In order to make flow cytometry data more accessible to users, the data analysis software developed at WEHI has been extensively rebuilt and differently deployed, particular attention having been paid to the possibility of World Wide Web access.
First, a general purpose data analysis program has been written as a standalone Java(TM) application. This program, which follows the style of our earlier "WEASEL" MicroVAX program, can now be run on many types of computer systems including Macintosh and Windows95/NT machines. The program can generate histograms, 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional "dot plots" employing various schemes of colour coding and contour or probability density displays. Extraction of simple statistical data is possible, as is calculation of parameter ratios and fluorescence compensation.
After creation of the multi-platform application, further consideration was given to the wider context of the program's operation. Three possible modes of deployment may be identified, defined by the relative locations of data, program and operator interface. These are 1. "Workstation" mode, where data, program and display all reside on a single workstation, 2. "Server" mode, where the data is stored remotely and 3. "Network" mode where both program and data are at a remote, central location. In these models, the term "remote" may mean intra-institute, implying communication by local area network, or home-to-institute with communication by telephone modem.
One method of implementing the "network" mode, which has been investigated, is to use a web browser to receive locally executable "applets" to handle display and user input. A preliminary but functional version of a web-based Java program has now been demonstrated although problems arise from this implementation, particularly as a result of Java's security safeguards. Since Java applets may not read from local disks, all data must be transmitted from the same storage area as the applets. Thus the speed and reliability of data transmission from the web becomes important. Also, applets may not write to local printers so the control of hard copy output becomes difficult.