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We've looked fairly hard for published COMPARATIVE reviews of such software
but haven't found any recent ones. Neither have the vendors I've contacted
been able to cite any. I was also unable to locate a list as informative
as that below on the WWW (so if you know of any, tell us!).
Here are my personal opinions so far (I use Windows, not Mac). I'm
evaluating these in the context of a university lab where I constantly
have new research students using such software. Although I can learn
the idiosyncracies of user-unfriendly software, most of my students
won't and I don't want to constantly have to re-teach them.
Prism for Windows (GraphPad). Amazingly user friendly. Provides context
sensitive hints whenever you're unsure how to proceed. Actually teaches
you how to do and interpret nonlinear curve fits. Powerful yet control
is direct, simple, and uses mouse as much as possible (don't have to enter
angle for text annotation as degrees). Graphing capabilities quite
impressive but lack a few features I consider essential. Version 2 under
development may solve this. Full demo available for Version 1.
Fig P for Windows (Biosoft). Extremely flexible and powerful, but NO
on-line help and not at all user friendly. Medical/biological flavor.
I have used the DOS version for years but I would not use the Windows
version.
Origin for Windows (Microcal). Extremely flexible and powerful, but
complex and not as easy to use as Prism or as I would like. Engineering
flavor. Tends to want you to enter degrees rather than use the mouse.
Demo (but not full version) lacks all on-line help, a serious shortcoming.
Sigmaplot: I used SigmaPlot in the late '80s. It had some frustrating bugs
and limitations which weren't fixed for years and that makes me disinclined
to re-evaluate the 1995 version.
SlideWrite: Years ago it was quite simple-minded. I haven't looked at
the 1995 version.
PSI-Plot: No demo available. Brochure makes it look powerful, but
company is practically giving it away which makes me suspiscious.
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