Introduction
The VARS software is now available as open source. Download it here.
VARS works on Windows 2000 and XP, MAC OS X, and Linux/UNIX (with some limitations). It requires Java Runtime Environment, version 1.4 or later. Developers should have a basic understanding of Java and databases.
VARS Developers
Using the downloads and instructions in this section you can set up your own video annotation and reference system (VARS). The instructions assume that the VARS software and test database are already installed. (See setup.)
The pages cover:
- Design of the VARS software and underlying database
- Guidelines for modifying and re-submitting your open source code
- Instruction on how to adapt and install VARS software for use by other researchers or institutions
For these instructions, VARS was tested on MS SQL server and Apache Derby databases, but other databases can also be supported.
This development documentation was used in a workshop for prospective VARS users, held at MBARI in December 2005. These two Powerpoint presentations also contain some useful information: