Plant Base Installation

Windows

Installation is normally by the traditional Windows Setup procedure and is the best method for most users.

1. Download the latest version or insert the setup CD if you have one.
2. Run the downloaded installer setup file (if using a CD, a menu will usually be shown or the setup.exe can be run directly from the CD).
3. Follow the installer steps - it will guide you through a few questions such as location of files. In most case you can simply accept the defaults.
4. Plant Base is ready for use once the installer has finished copying the files (may take a few minutes as some are quite large).

The installer follows Microsoft's guidelines for applications. Software and data files default to appropriate disk locations, but you can over-ride these with your own choices if you wish.

An alternative manual installation method is possible, suitable for more advanced users. Please contact us if required.

Plant Base 2 has very few system dependencies and may optionally be run as a portable application. There are no special external run-time libraries and minimal use of the Windows Registry.

The program is available as 32-bit or 64-bit. It is generally best to choose the one that matches the operating system, although the 32-bit program will happily run on Windows 64-bit systems.

Mac OS

The application is installed from a normal DMG disk image:

1. Download the latest version, the file will end with ".dmg".
2. Double-click the downloaded file to mount and show the disk image.
3. Drag the app to your Applications folder.
4. Drag the PlantBase folder to your Home directory.
5. Eject the mounted disk image when finished.

If you have an old 32-bit system or are running an old operating system release, you should choose the alternative 32-bit app. The app can be renamed after dragging to Applications.

See more detailed information on the the Mac OS page.

Linux

Installed by simply extracting from the tar-ball archive:

1. Download the latest version, the file will end with ".tar.gz".
2. Open the downloaded file with a GUI Archive Manager application.
3. Extract the "plantbase" folder to any suitable location in your Home directory.
4. Optionally, create a shortcut icon or menu entry using the supplied desktop template.

The install file can also be extracted by command line, for example -
 "tar -xzvf plantbase-linux_220.tar.gz"

Folder and files are normally located and run from under the user's Home directory, but any suitable location can be chosen.

Program executables for both 32-bit and 64-bit are included, possibly with multiple versions. Use the appropriate one compatible with your system, please see instructions for the release. Executable files can be renamed and unwanted ones deleted.

See more detailed information on the the Linux page.

Updating from a previous version?

If you are updating Plant Base from a previous version and have Plant Lists or amended plant records, please read the Help file or this guide for instructions.

If you have a 32-bit existing Windows installation and wish to update to 64-bit (assuming your operating system is 64-bit) then we strongly recommend uninstalling and then doing a full clean reinstall. If you have plant lists or other database changes, ensure you first have a secure backup of your database files (IMPORTANT!).

To move Plant Lists or amended data from Windows version 1.6.1 to a new release, use the converter program. Note that the installation for the converter is part of the previous Plant Base version 1.x.x and shares its dependencies. Plant Base 2 may be installed alongside Plant Base 1.x x on the same system.

Registration

First-time installs on Windows and Mac run as a 20 day trial period.

The installation is made permanent by applying a licence registration code. Reinstallation is not needed. Registration for the Linux edition is optional.

The registration code is free and will normally be sent by e-mail from the Plant Base registration page.

Each code is specific to a user and generated using the chosen user-name as a key. This name appears on the program splash screen and About box. The user-name can be changed by applying a replacement code.

To enter the registration code:

Select "Register Plant Base" from the Help menu in the main program.

If the trial period has already expired then the registration window will be shown automatically.

Enter the 40 character code in the box and click the Register button. If possible, use Copy&Paste, as the code needs to be exactly as supplied in your email (but can be typed if you are careful).

You will not need to apply it again when new versions are installed, unless the previous one had been completely uninstalled.