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Re: Editting data and the error message

Hi

This is just an observation, but about an instance that caused me considerable consternation at the time. I have sat on the outcome for a while considering what to do.

I wanted to edit the number of a species that had been observered, because the original figure included a typo. Within a survey I got down to the level of Taxon Occurrence and could see the offending number at the bottom right of the screen. I clicked Edit and tried to make the change and got a most unhelpful message:

"You are not allowed to edit the data in this record because you do not have the required access rights."

I pondered what to do. I knew the database had recently been reset up with help from a valued expert, so what could be wrong? After some experiments, I found that the message would have been much better if it said:

"You are trying to edit the data in the wrong place. Go to the Measurements tab."

I have done some work with the resources from the Plain English Campaign website and it seems to be needed here. Can the message be changed in a future version so that an unsuspecting user does not get led on a false trail?

I hope the change can be made.

All the best, Ian

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Re: Editting data and the error message

The same thing happens in the Names and addresses window if you try to edit an address in the Individual tab rather than the address tab (not allowed and the box is greyed, but there is a flashing cursor in the box so it looks like you are able to edit). Only a minor annoyance the first time you  try it, but I agree it may be confusing for new users. Somehow I doubt it would constitute a priority for changing though.

Rob Large
Wildlife Sites Officer
Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre

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Re: Editting data and the error message

The idea of giving a cursor in the addresses box at least was simply to let you copy and paste the address out, since there is no single box with all the address details elsewhere. I have left that as it is since the grey box is used to indicate readonly, but have removed the message about custody which Ian noted from the next version of Recorder. It would be a little more work to put in a new message suggesting you go to the measurements tab so I've left that for now.

John van Breda
Biodiverse IT