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FossilCore documentation

Public guidance for getting from first launch to a dependable collection workflow. The desktop application also includes a much larger contextual help system.

Start here

FossilCore is organized around Collections, Sites and specimen records. A reliable setup starts by confirming the active Collection, preparing the profiles you need, creating or selecting a Site, and only then creating specimens from that context.

Getting startedFirst launch, Collection, Site, specimen and initial backup.Licensing & editionsFree, PRO, Institutional, activation and offline behavior.Backup & recoveryCollection backups, record recovery and safe workflow.Scientific integrationsPBDB, WoRMS and Macrostrat responsibilities and limitations.

Recommended collection workflow

  1. Select or create the correct Collection.
  2. Confirm its writable/read-only state and storage locations.
  3. Create or verify the data-entry, taxonomy and geology profiles needed for the Site.
  4. Create the Site with locality and geological context.
  5. Create a specimen from the Site so relevant context can be inherited and reviewed.
  6. Add identity, images, classification, geological age and provenance.
  7. Save and review the record.
  8. Create a Collection backup after the initial setup and at meaningful milestones.

Contextual help

The application contains a detailed Help system with feature-specific topics and screen references. PRO and Institutional help remains available in the Free edition so advanced features can be understood before upgrading.