Re: [Gmod-ajax] AJAX GBrowse poster feedback from RECOMB

[Hilmar L. <hl...@gm...>]

On May 2, 2007, at 9:47 AM, Suzanna Lewis wrote:

>> I think the biggest objection to Java (that I haven't seen anyone
>> mention in this thread yet) is that it's been tried.  Given your
>> list of
>> links, it looks like people have already implemented genome browsing
>> using Java Web Start, and still UCSC seems to be the browser everyone
>> uses.
>
> Yes, but I think that we also have to consider that it might just be
> the data. If you're looking for actual genomic data they've made it
> really easy for people to add their own. The data is the most
> comprehensive and up-to-date set available, with one-stop shopping.
> The browser is not the primary consideration here.

I'd second that, and would add ease of use (incl. speed and minimal  
system requirements on the client's end), and ease of adding one's  
own data, and downloading data.

Less obvious possibly but what's also great about the UCSC browser is  
that it's actually very easy to save the image and stick it into a  
PPT presentation. You may laugh about this, but the researchers I was  
working with were doing this all the time (and I was too when I  
worked on particular loci).

I'd also argue that in the future (and possibly already) most use of  
a genome browser will be made through aggregated content or mash-ups.  
That's one of the cool things about Google maps - it's easy to stick  
it into your own page while it remains interactive yet doesn't  
disturb or control the rest of the page.

Just my one cent ...

	-hilmar
-- 
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: Hilmar Lapp  -:-  Durham, NC  -:-  hlapp at gmx dot net :
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