XAct: a program for construction, automated setup and bookkeeping of crystallization experiments

XAct is a stand-alone application for Microsoft Windows(TM) 95/98 that, thr ough a spreadsheet-like interface, allows the user to construct crystalliza tion experiments in a highly flexible way. The object-oriented data structu re helps to maintain an overview of many experiments and provides reusable stock and tray objects. The program features a hardware interface that enab les automatic setup of experiments by use of a Gilson 222 autosampler (Gils on Inc., Wisconsin, USA). Additionally, experimental information can be imp orted from external spreadsheets and World Wide Web applications.