Icons Simplify Programming Of Data-Acquisition Software

Using a personal computer to control laboratory instruments and automate data collection is like many things in life-- there are trade-offs. On the positive side, computerized data acquisition is usually more accurate, more consistent, and less consuming of technicians' time than are manual methods. On the other hand, someone has to set up the system. In the past, this often meant hiring a person with computer experience--a trade-off too costly for many labs. Vendors of data-acquisition softw

| 7 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
7:00
Share

On the positive side, computerized data acquisition is usually more accurate, more consistent, and less consuming of technicians' time than are manual methods. On the other hand, someone has to set up the system. In the past, this often meant hiring a person with computer experience--a trade-off too costly for many labs.

Vendors of data-acquisition software understand that most scientists are not computer programmers. Since the late 1980s, following the lead of Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Computer Inc.'s user-friendly Macintosh, these software developers have used computer graphics to simplify instrument control and data acquisition. Setting up an automated data-acquisition system--in applications ranging from basic research to quality control--is no longer a job for computer experts only.

Data Translation Inc. 100 Locke Dr. Marlboro, Mass. 01752-1192 (508) 481-3700 Fax: (508) 481-8620 DOS: Global Lab $995 (add-~on packages for Global~ Lab-- Statpack $695;~ Graphpack $595)~ Data-acquisition hardware~ also available. Keithley ASYST Software Technologies ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to digital editions of The Scientist, as well as TS Digest, feature stories, more than 35 years of archives, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

  • Caren Potter

    This person does not yet have a bio.

Published In

Share
3D illustration of a gold lipid nanoparticle with pink nucleic acid inside of it. Purple and teal spikes stick out from the lipid bilayer representing polyethylene glycol.
February 2025, Issue 1

A Nanoparticle Delivery System for Gene Therapy

A reimagined lipid vehicle for nucleic acids could overcome the limitations of current vectors.

View this Issue
Enhancing Therapeutic Antibody Discovery with Cross-Platform Workflows

Enhancing Therapeutic Antibody Discovery with Cross-Platform Workflows

sartorius logo
Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Lonza
An illustration of animal and tree silhouettes.

From Water Bears to Grizzly Bears: Unusual Animal Models

Taconic Biosciences
Sex Differences in Neurological Research

Sex Differences in Neurological Research

bit.bio logo

Products

Photo of a researcher overseeing large scale production processes in a laboratory.

Scaling Lentiviral Vector Manufacturing for Optimal Productivity

Thermo Fisher Logo
Collage-style urban graphic of wastewater surveillance and treatment

Putting Pathogens to the Test with Wastewater Surveillance

An illustration of an mRNA molecule in front of a multicolored background.

Generating High-Quality mRNA for In Vivo Delivery with lipid nanoparticles

Thermo Fisher Logo
Tecan Logo

Tecan introduces Veya: bringing digital, scalable automation to labs worldwide