userCU11@mts.ucs.UAlberta.CA (Chris Upton) (02/22/91)
I've been following the workstation vs micro debate with some interest! I can see the argument from both sides. Currently, I'm in the process of setting up a Sparcstation in our department to service 15 to any many as I can cajoal. My plan is to run the IG-suite to provide access to the DNA and protein databases with some analysis tools. Users will interface via MACs linked to the Ethernet by a Gatorbox. Many would be users are worried about the difficulty of using the system, even learning the few UNIX commands needed to keep their HOME tidy. They are happy with DNA Strider, DNA Inspector or MacVector. I would just like to save everyone the trouble of maintaining the growing databases and provide some other utilities. I have just installed MASE. My difficulties stem from my lack of experience with UNIX and total ignorance of programming. While I've managed to put the system together and run it after a fashion, I would not have survived without the help of others. It seems essential to have a UNIX EXPERT on hand, for instance I thought about using ProSearch with the TFD.... OK I have to get awk (???)... OK, then I'm supposed to "patch awk".... OK, I'd better go and beg help. This is all supposed to done in my 'spare time'. I think instructions will have to be laid out better before these programs and systems catch on. And I'm an out and out supporter. Also I know there's a lot of very useful stuff out there, eg LiMB, TFD, SEQANALREF, EPD.... all useful databases. But I haven't seen much information on the best way to utilise them. What programs will search them on UNIX? What databases could be used on the MAC? How best can they be used? If I can't figure this out, then I can't pass them on to others who don't even know what they're missing!! An example of a GOOD system is MacPattern for searching PROSITE, great documentation. Just get from a server and paste the files together, binhex, unstuff, print the manual, read the intro and it's up and running! OK apologies for going on so long, Chris Upton usercu11@mts.ucs.ualberta.ca