COMP: DNA software use

[Jurg Ott <ott@linkage.cpmc.columbia.edu>]

From: V. Sievert Inst. f. Biologie, MU Luebeck <SIEVERT@MOLBIO.MU-LUEBECK.DE>

> I am writing an article for The Scientist reviewing DNA sequencing software a
> nd
> other products to help with the informational aspects of genetic research. I'
> m
> looking for comments from "satisfied customers" -- those of you who've used
> certain products that have saved you time or allowed you to do something you
> couldn't do manually. I am particular interested in products from Cherwell
> Scientific, GCG, DNASTAR, BioImage, GeneJockey, Hitachi, InforMax.
>

Hi!

I have a few questions, too:
- what's about "unsatisfied customers"?
- where comes the list of products from? (For instance, why is PC-Gene
  missing?)

I use some programs from the GCG V7.10 package. The analysis programs
are OK, they seem to be powerful and straight forward to use once
you are familiar with their unusual user surface (unusual at least for stupid
Windoze/SAA-CUA users). The editors (GELENT, GELV, GELASS...) hmm
they do their job, but IMHO their command orientated interface is
a severe disadvantage.

I do not use the database programs. For database searches I use the internet.
For entry, storage and managing own sequences I wrote an own "tailor made"
program.

In our institution we have PC-Gene, too. I use this program only occasionally,
for certain things which are not included in GCG (PCRPLAN). Its
disadvantage is its strange menu system, which neither compares to a
modern SAA-CUA surface nor to a well organized command orientated
surface as GCG. Even worse is the fact that its memory use must be
within the DOS 640k barrier, which limits the max. length and/or number
of sequences which can be handled.

Regards, Volker

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