Begin forwarded message:
> From: Otis Rothenberger <osrot...@chemagic.com> > Subject: Re: [Jmol-users] "Jmol" for iPads? > Date: 29 March 2012 15:44:43 GMT+01:00 > To: <jmol-users@lists.sourceforge.net> > Reply-To: <jmol-users@lists.sourceforge.net> > > I'm saddened by the fact that for the foreseeable future this is dragging us > back to the "see the pretty molecule spin" age. In the cases where this is > useful (pretty molecules spinning), I agree with Jonathan that there are > textbook like presentation options. I would add to Jonathan's suggestions a > reminder that Jmol to Collada is now pretty easy via AccuTrans 3D. There is > even a batch translation process which works at lightning speed. The Collada > files open directly in Mac's Preview in manipulatable form. They also import > into iBook Author producing a manipulatable model for iPad. > > This use of AccuTrans 3D is MUCH better than the more convoluted approach I > posted previously. Where I think this is NOT going is the basis of Jmol, the underlying data. Its the data that is precious, not the pretty spining molecule, which only implies the presence of such data. Where Jmol almost totally wins out at the moment is the ability for the viewer to access/transform that data if they wish into functional, reusable form. If all there was is a pretty spinning molecule (which is where the text books might be heading) and no life after the spinning, then it would all be a great waste. Where I have not got my head around yet is that with signed Java applets, one can spring out of the sandbox, and re-use the data contents in what ever way one wants. In the Javascript/JSON model, it seems to be rather more difficult to get at that data (and only in ways the author allows) in a readily reusable form. I suspect few if any of the pretty text books will enable any of that aspect, and that would indeed be one step forward, but two back. They just want the user to be a couch potato. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This SF email is sponsosred by: Try Windows Azure free for 90 days Click Here http://p.sf.net/sfu/sfd2d-msazure _______________________________________________ Jmol-users mailing list Jmol-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/jmol-users
