An important function of databases is to allow users to back-up their data in a simple and organized manner. This function is particularly important to scientific fields that generate large quantities of data, like bioacoustics, and is an important reason why Luscinia uses a database engine like MySQL.
Unfortunately, the back-up functions included with MySQL did not work 100% reliably with the type of databases that Luscinia produces (in particular with the binary "BLOBS" that the wav files are stored as). Therefore, I have written a rather crude back-up routine.
For rather obscure reasons, the "Back-up" button is located in the "Edit" window (hopefully, this will not last too long). When you click on "Back-Up" for a database that you have logged in to, Luscinia will write the contents of the database into directories on your local hard-disk (you can choose where to save the back-up). Some of the backed-up files will be the wav files themselves, others will be binary files containing the measurements made for sounds, while others will be text files containing the information about individuals. Note: "Back-ups" do not contain details of user accounts, or comparison schemes & results!
If you wish to transfer a database from one computer to another, or if you experience computer problems, and wish to reinstall your database, you can "Load" a database from the hard-disk, under the tab in the "Administrator" panel. Simply click the button, and locate the directory containing the back-up on your hard-disk.