Test Platform

G3 Power Macintosh with 160 Mb RAM running Mac OS 8.1

Overview

StrainMan is an exceptionally well-designed bacterial strain database and management program for the Windows 95, Windows NT, and Macintosh platforms. StrainMan includes eight predefined databases that contain information commonly used by researchers working with such strains, making it easy to enter new data quickly and accurately. This feature gives StrainMan a distinct advantage for biologists compared to commonly used generalist database programs such as Filemaker Pro or Microsoft Access. Although StrainMan is designed for managing individual laboratory strains, it is powerful enough to manage extensive public strain collections such as those maintained by the American Type Culture Collection. Researchers can also use the program's built-in Web security and publishing features to share specific information with colleagues or general strain information with anyone who has Web access. Designed to be extremely user-friendly and intuitive, StrainMan is perfect for any researcher who needs to maintain detailed records of strains.

StrainMan version 1.0. has been designed to allow users to create and maintain a comprehensive bacterial strain database with ease. Some of its basic features are the ability to enter strain data quickly and accurately, to search and sort strain records based on any field, and to publish strain databases easily and securely on the Web.

Creating a New Database and Entering Data

Creating a bacterial strain database with StrainMan is simple. When the program is first opened, a strain database template and sample entry are displayed (figure 1) It is also possible to create new strain databases by holding down the Option key (Macintosh) or Alt key (Windows) when launching StrainMan. This allows one to choose a specific database file or create a new blank database (figure 2). Within a database, each entry is called a record, and each record contains a number of data fields. As with any database application, it is essential that entries be made in a standard way and that spelling errors be minimized in order for the searching and sorting routines to perform accurately. StrainMan increases the accuracy of data entry by providing eight predefined, linked relational databases of some of the most commonly entered information, such as the bacterial genus and species names, antibiotic names, transposon insertions, species-specific bacteriophages, chemicals commonly used to prepare media, plasmids, and information on biotech companies. These databases are extremely comprehensive in their coverage of each topic.

It takes less than an hour to learn how to create new strain entries or records, enter relevant information, and customize the database to meet individual needs. A brief tutorial is included for those not familiar with basic database features.

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Shortcut icons for the most frequently used functions - such as creating new entries, editing, adding, deleting, filtering a sort, or accessing the manual for help - are included on each page for easy access.

To initiate strain entry, create a new record by clicking the sunshine icon (figure 1). At this point one can choose how to identify and enter strains (figure 3). To enter the genus and species, linked databases for each are immediately displayed when entering each field (figure 4). StrainMan can handle data files of up to 128 Gb, which allows generation of about 32 million strain records.

Searching and Sorting

Once a strain database is set up, it is important to be able to locate individual strain records quickly and easily. The search option in StrainMan allows the user to find individual strains by using either very specific or more general information as delineated in the find window (figure 5). Using comparison operators (Boolean logic), StrainMan provides up to five levels of comparisons to database fields (figure 6).

Web Publishing and Security

An added feature of StrainMan is the ability to share information with colleagues by publishing a lab strain database on the Web. StrainMan was designed to allow secure usage of Web-published databases (figure 7). The database administrator may set up specific user access by assigning individual user passwords; then, in order for colleagues to use the database online, they will be required to log in to the database (figure 8).

Manual, Tutorial, and Online Assistance

The manual exists as an HTML-formatted document viewable with a Web browser. It includes examples of program windows to assist users in navigating the software. The manual is helpful and well written, but in many instances more information is needed. This is especially true for more advanced topics such as importing and exporting data from other database or spreadsheet programs, as well as searching and sorting strategies and Web publication. The addition of a troubleshooting section addressing common problems would also be beneficial.

A tutorial allows new users to become familiar with the Strainman's basic features. Caesar Software, the manufacturer, also encourages customers to use their online forum and technical support pages. Feedback and suggestions about improvements or changes for future versions of StrainMan are also welcome. Support for Caesar Software's products is available to registered users through their Web site or via email. Additionally, one may contact other users of StrainMan in The Forum, an online discussion group hosted at the Web site, or read the StrainMan FAQ. The Web site also includes a list of currently known problems, accessible via the Support link.

Limitations

Despite StrainMan's data import features, successfully importing data from other databases is not easy. One problem is that any field linked to the other databases in StrainMan is not available for data import. Although it is still possible to import this information into text fields, the database will require substantial manual editing to incorporate all the information into the correct fields. On the other hand, StrainMan can import data from the tab-delimited text files created by many spreadsheet and database programs as long as specific rules are satisfied - for example, no carriage returns can be present in the files. Importing and exporting of data from other StrainMan files is accomplished seamlessly, and maintains the hierarchical information structure.

StrainMan 1.0.4 for the Macintosh is incredibly easy to use for bacterial strain management. It allows users to customize existing fields and provides eight predefined, comprehensive, linked databases for commonly entered information to help standardize data entry. The predefined information found in these databases is extensive, and the coverage of information pertinent to even less commonly studied bacterial strains is impressive. The more advanced functions of the program, such as importing and exporting and Web publication, are not as well described in the manual and may require additional assistance from the manufacturer. This limitation aside, the program is well worth the investment for anyone who spends substantial effort documenting lab strain information.

StrainMan requires a computer running Windows 95, Windows NT, or Mac OS 7.x or 8.x; 10 Mb of free hard disk space for installation; and a hardware key supplied by the company to run the software.

StrainMan is available from Caesar Software, LLC for $495 ($395 with academic discount). Caesar Software can be reached by mail at P.O. Box 4394, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, by phone at (603) 436-6445, by fax at (603) 436-7984, or by email. StrainMan may be purchased online using the order form found on the Web site, by phone, by FAX, or by sending one's name, address, phone, email address, and either a check or a credit card number to their address listed above. Orders are shipped by Federal Express within 24 hours of order receipt. A free trial version of the program is also available online; it is "fully functional," except that users may enter only a maximum of ten strains into the StrainMan database. The hardware key, which is received with the license, eliminates this limitation. Contact the Caesar Software sales department for information regarding site licenses.