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Launch of the SQIP Patent Sequence Database

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:04:30 GMT

Launch of the SQIP Patent Sequence Database

06 December 2009

Craic is proud to announce the launch of SQIP - your new solution for Patent Sequence Searching.

SQIP (pronounced 'skip') is a database of Sequences derived from Patents and a sophisticated Web Service that allows Biotechnology companies and their IP advisers to explore the IP landscape around their proprietary DNA and Protein sequences.

SQIP moves beyond existing services by providing not only a comprehensive sequence database, but a sophisticated user interface designed to make patent assessment much for efficient. More than that, SQIP is priced in a simple and straightforward manner. With no expensive annual commitment, you simply pay for the service you use, making SQIP ideal for smaller companies.

There is no charge to create an account. You can explore the system and run searches with example data for free.

For more information and to Sign Up for an account, please go to http://sqipdb.com

Ruby binding to Jenkins Hash functions

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:48:21 GMT

Ruby binding to Jenkins Hash functions

07 March 2009

Craic has published a Ruby binding for the lookup3.c code for generating 32-bit hashes. This useful C library was developed by Bob Jenkins (http://burtleburtle.net/bob/hash).

The Ruby code is distributed under the MIT open source license.

Download it from the Craic account on Github.

Publication on Bacterial Enteric Infection in Children

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:48:21 GMT

Publication on Bacterial Enteric Infection in Children

27 January 2009

The Journal of Infectious Diseases has published a study on risk factors for bacterial enteric infection in children that was performed in Washington State. Most studies prior to this have dealt with specific outbreaks of bacterias such as Salmonella or E.coli, but these represent only 10% of all such infections.

This study sought to identify risk factors for the much larger set of sporadic infections. An editorial in the same issue of the journal discusses the significance of this study.

Craic Computing was part of the consortium of groups involved in the study and developed the data management tools that supported it.

Tutorial on the aws-sdb Ruby interface to AWS SimpleDB

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:48:21 GMT

Tutorial on the aws-sdb Ruby interface to AWS SimpleDB

09 October 2008

SimpleDB is a hosted, distributed database service, part of the Amazon Web Services Portfolio. aws-sdb is a Ruby interface to this service, written by Tim Dysinger.

This Tutorial from Robert Jones at Craic explains how to use this service from within Ruby code.

Craic Computing uses a number of AWS services to handle massive datasets of sequence and text.

Assessment Criteria for Select Agent Sequences

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:48:21 GMT

Assessment Criteria for Select Agent Sequences

19 March 2008

Craic has published a discussion paper on the Selection of Select Agent pathogen sequences for Sequence Screening by DNA synthesis companies.

This is part of our work in building second generation Sequence Screening software.

Craic Tech Report 2008_1 (PDF format)

Ortho JavaScript Library

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:48:21 GMT

Ortho JavaScript Library

18 December 2007

Craic Computing announces the initial release of Ortho, a JavaScript library for creating diagram-style graphics on-the-fly in web browsers.

Ortho fills an important gap in browser graphics in that it seamlessly integrates text and graphics, unlike Canvas. Pages look the same on all browsers and in print, and it requires no third-party plugin, unlike Flash. Graphics are created using JavaScript and a simple API. Ortho is built on top of the Prototype framework and is easy to extend using the Scriptaculous library.

The Ortho project pages include documentation and a range of examples that show its capabilities.

Ortho is freely available under an MIT-style Open Source license.

Sequence Screening for Select Agents

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 09:48:21 GMT

Sequence Screening for Select Agents

07 December 2007

A major study on Synthetic Genomics: Risks and Benefits for Science and Society was conducted in 2005 through 2007 by policy experts from the J. Craig Venter Institute, MIT and the CSIS, funded by the Sloan Foundation.

Dr. Robert Jones was asked to contribute to that study and prepare a background paper on the use of Sequence Screening as a way to detect misuse of this technology.

The Final Report of this study was published recently, followed now by the release of supporting papers, including Sequence Screening (originally written in 2005).

Analysis of Abusive Usenet Postings

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:48:21 GMT

Analysis of Abusive Usenet Postings

06 December 2007

Craic Computing has completed an independent investigation into the source of abusive messages, sent to Usenet groups, relating to members of the US Chess Federation.

The primary technical conclusion is in agreement with that of a previous report from a USCF member.

Our findings, as well as the back story to this episode, can be found HERE.

Craic Computing Tech Tips

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 09:48:21 GMT

Craic Computing Tech Tips

25 January 2007

Craic Computing Tech Tips is a collection of computer systems and programming tips that we figure out or stumble upon.

We hope they will be useful to others and will save you time and hassle dealing with gotchas that we have already figured out

We hope that you will find it useful. If you do, then you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed.

Dynamic DNS and Location Tracking

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 09:48:21 GMT

Dynamic DNS and Location Tracking

24 April 2006

A new Craic Technical Report details a potential risk to the privacy of mobile Internet users, such as business travellers, who use Dynamic DNS services.

It is published as Craic Tech Report 2006-1: Dynamic DNS and Location Tracking - Risks and Benefits (PDF format).