I support this view. "Programmatically" means allowing outside users developing their own software interfacing with your database/website via an API.
Although NCBI has a fairly well developed website, there is a lot I can't do from a GUI because of the amount of data we work with. It easier for us to use NCBI's API (E-utilities) to access their live database and extract information in a way we need. Anyone who works with lots of data will know a GUI interface will never be sufficient. Its much easier to accomplish the work with a script or program. Mike Marchywka wrote: >> our database as it will be some time before we have a sizable pool of >> users, letalone developers. > > And what kind of interface will your few developers use? I guess my point is > that if you have > a compelling data set, developers will come out of the wood work to support > it. > >> Also, I might not be clear on what you mean by "programmatically," but >> I think it is a bit short-sighted to limit the scope of web-based >> interfaces to only casual queries. > > I'm not advocating intentional limitations, just expressing the problem with > a GUI. You > end up guessing how a user wants to work ( or you are omniscient). For > examples > or introductory material that is great and even important for proof of > concept if > nothing else. To let motivated users exploit the full capabilities of most > data sources, > however, you need to let them ( or their machines ) interact with existing > tools. > > Further, if you define a machine usable interface (API) you better document > your features > without having to worry about modal dialogs and button colors. > > > > Mike Marchywka > 586 Saint James Walk > Marietta GA 30067-7165 > 404-788-1216 (C)<- leave message > 989-348-4796 (P)<- emergency only > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Note: If I am asking for free stuff, I normally use for hobby/non-profit > information but may use in investment forums, public and private. > Please indicate any concerns if applicable. > Note: Hotmail is possibly blocking my mom's entire > ISP - try me on [EMAIL PROTECTED] if no reply > here. Thanks. > > >> Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:23:30 -0700 >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: [BiO BB] Advanced web query interfaces for biological databases >> >> Thanks for your suggestion, Mike. As a developer I also value the >> concept of an open and freely available API, and I wish that more >> sites would provide these, but I am not sure it is yet appropriate for >> our database as it will be some time before we have a sizable pool of >> users, letalone developers. >> >> Also, I might not be clear on what you mean by "programmatically," but >> I think it is a bit short-sighted to limit the scope of web-based >> interfaces to only casual queries. I am not usually a supporter of the >> term "Web 2.0" because I think it has lately signified little more >> than colorful buttons, but I do believe more and more tasks can be >> accomplished from within the browser. I believe energy should be put >> into moving more advanced tasks online because it removes learning >> curves and hardware restrictions, thereby increasing your base of >> users. >> >> I think it is not easy to develop an intuitive web-based UI that is >> not fairly restrictive, but that does not mean it should not be >> pursued. >> >> Keith >> > _________________________________________________________________ > Going green? See the top 12 foods to eat organic. > http://green.msn.com/galleries/photos/photos.aspx?gid=164&ocid=T003MSN51N1653A > _______________________________________________ > BBB mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.bioinformatics.org/mailman/listinfo/bbb > > _______________________________________________ BBB mailing list [email protected] http://www.bioinformatics.org/mailman/listinfo/bbb
