For many years, the UCSC Genome Browser has provided a dynamic, cutting-edge interface for viewing genomic data. As time has gone by, however, it has become clear to us that we cannot keep this up. It is not fair to you, our users, that our interface keeps changing, and it has increasingly been a burden on us to keep up with emerging web technologies. Today that all changes, as we return you to the roots of the web: ASCII.
We apologize again for subjecting you to so many changes over the years, and hope that this new, more consistent interface will find your approval.
In related news, we have also revised the interface for uploading custom tracks. Rather than forcing you to wrestle with inconvenient file formats for your data or attempt to set up a web server, we now provide the option of loading your data from a deck of ISO 6586:1980 punch cards. Simply punch your data onto a deck and mail the deck to us. Our staff of highly trained specialists will take care of loading track, and will inform you by mail when the process is complete. Please note that our current policy of expiring unused custom tracks remains in effect; you must visit your track within 72 hours of the postmark date. Regrettably, decks cannot be returned.
Card decks may be addressed to:
UCSC Genome Informatics Group
Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering
CBSE, 501D Engineering II Building
University of California, Santa Cruz
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
This new file format is also an option for data output from the UCSC Table Browser. Simply select "mail card deck" from the "output format" menu, and then enter your name and address on the subsequent page. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.