Linux Software - (Jun/28/2012 )

Hello everybody!

I programming some Biotools (Blasting, Ligation, Alignments, RNAi off-target, PCR etc.) in my free-time, mostly for Windows.

I have a question whether there is any interest for Linux users (esp. Ubuntu) to use such tools. The Ubuntu software center has a lack of scientific tools but before I start to port my programs, I would like to know whether there is an interest from the user site.

So how many of you have access/use Ubuntu for work?

Thanks for any comment!
Stefanie

Not a lot of people use linux.
I guess as long as only a minority of people use linux, there will not be a lot of demand for such programs.

But arent some of those programs allready avaible for linux? BLAST for example is avaible for linux.

Yes, that's the point.
On the other hand people which develop Linux OS such as Ubuntu always complain about so less softwares in science which make Ubuntu uncomely for scientist.

Let see how many people reply here.

Thanks for your feedback!

I do use Linux but only for our databases and web hosting. Analysis is almost entirely Windows. I like Linux alot more than Windows but there just isn't much off the shelf science software available.

Population genetics people like to use Macs and some software was only available for this OS....so an alternative would be nice windows or linux, I don't care that much...just don't want to buy a Mac just to use a special software....

there are several options in linux such as https://www.scientificlinux.org/ or biolinux, which is based also on ubuntu http://nebc.nerc.ac.uk/

i prefer linux but i must admit that ms office looks better than libreoffice, at least now that i'm working on corrections for my thesis...

toejam on Wed Jul 4 18:00:36 2012 said:

LaTex FTW

bob1 on Thu Jul 5 01:42:00 2012 said:

I was thinking the same thing.
However I must admit: I use word myself. Never took the time to lear latex and I wonder whether it really is that much better?
I have seen papers/PhD thesis etc in latex that didnt look better (at all) then those written in word.
It seems that Latex is only better if you need to use a lot of (chemical) formulas

pito on Thu Jul 5 07:11:35 2012 said:

I'm using latex for a lot of writing now, and I quite like it. I find the way image and table placement works really nice, as well as the referencing (papers and table of contents sort of stuff) excellent. i also like the way I can do a draft that just puts a box where the image will be and allows me to do the final sorting out of layout and content without slowing down the file by including the images each time.

bob1 on Sat Jul 7 18:53:00 2012 said:

I see what you mean.
But was it easy to learn? The reason I do not really use it, is because I just cant seem to find time or "courage" to start with it.. it seems difficult to start with and also: isnt it something you need to keep using in order to stay fast and good?