Actually if anyone is interested I wrote a program that converts the 4
letter codes within text (especially trip lists) to the common name.
If you use an unknown code it will prompt you for the correct name.
But you have to be carefull because if you use the wrong code for a
bird it assumes you know what your talking about and your Cape May
Warbler will appear as a Canda Warbler.

It is not as fancy as the idea Stewar had but it works for me. If
anyone is interested email me off list.

Aaron Martin (AAMA)
Seattle, WA (SEWA)

On 7/13/05, Stewart Wechsler <ecostewart at quidnunc.net> wrote:
> Since many of you people currently using these codes on a daily basis find
> it easier and quicker to type them than the whole names, yet many of the
> rest of us would have to take extra time trying to figure them out or to
> decide whether it is too difficult and then delete it, you code people could
> take a bit of time up front to save the rest of us time or frustration.
> Just program your computers to change the codes into english with your spell
> check programs. When you type in AMRO your computer will automatically
> change it to American Robin and the rest of us won't have to take the time
> to learn them, to look them up, to try to figure them out if the post looks
> intriguing.
>
> I currently may take some extra time to guess at some and then just don't
> read most unless the post subject line somehow still looks intriguing
> enough, but I always find them irritating. In the last vegetation survey I
> did our hand held computers were programmed to give a list of the plants
> starting with the letter "a" when I typed in an "a" and then I cold scroll
> down and click or continue typing. With each letter added it limited the
> menu to click on. If by the time I got to "abi" the only species in the
> menu was "Abies grandis" (Grand Fir for you non-botanists) I could just hit
> enter and it would show the species recorded as Abies grandis. If you
> program your computers like this you might even be able to save a key stroke
> or 2 while the rest of us get the whole name typed out and quickly
> recognizable, execpt for some strays or escapees that we may never heard of.
>
> Stewart Wechsler
> Ecological Consulting
> West Seattle
> 206 932-7225
> ecostewart at quidnunc.net
>
> -Advice on the most site-appropriate native plants
> and how to enhance habitat for the maximum diversity
> of plants and animals
> -Educational programs, nature walks and field trips
> -Botanical Surveys
>
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