ACOUST@bnr.ca (Nahum Goldmann, N.) (11/16/89)
This is in response to the Nov. 14 request from Susan Libes. There is a body of materials on CAT (Computer-Aided Testing = data aquisition, analysis, and control). I would recommend: 1) Read "Personal Engineering & Instrumentation News" (PE&IN) magazine. Past issues include comparative evaluations. 2) Get Keithley catalog. Although biased towards its own products, it has an introduction on how to compare different SW packages. 3) February 1989 issue of PE&IN (pp. 69-71) lists all popular hardware boards and SW packages IN THE ORDER OF THEIR POPULARITY - highly recommended. 4) Electronic Design News (EDN), April 13, 1989, pp.142-150 article "IEEE-488 test and measurement software". 5) My own opinion: You need what is necessary to satisfy YOUR needs. Three packages which you listed may or may not be sufficient or expandable in the future. The most powerful SW package on the market is ASYST (same company as ASYSTANT). Unfortunately, it is written as Forth, which creates difficulties even for experienced programmers. A starter should discuss his/her requirements with somebody who already implemented a similar system. So, I'd advise you first to solicit information on whether somebody already implemented something similar, and to look in the literature. Marine Science - is it biology, acoustics, or what are YOU trying to do? The configuration, price, time invested, and amount of your tears (there will be tears) depends on what you need/may need, and not just on what is available on the market. Even the choice of hardware is not as obvious. IEEE-488 is an old hat already. If doing something speedy (e.g., marine mammals speech) you may need to select VXI (i.e., IEEE488-2) bus. Correspondingly there will be implications for both SW and cost. 6) Looks like you need to do some online searching in various scientific publications. The description of online sources/methods are in my book: ONLINE RESEARCH AND RETRIEVAL WITH MICROCOMPUTERS, by Nahum Goldmann This book (TAB Professional and Reference Books, ISBN 0-8306-1947-X, tel. 1-800-233-1128) is the first on computerized information retrieval specifically addressed to the end-user. The book describes what kind of information is available online, how to search for it, and how to use it to your advantage. The book outlines the SUBJECT EXPERT SEARCHING TECHNIQUE - a new methodology for online information gathering. This efficient research method is especially tailored for the end-users of information who are working in rapidly developing scientific areas. It has been successfully used by several R&D organizations. With this technique, occasional users such as scientists and students can now master the use of online databases for themselves. Greetings Nahum Goldmann <acoust@bnr.CA> Tel. (613)763-2329