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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Name	State	County	Lat	Long	Township	Range	Section
94 Rows	Data exported from DRC 3.04 (c) 2012 Gary Kindel
N/A	COLORADO	CUSTER	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A	COLORADO	CUSTER	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
ALASKA GROUP	NEW MEXICO	SIERRA	33.43	-107.747778	010 S	009 W	22
ALLIED MINE GROUP E.	ALASKA	PA	56.906944	-134.291667	057 S	071 E	19
ANDIES MINE	NEVADA	LINCOLN	37.560833	-115.745833	005 S	056 E	04
ARIZONA STANDARD MINING AND MILL CO	ARIZONA	YAVAPAI	34.083056	-112.491944	009 N	002 W	32
BIG BUCK PROSPECT	NEVADA	LINCOLN	38.404167	-114.320833	006 N	068 E	02
BLACK BIRD PROSPECT (1930)	NEW MEXICO	SOCORRO	33.9286	-107.3531	N/A	N/A	N/A
BOLTON MINE	NEW MEXICO	GRANT	32.6525	-108.443333	019 S	016 W	24
BOSS-BIXBY DEPOSIT	MISSOURI	DENT, IRON	37.6425	-91.178889	034 N	002 W	17
BROWN MINE	NORTH CAROLINA	MOORE	35.423056	-79.622222	N/A	N/A	N/A
BUCKHORN PROPERTY	ARIZONA	YAVAPAI	34.012222	-112.470556	008 N	002 W	28
BYERTS TUNNEL	NEW MEXICO	SOCORRO	34.063889	-106.948056	003 S	001 W	09
CACTUS GROUP NOS. 1-12	NEVADA	HUMBOLDT	41.1444	-119.0958	N/A	N/A	N/A
CAMP GREGORY MINE	NEVADA	CHURCHILL	39.378333	-118.926111	018 N	027 E	33
CANARY	UTAH	BEAVER	38.381944	-112.54	028 S	006 W	09
CHAMPIE COPPER	ARIZONA	YAVAPAI	34.0775	-112.475833	009 N	002 W	33
CHARLOTTE GAY PLACER	IDAHO	CUSTER	44.323333	-114.718889	012 N	015 E	32
COPPEROPOLIS 23	ARIZONA	YAVAPAI	34.036389	-112.466667	008 N	002 W	16
CORNWALLIS PENINSULA	ALASKA	PA	56.925	-134.2	057 S	071 E	15
CORNWALLIS PENINSULA	ALASKA	PA	56.908333	-134.191667	057 S	071 E	23
CURLY WRIGHT	NEVADA	NYE	36.963889	-116.651389	011 S	048 E	30
DENVER MINE	CALIFORNIA	SAN BERNARDINO	35.041944	-115.192778	011 N	017 E	18
DIATOMITE DEPOSIT	NEVADA	PERSHING	40.238611	-118.7875	027 N	028 E	01
DML 6S CLAIM	UTAH	JUAB	39.733056	-112.583611	012 S	007 W	36
DONALDSON PROSPECT	OREGON	JACKSON	42.651389	-122.779722	033 S	001 W	35
EAGLE MOUNTAINS FLUORSPAR DISTRICT	TEXAS	HUDSPETH	30.9333	-105.0583	N/A	N/A	N/A
EARTH SCIENCE ALUNITE DEPOSIT	UTAH	BEAVER	38.275556	-113.524167	029 S	015 W	22
EASTERN MINE	NEVADA	LINCOLN	37.437778	-114.741111	006 S	065 E	08
ELKO PRINCE	NEVADA	ELKO	41.243889	-116.8	039 N	046 E	20
EUREKA PROSPECT	NEVADA	NYE	38.703889	-117.020556	010 N	044 E	22
F AND L MINE	NEVADA	ESMERALDA	37.9	-118.242778	001 N	033 E	36
FAIRVIEW	COLORADO	SAN JUAN	37.788889	-107.670833	041 N	007 W	20
FRISCO	ARIZONA	MOHAVE	35.211667	-114.415833	021 N	020 W	16
GAMBLE PLACER TIN PROSPECT	NEVADA	LANDER	40.945	-116.880833	035 N	045 E	02
GAMBLE TIN LODE PROSPECT	NEVADA	LANDER	40.964444	-116.882778	036 N	045 E	27
GOLDBANKS QUICKSILVER MINE	NEVADA	PERSHING	40.474444	-117.678611	030 N	038 E	14
GOLDEN ASTER	ARIZONA	YAVAPAI	34.094722	-112.454722	009 N	001 W	27
GRAVEL PIT	IDAHO	TETON	43.816111	-111.1475	006 N	045 E	28
GRAY PROSPECT	OREGON	LAKE	42.533889	-119.981389	035 S	023 E	14
GREAT LAKES CARBON CORP. SOCORRO DEPOSIT	NEW MEXICO	SOCORRO	34.0225	-106.9003	N/A	N/A	N/A
HALIFAX	NEVADA	NYE	38.071944	-117.206111	003 N	042 E	36
HANSON RANCH URANIUM	OREGON	JACKSON	42.641944	-122.905278	034 S	002 W	02
HOYT MINE	NEVADA	CHURCHILL	39.771944	-117.763889	022 N	037 E	13
H-Y	IDAHO	VALLEY	44.948333	-115.140278	019 N	011 E	29
JELINEK	NEVADA	CHURCHILL	39.202222	-118.184722	016 N	034 E	32
JOKER M S 1247	ARIZONA	YAVAPAI	34.078889	-112.459444	009 N	002 W	34
JUMBO GROUP	IDAHO	VALLEY	44.961389	-115.128889	019 N	011 E	29
KATHERINE RAND	ARIZONA	MOHAVE	35.228889	-114.546944	021 N	021 W	05
KEKU STRAIT LIMESTONE	ALASKA	PA	56.922222	-134.195833	057 S	071 E	14
LANDMARK-LIFE PRESERVER GROUP	NEVADA	NYE	37.288056	-116.785	007 S	046 E	36
LANGLEY	ARIZONA	SANTA CRUZ	31.380833	-110.692778	023 S	016 E	35
MAYFLOWER	NEVADA	LANDER	40.9656	-116.8603	N/A	N/A	N/A
MCDERMITT MINE	NEVADA	HUMBOLDT	41.920278	-117.810278	047 N	037 E	27
MODOC MINE	NEVADA	LANDER	40.531111	-117.181389	031 N	042 E	24
NAME UNKNOWN PERLITE DEPOSIT	NEW MEXICO	SIERRA	32.6814	-107.5183	N/A	N/A	N/A
NATIONAL MINE	NEVADA	HUMBOLDT	41.835556	-117.573333	046 N	039 E	27
NBMG SAMPLE SITE 1491	NEVADA	PERSHING	40.503333	-118.740278	031 N	029 E	32
NIVLOC MINE	NEVADA	ESMERALDA	37.716111	-117.757222	002 S	038 E	33
NORTH VEIN	IDAHO	LEMHI	44.856111	-114.498889	018 N	017 E	30
ORIGINAL GILBERT	NEVADA	ESMERALDA	38.11	-117.713056	003 N	038 E	16
PEAK CLAIMS (NOS.1-12)	NEVADA	LINCOLN	37.958611	-114.05	001 N	071 E	08
PITTSBURG SILVER	NEVADA	ELKO	41.818889	-115.690278	045 N	056 E	05
PORPHYRY DIKE	MONTANA	LEWIS AND CLARK	46.428056	-112.286389	008 N	006 W	24
POUGHKEEPSIE	COLORADO	SAN JUAN	37.940278	-107.625	042 N	007 W	03
PUMICE DEPOSIT	IDAHO	TETON	43.8111	-111.1442	N/A	N/A	N/A
RAMSEY MINE	ARIZONA	LA PAZ	33.628889	-113.978333	003 N	017 W	02
REED MINE	NORTH CAROLINA	CABARRUS	35.284444	-80.464444	N/A	N/A	N/A
ROCHESTER	NEVADA	PERSHING	40.289722	-118.2	028 N	034 E	16
ROCKLAND MINE	NEVADA	LYON	38.646667	-119.093611	009 N	026 E	17
ROGERS-BURNISON PROPERTY	NEVADA	HUMBOLDT	41.383333	-118.363889	041 N	032 E	35
ROWLEY	ARIZONA	MARICOPA	33.048889	-113.032778	004 S	008 W	25
SEVEN TROUGHS ROYAL GROUP	NEVADA	PERSHING	40.539167	-118.73	031 N	029 E	21
SHEPARD PROPERTY	NEVADA	NYE	36.948333	-116.638333	011 S	048 E	29
SILVER PROSPECT	NEVADA	PERSHING	40.332222	-118.2325	029 N	033 E	35
SILVER QUEEN	NEVADA	ESMERALDA	37.7625	-117.795278	002 S	038 E	18
STANDARD	IDAHO	VALLEY	44.951389	-115.136111	019 N	011 E	29
STONEWALL	NEW MEXICO	SOCORRO	34.093611	-107.190556	002 S	003 W	31
SWALLOW	ARIZONA	YAVAPAI	34.057778	-112.511389	008 N	002 W	06
T AND M PROSPECT	OREGON	DOUGLAS	42.798611	-122.787222	032 S	001 W	11
THUNDER MOUNTAIN	IDAHO	VALLEY	44.955556	-115.133611	019 N	011 E	29
TRINITY SILVER PROSPECT	NEVADA	PERSHING	40.396667	-118.610278	029 N	030 E	09
UNKNOWN PROSPECT	UTAH	MILLARD	39.444167	-112.851667	016 S	009 W	10
UNKNOWN PROSPECT	UTAH	MILLARD	39.431667	-112.846111	016 S	009 W	15
UNKNOWN PROSPECT	UTAH	MILLARD	39.494722	-112.965556	015 S	010 W	22
UNKNOWN PROSPECT	NEVADA	ELKO	40.7483	-114.2728	N/A	N/A	N/A
UNNAMED BASE METAL OCCURRENCE	NORTH CAROLINA	DAVIDSON	35.7022	-80.125	N/A	N/A	N/A
UTAH DEPT OF HIGHWAYS PIT NO 16001	UTAH	PIUTE	38.488611	-112.243333	027 S	003 W	06
VERMILLION	NEVADA	HUMBOLDT	41.3722	-118.2219	N/A	N/A	N/A
VERMILLION PROSPECT	NEVADA	HUMBOLDT	41.3722	-118.2219	N/A	N/A	N/A
WHIPSAW	ARIZONA	YAVAPAI	34.046944	-112.480278	008 N	002 W	08
WHITE CLAY PIT	UTAH	BOX ELDER	41.520278	-113.840278	009 N	017 W	07
WILD ROSE MINE	NEVADA	ESMERALDA	37.933333	-118.305278	001 N	033 E	21
ZALLA M MINE	WASHINGTON	FERRY	48.761944	-118.829167	038 N	032 E	30

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\.

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\.

Over 100,000 Pages

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

Kimberlite rock locations in the United States

Name	State	County	Lat	Long	Town	Range	Sect	SubSect
12 Rows	Data exported from DRC 3.00 (c) 2012 Gary Kindel
ARKANSAS MINE	ARKANSAS	PIKE	34.032778	-93.666944	008 S	025 W	28	NENENW
AULTMAN PIPE 1 PROSPECT	WYOMING	ALBANY	41.0306	-105.4894	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
BUELL PARK	ARIZONA	APACHE	35.905278	-109.1	002 N	006 W	11	C
FERRIS 1 PROSPECT	WYOMING	ALBANY	41.0272	-105.4703	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
PRAIRIE CREEK DIAMOND AREA	ARKANSAS	PIKE	34.032778	-93.666944	008 S	025 W	28	NENENW
RADICHAL 1 KIMBERLITE OCCURRENCE	WYOMING	ALBANY	41.6847	-105.4008	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
SCHAFFER 15 PROSPECT	WYOMING	ALBANY	41.0022	-105.0492	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
SCHAFFER 16 PROSPECT	WYOMING	ALBANY	41.0036	-105.0514	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
STOCKDALE KIMBERLITE DEPOSIT	KANSAS	RILEY	39.3333	-96.6667	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
TEST PITS PROSPECT	MICHIGAN	IRON	46.172222	-88.174167	044 N	031 W	34	SWNENW
UNKNOWN	WYOMING	ALBANY	41.005556	-105.466667	012 N	072 W	16	C S2
UNNAMED	WYOMING	ALBANY	41.009722	-105.47	012 N	072 W	16	N/A

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\.

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\.