData exported from DRC 3.04 (c) 2012 Gary Kindel
N/ACOLORADOCUSTERN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
N/ACOLORADOCUSTERN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
ALASKA GROUPNEW MEXICOSIERRA33.43-107.747778010 S009 W22
ALLIED MINE GROUP E.ALASKAPA56.906944-134.291667057 S071 E19
ANDIES MINENEVADALINCOLN37.560833-115.745833005 S056 E04
ARIZONA STANDARD MINING AND MILL COARIZONAYAVAPAI34.083056-112.491944009 N002 W32
BIG BUCK PROSPECTNEVADALINCOLN38.404167-114.320833006 N068 E02
BLACK BIRD PROSPECT (1930)NEW MEXICOSOCORRO33.9286-107.3531N/AN/AN/A
BOLTON MINENEW MEXICOGRANT32.6525-108.443333019 S016 W24
BOSS-BIXBY DEPOSITMISSOURIDENT, IRON37.6425-91.178889034 N002 W17
BROWN MINENORTH CAROLINAMOORE35.423056-79.622222N/AN/AN/A
BUCKHORN PROPERTYARIZONAYAVAPAI34.012222-112.470556008 N002 W28
BYERTS TUNNELNEW MEXICOSOCORRO34.063889-106.948056003 S001 W09
CACTUS GROUP NOS. 1-12NEVADAHUMBOLDT41.1444-119.0958N/AN/AN/A
CAMP GREGORY MINENEVADACHURCHILL39.378333-118.926111018 N027 E33
CANARYUTAHBEAVER38.381944-112.54028 S006 W09
CHAMPIE COPPERARIZONAYAVAPAI34.0775-112.475833009 N002 W33
CHARLOTTE GAY PLACERIDAHOCUSTER44.323333-114.718889012 N015 E32
COPPEROPOLIS 23ARIZONAYAVAPAI34.036389-112.466667008 N002 W16
CORNWALLIS PENINSULAALASKAPA56.925-134.2057 S071 E15
CORNWALLIS PENINSULAALASKAPA56.908333-134.191667057 S071 E23
CURLY WRIGHTNEVADANYE36.963889-116.651389011 S048 E30
DENVER MINECALIFORNIASAN BERNARDINO35.041944-115.192778011 N017 E18
DIATOMITE DEPOSITNEVADAPERSHING40.238611-118.7875027 N028 E01
DML 6S CLAIMUTAHJUAB39.733056-112.583611012 S007 W36
DONALDSON PROSPECTOREGONJACKSON42.651389-122.779722033 S001 W35
EAGLE MOUNTAINS FLUORSPAR DISTRICTTEXASHUDSPETH30.9333-105.0583N/AN/AN/A
EARTH SCIENCE ALUNITE DEPOSITUTAHBEAVER38.275556-113.524167029 S015 W22
EASTERN MINENEVADALINCOLN37.437778-114.741111006 S065 E08
ELKO PRINCENEVADAELKO41.243889-116.8039 N046 E20
EUREKA PROSPECTNEVADANYE38.703889-117.020556010 N044 E22
F AND L MINENEVADAESMERALDA37.9-118.242778001 N033 E36
FAIRVIEWCOLORADOSAN JUAN37.788889-107.670833041 N007 W20
FRISCOARIZONAMOHAVE35.211667-114.415833021 N020 W16
GAMBLE PLACER TIN PROSPECTNEVADALANDER40.945-116.880833035 N045 E02
GAMBLE TIN LODE PROSPECTNEVADALANDER40.964444-116.882778036 N045 E27
GOLDBANKS QUICKSILVER MINENEVADAPERSHING40.474444-117.678611030 N038 E14
GOLDEN ASTERARIZONAYAVAPAI34.094722-112.454722009 N001 W27
GRAVEL PITIDAHOTETON43.816111-111.1475006 N045 E28
GRAY PROSPECTOREGONLAKE42.533889-119.981389035 S023 E14
GREAT LAKES CARBON CORP. SOCORRO DEPOSITNEW MEXICOSOCORRO34.0225-106.9003N/AN/AN/A
HALIFAXNEVADANYE38.071944-117.206111003 N042 E36
HANSON RANCH URANIUMOREGONJACKSON42.641944-122.905278034 S002 W02
HOYT MINENEVADACHURCHILL39.771944-117.763889022 N037 E13
H-YIDAHOVALLEY44.948333-115.140278019 N011 E29
JELINEKNEVADACHURCHILL39.202222-118.184722016 N034 E32
JOKER M S 1247ARIZONAYAVAPAI34.078889-112.459444009 N002 W34
JUMBO GROUPIDAHOVALLEY44.961389-115.128889019 N011 E29
KATHERINE RANDARIZONAMOHAVE35.228889-114.546944021 N021 W05
KEKU STRAIT LIMESTONEALASKAPA56.922222-134.195833057 S071 E14
LANDMARK-LIFE PRESERVER GROUPNEVADANYE37.288056-116.785007 S046 E36
LANGLEYARIZONASANTA CRUZ31.380833-110.692778023 S016 E35
MAYFLOWERNEVADALANDER40.9656-116.8603N/AN/AN/A
MCDERMITT MINENEVADAHUMBOLDT41.920278-117.810278047 N037 E27
MODOC MINENEVADALANDER40.531111-117.181389031 N042 E24
NAME UNKNOWN PERLITE DEPOSITNEW MEXICOSIERRA32.6814-107.5183N/AN/AN/A
NATIONAL MINENEVADAHUMBOLDT41.835556-117.573333046 N039 E27
NBMG SAMPLE SITE 1491NEVADAPERSHING40.503333-118.740278031 N029 E32
NIVLOC MINENEVADAESMERALDA37.716111-117.757222002 S038 E33
NORTH VEINIDAHOLEMHI44.856111-114.498889018 N017 E30
ORIGINAL GILBERTNEVADAESMERALDA38.11-117.713056003 N038 E16
PEAK CLAIMS (NOS.1-12)NEVADALINCOLN37.958611-114.05001 N071 E08
PITTSBURG SILVERNEVADAELKO41.818889-115.690278045 N056 E05
PORPHYRY DIKEMONTANALEWIS AND CLARK46.428056-112.286389008 N006 W24
POUGHKEEPSIECOLORADOSAN JUAN37.940278-107.625042 N007 W03
PUMICE DEPOSITIDAHOTETON43.8111-111.1442N/AN/AN/A
RAMSEY MINEARIZONALA PAZ33.628889-113.978333003 N017 W02
REED MINENORTH CAROLINACABARRUS35.284444-80.464444N/AN/AN/A
ROCHESTERNEVADAPERSHING40.289722-118.2028 N034 E16
ROCKLAND MINENEVADALYON38.646667-119.093611009 N026 E17
ROGERS-BURNISON PROPERTYNEVADAHUMBOLDT41.383333-118.363889041 N032 E35
ROWLEYARIZONAMARICOPA33.048889-113.032778004 S008 W25
SEVEN TROUGHS ROYAL GROUPNEVADAPERSHING40.539167-118.73031 N029 E21
SHEPARD PROPERTYNEVADANYE36.948333-116.638333011 S048 E29
SILVER PROSPECTNEVADAPERSHING40.332222-118.2325029 N033 E35
SILVER QUEENNEVADAESMERALDA37.7625-117.795278002 S038 E18
STANDARDIDAHOVALLEY44.951389-115.136111019 N011 E29
STONEWALLNEW MEXICOSOCORRO34.093611-107.190556002 S003 W31
SWALLOWARIZONAYAVAPAI34.057778-112.511389008 N002 W06
T AND M PROSPECTOREGONDOUGLAS42.798611-122.787222032 S001 W11
THUNDER MOUNTAINIDAHOVALLEY44.955556-115.133611019 N011 E29
TRINITY SILVER PROSPECTNEVADAPERSHING40.396667-118.610278029 N030 E09
UNKNOWN PROSPECTUTAHMILLARD39.444167-112.851667016 S009 W10
UNKNOWN PROSPECTUTAHMILLARD39.431667-112.846111016 S009 W15
UNKNOWN PROSPECTUTAHMILLARD39.494722-112.965556015 S010 W22
UNKNOWN PROSPECTNEVADAELKO40.7483-114.2728N/AN/AN/A
UNNAMED BASE METAL OCCURRENCENORTH CAROLINADAVIDSON35.7022-80.125N/AN/AN/A
UTAH DEPT OF HIGHWAYS PIT NO 16001UTAHPIUTE38.488611-112.243333027 S003 W06
VERMILLIONNEVADAHUMBOLDT41.3722-118.2219N/AN/AN/A
VERMILLION PROSPECTNEVADAHUMBOLDT41.3722-118.2219N/AN/AN/A
WHIPSAWARIZONAYAVAPAI34.046944-112.480278008 N002 W08
WHITE CLAY PITUTAHBOX ELDER41.520278-113.840278009 N017 W07
WILD ROSE MINENEVADAESMERALDA37.933333-118.305278001 N033 E21
ZALLA M MINEWASHINGTONFERRY48.761944-118.829167038 N032 E30

Sunday, June 3, 2012

DRC 3.0 Update - Build 3.04 is Available


Hi Everyone:

  I just released the latest update to Digital Rockhound's Companion Version 3.0.


Build 3.0.4
Enhancements
Added Export to Word to reports  (mines, mineral collection, mineral labels)      - requires MS office installed
Added Export to Word to Grids (search screens, periodic Table, and data lists) - requires MS office installed
Disable Excel and word buttons and grayscaling icons when MS Office is not installed.
Added RockType and Formation search parameters to Mine Search


BugFixes
Specimen report - Species List Report error
Specimen Search - Associated species not included in main species search
Properly handling error exporting to Excel or Word when MS Office not installed.
Fixed null error when no CD or DVD present on computer or netbook.
Upgrade installer now removes old DRC 2.0 updater DLL that was installed in Windows\System32 folder.
Corrected upgrade install to prevent constant install of images.



 This update also rolls out DRC 3.0 to anyone using DRC version 2.0 as a free update.


To download this update, please follow these steps:
1) Open DRC 2.0.
2) Click on Help menu and select Download Latest Update.
     Please note, there is an error that will prevent Check for Updates from properly identifying DRC 3.0 update for DRC 2.0.
3) When prompt, click yes to Exit and apply the update.
4) Optional - If no prompt occurs to exit after downloading, exit DRC and browse to your install location for DRC   (ex. C:\Program Files\DRC\)
locate the DRC_Update.exe.  It will have a file version of 3.0.4.  Double-click on  DRC_Update.exe to run the update.

Or Download DRC_Update.exe
(This update file must copied into your DRC install folder. example path: C:\Program Files\DRC\.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

DRC 3.0 Update - Build 3.03 is Available


Hi Everyone:

  I just released the latest update to Digital Rockhound's Companion Version 3.0.


Build 3.0.3

  • Enhancements:
    • Added Rock type to mine search.
  • Bug fixes
    • Blogger Tool: FontSize not handled properly.
    • Added missing tooltip messages on buttons
    • Corrected Version numbering again.
 This update also rolls out DRC 3.0 to anyone using DRC version 2.0 as a free update.


To download this update, please follow these steps:
1) Open DRC 2.0.
2) Click on Help menu and select Download Latest Update.
     Please note, there is an error that will prevent Check for Updates from properly identifying DRC 3.0 update for DRC 2.0.
3) When prompt, click yes to Exit and apply the update.
4) Optional - If no prompt occurs to exit after downloading, exit DRC and browse to your install location for DRC   (ex. C:\Program Files\DRC\)
locate the DRC_Update.exe.  It will have a file version of 3.0.1.  Double-click on  DRC_Update.exe to run the update.

Or Download DRC_Update.exe
(This update file must copied into your DRC install folder. example path: C:\Program Files\DRC\.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Over 100,000 Pages

Just cross an interesting milestone of 100,000 page loads.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Kimberlite rock locations in the United States

NameStateCountyLatLongTownRangeSectSubSect
12 RowsData exported from DRC 3.00 (c) 2012 Gary Kindel
ARKANSAS MINEARKANSASPIKE34.032778-93.666944008 S025 W28NENENW
AULTMAN PIPE 1 PROSPECTWYOMINGALBANY41.0306-105.4894N/AN/AN/AN/A
BUELL PARKARIZONAAPACHE35.905278-109.1002 N006 W11C
FERRIS 1 PROSPECTWYOMINGALBANY41.0272-105.4703N/AN/AN/AN/A
PRAIRIE CREEK DIAMOND AREAARKANSASPIKE34.032778-93.666944008 S025 W28NENENW
RADICHAL 1 KIMBERLITE OCCURRENCEWYOMINGALBANY41.6847-105.4008N/AN/AN/AN/A
SCHAFFER 15 PROSPECTWYOMINGALBANY41.0022-105.0492N/AN/AN/AN/A
SCHAFFER 16 PROSPECTWYOMINGALBANY41.0036-105.0514N/AN/AN/AN/A
STOCKDALE KIMBERLITE DEPOSITKANSASRILEY39.3333-96.6667N/AN/AN/AN/A
TEST PITS PROSPECTMICHIGANIRON46.172222-88.174167044 N031 W34SWNENW
UNKNOWNWYOMINGALBANY41.005556-105.466667012 N072 W16C S2
UNNAMEDWYOMINGALBANY41.009722-105.47012 N072 W16N/A

Sunday, April 22, 2012

DRC 3.0 Update - Build 3.002 is Available


Hi Everyone:

  I just released the latest update to Digital Rockhound's Companion Version 3.0.

Bug Fixes:

  •  Fixed upgrades from DRC 2.0.  Error linking to missing tables: GoogleAccounts, lstDepositTypes, lstLayerColors, tblCleavage, tblHabits, tblFractures.
  • Fixed Bug where Upgrade to DRC 2.0 did not run at.
 This update also rolls out DRC 3.0 to anyone using DRC version 2.0 as a free update.


To download this update, please follow these steps:
1) Open DRC 2.0.
2) Click on Help menu and select Download Latest Update.
     Please note, there is an error that will prevent Check for Updates from properly identifying DRC 3.0 update for DRC 2.0.
3) When prompt, click yes to Exit and apply the update.
4) Optional - If no prompt occurs to exit after downloading, exit DRC and browse to your install location for DRC   (ex. C:\Program Files\DRC\)
locate the DRC_Update.exe.  It will have a file version of 3.0.1.  Double-click on  DRC_Update.exe to run the update.

Or Download DRC_Update.exe
(This update file must copied into your DRC install folder. example path: C:\Program Files\DRC\.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

DRC 3.0 Update - Build 3.001 is Available


Hi Everyone:

  I just released the latest update to Digital Rockhound's Companion Version 3.0.

Bug Fixes:
  - Fixed Bug in DRC updater prevented Check for Updates menu option detecting the latested 3.0.1 patch as a new update for DRC 2.0.30 clients

 This update also rolls out DRC 3.0 to anyone using DRC version 2.0 as a free update.



To download this update, please follow these steps:
1) Open DRC 2.0.
2) Click on Help menu and select Download Latest Update.
     Please note, there is an error that will prevent Check for Updates from properly identifying DRC 3.0 update for DRC 2.0.
3) When prompt, click yes to Exit and apply the update.
4) Optional - If no prompt occurs to exit after downloading, exit DRC and browse to your install location for DRC   (ex. C:\Program Files\DRC\)
locate the DRC_Update.exe.  It will have a file version of 3.0.1.  Double-click on  DRC_Update.exe to run the update.

Or Download DRC_Update.exe
(This update file must copied into your DRC install folder. example path: C:\Program Files\DRC\.

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