Free molecular biological software available from the EMBL file server

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Scientific Computing

Background:

• Access to specialized molecular biology software can be challenging for researchers.
• Efficient distribution of scientific software is crucial for advancing research.
• The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) has developed a new service to address these needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the EMBL Software File Server, a new service for distributing molecular biology software.
• To detail the accessibility and delivery mechanisms of the software.
• To highlight the benefits for both software users and authors.

Main Methods:

• The EMBL Software File Server provides free access to molecular biology software.
• Software is delivered electronically via email.
• Conversion mechanisms transform binary files to ASCII for seamless mail transfer.
• Supported operating systems include MS-DOS, Apple Macintosh, and VAX/VMX.

Main Results:

• Molecular biology software is now freely available to a wider audience with network access.
• The service facilitates convenient software distribution for authors.
• Cross-platform compatibility is addressed through file conversion methods.

Conclusions:

• The EMBL Software File Server enhances the accessibility of essential molecular biology tools.
• This initiative streamlines software dissemination within the scientific community.
• It supports researchers by providing readily available and easily transferable software solutions.