Version 2 of the Rainfall Intensity software is now available! It corrects many of the "bugs" reported in the previous version.

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USER'S MANUAL

REQUIRED DATABASES

Create a "rainfall" database

Create a "rainfall_stats" database

Set each database as a System DSN to allow connection to the RAIN software

RAINSTART

Open the RAIN software

Log On to RAIN software programs

RAINDIGITIZER

Getting Started - Things to Do Before You Begin Digitizing

Log On

Link to your "rainfall" database

Digitize a strip chart and save as an x,y ascii file on your hard drive

QC the digitized strip charts

Load digitized ascii file(s) to your "rainfall" database

Convert digitized ascii file(s) to meaningful rainfall data (time-depth series) and store in your "rainfall" database

RAINPLOT

Select a dataset (select data to analyze)

Quality control the selected data (view raw rainfall data)

Analyze the selected data using predictive statistical curve fits (includes IDF analysis)

Create a report (automated reports showing various results)

Show monthly and seasonal summaries

Display data on map using RAINMAP

Edit hydrologic default settings (customize program settings such as "months that comprise a water year" and others)

RAINSHARE

Log On

Edit, add, or delete data in your "rainfall" database

Export or import your "rainfall" database

Set Each Database as a System DSN

In order to be able to connect your required databases ("rainfall" and "rainfall_stats") to the RAIN software, you must first set each one as a 'System DSN' (Data Source Name). Your databases may reside on your hard drive or on a remote computer on local area network. Although a System DSN is set automatically for each of the two required databases ("rainfall" and "rainfall_stats") during the initial installation of the RAIN software, you will need to add new connections (new DSNs) if additional "rainfall" databases are created and used. For example, you may wish to use and connect different versions of the "rainfall" database to the RAIN software, with each "rainfall" database containing datasets that correspond to different stations or agencies.

The example shown below is for a Windows 2000 operating system. Other operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, and XP follow the samebasic steps. To set a database as a System DSN follow these simple steps:

Create a SYSTEM DSN.

1. In Control Panel select Administrative Tools.

2. Select Data Sources (ODBC).

3. Select the System DSN Tab and Click 'Add'.

4. Select a driver corresponding to the database software that you are using and click 'Finish'. This will probably be one of the following: SQL Server; an Oracle driver; or, for demonstration purposes and for the very small "rainfall_stats" database, the Microsoft Access driver (*.mdb).

5. For MS Access databases: Select a Data Source Name you will assign to this connection (it can be the same as the database name or a short-hand version of the name). Although it is not required you also may enter a short description of the database in the Description box. In the Database section, click the 'Select' button to scroll to the location of your database and select it. Click 'OK'.

6. For SQL Server databases, enter the name you wish to use to refer to this data source connection (it can be the same as the database name or a short-hand version of the name). Although it is not required you also may enter a short description of the database in the Description box. Select the SQL Server that you wish to connect to (in most instances this should be typed as:

(local)

(Make sure you include the parentheses around the word local.)

Click 'Next'.

7. Click the check box for Windows NT Authentication. Click 'Next'.

8. Change the default database to your SQL Server "rainfall" database. Click 'Next'.

9. Click 'Finish'.

10. Click 'Test Data Source' to ensure that a connection has been made. Click 'OK'.

This database may now be selected from within the pull down menus in the RAIN software programs.

11. You may also create a 'User DSN' to connect to a remote Oracle database, for example. Simply follow the instructions given in 'Create a User DSN'.

Go to the main User's Manual page.