Tantalis GATOR: Helpful Hints

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• Introduction
• General Search Operation and Wildcard (%)
• Locating Different Parcel Types
• Searching Interest Data
• Searching Wellsite Data
• Image Plug-ins
• Image Facts
• Manipulating Images
• Printing Images
• Saving Image Options
• Other Information

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Introduction

We have organized our tips into the subject areas you see above. Click the topic that interests you to navigate directly to that section of this document. A link labelled Top will bring you back to the table of contents. Also see our Glossary of Terms for definitions of the language used within Tantalis GATOR.

General Search Operation and Wildcard (%)

• Position the cursor in a blank field before typing.  
• Use either upper or lower case. Search results will be the same. Gator is NOT case sensitive.  
• When using a dropdown list (e.g. for Land Districts), key in the first letter of your search term to navigate more quickly. 
• When your search returns multiple results, scroll to the bottom of the first page and click the Next button to view successive pages. A count of the total number of returns may also appear.
• Note the maximum number of returns per page is 50.  
• In Tantalis GATOR, the % sign functions as a Wildcard, providing more search flexibility. Here's how it works: Let's say you are searching for a company in the Interested Parties field. If you're not sure if the correct name is "Dolittle & Steele" or "Dolittle and Steele" entering Dolittle% will bring back all companies that start with Dolittle. If you're not sure of the order of the two names, typing %Dolittle% will find ALL Dolittles in the system, regardless of exactly where the name occurs in the field. Many fields in GATOR allow the use of the wildcard.
• See the Locating Different Parcel Types section below for MORE search hints.
• The GATOR Glossary can be accessed within Tantalis GATOR. Click on a term or heading on any GATOR page (which may be in black) that is underlined. You will be linked to definitions within the GATOR Glossary. Click the Back button on your browser window to return to Tantalis GATOR.
• Tantalis GATOR Search Guide (doc or pdf)provides hints and details about the major Search options, along with screen shots and an explanation of the information that is returned.
• View screen captures of typical search pages and their results page from our Sample Screens page.

Locating Different Parcel Types

• You can search for a Mineral Claim parcel using its name as a search criterion (i.e. the "Blackbird Fraction").  Select Legal Description as the search option from the Main Menu and type the Mineral Claim name in the Parcel Name field. You can also use the % sign as a wildcard with a portion of the Mineral Claim name, as in %bird%.   
• To search by a partial legal description for a Subdivision Parcel click on the Legal Description link option from the Main Menu. Then in the Legal Description Substring field enter a portion of the subdivision parcel description with the % sign as a wildcard (e.g. %BLOCK 10%) and press the Submit Query button. This search option can be used with or without other identifiers such as Plan Number, Land District and others. Both filters of Plan Number and Legal Description Substring can be used at the same time.   
• To search by a partial legal description for a Subdivision Parcel whose legal description includes a Plan Number which may appear in the BODY of a legal description rather than just at the end of the legal description, click on the Legal Description link option from the Main Menu and enter the Plan Number in the Legal Description Substring field, as %1234% rather than in the Plan Number field. This Legal Description Substring query may provide more returns than just entering the Plan number in the Subdivision Plan Number field.
• You can search for Indian Reserves by name using the Parcel Name field under the Legal Description heading, as well as by legal description. Users can also search for Indian Reserves by Indian Reserve number by entering the Indian Reserve number in the IR Number field under the Legal Description heading.
• If Survey Parcel searches for Vancouver Island survey parcels do not produce the expected returns, they may be E&N or VL&M parcels. Click the Clear button on your search screen. Enter the Land District and the parcel number, followed by the % sign wildcard, as in District Lot 12%. The parcel you are looking for will more than likely be among the additional returns. If this does not produce the desired results, try entering your parcel number with the wildcard in the Section or Block field, rather than the District Lot field.  
• See our listing of Hudson Bay Company grants (MS Excel) for descriptors that can be used to locate details and images for these unique grants. These descriptors include the grant Document Number, parcel identification number (PIN) and parcel Legal Description. 
• To search for a PLAN (Tube, Tray or EPC) click on the Tube or Tray link under the Survey Details search option from the Main Search Menu. 
• To search for a PLAN of a  Park, Protected Area or OIC Ecological Reserve by it's name click on the Admin Area link under the Survey Details search option from the Main Search Menu. Select the desired Admin Area type from the drop down menu provided. Then enter the Park, Protected Area or OIC Ecological Reserve Name in the field provided and press the Submit Query button. As with other name searches, if the search does not produce the expected returns, use a portion of the name with the % sign as a wildcard (e.g. a% or %banana%).   
• To search for a Land Title Office Plan by Plan Number click on the LTO Plan option under Survey Details search option. Then type the Land Title Office Plan Number in the field provided and press the Submit Query button (e.g. 8888).
•  To search for all Survey Parcels within a specific map grid click on the query by BCGS Mapsheet under Survey Parcels heading. Then type in the BCGS grid number and Submit Query.
•  Tantalis GATOR Search Guide (doc or pdf) provides hints and details about the major Search options, along with screen shots and an explanation of the information or query result that is returned.

Searching Interest Data

• The Consolidated Parcel Encumbrance Report provides a consolidated listing of both Survey and Interest information.
• It is possible to filter the Subdivision Parcel returns from a Consolidated Parcel Encumbrance Report query by using one of two filter options along with the selected Primary PIN. When using the filters, the report will supply only subdivision parcels that meet the filter criteria.
• When searching by PIN from the Encumbrance Report link, both filters of Plan Number and Legal Description Substring can be used at the same time, with the Primary Parcel PIN, however searches by PIN can be conducted without entering any filter.
• To search by PIN for one or more Subdivision Parcels using a partial legal description click on the PIN link under Encumbrance Report and enter the Primary parcel PIN as well as a filter option, such as a Plan Number. The Consolidated Parcel Encumbrance report will return details on the Primary Parcel and any Subdivision parcels which include the criteria of the filter, along with their Interest Details.
• Document Number searches allows users to search for Interests or tenures such as Crown Grant, leases, licences, reserves, as well as Hudson Bay grants, by their Document Number. To search by Document Number select that link under the Interest heading, from the Main menu. Examples of search formats appear on the Document Number query page. A Document Number is NOT a PIN number. PIN numbers should not be entered in the Document Number query field. For a definition of PIN see the GATOR Glossary.
• Crown Grant Document Numbers DO NOT have zero place holders, so 5556/0526 is an incorrect Crown Grant number and will not provide any results, when searching in GATOR. In this case, the correct Document Number to enter in the Document Number query field is 5556/526.
• Users can search for a group of Documents using the wildcard % with a portion of the Document Number. This is useful when searching for many Crown grant documents, or for a group of Crown grant Documents all with the same Volume Number. To conduct this search select the Document Number link under Interest from the Main menu and enter "%/556"  for all grants within Volume 556. For searches of all Crown grant Documents all with the same Volume Number be sure to enter the slash with the wildcard and volume number.
• File Number searches from the File Number link under the Interest heading allows users to search for records by LANDS File Number. NOTE Lands File Numbers have have zero place holders and MUST be entered in order to successfully receive results. Wellsite file numbers should NOT be entered in the File Number field but instead from the query page under the search for Wellsites option from the Main Search Menu.
• You can search for a specific Interested Party (or Interest holder) using the wildcard with a portion of the family or corporate name. If your searches do not produce the expected results, use only three or four letters of the name with wildcards, as in %hydro%. Users can also search for Interest holders by either their first name or their last name.
•  It is possible to search for many Interests by BCGS Mapsheet. This query will provide a listing of all Interests within the selected mapsheet. To search for an Interest by BCGS Mapsheet click on the query by BCGS Mapsheet under the Interest heading. Then type in the BCGS mapsheet grid number. Results can be filtered by selecting a desired Purpose or Type from the drop down menu provided, if desired. This search option MUST be used with the BCGS Mapsheet number. It is possible to search for an Interest without selecting purpose or type. The is a similar search feature by BCGS Mapsheet for Survey Parcels.
• To search for a particular Interest by Type, Purpose, Sub Type or Sub Purpose click on the query by BCGS Mapsheet under Interest heading. Then type in the BCGS mapsheet grid number and select the desired Interest or tenure Purpose or Type from the drop down menu provided and press the Submit Query button. This search option must be used in conjunction with a BCGS Mapsheet number.
•  See our listing of Hudson Bay Company grants (MS Excel) for descriptors that can be used to locate details and images for these unique grants. These descriptors include the Hudson Bay grant Document Number, parcel identification number (PIN) and parcel Legal Description.
• Tantalis GATOR Search Guide (doc or pdf) provides hints and details about the major Search options, along with screen shots and an explanation of the information or query result that is returned.

Searching Wellsite Data

• Wellsite data refers to Petroleum and Natural Gas industry wellsites and not water wells.
• Users can search for Wellsite data by LANDS file number, name or location. To search for Wellsite data select the File, Name, Location link under the Wellsite heading from the Main menu.
• Location on the Wellsite query page refers to a Wellsite Legal Description.
• There are two types of Wellsite Legal Descriptions or Locations, Peace River Block (PRB) type or Petroleum and Natural Gas type (PNG).
• Wellsite Plan Numbers MUST be entered in the Location field with a dash between each number or letter, as in 7-8-79-18-W6M (for PRB) or 93-P-1-F-3-C (for PNG).  
• For Peace River Block Wellsites, the Location number is based upon the Dominion Township survey system within the Peace River Block (PRB) area. For these plans or locations, the first number is the Legal Subdivision, followed by Section Number, then Township, then  Range and lastly Meridian number, as in 7-8-79-18-W6M.  
• For Petroleum and Natural Gas Wellsites, the Location number is based upon the Petroleum and Natural Gas (PNG) grid survey system. For these plans or locations, first number and letter are the NTS grid number, followed by the mapsheet number, then Block letter, Unit number, and Quarter Unit letter, as in 93-P-1-F-3-C. Note that the numbering system used might differ slightly from the order of the numbering system used by the Wellsite operators.
• To search for Wellsites using a Wellsite Name as a search criteria, select Query by Wellsite Name, type in a portion of the Wellsite name followed by the % wildcard sign, as in %star or %blue%, as described above. 

Image Plug-ins

• Our image plug-ins are an optional feature, provided to enhance image viewing, manipulation and printing, however many Tantalis GATOR images may be viewed without them.  
• There are two image plug-ins for download. One plug-in is for use with SID format images, the second plug-in is for TIF format images.  
• Download the plug-in of your choice from the Image Plug-in links provided on the GATOR Home page and Main Search menu page. Follow the instructions provided for download. Help documents are provided from the Image Plug-in page to assist with downloading the plug-ins.  
• If you can not download the plug-ins then you may not have administrative authority on your computer. Contact your OWN computer support staff to download the plug-ins for you.  
• Once the MrSID plug-in has been downloaded, you will need to ENABLE it prior to use. The Image Page displays a MrSID plug-in link. To activate the MrSID plug-in, just click on the link and it will indicate if the plug-in is Enabled or Disabled.  
• The MrSID image browser plug-in should remain enabled for your entire session. When you log out of Tantalis GATOR and then log back in, you may need to Enable the plug-in again.  
• You may not need to download the TIF plug-in if your computer has a viewer to view TIF format images.
• For MrSID plug-in printing and saving hints, see our Expanded Help on Images document (doc or pdf).
• Some XP users receive a “null pointer exception” error message when attempting to view a SID format image. XP users have two options to view SID format images. Either use the Gator's internal SID viewer (with the SID plug-in set to Disabled). To do this just click on the link indicating “MR SID Plug-in Enabled” and toggle it to say “MR SID Plug-in Disabled”, then click on the SID image button to display the image. Or users can download and use the new Express View plug-in. It can be found at; http://www.lizardtech.com/download/dl_options.php?page=plugins Be advised the old Mr SID plug-in is no longer supported by Lizardtech, its creators. The link above is their current free viewer. 

Image Facts

• Images are provided in GIF, TIF, SID, or PDF formats depending upon their size or type. All Images are NOT available in all formats.
• Some Images in Tantalis GATOR are only available in one format.
• The Image Page will display buttons which link to available images, in the available image formats.  Click button to view image.
• Black and white images are normally provided in a TIF or GIF format. Colour images are usually available in an SID or TIF format. Many images MAY be viewed through your Internet browser window without the use of the additional software or plug-ins. The image plug-ins provide more viewing and saving options. See Image Plug-in Section above for more details.  
• TIF images are MORE detailed than GIF images, but GIF images download faster. If the GIF image is not clear or detailed enough, then click on the TIF image button to view the TIF format image, if available. Use TIF or SID format images when a high quality print or view is required. See Printing Images section below for more Image printing hints.
• Where the Image button is a red X, there is some technical difficulty with the image and it is not available at this time.
• Some images in Tantalis GATOR are multiple page images. If a multiple page image is flashing rather than showing all the pages, close out the image. Try to view the images in another image format, if available.
• Some images in Tantalis GATOR are electronically received and deposited. These images are known as EPC or Electronic Plan Crown. You can search for EPC plans using the Tube or Tray field under the Survey Details section, from the Main Search Menu. Use a wildcard to search for all EPC plans, by entering epc%.
• Many computers come with image editing software that works quite well with many of these images, once they have been saved. Examples of such software programs are MS Photo Editor, Adobe PhotoShop or Corel Paint Shop.  Also see Saving Images Options for more Image saving hints.

Manipulating Images

• The MrSID plug-in, once Enabled, allows for enhanced viewing of SID format images, including the ability to rotate, pan, and zoom into an image. Once your selected image appears, click the second button from the right on the plug-in Toolbar for Other Options. A drop down menu will list the various available options. For additional MrSID plug-in viewing, printing and saving hints, see our Expanded Help on Images document (doc or pdf). 
• The TIF image viewer may also allow for enhanced viewing and printing quality for TIF format images, but does not reside inside your Web browser.  TIF viewers may differ on each computer.
• When selecting a TIF image button, a dialogue box may ask if you wish to Open the file from its current location or save it to disk. To view image, select Open this file from its current location.  
• To resize or rotate an image from within the TIF viewer, click View on the plug-in toolbar and select the desired option. Images may initially appear at either maximum or minimum zoom. Click Zoom Out or Zoom In on the toolbar to re-size and view the image at the desired scale. You may also choose to fit the image to the window to alter the image view.
• Some large plan images may appear to be cut off or cropped. These documents have been scanned in their entirety and are available to view. When viewing such an image WITHOUT the plug-ins, position the cursor over the cropped area and click. This should zoom in and return an image showing the cropped area. If the MrSID plug-in has been Enabled, select the Pan feature to pull up or down the cropped or missing image portion.
• Note that Windows XP or Vista users may not be able to use the downloaded TIF image viewer provided in GATOR as their Windows XP or Vista viewer may automatically be activated for TIF format images. Contact your own computer support staff for Windows XP or Vista issues.

Printing Images

• For high quality or large size Printed images users should always print from TIF or SID format images, if available, rather than from GIF format images, as TIF images tend to be MORE detailed and larger size files than GIF images. 

• For best quality print results users should consider printing from the live image in GATOR rather than a saved copy.

• Users can view and print TIF format images from the TIF viewer available on their computer. TIF viewers may differ with each computer. To print TIF images, choose File from the Image window toolbar, then Print. In the Print dialog box select the printer or plotter you wish to use. Click the “Preferences” or “Plotter Settings” button and specify desired paper size (such as size E for a large size paper plotters, for instance) as well as the orientation (portrait or landscape). Printers may offer the "Best fit to page”, "Best or Enhanced" print or the "Maximum detail" printing options, for best quality prints. The Advanced button may provide other print options, such as enlargement of the image, to say 200%. Each printer or plotter provides different print options, depending upon the type or model of printer. Check your own printer to see available options. Click Print button to print the image.   

• To print an image using the Enabled MrSID plug-in, click on the image and from the MrSID toolbar choose Other Options. Select Print Image and select the printer you wish to use. Click the Properties button to specify image orientation (portrait or landscape), and other printing options such as "Best Quality" or "Enhanced Image" print. Select the number of copies and click on Print. For better image resolution users should also consider changing the Frame Size in the MrSID plug-in.  See our Expanded Help on Images document (doc or pdf) for instructions. 
• To print MrSID format images such as Crown Grant plans, WITHOUT BLACK BORDER, first click on the image button to Open and View the image. Then Enable the MrSID plug-in by clicking on the link. Then click on File in the viewer Toolbar and select Print. In the Print dialog box, select the "Entire Image" button and "Best Quality" button, if your printer dialog box has these options. If you want to print a large size copy, click on the Print Properties button or the Advanced button (depending upon your printer) and select the large paper size required. If you want the image enlarged, select the Advance tab in the Print dialog box, which may allow you to enlarge the print to say at 150% or 200%. You may also want to change the orientation of the print from portrait to landscape, depending upon the plan or image. Then click on OK and sent to Printer or Plotter. NOTE: Be sure that your printer has the ability to accept and print large size paper.
• You may need to make the various print selections options for EACH print made. See Saving Images Options below for hints on saving images.
• To create prints you may also Right Click on the image as it appears in the Image window and click the Print selection from the menu that appears.
• The image products provided in Tantalis GATOR may differ from the ORIGINAL hard copy images.
• Tantalis GATOR images may NOT necessarily be printed "to scale" and should NOT be considered a "to scale" plan or image.
• Print Options or features available depend upon the printers or plotters you have installed on your system or network. 
• To print the large official or survey plans from within the MrSID Plug-in, for up to E size or 36" x 48" prints, select the Enabled MrSID plug-in link. Click on the Other Options button from the MrSID Plug-in Tool Bar. Then click on Print. In the Print dialog box, select the 'Entire Image' button, the 'Best Quality' button and a select a printer capable of large size prints. Then click on the Properties button. Select the Layout Tab and the Advanced button. Select E size paper or 36" x 48" and an enlarged scale, such as 225%. Then click on OK to print. This assumes your printer that is capable of at least 300 to 600 dpi and uses at least 36" paper. NOTE: The scale option in the plug-in is NOT accurate and the print dialog box for your printer may have slightly different options.
•  For additional MrSID plug-in printing and saving information, see our Expanded Help on Images document (doc or pdf).

Saving Image Options

• What You See Is What You Get - The resolution of ANY SAVED Tantalis GATOR image will be EXACTLY the same pixel size as the SCREEN IMAGE displayed in Tantalis GATOR which can be 72 to 96 dpi. Remember to ZOOM INTO the image on the screen to capture all the desired details or information, as the saved image will reflect ONLY what you see on your monitor (What You See Is What You Get). Right click on the image, or from the dropdown list select the Save As option, then select the File Location, rename image if desired, select JPG image format as most computer can view JPEG (JPG) format and then Save the image. DO NOT SAVE IMAGE AS MrSID FORMAT or HTML FORMAT.
• MrSID Viewer - to save a MrSID image using the Enabled MrSID Browser plug-in, ZOOM into the desired scale or view, right click on the image and select the "Save Picture As" from the menu, or select Other Options from the MrSID Viewer toolbar. Select the filing location, rename image if desired, and select the JPG image format. Normally three image formats available for saving MrSID images from the plug-in are SID, BITMAP or JPG. Most computers can view JPG format images.
• To save a TIF format images, ZOOM into the desired scale or view, click on File from the TIF Viewer toolbar and select "Save As". Select the file location, rename image if desired, then select the TIF image format. The TIF Viewer plug-in may allow for other image format options.
• Internet Browser - to save an image, ZOOM into the desired scale or view, place the curser on the image and RIGHT CLICK ON THE IMAGE selecting the "Save Picture As" option. Using this technique, the two image formats available for MrSID images are BITMAP or JPG. We do not recommend saving the image as an HTML format page or using the File / Save As option on the Internet Browser toolbar. The Internet Browser toolbar option for saving images will only allow a TXT or HTML format.
• DO NOT SAVE IMAGES AS HTML OR TEXT FORMAT as users may NOT be able to view the TXT or HTML format images after they have been saved.
• DO NOT SAVE IMAGES AS SID FORMAT as users may NOT be able to view the SID format images after they have been saved. For additional MrSID plug-in saving image options, see our Expanded Help on Images document (doc or pdf).

Other Information

• The Consolidated Parcel Encumbrance report is just like the old CLR (Crown Land Registry) report. It provides a consolidated listing of BOTH survey and interest details for a Primary Parcel and its Subdivision Parcels.