Dear XDS developers,
I object to the decision to stop the distribution of
32 bit binary. I know many people who still use 32-bit Linux.
I don't mean that the new version should be built for 32-bit.
I know a huge burden associated with the maintenance of building and
testing environment. Still, I believe that the last 32-bit build
(version June 17, 2015) be available without time limit. For example,
although CCP4 dropped support of 32-bit Mac OS, we can still
download older versions or build 32-bit binary from source codes.
Both options are unavailable for XDS.
Honestly speaking, the way XDS is distributed is frustrating, where
only the latest binary with time limit is available. How can we
guarantee reproducibility of our research, if the exact version of a
scientific program used for the research is no longer available [1]?
Even worse, since XDS is a closed-source, black-box program, we do not
know what actually changed in each update. For example, what does
"simplification in the method for calculating the initial value of the
mosaicity" [2] mean? How does it differ from the previous, published
method? If the authors insist on keeping XDS source code confidential,
they should at least provide detailed explanations of the algorithms
in natural language, although it never substitutes source codes [3].
It is understandable that some authors want to charge non-academic users
to secure funding. But it does not justify secrecy of internals and
unavailability of earlier versions.
[1] See discussion on ccp4bb last May
[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">https:[log in to unmask]
[2] XDS Release notes
http://xds.mpimf-heidelberg.mpg.de/html_doc/Release_Notes.html
[3] Ince, Darrel C., Leslie Hatton, and John Graham-Cumming.
"The case for open computer programs." Nature 482.7386 (2012): 485-488.
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v482/n7386/full/nature10836.html
Best regards,
Takanori Nakane
(This is my personal opinion, and is not necessarily that of
my employer or projects I am/was involved with.)
On 2015/10/19 23:07, Kay Diederichs wrote:
> Dear XDS users,
>
> a new package has been released for academic users; the download link is
> at http://xds.mpimf-heidelberg.mpg.de/ .
>
> There is no longer a 32bit version for Linux, and there is only a single
> package for OSX 10.6 and up. Those of you who still use 32bit Linux or
> OSX 10.5 thus should consider upgrading their operating system; the
> current (academic user) XDS package expires in less than 6 months so
> there is still some time left!
>
> As always, if there are bugs/crashes/problems then pls tell Wolfgang
> Kabsch or me about them; we can only fix bugs if we can reproduce them
> so pls be prepared to share (confidentially) the minimal amount of data
> with us that allows to reproduce the problem.
>
> best wishes,
>
> Kay
>
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