QuickGene Beta 0.4 Released

Today, we're rolling out another major update which brings with it a list of new features and changes but, most notably, renewed support for Mac OS! Due to a broken development machine, we were unable to keep the Mac version updated and since the arrival of a replacement we've been hard at work, pushing QuickGene's Mac support back up to the most recent version. Mac users will therefore experience quite a difference and we'd love to hear what you think!

Naturally, the update brings more to the table than Mac-only news. The list of changes since QuickGene Beta 0.3 is one we're proud of, introducing much-needed features such as the long-awaited printing capabilities and many improvements to the search function. The full list is as follows:

New features

• Updated support for Mac OS X


• Sequence Printing


• Numerous search options


• Search results indicate strand and direction


• Amino acid seqence search

Changes

• More informative enzyme tooltips


• More intuitive searches and results


• Removed the need to specify search types


• Copying and pasting sequences includes features


• Creating screenshots for bug reports can be done at the press of a button


• Fixed: Sequence selection is not lost when interacting with enzymes or right-clicking


• Fixed: Sequence can be selected between restriction enzyme cleavage sites intuitively


• Many smaller repairs and user-requested changes

We're currently working on adding a number of essential functions such as the ability to save in the GenBank format and further expansion of search capabilities, as well as building more of the features you have been requesting. There are truly some great ideas coming in and we can't wait to get to work on them!

Mac Support and Update Preview

Don't despair! We certainly haven't forgotten our Mac users!

Mac support has been unfortunately delayed, as our development Mac had been sent in for repairs after the 0.2 update and was only recently declared officially deceased. We hope to have a replacement by next week, at which point the available updates can be edited for Mac compatibility and tested for release. We apologize for the inconvenience and we're well aware of the major changes that Mac's are missing out on.

Following this week's update, which featured user-requested changes and repairs, the next update is planned to include more major functionality enhancements. Currently, these include a complete overhaul of the search feature and implementation of the previously announced printing capability.

The search function is currently undergoing a major upgrade which will make it the most robust, intuitive search available in any sequence analysis software. Most importantly, it's smart and straight-forward, allowing users to easily find any sequence, restriction enzyme or translation without the need to tell QuickGene. Furthermore, many useful standard and unique search criteria can be specified when more control or specificity is required. We're confident that you'll be amazed how much more quickly you can zip through your projects, finding exactly what you need.

Although the announced sequence printing functionality is already working, its release has been delayed as we ensure compatibility with most printers. Once this is completed, it will be included in the next update and map printing will be soon to follow.

Development of QuickGene continues to steam forward and we're having a great time building it, reading your feedback and dreaming up new features. Stay tuned for the release notes of the next update to find out more about it!