KLENSIN@INFOODS.MIT.EDU.UUCP (01/15/87)
Bob, Sorry for the delay in getting this back to you, organizing the answer took us a bit and then it got snarled up in other work. There is a tremendous amount of dietary analysis software out there, some for little machines, some for big machines, and several things in between. It also varies immensely in quality, and nothing that follows about specific packages should be taken as endorsement, or even evaluation. First of all, there are two major directories (that we know of) of such software. Each contains some minimal evaluation information. While one of these focuses on the data, and the other focuses, at least somewhat, on the computer programs, both do some of each (inevitably). You may want to get the directories and make your own evaluation (indeed, we would suggest that). They are: "Nutrient Data Bank Directory", 5th edition, Loretta W. Hoover, ed. This directory can be ordered through Dr. Hoover at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Dept of Home Economics, 318 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. Phone: 314/882-4136. HNFFSMLH@UMCVMB.BITNET, HNFFSMLH%UMCVMB.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU. The last time we were in touch with her, use of the e-mail address was irregular; I would not count on it for priority communications. "Computer Programs and Databases in the Field of Nutrition", compiled by Darlene Myers Hildebrant. Available through Ms. Hildebrant, Computing Information Center, UW ACC, HG-45, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195. I don't have either phone numbers or an e-mail address available, but the latter must exist. Most of the programs listed in the two directories are for small desktop machines; that is where the action has been lately, for better or worse. Most of the mainframe ones listed are for the support of large databases in single centers that supply services, not programs (i.e., the programs are rarely for sale). Probably for historical reasons, there are more things for PDP11s than for VAXen (I can't guess from your note whether you are using a VAX with compatibility capability and have skipped those). Some likely possibilities, based on a quick directory scan (again, no recommendations and rarely any first-hand experience) are: HVH-CWRU (Harold B. Houser, Chair, Dept of Epidemology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve Univ, Cleveland, OH 44106; 216/368-3195. Or Grace Petot at the same address, GJP%hal.uucp@SEISMO.CSS.GOV). NUTS (Anthony K. Copping, President, Quilchena Consulting Ltd., 12-3318 Oak St, Victoria, BC, Canada V8X 1R1; 604/382-6151). FOODS (Owen Durgin, Director, Univ of New Hampshire, Biometrics, James Hall, Durham, NH 03824; 603/862-1990). There are some others that don't look (from the directories) as if they are for sale and may be available only on a service bureau basis. But I'd get the directories, make some calls, and negotiate. Good luck and hope this helps. Let us know if you have additional questions that we can help with. John Klensin Principal Research Scientist International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS)