What are your thought on using GCG with no local databases? Do you
think it's feasible to rely upon browser- or email-based search
services for all non-blast searches? We've got Mac users with fast (T1)
'net access.
I see inconvenience in:
differing interfaces for different search forms
some types of searches may not exist via the web
keeping track of references/credits from different
search services for publication
reliability/availability of free services
accuracy and timely updates of remote data
extra steps required:
possibly manipulate sequences within gcg
ftp to Mac
search
save data to Mac disk
ftp
data to Unix system
possibly manual text editing
GCG's reformat command
The benefits are:
no cost in maintaining local data (disk space, personnel,
data subscriptions)
[possibly] more current data than local db (depending on the
update frequency for local vrs. remote)
Is there anything that I'm missing?
What do you think the chances are of the development of free or
fee-based web search services that can do all 13 non-blast searches
that GCG currently provides (or more) from a single interface?
I'd love to see GCG develop internet based search services, as well
integrated as blast (no web browser needed, queries and returned data
in GCG's "native" formats) to eliminate the need for local databases.
Do you see NCBI (or some other site) providing such services
(non-browser internet searching integrated with GCG)?
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Mark Bergman bergman at phri.nyu.edu
System and Network Administrator 212-578-0822
Public Health Research Institute Rm. 1074, 455 1st Ave, NY NY, 10016
