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Open software for biologists: from famine to feast

Nature Biotechnology volume 24, pages 801–803 (2006)Cite this article

Developing and deploying specialized computing systems for specific research communities is achievable, cost effective and has wide-ranging benefits.

Every research scientist who depends daily on computers to store, manipulate and analyze data wants to arrive at work to a smoothly working computer system. Anything less than an up-to-date, complete and bug-free system can steal precious time away from research. Equally, the top priority of dedicated computing support services is to provide such systems.

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Acknowledgements

NEBC is supported by the NERC EG and PG&P science programs. Special thanks to Pete Kille and Jason Snape for championing the Bio-Linux concept, the Steering Committees of both programs for chosing to supporting it, and all NEBC Bio-Linux users for feedback.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NERC Environmental Bioinformatics Centre,

    Dawn Field, Bela Tiwari, Tim Booth, Stewart Houten & Milo Thurston

  2. Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics Section, Oxford Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SR, UK

    Dawn Field, Bela Tiwari, Tim Booth, Stewart Houten & Milo Thurston

  3. Bioinformatics Support Unit, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, NE2 4HH, UK

    Dan Swan

  4. CEH Computing Services, Oxford Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SR

    Nicolas Bertrand

Authors
  1. Dawn Field
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  2. Bela Tiwari
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  3. Tim Booth
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  4. Stewart Houten
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  5. Dan Swan
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  6. Nicolas Bertrand
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  7. Milo Thurston
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Field, D., Tiwari, B., Booth, T. et al. Open software for biologists: from famine to feast. Nat Biotechnol 24, 801–803 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0706-801

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0706-801

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