I know there are online services for many RNA structure calculations (http://rna.tbi.univie.ac.at/ ), but I need to install the vienna RNA package on my computer. I installed " ViennaRNA Package - Windows Installer - v2.4.14x86_64Windows 57 MB" from
https://www.tbi.univie.ac.at/RNA/
but I don't know how to further proceed.
As far as I understand, it's a C++ program and it can also be run in a python environment.
"The ViennaRNA Package consists of a C code library and several stand-alone programs for the prediction and comparison of RNA secondary structures".
You seem to have correctly installed a pre-compiled ViennaRNA package for a 64-bit windows machine. You need to know however, that ViennaRNA is a command line-based (see https://www.tbi.univie.ac.at/RNA/documentation.html#programs) and hence, it has no graphical interface.
To run a given program you will have to open the windows cmd and launch commands on the terminal. Try for example opening the command promt (to find it, write cmd in the windows start button). Then run:
AnalyseDists
AnalyseDists is one of those random programs. Without arguments, it should give an error from AnalyseDists. If instead the command promt says something like: "'AnalyseDists' is not recognized as an internal or external command", then, ViennaRNA has not been properly installed.
Most users in bioinformatics will be very familiar with Linux shell. Windows is often avoided. So don't expect too much help on the Windows command line here. Other than that, you can read the documentation of the individual programs and ran them as above.
Yes, returns "is not recognized (...)". I see, since I'm a beginner, I shouldn't run RNAfold on windows.
Most users in bioinformatics will be very familiar with the terminal in Linux
Whats the best way to follow most users in bioinformatics? Maybe installing program like "VirtualBox" to emulate a Linux environment? How much will this compromise my computer? Is there another way?
there are certainly clearer installation instructions for Linux. As a side note, it is not harder in Windows, simply different. You may be more successful via Virtualbox. However, its burdens entirely depend of what kind of use you have planned for these tools. If you require extensive use, it might not be the way to go. Finally, you should not be doing these things without people to guide you. If you are a beginner, seeking for help to fellow researchers/coworkers will help you find loopholes and get out of trouble.
Yes, returns "is not recognized (...)". I see, since I'm a beginner, I shouldn't run RNAfold on windows.
Whats the best way to follow most users in bioinformatics? Maybe installing program like "VirtualBox" to emulate a Linux environment? How much will this compromise my computer? Is there another way?
Dear d.s.account,
there are certainly clearer installation instructions for Linux. As a side note, it is not harder in Windows, simply different. You may be more successful via Virtualbox. However, its burdens entirely depend of what kind of use you have planned for these tools. If you require extensive use, it might not be the way to go. Finally, you should not be doing these things without people to guide you. If you are a beginner, seeking for help to fellow researchers/coworkers will help you find loopholes and get out of trouble.
Best, Ventrilocus.