Neural Net Wizard

Abstract

I would like to clarify some features of the program NeuroShell Easy described in “Neural nets for novices” by John Wass (Science's Compass, 7 Aug., p. 789). First, our Turboprop2 paradigm is not based on the General Regression Neural Network (GRNN), although GRNN is also in the package. Second, the software is not just for novices. It is true that users of older algorithms are accustomed to fine-tuning controls. Our Web site (1), however, has many testimonials by neural net professionals praising our newer algorithms that do not require “tweaking” to make them classify and predict accurately. Finally, Wass emphasizes what he perceives is an absence of cutting and pasting ability. Although the software does not edit the raw data (most raw data is kept in spreadsheets or other editors, anyway), it has full facilities for cutting and pasting graphs and predictions to other programs. One can use the standard right mouse click, as documented in the Instructor wizard.