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.
First, a general purpose data analysis program has been written as a standalone Javaª 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 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 programÕs operation. Three possible modes of deployment, defined by the relative locations of data, program and operator interface, may be identified. 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. Two means of implementing the "network" mode have been investigated; one employing local X-windows software to receive displays from the MicroVAX application, the other using a web browser to receive locally executable "applets" to handle display and user input.