Unfortunately I do not have an automatic DNA sequencer, and I quit the Mac
world a long time ago, but one idea getting around the Adobe Acrobat and,
maybe, to batch process your Mac data, could be to open those PS
(postscript) files on a PC with Corel Draw 8. The latter can import and
process PS and PDF files, and is much better known in various labs, at least
here in Montreal, than the "true" Adobe Acrobat (in contrast to the
ubiquitous but sterile free Acrobat Reader). Of course, the advantage of
the Acrobat is that its academic version costs only CAN$40.00 (which is
US$28) and it is a cross-platform application (Win-Mac-UNIX). The
disadvantage is that adding text or graphics (such as arrows etc.) to those
PDF files, or editing them via the Acrobat is either a pain in the neck
(text) or outright impossible (graphics). With Corel Draw, adding text and
graphics is much less complicated, editing is easy, and the PDF format is
conserved.
Only recent versions of Corel Draw, 8 or 9, will do a reliable job on PDF
and PS files.
victor@alphadna.com
www.alphadna.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard T. Pon <rtpon@ucalgary.ca>
To: Recipients of ABRF List <abrf@aecom.yu.edu>
Cc: Recipients of ABRF List <abrf@aecom.yu.edu>
Date: June 10, 1999 8:00 PM
Subject: DNASeq and Acrobat
>
>Hi
> I think that one of the best ways for "transporting" the color traces
>is use of Adobe Acrobat pdf file format. This file can be opened and
>printed on any system using the free viewers (downloadable from
>www.adobe.com). You can also add annotations and comments and send the
>files around electronically.
> However, you will need to purchase the Acrobat software to create the
>pdf files. This is straightforward for single files, but we've been
>really frustrated trying to convert multiple files at a time. Does
>anyone have an Apple script or utility which will allow us to batch
>process multiple files and have the resulting pdf files correctly named?
>We want to stop making color printouts and distribute the data in pdf
>format instead.
>
>RLNiece@aol.com wrote:
>>
>> A colleague from Valdivostok for who I had done a considerable amount of
DNA
>> sequencing is returning to his home in a few weeks. His samples have
>> included a considerable fraction as heteroygotes so he would like to have
>> access to 4-color traces when he gets back. His would like to discover
if
>> there are any packages that would allow him to print the
electrophoretograms.
>> Constraints include money and the fact that he will not have access to a
>> Macintosh. The best computer he will have access is DOS/Windows of the
power
>> of an ordinary laptop computer. Does anyone have a solution that would
allow
>> him to at least display the tracings? Is there any hope of printing them
on
>> an IBM system?
>
>--
>Richard T. Pon, University of Calgary
>Professor, Adjunct, Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
>Director, University Core DNA Services
>Office: (403) 220-4225; Lab (403) 220-4277; Fax: (403) 283-4907
>E-mail: rtpon@ucalgary.ca; www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~DNALAB/index.html
>3350 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1
>
>Inquiries about service may also be directed to DNALAB@ucalgary.ca