Download "Kruzer_Template.zip" for this example. It includes the PC version of the FS Tally Meter program and a Kruzer data template. (Download additional versions for Pocket PC and documentation from the US Forest Service site.)

Unzip the file and start Tally Meter by double-clicking the icon:

Load the "Kruzer.tal" template. Click the "Tally" button to see the keypad on the left.

The template is set up with 12 species. It can handle up to 20 species ("populations"). On each tally button, the species code is on the top line. The bottom line in brackets "[ ]" shows the hot key that is assigned to the population (for use on a data recorder with a physical keypad).

The setup screen for the population is shown here. Since Kruzer uses a 100% tally, the Method is "C" (for complete, meaning that each time a tally button is clicked the data table will open) and Frequency field set at 0. Use the Navigation keys to add or edit tree species.

FS Tally Meter provides four other sampling methods: Random, Blocked, Adjusted and Systematic to help remove bias in the selection of samples that are measured. Download the PC version version of FS Tally Meter and view the documentation file for instructions about these additional sampling methods.

Clicking the drop-down for "Unit" on the Tally screen will show that the Kruzer template is currently set for up to 50 plots. Change that in Set Up if you need more.

The data entry screen (left) will open when you hit a tally button. Since "Label" is included in the table setup (below), Tally Meter automatically fills in the species code for the population when a tally button is hit. The cruiser enters the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) in inches, number of sawlogs (in 8' segments or "saw sticks"/half-logs), the total number of 8' segments in the tree (those in excess of the sawlogs are measured as pulp sticks in Kruzer), and the Diameter Outside Bark (DOB) at about 4.5 feet above the top sawlog.

The navigation keys can be used to edit entries.

Note that the fields shown on the data entry screen are established in the Setup/Define Columns menu:

Use the Export Data button from the Tally Meter Utilities menu to save a comma delimited "CSV" text file.

Currently, the beta version of PPC Tally Meter will not export data. You must copy the "Kruzer.tal" file from the handheld unit to your desktop PC and complete the data export with the desktop version of Tally Meter.

Be sure to set up a system of copies/backups to assure you don't overwrite a tally file before you've extracted the data.

Here's an example of part of a CSV file exported by Tally Meter:

You can copy and paste the tally output into Kruzer to complete the calculations.

If you use FS Tally Meter on a Pocket PC device (like an iPAQ handheld), you might also appreciate a larger numeric virtual keypad:

The Forest Service "Timber Keypad" is available as part of the FSCruiser beta. FSCruiser, still under development, will be the Forest Service's "next generation" of cruising software. It's scheduled for final release in late 2003. Download the beta to learn more (and to get the keypad shown above).

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