Please note that FRAGSTATS is in a constant state of development. Thus, we anticipate frequent releases as new features are implemented. Although we have done considerable testing of this version, it is highly likely that users will discover bugs that arise under specific conditions that we did not test (please report all bugs immediately to Dr. Kevin McGarigal, mcgarigalk@forwild.umass.edu).Therefore, we anticipate frequent patches to correct bugs and periodic revisions as we implement more of the anticipated changes (e.g., as we add new metrics). Patches to correct for bugs will be released with the same version number (e.g., 3.1), but will be assigned a unique "build" number, beginning with build #1. If you are not sure what build number you have, it is listed in the "About FRAGSTATS" description available from the Help Menu after openning the FRAGSTATS executable. The latest build will be available from the download link below and the changes associated with each build will be described in the release notes. Substantial changes to the software, primarily associated with the addition of new features (e.g., new metrics), will be released as a new version number. Again, all changes associated with each release will be documented in the release notes. Thus, it is important to check the release notes before downloading a new version.

NOTE, all new releases of the software, including all patches, will be announced via the FRAGSTATS list serve. If you want to be alerted to these postings, then you should join the list serve. To join, simply send an email to the following address requesting that you be added to the list: fragstats-request@forwild.umass.edu. Otherwise, it is up to you to check in periodically to see what has changed.

Finally, in this release, a number of the new metrics descrirbed in the FRAGSTATS Metrics documentation and listed in the dialog boxes are not yet functional. These metrics have been deactivated in the dialog boxes so it is impossible to select them. All of these options are in the works and will be activated as soon as we have thoroughly tested them. Also, all of the FRAGSTATS documentation is viewable as HTML files from the documentation web page. All of this information is available via the on-line Help function in the FRAGSTATS software.

Instructions for downloading version 2 (note, the procedure may vary depending on the ftp software used):

(1) Connect to the ftp server by issuing the following command:

ftp ftp.fsl.orst.edu

(2) Enter "anonymous" when prompted for a log-in name.

(3) Enter your e-mail address when prompted for a password.

(4) Change the directory to pub/fragstats.2.0 with the following command:

cd pub/fragstats.2.0

(5) If you are ftp'ing from a UNIX machine, enter the following commands at the ftp prompt:

binary
get frag.tar
quit

To extract the files, at your system prompt type:

tar xvf frag.tar

(6) If you are ftp'ing from a DOS machine, enter the following commands at the ftp prompt:

binary
get frag.zip
quit

To extract the files, at your system prompt type:

pkunzip -d frag.zip

Note, the program pkunzip is available in fragstats.2.0 directory, if you need it; or the files can be unzipped using other zip software.