I have no problem calculating maps with my 64-bit version of coot.  I posted
on the cootbb how I was able to compile coot on CentOS 5.2 since I couldn't
get the autobuild script to work for me.  Also I couldn't get the gtk2
version to compile (but it may now) so I compiled a gtk1 version.  I was
able to test the build with coot_test and the appropriate test files.

As for my two cents for crystallographic computing... 
1) Linux flavor:
We use CentOS since I administer the Linux boxes here and I was most
familiar with RedHat. Sense CentOS is just free RedHat Enterprise it was an
easy choice.  I did try Debian but I found that I was spending more time
learning how to do things that I already knew with RedHat.  I've had almost
no problems compiling or installing most software packages with CentOS
64-bit.
2) Graphics Cards:
I like the Nvidia cards since they provide linux drivers.  ATI also does
now.  I would say the only thing I don't like about them is when you do a
kernel update you have to remake the driver.
3) Displays:
We have dual displays on our graphics workstations, 1 CRT and 1 LCD.  The
CRT is for stereo and the LCD is for more workspace.  I highly recommend the
two monitor setup regardless if you are using stereo or not... it's nice to
have space for all the windows that pop up.  I had to give up my dual
monitor setup on my desk for a 24" wide screen LCD and it's just not the
same.
4) Processors:
Our newest computer is a Core2 Duo and it's definitely fast.  I would get
the best multiple-core processor you can afford and maybe go a little slower
to save money so it's not completely cutting edge.

====================================================
James M. Vergis, Ph.D.
University of Virginia Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics
MKWEINR 360A Snyder Building
480 Ray C. Hunt Drive
PO Box  800886
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0886
phone: 434-243-2730   FAX: 434-243-8271
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
====================================================

-----Original Message-----
From: CCP4 bulletin board [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kevin
Cowtan
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 5:21 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Crystallographic computing platform recommendations?

And I would give exactly the opposite advice, unless you are or have a 
guru who can devote time to fixing all the little things which still 
don't work under 64 bit OSs.

(Does anyone else have any clues on why 64-bit compiled coot can't 
calculate a map? I need to look into it, but have a huge backlog of work 
at the moment.)

Kay Diederichs wrote:
> Dear Anna,
> 
> you didn't ask about that, but I would definitely recommend a 64bit 
> operating system.
> 
> My specific recommendations are mostly in the articles 
> "Computer_hardware" and "CentOS", to be found under the more general 
> topic "Xtal_computing" of the CCP4 wiki 
>
(<http://strucbio.biologie.uni-konstanz.de/ccp4wiki/index.php/Xtal_computing
>) 
> 
> 
> HTH,
> 
> Kay
> 
> Anna S Gardberg schrieb:
>> Dear list,
>> I haven't seen the "crystallographic computing platform" thread come 
>> up for a while, and I've got a chance to upgrade my desktop to a 
>> workstation, so I thought I'd ask the CCP4BB for advice on:
>>
>> 1. Mac vs. Linux (which flavor?) vs. Windows
>> 2. Graphics cards
>> 3. Displays
>> 4. Processors - multiple processors, multiple cores? Speed?
>>
>> About half of what I do involves ~1.0 A X-ray structures - data 
>> processing, rebuilding in Coot, refinement, and so forth - so my 
>> current desktop (Optiplex GX745, Radeon X1300) machine drags on 
>> graphics sometimes. I don't seem to need stereo these days, for what 
>> it's worth.
>>
>> Anybody have suggestions or specs they'd like to share? Thanks in 
>> anticipation of your advice.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Anna Gardberg
> 
> 

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