Hand-entering DNA sequence into a computer -- be it for ordering oligonucleotides, editing sequence reads, &c. -- is an error-prone, tedious and slow fine-motor process. Moreover, standard keyboards irregularly array the relevant characters (A,C,G,T, ambiguity codes, and maybe I/U). The task cries out for a dedicated solution, along the lines of the handy numeric keypad.
Enter Simon. Yes, that classic 1970s piece of bleeping, flashing, colorful button-pushing, memory-wracking electronic fun. Simon came in both big tabletop and little handheld chassis forms; both sported four big, easily distinguished buttons, with informative light and sound feedback -- and both were made specifically for entering and distinguishing strings with a 4-letter, primary-color-mapped alphabet. What a great format for DNA sequence entry!
With one of its mode switches converted to activate intuitive multi-button ambiguity code entry (like the multiple exposure switch/button on some SLR cameras), Simon's fairly simple circuitry can likely be gutted/adapted to route input through a cable to a computer. To that end, please note that this idea is a-half-bakin' as I write: my partly-built prototype (using a handheld Simon) has been lying on an engineer friend's workbench for a few months. Simon says 'finish me'...-- n-pearson, Jul 09 2003 For anyone who wants to read the absent anno https://web.archive...ce_20entry_20deviceIt's worth it! [notexactly, Dec 19 2018] Now there's an idea. What would the Human Genome sound like if played through a Simon Says? I'm having flashbacks to the end sequence of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" now...-- lostdog, Jul 09 2003 Think of the melodies that would be produced on a Simon SMS wristwatch.-- FarmerJohn, Jul 09 2003 "We're sorry, you did not get the sequence right. Your child is going to be a chimpanzee..."-- RayfordSteele, Jul 10 2003 O.K. given Music, DNA inspired Architecture?-- Zimmy, Jul 10 2003 Its makes no anti-sense to me.-- riposte, Jul 10 2003 Don't know if I should add my two sense of hearing.-- FarmerJohn, Jul 10 2003 Musically coded information... now why didn't I think of that?-- RayfordSteele, Jul 10 2003 I'm going to vote for this cos of ravenswoods anno. It really ough to work like that, oughtn't it?-- goff, Jul 10 2003 Ahh, the euphony of 1/f noise, wherever it appears in nature... Meanwhile, [riposte], message received -- now code-on, you crazy diamond!...-- n-pearson, Jul 10 2003 Superb, ravenswood. Ough-inspiring, even.-- lostdog, Jul 10 2003 I'm going to vote for this cos of ravenswoods anno. It really ough to work like that, oughtn't it?-- goff, Jul 10 2003 random, halfbakery