Re: [ccp4bb]: Choice of OS platform for (bio)crystallographic computing

[Knut Langsetmo]

I have to say I have been very happy with OSX, and I have been able (even  with very limited computer skills..) to install most crystallographic  programs with little difficulty. made even easier through the work of scott, and now thanks to delano, stereo is available, and thanks to gohara, the old sgi dial boxes can get new life on the mac.   In comparison to Windows the system maintenance is much  easier and less time consuming (at least for a non-professional like me),  the only thing windows has going for it is that it is ubiquitous. and the only 'general purpose' software that I have not been able to find  for OSX is a multiple sequence alignment GUI; jemboss/emboss is available for free, as is ape (my own personal favorite dna software).  for lots of money you can get accelrys macvector. the other option i haven't heard mentioned is solaris.  solaris now runs on pc hardware, providing another professional unix alternative.  on 64 bit amd opteron hardware, you can get screaming performance for little money. still, i think the mac is the best bet. --knut