.. -*- coding: utf-8 -*-

What it is
==========

It is a software for the (semiautomatic) analysis and filtering of
force curves. Force curves are the output of an analytical technique
called force spectroscopy. A force spectroscopy experiment usually
requires the analysis of thousands of force curves at a time. As of
today, there is no standard, free software for the analysis of force
curves. Hooke aims to solve that.


What it does
============

* View, annotate, measure force curves
* Worm-like chain and freely-jointed chain fit of force peaks
* Automatic convolution-based filtering of empty curves
* Automatic fit and measurement of multiple force peaks
* Handles force-clamp force experiments (experimental)
* It is extensible by users by mean of plugins and drivers

See `Hooke's Google Code homepage`_ for more details.


How it works
============

See the ``doc/tutorial.txt`` file distributed with Hooke, or the
`online docs`__.

__ docs_

Where it's published
====================

Sandal M, Benedetti F, Brucale M, Gomez-Casado A, Samorì B.
"Hooke: an open software platform for force spectroscopy."
Bioinformatics, 2009 25(11):1428-1430.
doi:10.1093/bioinformatics/btp180

Please cite Hooke if you use it.


Troubleshooting
===============

If you have troubles in using it, before throwing it in the trash:

1. Search the `issue tracker`_.
2. Look at the `troubleshooting wiki page`_.
3. Search the `discussion group`_.
4. Ask a question in the discussion group.
5. File a bug on the issue tracker.


Disclaimer
==========

Remember that Hooke is still experimental software! It has been mostly
done to fit the needs of its authors, and there is no guarantee it
will do what you need. However, you can write us/help us improve it so
that it does. We aim to make of Hooke a robust tool that can help your
research.


Source
======

Hooke is available as a Git_ repository::

    $ git clone git://tremily.us/hooke.git

See the docs_ for installation details.


Licensing
=========

Hooke is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License, either
version 3 of the License (``COPYING`` and ``COPYING.LESSER``), or (at
your option) any later version.

.. _Hooke's Google Code homepage: http://code.google.com/p/hooke/
.. _docs: http://hooke.tremily.us/
.. _issue tracker: http://code.google.com/p/hooke/issues/list
.. _troubleshooting wiki page:
  http://code.google.com/p/hooke/wiki/TroubleShooting
.. _discussion group: http://groups.google.com/group/hookesoftware
.. _Git: http://git-scm.com/
