particularly around grant or paper deadlines I find

(or if they have been rejected!)

here's a link to Prism

http://www.graphpad.com/prism/Prism.htm

What types of graphs are you aiming to produce?

I do basic calculations etc through excel i.e. normalising data percentages etc

but all final data is put into Prism - which is a statistical analysis software. From this programe you can produce a variety of graphs and get all your statistical data

Images of graphs can then be exported as tiffs

there are other stat packages - but I agree, excel has its limits

If you are with a university, chances are they have a department liscence for a statistical analysis package - it would probably be best to ask your supervisor

S

I do see the point - just hadn't heard of it

Also I've never heard of anyone at interview being asked about their examiners - but you may be right, it might become more important as jobs become more competative.

I assume though that it is subserviant to good publications etc

me either - hadn't heard that one before?

do you think this is specific to social sciences?

unfortunately deliberate

beer in fridge = no work

even when I try convince myself that I can have one while writing - no, no, no!

Simuzosha, we managed to get a mortgage based on my wifes salary and my PhD stipend - although not all banks will take it into account (Abbey wouldn't)

we went through an independant financial advisor and got the mortgage through the Halifax/ Bank of Scotland

Man I'd kill for an ice cold beer, instead of writing this, hence there is no beer in my fridge -damn!

That seems like a disadvantage!

by your own admission, like many of us you are optimistic to a fault, therefore your supervisor will more often than not see that you have not achieved what you set out to do?

Only kidding, I'm sure it has its uses - I'll just stick to my messy lab book tho

whatever works for you

I do keep excel master files for calculating pcr mix volumes, protein concentrations etc etc

In my experience lab books prove invaluable, if you are in the habit of carrying it around and writing everything down in it then you never loose the data and its cronologically filed. otherwise It can all get a little messed up - but I suppose if thats what you software does then it might be work.

I regularly run many large experiments concurrently and find it just as easy to sit down and make a plan of action, timings etc - but again your programe might do this for you

The only thing I expect might happen is that you'll end up having to write a few days notes into it, which may turn into weeks and then you will inevitably lose some data

but maybe you are more organised than me?

S

I'm probably being old fashioned here - but whats the advantage of using this?

problem with stuff like that is that you assume its there and only go to get it when you need it, if its not there then you can't do your work on the schedule you set out- and have to shell out for more -

a right pain in the ass

same as clowning81 - struggling to finish thesis

with the addition of a sore back from slouching over the computer for 6 months - Owwww!

All too common in laboratories - its crap but it means you have to keep your stuff hidden and label everything that belongs to you (I ended up labeling permanent marker pens) - happens in our labs too - if its not nailed down it goes missing

I caught a guy trying to 'borrow' our drying oven once!

I had the exact same thing with my grandad (cancer) and I chose to go to the conference.

I justified it, because I had seen him a lot before his death, and in my own way made peace with the fact he was not going to make it, so we got the chance to say anything that needed said

I have no regrets about not going to the funeral -

The only thing for you, is how you will cope not being there? funerals are more about family and being together to support each other through hard times etc. But in long term illnesses it isn't as bad and with some illnesses it can be a releif that the suffering is over.

I would say - in my opinion - if you can cope with not being there and your family are happy with that, then you should go to the conference - I'm sure your grandmother wouldn't want you to miss anything career wise because of her?

On the other hand everyone has to deal with death and I'm sure your supervisor will understand if you decide to go to the funeral

S