A "windows" environment has provided the solution to the dual problems of displaying sophisticated graphical representations of complex flow cytometric data and of providing naive operators with fast access to such techniques.
Flow cytometry analysis software has been under continuous development at the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) since before the existence of credible commercial offerings. This has allowed instantaneous response to the changing in-house analytical requirements and direct liaison with experienced end users to discover means of enhancing their productivity.
An eclectic philosophy has been maintained; selected features of a number of packages have been added to those of the earlier WEHI programs (WEFCS).
A lucid presentation of program controls has been a primary objective. Earlier WEFCS versions, although loved and operated extremely efficiently by aficionados, have each taken new users some time to learn to drive.
This is a preliminary report. Final functional features intended are:
"WEASEL" is written in C. This first version is written for DECwindows and uses DEC toolkit functions to manipulate display widgets; it is expected to be ported to other workstation types in the future. User interaction is by pull- down and pop-up menus selected by mouse. The program has been tested with data written by FACStar, FACScan and WEHI acquisition programs.