- chemweb - imperial.ac.uk

word processing packages on unix system
by dychen＠cheyenne.bgsu.edu 12 Mar '97

12 Mar '97

hello everyone, sorry if this subject isn't so chemweb-related, i figure you are the most resourceful group, here it goes. our department would like to know your opinions on word processing softwares on unix system (we understand that mac and pc can do good jobs too). either free/share (latex) or licensed packages (framemaker). please forward your responses to me directly. many thanks!! chen ----- chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; unsubscribe chemweb List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk)

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Using an intelligent agent
by Jelle Smit 12 Mar '97

12 Mar '97

A few days ago i downloaded the intelligent agent Autonomy at http://www.agentware.com/download.htm; only use the US sites the UK site expires immediately! (the US software expires 60 days after you first install it). I find this agent very usefull. Simply type your query in the form of a sentence like: synthesis of fullerenes using metal catalysts and the search dog of Autonomy search for you on WWW, reads the documents and presents the most relevant ones. It is possible to train your search dog for an optimal result. Jelle Smit Library University of Technology Delft, The Netherlands ----- chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; unsubscribe chemweb List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk)

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Short Introduction to WWW - Publishing Chemistry (VRML, Chmie, J
by Rolf Claessen 12 Mar '97

12 Mar '97

At http://www.geocities.com7Tokyo/5243/pub_en.htm I wrote a short introduction to publishing chemistry using vrml, java, chime, .... with short code examples. Yours sincerely, Rolf Claessen University of Wuerzburg, Germany http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/5243 ************** Rolf Claessen 0931 - 701814 ************** http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/5243/index.html ----- chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; unsubscribe chemweb List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk)

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Re: Electronic conferences
by Janet Ash 08 Mar '97

08 Mar '97

Thank you to Henry Rzepa for the helpful comments on electronic conferences from an organisers point of view. I should still be interested to hear more views from people who have taken part in electronic conferences, either through making a presentation or just "attending". Janet Ash Chairman Chemical Structure Association ------------------------------------------- Janet Ash Herengracht 14E 1015 BK Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel/Fax: +31 20 6269610 e-mail: ash(a)euronet.nl or 100547.562(a)compuserve.com ------------------------------------------- ----- chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; unsubscribe chemweb List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk)

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Re: paperless submission of Student Cousework
by Bernard Blessington 07 Mar '97

07 Mar '97

On Thu, 6 Mar 1997 19:25:01 GMT "Jeffrey L. Nauss" <Jeffrey.Nauss(a)UC.Edu> wrote: > On Mar 6, 6:40pm, RICHARD SINGER wrote: > > Dr Nauss wrote regarding marking emailed UG work.... > I think this is an important point and coincides with with what I had > previously stated - "Students may have to learn the software. They probably > would need to become fairly adept at using it for attachments and such." > Teaching the proper use of the computers and software would probably have to > be a significant part of the course - at least for now. I agree,: word processing, spreadsheets, graphs, chemical structure-drawing,email(with MIME attachments), www and file managing(local and networked)are now basic techniques for chemistry. We teach them from day 1 and find some students need considerable help, others can nearly teach us!. > > the thought of 150 word processed first year experiment > > reports with bitmap graphics appearing on my hard drive is > > frightening! Fear not !! I teach 250-300 students(1st & Second Year UK University) in a single, totally electronic, class(Organic Chemistry and Molecules of Life), comprising mainly Pharmaceutical & Forensic Chemists/Pharmacists. The way I get round the above problem is to divide the class into sets(about 10 students per set). They work on specified exercises, mounted on a central server, and then circulate, using email with MIME attachments, within the set their individual answers. Each member saves his answer and those received from other set members on a floppy, then checks the answers of the other members of the set. The set then discuss their answers and circulate corrections amongst themselves. A specified time is given for both stages . After this time the set "leader" sends me a simple email list( cc to all his set members) of all who have contributed to the set discussion( and more importantly anyone who has not). I can also request copies of any set's work & discussion(email+ attachments). For the next exercise the set "leader" moves alphabetically down the set and the procedure is repeated. At the end of the series of exercises I ask each member of the set to assign and email me integer marks(-2 to +2) to others in the set which they feel reflects their contribution to the set's activities. The chemistry material in the exercises also forms the basis of a traditional short answer exam at the end of the course. This approach is still in its early stages(1 year experience + 1 year trial run) and is still evolving. Overall student feedback is that it is good, interesting,novel stimulating( and very modern!!). Workshy students do not like it at all. Clearly a sympathetic and careful pace is essential if students with initially poor IT skills are to be encouraged rather than discouraged . I apologise for possible duplication but I am cross posting this reply to Chem-education list in response to the similar enquiries arisng there( see: d.c.nonhebel(a)strath.ac.uk ..... I have been asked to chair an ECEN group - an education group of the EU -investigating the teaching of Communication and Management Skills in Chemistry programmes within the EU.......) Bernard ---------------------- Dr.Bernard Blessington . Bradford University . Dept. of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Bradford BD7 1DP, England. Tel +44 (0) 1274 384704 FAX +44 (0) 1274 305340 e mail - b.blessington(a)bradford.ac.uk ----- chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; unsubscribe chemweb List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk)

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Re: crystal structures with Chime
by Tim Maffett 07 Mar '97

07 Mar '97

At 04:03 PM 3/6/97 GMT, RICHARD SINGER wrote: >In reply to my earlier comment on "invisible" inorganic crystal structures >Mitch Miller wrote > > >>I think you could work around the problem my coding > > <embed src="mycrystal.xyz" display3D="ball&stick" height=300 width=300...> > >>This way the structure would initially appear in ball and stick mode. > >This is fine if the viewer of the structure (me) is also in control of the web >page in which its embedded! The problem I refer to is with third >party web pages and was brought to my attention >when visiting RB Young & M Mehl's crystal structure website at > >http://cst-www.navy.nrl.mil/lattice/ > >you'll see some simple cubic structures which will be displayed >by Chime or Rasmol as blank pages until you switch display mode >to ball & stick. I can think of no way around this problem - >- unless its possible to set up Chime to display as ball & stick by >default? I will discuss (w/our chime team) adding a feature to Chime which will place it in ball&stick mode is a structure has *no* bonds, and no other display mode has been specified. It might be nice to display ball&stick if there are any 'lone' atoms (no bonds), so that all atoms would be visible, but I can think of files where this might be a problem. Does that sounds like it would be a solution to your problem ? We are also discussing various 'user preferences' that we could add to the/a 'for sale' version of Chime. Default display modes for different filetypes/situations is one of many preferences that we can think of that would be nice to have. -tim Tim Maffett tim(a)mdli.com Principal Architect, Internet Technologies MDL Information Systems, Inc. >Richard Singer > > > ----------------------------------------- > Dr Richard Singer > School of Applied Chemistry > Kingston University > Penrhyn Road > Surrey KT1 2EE > UK > Tel 0181 547 2000 ext 2471 > FAX 0181 547 7562 > ----------------------------------------- > >----- >chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. >Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ >To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; >unsubscribe chemweb >List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk) > > > ----- chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; unsubscribe chemweb List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk)

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Re: paperless submission of Student Cousework
by Jeffrey.Nauss＠UC.Edu 06 Mar '97

06 Mar '97

On Mar 6, 6:40pm, RICHARD SINGER wrote: > Dr Nauss wrote regarding marking emailed UG work > > >In this case, using the redline markup option found in many wordprocessors > >allows the instructor to "mark" the assignments. > > Do I detect a cultural difference in the meaning of the word "mark" > here? I mean it in the sense of "grading"... No, no difference. We were basically referring to the same thing. > Having said all that I don't use paperless assignments unless I'm > actually teaching chemistry using computers in the first place. eg > use of spreadsheets in chemistry, use of ChemWindows, > molecular modelling etc. I think this is an important point and coincides with with what I had previously stated - "Students may have to learn the software. They probably would need to become fairly adept at using it for attachments and such." Teaching the proper use of the computers and software would probably have to be a significant part of the course - at least for now. > the thought of 150 word processed first year experiment > reports with bitmap graphics appearing on my hard drive is > frightening! LOL :-O Indeed! -- Jeffrey L. Nauss, PhD Telephone: 513-556-0148 Dir. Molec. Model. Serv. Fax: 513-556-9239 Department of Chemistry e-mail: Jeffrey.Nauss(a)UC.Edu University of Cincinnati URL http://www.che.uc.edu/~nauss ----- chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; unsubscribe chemweb List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk)

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Re: paperless submission of Student Cousework
by RICHARD SINGER 06 Mar '97

06 Mar '97

Dr Nauss wrote regarding marking emailed UG work >In this case, using the redline markup option found in many wordprocessors >allows the instructor to "mark" the assignments. Do I detect a cultural difference in the meaning of the word "mark" here? I mean it in the sense of "grading" I don't know what a "redline markup" is! My "marking" of a script simply involves typing comments in a distinctive colour (red) at appropriate places and attaching a grade to the work at the bottom. He goes on >Granted the turn-around time could be quick but I am skeptical of the overall >advantages. if you're looking for a saving in instructor's time then I doubt the use of paperless assignments can deliver on this - and you're tied to your desk too. But there are other advantages. For example return of work is guaranteed, work cannot go missing (well, not usually..!), Some sorts of plagiarism is easy to spot - (identical graphs with the same errors proliferated etc) there's no problem deciphering poor handwriting, students can't claim to have handed in work when they have not, submission of work is automatically date stamped by the emailing process and so on. Having said all that I don't use paperless assignments unless I'm actually teaching chemistry using computers in the first place. eg use of spreadsheets in chemistry, use of ChemWindows, molecular modelling etc. The process of extracting the files is quite tedious and the thought of 150 word processed first year experiment reports with bitmap graphics appearing on my hard drive is frightening! Richard Singer ----------------------------------------- Dr Richard Singer School of Applied Chemistry Kingston University Penrhyn Road Surrey KT1 2EE UK Tel 0181 547 2000 ext 2471 FAX 0181 547 7562 ----------------------------------------- ----- chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; unsubscribe chemweb List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk)

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Re: paperless submission os Student Cousework
by Jeffrey.Nauss＠UC.Edu 06 Mar '97

06 Mar '97

Well, two quick responses on how to grade paperless assingments and I think we see variations of philosophies here. Dr. Rzepa wrote: > As a IT project, its not a problem since one is looking for content, > presentation etc.... > Not sure how I would cope with organic reaction mechanism etc. I assume "IT" stands for "information technology". In which case, yes, how the material is presented in the electronic media would be the major determining factor for the grade. Still, it would seem awkward to me how one can point out the student's errors without writing something down. I think Dr. Rzepa's last statement is very telling. I think there are many situations where a paperless situation will simply not be practical. Then, Dr. Singer wrote: > there's no essential difference in marking sumbitted coursework on paper > or in an electronic document. As I stated earlier I favour email > submission of work as wordprocessor or spreadsheet file attachments > to email. These files can be extracted, read and edited to include > the marker's comments (in red of course!). The edited file is then > returned to the sender by email so turnround can be very fast. In this case, using the redline markup option found in many wordprocessors allows the instructor to "mark" the assignments. However, everyone is tied to a common software package, i.e. one that can handle the redlines. Granted the turn-around time could be quick but I am skeptical of the overall advantages. Students may have to learn the software. They probably would need to become fairly adept at using it for attachments and such. While this is a valuable skill in itself, could the effort involved be significantly distracting from learning the rest of the course material? I'm not ruling out the use of paperless assignments. I'm just trying to look at practical aspects and to consider possible implementations in my classes. Looking forward to hearing more... -- Jeffrey L. Nauss, PhD Telephone: 513-556-0148 Dir. Molec. Model. Serv. Fax: 513-556-9239 Department of Chemistry e-mail: Jeffrey.Nauss(a)UC.Edu University of Cincinnati URL http://www.che.uc.edu/~nauss ----- chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; unsubscribe chemweb List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk)

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Re: crystal structures with Chime
by RICHARD SINGER 06 Mar '97

06 Mar '97

In reply to my earlier comment on "invisible" inorganic crystal structures Mitch Miller wrote >I think you could work around the problem my coding <embed src="mycrystal.xyz" display3D="ball&stick" height=300 width=300...> >This way the structure would initially appear in ball and stick mode. This is fine if the viewer of the structure (me) is also in control of the web page in which its embedded! The problem I refer to is with third party web pages and was brought to my attention when visiting RB Young & M Mehl's crystal structure website at http://cst-www.navy.nrl.mil/lattice/ you'll see some simple cubic structures which will be displayed by Chime or Rasmol as blank pages until you switch display mode to ball & stick. I can think of no way around this problem - - unless its possible to set up Chime to display as ball & stick by default? Richard Singer ----------------------------------------- Dr Richard Singer School of Applied Chemistry Kingston University Penrhyn Road Surrey KT1 2EE UK Tel 0181 547 2000 ext 2471 FAX 0181 547 7562 ----------------------------------------- ----- chemweb: A list for Chemical Applications of the Internet. Archived as: http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/hypermail/chemweb/ To unsubscribe, send to listserver(a)ic.ac.uk the following message; unsubscribe chemweb List coordinator, Henry Rzepa (rzepa(a)ic.ac.uk)

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