FUCHS@embl.bitnet ("Rainer Fuchs ", EMBL) (10/26/89)
We are pleased to announce the start of a new Molecular Biology Software
File Server System on November 1, 1989.
This service is provided by the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL
Data Library, Heidelberg, FRG, and the University of Houston, Dept. of
Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences, Houston TX, USA. It can be used by any
scientist throughout the world with a computer network connection to Bitnet/
EARN or Internet, either directly or via gateways.
AVAILABLE SOFTWARE
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Free software covering all fields of molecular biology is available for MS
DOS computers, Apple Macintosh, VAX/VMS, and Unix machines. The actual range
of computer systems supported by each server may differ, but it is intended
to keep at least a common set of MS DOS software. Many of the programs
available were initially obtained from BIONET, others were kindly provided
by the authors themselves.
The accessable programs are either free or shareware. Please notice the
documentation files attached to each program for details on copyright
protection and limitations of usage and redistribution.
DOWNLOAD PROCEDURE
------------------
Standard electronic mail is used for distribution. Programs can easily be
retrieved from the File Server by sending commands in a normal mail message
to either:
NETSERV@EMBL.BITNET or
genbank-server@uhnix2.uh.edu (Internet) and
genbank-server%uhnix2.uh.edu@CUNYVM (BITNET/EARN)
For getting an introductory help documentation send a mail message to either
NETSERV@EMBL containing the commands
HELP
HELP SOFTWARE
or to genbank-server@uhnix2.uh.edu containing the command
SEND SOFTWARE HELP
in the subject line or the body of the message.
Additional help files are available describing in detail the procedures
necessary to download software for any of the supported computer systems. In
general, most programs are first compressed and then converted from binary
to printable ASCII format. Appropriate decoding software is available in
source form from the File Servers.
SOFTWARE SUBMISSION
-------------------
We will greatly appreciate any further submissions of molecular biology
software. The File Servers will make it easier for software authors to
distribute their programs to a broad user community. To facilitate
submissions a computer-readable submission form that also contains
information on the distribution policy can be downloaded from the Servers.
Authors of software packages that are too big to be distributed by ordinary
electronic mail may take the opportunity to make an information document
available that describes the product and how it can be obtained.
To facilitate the communication amongst the users of a software product and
between the users and the program author, a record of requests will be kept
for each program and will also be available upon request to the File Server
managers. The EMBL File Server will make its logs publicly available (see
the help documentation files).
EMBNET
------
The software collection at the EMBL will probably also be distributed on the
European Molecular Biology Data Network (EMBnet). Contact your national
EMBnet node or EMBNET@EMBL.
FURTHER INFORMATION
-------------------
The help files should give sufficient information on how to use the Software
File Server. For further information, software submissions, etc., please
direct any enquiries to:
SOFTWARE@EMBL.BITNET or davison@uhnix2.uh.edu (Internet)
DAVISON@UHOU (BITNET/EARN)
DAVISON@UHVAX1 (BITNET/EARN
send/file command)
Rainer Fuchs, The Data Library, European Molecular Biology Laboratory.
Dan Davison, Dept. of Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences,
University of Houston.