SeqSpeak 1.0
HyperCard DNA Sequence Editor for the Macintosh
May 4, 1991

Overview of SeqSpeak

SeqSpeak is a simple DNA sequence editor for the Macintosh.  Its primary
purpose is to provide audio feedback during sequence entry while reading an
autoradiogram.  The entry of DNA sequences has been simplified in several
ways.  The keys on the keyboard used to enter sequence have been changed in
order to minimize hand movement.  The mapping between keys and the base
entered can be set to correspond to the order of the sequencing reactions
loaded on the gel. SeqSpeak is very useful for entering sequence from paper
as well. When a key is pressed, the program "speaks" back the base entered
using digitized sound.  The combination of a more convenient keyboard and
audio feedback enables the user to enter DNA sequence reliably without
having to look up from the autoradiogram to the computer screen in order to
be confident that the correct sequence has been entered.  Once the sequence
has been entered, the sequence can be confirmed by having SeqSpeak read
the sequence aloud while the user follows along the autoradiogram.

SeqSpeak has some additional features which will be useful to some users.
These include base composition analysis and search/replace functions.  More
importantly, SeqSpeak can save the sequence to a text file on disk which can
be read by other Macintosh programs.  Text files are also a standard way to
move information between Macs, mainframes and other computers.

Setting Up SeqSpeak

You need at least a MacPlus running System Version 6.0.5 or later and a copy
of HyperCard 2.0 (2.0v2 is the latest version as of April 1991) in order to
use SeqSpeak. Performance is acceptable on a MacPlus, but much better on
faster Macs.  I recommend a minimum of 2 megs RAM if you are running
HyperCard under Finder and more if you are using HyperCard with
MultiFinder.  HyperCard's default MultiFinder application size is set to
1000K.  If you are running HyperCard under MultiFinder, increase this to at
least 1500K.  If you are short of RAM, you can make more memory available
to HyperCard by removing INITs from the System folder and turning off the
RAM cache.  While it may be possible to run SeqSpeak from a floppy disk (I
haven't tested this), performance will probably be poor. HyperCard reads and
writes information frequently, so you should copy SeqSpeak and the
HyperCard application to your hard disk.

SeqSpeak may be distributed freely.  Let me know what you think about
SeqSpeak.  How could it be improved?  I can be reached by mail, phone, or
e-mail as follows:

Dr. Keith Conover
Dept. of Biochemistry
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada  B3H 4H7
(902) 494-3569
internet: kconover@ac.dal.ca
Compuserve: 72260,2107 (checked infrequently)