IGDB historical versions, data access

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Dear Community,

the IGDB has been around for quite a while. In context with a project concerning itself with Refurbishment and Re-Use of windows the question "what are the original properties of the existing IGU" is of interest.

We are thinking that one approach could be to use historical glazing / coating data. Often, the type of IGU is printed in the spacer, this together with the historic data could be a starting point.

I am looking for old IGDB files, therefore. Additionally, of course, it will be necessary to be able to read the old files. So, I am also looking for information on how to do this.

I would appreciate any hints and tips. Thanks. Achim

AGeissler

asked 2022-11-11 14:47:40 -0500

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Aaron Boranian

updated 2022-11-11 16:28:48 -0500

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What have you tried? Have you read through the website? Looks like the IGDB are Microsoft Data Base files that can be opened with Microsoft Access and there are releases back to 2002 according to the Release Notes page (with an email address at the bottom). https://windows.lbl.gov/tools/IGDB/so...

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MatthewSteen

answered 2022-11-12 20:50:06 -0500

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Hi Matthew, thanks for your reply. I haven't tried anything yet in regard to opening historic database files. If simply opening an update / database file via Access works, then that would be nice, of course.

My first step was to send a query to "Windowhelp@lbl.gov", however, I haven't heard anything from there. I was unable to find an "archive". I was on the page you linked, yes, but for some reason was unable to follow the "release notes" link. Today it worked. I'll send a query to the mail address given there. Thanks.

AGeissler (2022-11-15 01:02:49 -0500) edit

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Q1: Via change-logs (currently https://windows.lbl.gov/sites/default...) the history of changes from release 11.5 from 2002 onward is readily available (we may try to write a parsing tool for this for better listing / searchability etc. - if anyone has already done this and is willing to share, please give a heads-up). The actual data seems directly available back to v58 (2017). Older data could be available, however, IGDB probably does not cover the EU market much earlier than 2000.

Q2: The (available) IGDB files are password protected themselves. They must be imported into Optics or Window for access, therefore. Then, the databases are MS-Access. It may be necessary to use older Optics / Window versions for older IGDB files (opening 11.4 w/ the current WINDOW or Optics does not seem to work, thanks Robin!).

Thanks for all the information goes to Jacob.

AGeissler

answered 2022-11-17 04:31:02 -0500, updated 2022-11-17 04:35:20 -0500