Keys may be deposited in a large variety of formats including (but not limited to) PDF, HTML, various word-processor documents, and straight text.

PDF: Adobe's Portable Document Format is a very popular method for sharing documents on the web. All formatting is preserved in the document, users cannot easily edit it (intentionally or by accident), and it can easily be read on a variety of computers (Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac, and several PDAs), with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader downloadable from the web. Creating a file is generally done on a standard word processor, but then requires purchase of additional Adobe software (many universities already have site licenses), or use of their online file conversion service for a charge. (at the time this page was created, Adobe offers the first 5 conversions for free!)

HTML: (.htm or .html) This is the format used for creating standard web pages, thus many of the keys currently available on the web are in this format. The advantage is convenient use of links (e.g. click on the number at the end of one key step and be automatically moved to the next). Also HTML is viewable on a wide variety of computers (Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac, and several PDAs). There are many programs available now to assist in writing HTML documents, some of which are approaching the ease of use of a standard word processor. Unfortunately, no matter how simple you make your HTML files, they will always look different on different web browsers or at different monitor resolutions.
HTML documents are generally composed of multiple files. If you wish to deposit HTML keys in the archive, please follow these guidelines: (1) links between .htm(l) files must be relative, and (2) please compress all necessary files into a single .zip file or similar format, with any directory structure maintained, and send the compressed file rather than a large number of uncompressed files.

Word-Processor Documents: This is the most convenient format for key authors. However, remember that not everyone will have the same word-processor as you. If they do, formatting should be preserved. If not, the file will need to be converted, which generally results in the loss of some formatting. Even if a user has the same word-processor as you, if they have a different version of a font you have used, formatting may be altered.

Straight Text: (or ASCII files; generally ending in .txt) This file type does not have any formatting other than a carriage return at the end of a line. It can be awkward to work with, but the results will be displayed very similarly on most computers. Also most computers (even PDAs) come with a program to write text files (often referred to as a notepad or something similar).

Keys may be deposited in the archive from the form on the Deposit page (which may not be functional yet) or directly emailed to the curator: Eric Peterson. Files over 4 MB in size should be burned to a CD and sent to Eric Peterson at the address below, or FTP arrangements should be made. If you deposit by email, please provide your name, the date of the key, the title of the key, the taxa covered, the geographic region, recommended level codes (the curator may alter these for consistency with the rest of the archive), and a home page (if applicable).

For those of you wishing to deposit in HTML format (especially if you are depositing multiple keys): The typical directory structure for your files will be Current/your_last_name/files.htm(l). You are welcome to place images into an /images subdirectory. I recommend not using the filename 'key.htm' as if you submit multiple keys, there may be naming conflicts that force me to rename your file or set up additional directory structures. An example of the prefered structure is given at the right. When a key is updated, the old version will be moved to Outdated/your_last_name/ along with any necessary images. If you want links between keys to continue working after a key is moved to the outdated directory, you might use complete URL's or ".../Current/your_last_name/targetkey.htm"

Please be aware that this server, and many web browsers, are case-sensitive for filenames. The key curator corrected filenames for many of the keys archived at the debut of the archive, however, this service is not expected to continue.

Please be patient - this is not my only job - it may take several days for your key to appear in the archive.

Send large files to:
    Eric Peterson
    Nevada Natural Heritage Program
    1550 East College Parkway Suite 145
    Carson City, Nevada, 89706, USA