Chapter 2: Elementary requirements and usage

[ Previous chapter ][ This chapter ][ Next chapter ] The BioCompanion assumes that you work in an open environment, including access to the Internet as well as to a local network to a more centralised facility provided in-house or in a reasonable (network) distance.

If you do not have access to the internet, only a few items will not apply. Most of the work is achieved locally, and executed on loal equipment. Special hints on security are inserted whereever appropriate to make you aware of the problems in internationally accessible environments.

To work in a sophisticated manner, you should have

• EITHER a PC or Macintosh computer with mouse, keyboard, screen (17 inch recommended), 16 MB RAM (needed for X-Windows) and a reasonably large hard disk (at least 300 MB)

• OR an X-Windows terminal with a monitor of at least 17 inch

• ALWAYS a network connection to the in-house network

NOTE: In the past, connections to central facilities using terminals were widely used. This method of access is no longer recommended as it usually excludes the use of graphics. Many programs still utilise text modus and are supported as well, but the access via personal computers or even workstations should be favoured. Personal computers are, depending on age and equipment, hybrids of terminals and workstations.

If you work on a computer that is maintained as a central facility, you share this computer with others. The data of your colleagues are also stored on the same machine. At large sites, a computer can have hundreds of users. Therefore, these computers run a multi-user operating system . To access such a system, you must have the following prerequisites:

• account name

• password (your secret authentication)

• name of computer and knowledge how to access it

Ask your nearest computer knowledgeable person for details about where to get this information.

Prices

Many computing services in academia are offered for free or negotiable cost. In commercial environments, and some institutions in academia, subscription fees will need to be paid in order to access resources. You should not be afraid of these costs, as the expected benefit is much larger than the cost.

Hardware (like PCs, terminals, and local printers) and software (like word processors and terminal emulators ) residing on your desk usually have to be purchased by you or your department. If the network connection is unsatisfactory (e.g., too slow, wrong plugs, etc.), 'better' links are unlikely to be installed readily. Try the existing ones first before complaining. If you cannot get an account on a system where molecular biology and other software is installed, you are in a less favourable position, because you will have to organise everything yourself.

At some places, you may use either the campus-maintained systems or the workstations run at the individual departments. The functionality of both types of systems is often equivalent. You might need to find out where the next specialist is on hand to get you information where to access the molecular biology packages on a suitable host. In Europe, you can try to approach your nearest EMBnet node for information.