# Announcements & News **URL:** https://speciforum.org/c/news/76.md [Latest](https://speciforum.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://speciforum.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://speciforum.org/tags.md) --- ## [Specify 7.12.1 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-12-1-release-announcement/4023)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-12-1-release-announcement/4023 "2026-08-28T14:35:00Z")
Goniobranchus leopardus (Rudman, 1987) collected in Timor-Leste by Florida Museum of Natural History Invertebrate Zoology (licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0). https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/5139695359 Specify 7.12.1 … --- ## [Specify 7.12.0.7 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-12-0-7-release-announcement/3863)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-12-0-7-release-announcement/3863 "2026-07-28T19:50:00Z")
Photo by Amanda Pinion (2026). KUBI Ichthyology Collection. University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. Occurrence on GBIF. Specify 7.12.0.7 Release Announcement We’re pleased to announce Specify 7.12.0.7, a pa… --- ## [Strengthening Specify’s Foundation for Long‑Term Stability](https://speciforum.org/t/strengthening-specify-s-foundation-for-long-term-stability/3936)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/strengthening-specify-s-foundation-for-long-term-stability/3936 "2026-07-22T17:12:55Z")
Many members have noticed the recent series of hotfix releases. We understand that frequent updates can disrupt workflows, and we appreciate your patience. Some bugs did make it through the initial 7.12 release, and we w… --- ## [Webinar: Batch Editing in Specify 7](https://speciforum.org/t/webinar-batch-editing-in-specify-7/3651)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/webinar-batch-editing-in-specify-7/3651 "2026-05-21T14:35:17Z")
We invite you to join us on May 28 for a focused webinar on Batch Editing in Specify 7. This webinar will introduce the Batch Edit tool in Specify 7 and demonstrate how it can be used to efficiently update multiple r… --- ## [SCC Open Office Hours](https://speciforum.org/t/scc-open-office-hours/3579)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2026, 4:14pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/scc-open-office-hours/3579 "2026-05-15T16:14:37Z")
We look forward to welcoming you to the next session of the Specify Collections Consortium Open Office Hours on June 11 at 9 am CDT. You can join using the link below: SCC Open Office Hours Passcode: 12345 Open Of… --- ## [Important Update: Schema Configuration Reversions in Specify 7.12.0](https://speciforum.org/t/important-update-schema-configuration-reversions-in-specify-7-12-0/3560)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/important-update-schema-configuration-reversions-in-specify-7-12-0/3560 "2026-04-28T18:25:20Z")
Hi Specificians, :specify7: We are reaching out to inform you of an issue discovered in the initial Specify 7.12.0 release that may have inadvertently modified your database’s schema configuration records. Please be as… --- ## [Resolving Schema Config Reversions in Specify 7.12.0 (Self-Hosted Users)](https://speciforum.org/t/resolving-schema-config-reversions-in-specify-7-12-0-self-hosted-users/3559)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/resolving-schema-config-reversions-in-specify-7-12-0-self-hosted-users/3559 "2026-04-28T18:21:17Z")
Hi Specificians, :specify7: As mentioned in our recent announcement, the Specify 7.12.0 update included changes that may have inadvertently modified the schema config records within your database. During startup, some s… --- ## [New Look, New Logo](https://speciforum.org/t/new-look-new-logo/3545)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/new-look-new-logo/3545 "2026-04-22T17:27:31Z")
The Specify Collections Consortium (SCC) has a new logo and a new look! The logo team participated in a multi-week process to develop a new logo that meets the SCC’s evolving needs, symbolizing growth and transition. … --- ## [Specify 7.12.0 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-12-0-release-announcement/3256)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-12-0-release-announcement/3256 "2026-04-10T15:08:00Z")
Specify 7.12 Release Announcement With earthly delight, the SCC unleashes Specify 7.12—a transformative release that heralds the arrival of GeoSpecify, a research domain expansion to support digitization and curati… --- ## [GeoSpecify: From Biodiversity to Earth Science and Beyond](https://speciforum.org/t/geospecify-from-biodiversity-to-earth-science-and-beyond/3343)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/geospecify-from-biodiversity-to-earth-science-and-beyond/3343 "2026-04-10T14:47:00Z")
The Specify Collections Consortium is expanding its science footprint to the geosciences with GeoSpecify, a database platform for curating research collections of rock, mineral, meteorite, core, and other types of geosam… --- ## [Updated SCC Membership Tiers Strengthen Governance and Support](https://speciforum.org/t/updated-scc-membership-tiers-strengthen-governance-and-support/3375)
**Author:** [@astewart](https://speciforum.org/u/astewart)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/updated-scc-membership-tiers-strengthen-governance-and-support/3375 "2026-02-13T21:09:51Z")
13 February 2026 The Specify Collections Consortium (SCC) is excited to announce the launch of our updated membership model, designed to better support institutions and collections engaged in biodiversity and geology… --- ## [Transition Timeline for Updated Membership & Hosting Rates](https://speciforum.org/t/transition-timeline-for-updated-membership-hosting-rates/3374)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/transition-timeline-for-updated-membership-hosting-rates/3374 "2026-02-13T21:06:03Z")
As part of our multi-year plan to modernize the Consortium, the SCC is transitioning to a new membership structure (detailed in the SCC Membership Rights and Responsibilities) that bundles software access, support, hosti… --- ## [Specify 6 End of Life (EOL) Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-6-end-of-life-eol-announcement/3367)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-6-end-of-life-eol-announcement/3367 "2026-02-13T19:44:00Z")
Honoring a Legacy: Specify 6 For over two decades, Specify 6 has served as the bedrock of biological collection management for institutions across the globe. It has chronicled millions of specimens, supported countles… --- ## [Specify 7.11.4 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-11-4-release-announcement/3340)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-11-4-release-announcement/3340 "2026-02-05T22:36:00Z")
Specify 7.11.4 Release Announcement Photo courtesy of Lucas DeCicco (2025). KUBI Ornithology Collection. University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. 7.11.4 (5 February 2026) With this update, Specify users wil… --- ## [Announcing Official Podman Support for Specify 7](https://speciforum.org/t/announcing-official-podman-support-for-specify-7/3239)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/announcing-official-podman-support-for-specify-7/3239 "2026-01-15T19:30:35Z")
We’re excited to announce that Specify 7 now officially supports Podman as a production deployment platform. For the past 5 years, Docker has been our recommended deployment method of choice for Specify 7. We are expa… --- ## [Welcome Norway to the SCC! 🇳🇴](https://speciforum.org/t/welcome-norway-to-the-scc/3224)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/welcome-norway-to-the-scc/3224 "2026-01-05T22:04:14Z")
The Specify Collections Consortium (SCC) is excited to announce that UniMus:Natur, a consortium of major institutions in Norway, has joined at the recently introduced Visionary Member level ($100,000/year). Background B… --- ## [Web Asset Server 2.0 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/web-asset-server-2-0-release-announcement/3142)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/web-asset-server-2-0-release-announcement/3142 "2025-11-14T18:32:57Z")
Web Asset Server 2.0 Release Announcement 2.0 (14 November 2025) The Specify Web Asset Server 2.0 has released, bringing with it a number of major improvements to its dependencies. Specify Cloud-managed asset servers… --- ## [Specify 7.11.3 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-11-3-release-announcement/3130)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-11-3-release-announcement/3130 "2025-11-13T15:24:00Z")
Specify 7.11.3 Release Announcement Photo courtesy of Lucas DeCicco (2025). KUBI Ornithology Collection. University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. 7.11.3 (13 November 2025) Specify 7.11.3 is a minor release … --- ## [Webinar Series: Specify Institutional Implementation Series](https://speciforum.org/t/webinar-series-specify-institutional-implementation-series/3079)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/webinar-series-specify-institutional-implementation-series/3079 "2025-10-23T19:30:02Z")
The SCC is extremely excited to announce that starting in November, we are kicking off our latest webinar series: the Specify Institutional Implementation Series. Specify software was designed with the intention to supp… --- ## [Specify 7.11.2 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-11-2-release-announcement/2800)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-11-2-release-announcement/2800 "2025-09-26T16:27:00Z")
Specify 7.11.2 Release Announcement Photo courtesy of Lucas DeCicco (2025). KUBI Ornithology Collection. University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. 7.11.2.1 (1 October 2025) Fixed an issue when querying pick… --- ## [Introducing the Specify Help Desk](https://speciforum.org/t/introducing-the-specify-help-desk/2766)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/introducing-the-specify-help-desk/2766 "2025-08-26T18:09:34Z")
Dear Specificians, As of August 16th, we have officially migrated the bulk of our Specify help desk activities from email-based interaction to a new ticketing system (BoldDesk), which we are referring to as the Specify … --- ## [Moving to MariaDB 11.8 LTS](https://speciforum.org/t/moving-to-mariadb-11-8-lts/2666)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/moving-to-mariadb-11-8-lts/2666 "2025-08-14T18:08:00Z")
Migrating from MariaDB 10.11 to 11.8 for Specify 7 For over three years, we have recommended MariaDB 10.11 as the preferred database for Specify 7. While MariaDB 10.11 will continue to receive mainstream updates until Fe… --- ## [Specify 7.11.1 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-11-1-release-announcement/2723)
**Author:** [@pashia](https://speciforum.org/u/pashia)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-11-1-release-announcement/2723 "2025-09-12T19:33:15Z")
Specify 7.11.1 Release Announcement GBIF Citation: Bentley A, Osborn R (2025). Snow Entomological Museum Collection. University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. Occurrence dataset Snow Entomological Museum Collectio… --- ## [Data Entry Bug in 7.11.0 — Fix Released](https://speciforum.org/t/data-entry-bug-in-7-11-0-fix-released/2708)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/data-entry-bug-in-7-11-0-fix-released/2708 "2025-07-14T19:05:01Z")
\[!success\] Resolved This issue has been resolved in the v7.11.0.2 update, released July 14, 2025. To see the original issue description, see here, and to check if any records were affected in your database, see our in… --- ## [Specify 7.11.0 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-11-0-release-announcement/2563)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-11-0-release-announcement/2563 "2025-07-08T20:44:00Z")
Photo Credit: Bentley A, Brown R (2025). KUBI Herpetology Collection. Version 31.93. University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. Occurrence dataset KUBI Herpetology Collection accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-07-08.… --- ## [Specify at SPNHC 2025](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-at-spnhc-2025/2517)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2025, 10:16pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-at-spnhc-2025/2517 "2025-04-24T22:16:47Z")
Specify at SPNHC 2025 Specify is extremely excited to announce our participation in the upcoming SPNHC 2025 Annual Meeting. The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) is hosting their upco… --- ## [Specify 7.10.2 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-10-2-release-announcement/2455)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2025, 5:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-10-2-release-announcement/2455 "2025-04-23T05:00:00Z")
7.10.2 Release Announcement KUBI Vascular Plants Collection. Symphyotrichum praealtum var. nebraskense (Britton) G.L.Nesom. University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/177043336 \[… --- ## [Specify Workshop at SPNHC 2025](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-workshop-at-spnhc-2025/2494)
**Author:** [@SpecifyMembership](https://speciforum.org/u/SpecifyMembership)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2025, 5:33pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-workshop-at-spnhc-2025/2494 "2025-04-22T17:33:20Z")
Maximizing Your Specify Instance Specify is extremely excited to announce our workshop as part of the upcoming SPNHC 2025 Annual Meeting. The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) is host… --- ## [Specify 7.10 Release Announcement](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-10-release-announcement/2196)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2025, 6:00am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-10-release-announcement/2196 "2025-03-06T06:00:00Z")
Specify 7.10 Specify 7.10 is a major update to the Specify 7 collections management platform. The release notably includes “GeoSpecify” a groundbreaking new module for managing research collections of rocks, miner… --- ## [Workshop Options for SPNHC 2025 in Lawrence, KS](https://speciforum.org/t/workshop-options-for-spnhc-2025-in-lawrence-ks/2237)
**Author:** [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2025, 1:38pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/workshop-options-for-spnhc-2025-in-lawrence-ks/2237 "2025-03-25T13:38:20Z")
Happy New Year, everyone! :tada: I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday. As we kick off our planning for this year’s SPNHC activities (May 27-31 in Lawrence, KS), we are exploring the possibility of hosting a workshop for… [Next page](https://speciforum.org/c/news/76.md?page=1)