- Email: [email protected]
Computer applications in the laboratory
Journal
of Chromatography,
Elsevier
Science Publishers
CHROM.
Journal
270 (1983) 407408
B.V., Amsterdam
-
Printed
in The Netherlands
16,265
Review
Computer applications in the laboratory, edited by D. W. Grant, R. E. Kaiser and A.
J. Rackstraw, Vol. 1, No. 1, Hiithig, Heidelberg, 1983, 72 pp., subscription rate 1983 (four issues) US$ 35.00 + postage and handling, ISSN 0724-0031. A question being asked in countless laboratories throughout the world is no longer shall we buy a microcomputer, but rather which one shall we buy. Faced with a barrage of sales literature from a multitude of companies, the scientist may well find himself lost in an esoteric world of jargon, not only for the selection of a microcomputer, but also later on for the interfacing with analytical equipment and programming for routine use. Clearly there is a need for a topical source of literature which bridges the gap between scientist and computer, and this is what the new journal Computer Applications in the Laboratory (CAL) has set out to achieve. If the high standard of the first issue of this new venture can be maintained, CAL is certainly going to attract a wide readership and the editors are to be congratulated on producing an interesting, stimulating and above all comprehensible volume directly relevant to the scientists’ immediate needs. Coverage is broad: it ranges from equipment interfacing and programming to the use of microcomputers in the teaching laboratory, for literature searches and word processing. Other sections include original scientific papers, short communications, and product news so there really is something for everyone regardless of whether he is embarking on the purchase of a microcomputer or already has one operating in the laboratory. One can envisage that in the future CAL will provide a lively forum for the exchange of ideas in this rapidly developing field. In common with all other multi-authored journals of this kind, the level and style of the articles vary and they are liberally interspersed with advertisements so that “magazine” would perhaps be a more appropriate designation However, once one has adapted to the distinctive layout, much of value can be found. I particularly enjoyed reading “Hardware Requirements” by Bogdan and Warme, and I eagerly await the promised continuation of this series. Starting with definitions (conspicuously absent elsewhere in the journal) of computer terminology and common abbreviations, the authors clearly explain the fundamental concepts and then go on to make recommendations in the selection of hardware components. Equally impressive is the contribution of Heist, Saltsburg and Olsen on the use of microcomputers in the chemical engineering teaching laboratory, only one is left wondering how we can continue to run a practical course without such equipment. Whereas the main articles tend to be of a general nature, the original scientific papers, occupying about one third of the journal, are highly specialized and describe in detail the equipment and programs necessary for the application of microcomputers to specific analytical problems in the laboratory. Of interest to the chromatographer are papers on simulated distillation by gas chromatography, quantitation
408
JOURNAL
REVIEW
of thin-layer plates, and several others on computer processing of raw chromatographic data. In summary, here is an excellent new journal which certainly fulfils a need and amply rewards one for the time spent reading it. For the modest price of a subscription, much valuable information can be obtained which may prevent expensive mistakes being made in the purchase and use of microcomputers in the laboratory. One can only hope that subsequent issues will justify this initial enthusiasm. Bern iSwitzerland)
J. R. GREEN
of Chromatography,
Elsevier
Science Publishers
CHROM.
Journal
270 (1983) 407408
B.V., Amsterdam
-
Printed
in The Netherlands
16,265
Review
Computer applications in the laboratory, edited by D. W. Grant, R. E. Kaiser and A.
J. Rackstraw, Vol. 1, No. 1, Hiithig, Heidelberg, 1983, 72 pp., subscription rate 1983 (four issues) US$ 35.00 + postage and handling, ISSN 0724-0031. A question being asked in countless laboratories throughout the world is no longer shall we buy a microcomputer, but rather which one shall we buy. Faced with a barrage of sales literature from a multitude of companies, the scientist may well find himself lost in an esoteric world of jargon, not only for the selection of a microcomputer, but also later on for the interfacing with analytical equipment and programming for routine use. Clearly there is a need for a topical source of literature which bridges the gap between scientist and computer, and this is what the new journal Computer Applications in the Laboratory (CAL) has set out to achieve. If the high standard of the first issue of this new venture can be maintained, CAL is certainly going to attract a wide readership and the editors are to be congratulated on producing an interesting, stimulating and above all comprehensible volume directly relevant to the scientists’ immediate needs. Coverage is broad: it ranges from equipment interfacing and programming to the use of microcomputers in the teaching laboratory, for literature searches and word processing. Other sections include original scientific papers, short communications, and product news so there really is something for everyone regardless of whether he is embarking on the purchase of a microcomputer or already has one operating in the laboratory. One can envisage that in the future CAL will provide a lively forum for the exchange of ideas in this rapidly developing field. In common with all other multi-authored journals of this kind, the level and style of the articles vary and they are liberally interspersed with advertisements so that “magazine” would perhaps be a more appropriate designation However, once one has adapted to the distinctive layout, much of value can be found. I particularly enjoyed reading “Hardware Requirements” by Bogdan and Warme, and I eagerly await the promised continuation of this series. Starting with definitions (conspicuously absent elsewhere in the journal) of computer terminology and common abbreviations, the authors clearly explain the fundamental concepts and then go on to make recommendations in the selection of hardware components. Equally impressive is the contribution of Heist, Saltsburg and Olsen on the use of microcomputers in the chemical engineering teaching laboratory, only one is left wondering how we can continue to run a practical course without such equipment. Whereas the main articles tend to be of a general nature, the original scientific papers, occupying about one third of the journal, are highly specialized and describe in detail the equipment and programs necessary for the application of microcomputers to specific analytical problems in the laboratory. Of interest to the chromatographer are papers on simulated distillation by gas chromatography, quantitation
408
JOURNAL
REVIEW
of thin-layer plates, and several others on computer processing of raw chromatographic data. In summary, here is an excellent new journal which certainly fulfils a need and amply rewards one for the time spent reading it. For the modest price of a subscription, much valuable information can be obtained which may prevent expensive mistakes being made in the purchase and use of microcomputers in the laboratory. One can only hope that subsequent issues will justify this initial enthusiasm. Bern iSwitzerland)
J. R. GREEN