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Compare Web and Desktop Wild Things
How do you decide which version of the package is best for you?  The information below is designed to help you make that decision by comparing the basic components of the packages.  You will notice that there is a considerable overlap in the two so really the most significant question to answer is whether you prefer a web-based delivery or one on a workstation. 

A web-based package will be available to you on any computer, regardless of its operating system, provided it is connected to broadband.  It will also be regularly updated and refined so that you always have the most up-to-date version. The user needs a username-password combination (which we supply) for access.

A desktop package, which is supplied on a USB Flash Drive, does not require any access to the Web so it is independent of broadband connections and is completely portable (can be installed on any suitable computer).  The USB package will generally display photographs more rapidly than the web version (more or less instantaneous display versus 1-2 seconds on the web).

Feature Web Version Desktop Version
Distribution data 10 x 10 minute grid 10 x 10 minute grid
Distribution map scale 1:1,000,000 1:1,000,000
Search map scale 1:250,000 1:250,000
Map output options Vector maps in PDF Vector maps in Windows Metafile
Species list output options PDF and CSV RTF and CSV
Photograph display Scaled to fit screen Scaled to fit screen
Photograph output PDF file and printer Only an option as part of the picture, text and map.
Picture, Text and Map output PDF file and printer Printer
Operating environment Windows, Mac, Linux with a variety of browsers.  Needs broadband. Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7
Access to package Any computer with broadband.  requires username and password for each access. Any computer on which the package has been installed and which has the USB Flash Drive attached.  Package is hardware-locked to the USB device and requires a device key to run.  
Updates Continuous as information and software become available 1-2 years.
Payment Annual subscription Three-year subscription

 

Appearance on the Screen

Web Version

Desktop Version
   
Grids plotted on a simple map with basic roads and some towns.  Grid colour represents date of most recent record.  Map can be exported as a PDF or sent to a printer, Grids plotted on a simple outline of Victoria. Grid colour represents date of most recent record.  Map can be exported as a Windows Metafile or sent to a printer,
   
There are several map themes available. Grids are hatched rather than solid colours There are several map themes available. Grids are hatched rather than solid colours
   
Individual pictures can be displayed.  Images are intelligently resized to fit the screen.  Image can be printed or saved as a PDF file. Individual pictures can be displayed. Images are intelligently resized to fit screen.  No export but can be printed as part of combined picture, text and map (see below)..
   
A combined picture, text and map can be displayed.  This can be printed or exported as a PDF file.  Map is a simple outline with grey grids. A combined picture, text and map can be displayed and printed.  No export option unless user has a PDF printer driver..
   
An intermediate resolution map showing parks, public land and other forms of land use is the basis for searching an area for species.  The user clicks on any area and a grid will be displayed. An intermediate resolution map showing parks, public land and other forms of land use is the basis for searching an area for species.  The user clicks on any area and a grid will be displayed.
   
A species list is generated from the grid search.  This list can be exported as a CSV file (comma separated values - suitable for spreadsheets) or a PDF file.  The list can be filtered on a range of categories which are available through drop-down lists on the web page. 
Pictures, distribution maps or picture-text-map combinations can be displayed with a single mouse click.		 A species list is generated from the grid search.  This list can be exported as a CSV file (comma separated values - suitable for spreadsheets) or a Rich Text (word processing) file.  The list can be filtered on a range of categories which are available through a filter routine.
Small pictures and text are displayed as each name is highlighted.  Larger pictures, distribution maps or picture-text-map combinations can be displayed with a single mouse click.