Overview

KaleidaGraph is a data-analysis and graphing application for the Macintosh and Windows platforms. Version 3.5 is a comprehensive upgrade with new features that include the ability to handle up to 160 open data windows, each containing up to 10³ columns and 10⁶ rows. The program also features improved import and export format capability, more plot types, interface enhancements, and statistics. The manual is well organized and introduces the new user to the essentials of KaleidaGraph in logical order. Like most graphing applications, the user enters data into a spreadsheet first (data window) and then generates a graph (plot window). The program is modestly priced, and is an excellent option for the biology lab.

How Long Did It Take to Learn to Use It Productively?

The Windows 2000 version installed from the CD in less than a minute without my having to reboot. I downloaded the Macintosh version and also installed it from a demo CD. In each case, installation was uneventful.

I generated my first plot five minutes after installing. Learning how to make use of KaleidaGraph's many features involved glancing through the manual for a total of two hours. To be able to work confidently with KaleidaGraph took about four to five hours, overall. I suspect that my plots would have looked far more elegant and taken less time to generate if I'd actually worked my way through all of the well-written manual.

Since I do have some experience testing software, which makes it easy for me to decide what the next step is, I requested the assistance of two colleagues who had no previous experience with KaleidaGraph, although they were both familiar with at least one similar graphing program. Neither reported any problem starting up the application and generating an exponential curve from a ten-point data set I handed out. Curve fitting was similarly facile.

One is left with the impression that logic and common sense prevailed during the design of this application. Consequently, KaleidaGraph is quite easy to use. During the time that I used it, I experienced no system crashes or long hang times.

Product Quality

Customizability

KaleidaGraph is very customizable. Users with repetitive tasks can store style preferences and write scripts or macros. A handful of useful macros that perform tasks such as curve smoothing are also provided with the program. Macros are written in "reverse Polish notation" (RPN) and more information on writing macros is in the Macro Calculator chapter of the manual, from the fourth edition manual or in the Macro Calculator.pdf file that gets installed with version 3.5.

Ability to Program in Scripts, Add Extension Modules, etc.

In addition to macros (see above), formula scripts that automate operations such as opening and closing windows, sending files to printers, etc. can also be written.

Ability to Import and Export in Different File Formats

Users of KaleidaGraph are able to import three types of data files: Kaleidagraph's binary data format, text, and Excel. Delimiters are specified by the user when opening text files. In the case of graphic files, PICT, EPSF and Metafile can be imported into the active window. Data can be exported from KaleidaGraph as binary or tab-delimited text. Graphic files can be saved as plots with or without data in KaleidaGraph format, or saved as PICT, PostScript PICT (Macintosh only), or Metafile (Windows only).

Useful or Unusual Features

One feature that I found especially useful is the "posted note." In the context of the data window, this feature allows information about the data window to be entered and stored. The formula entry posted note pulls up an internal text editor that can be used to enter, open, or save formulas and formula scripts. Another useful feature is that one is able to extract data from a plot that was saved in Kaleidagraph's plot-without-data option.

Limitations

Unfortunately, KaleidaGraph does not generate 3-D plots. No other obvious limitation comes to mind when considering what I consider to be average requirements for a scientist in the biological sciences. It would also be useful if Synergy considered adding a utility that would permit data transfer from a Palm Pilot, since the use of such devices to collect primary data seems to be fairly common these days. A very minor objection is that the data window is ugly. The same critique does not apply to plots since they are customizable.

Comparisons with Similar Software

The comparison set includes Microsoft Excel, Cricket Graph, DeltaGraph, SigmaPlot, GnuPlot, and Origin. This set, not necessarily listed in any order, contains graphing applications that range from essentially worthless to exceptionally powerful. KaleidaGraph occupies a comfortable position near the top. The enhancements to this version, such as the ability to process a thousand columns and a million rows in a single data window might not seem eminently useful to all, but I was informed by Synergy that this feature had been much requested.

Technical Support and Documentation

The manual is very well written and contains almost everything you need to know. I had no reason to call technical support, which is available via email and telephone.