Weasel Installation
Weasel installation is manual, so it requires some computer expertise. However it is not too tricky if you follow these tips:
Windows PC:
WEASEL should function on most flavours of Windows provided Java version 1.4.1 or later and, optionally, QuickTime-for-Java are installed
- To check your installed Java version, launch an MSDOS command window and use "java -version".
- If a suitable Java version is not installed, obtain the latest Java from the Sun web site.
- Install QuickTime, obtainable from the Apple site. It is no longer necessary to explicitly include QuickTime for Java by selecting a "Custom Install" option.
- Note that upgrading your version of Java after QuickTime is installed may disable QuickTime for Java. In that case, QuickTime must be reinstalled. Note also that QuickTime for Java requiress a 32-bit Java installation.
- Note also that a lack of QuickTime for Java does not prevent operation of Weasel; it only precludes the recording and saving of movies.
- Download the appropriate Weasel package which will unpack to a folder named Weasel. This typically will be dragged to C:\Program Files\ and launched via the shortcut or by double-clicking the Weasel.bat file. However, the Weasel folder may be stored elsewhere.
- Although double-clicking the file Weasel.jar will launch the program, it may be allocated less memory, on many systems 64 MB or less, which will limit the size and number of data files handled in a Weasel session. Weasel can also be launched from a command window by moving to the Weasel folder and using a command like: "java -Xmx256m -cp Weasel.jar Weasel"
where "256m" indicates the allocation of 256MB memory to the program heap. More memory can be allocated if you have it available. It is therefore preferable to use a launch command as described, or to use the batch file "Weasel.bat", edited if necessary as described below. - If the folder is stored elsewhere than C:\Program Files\ but the included Weasel.bat file and its shortcut are still required to be used:
- Edit Weasel.bat to include the actual path to the Weasel folder (find the line beginning "set jarpath=").
- Optionally, the memory allocation can be increased from the standard 256MB (find the line beginning "set memheap=").
- Right-click on the shortcut to change "Properties" to reflect the actual path to the Weasel folder.
- Weasel.bat may also require editing on non-English language computers where, for example, programs may be stored in "C:\Programme" or other. See also the README.txt file included in the Weasel download package.
Uninstall:
- Since installation requires no explicit changes to the system registry, Weasel can be uninstalled simply by deleting the Weasel folder and any shortcuts that have been deployed.
Macintosh OS X:
Weasel requires Mac OS X v10.3 or later because of its excellent support for Java1.4.2. Implementations prior to OS X v10.3 restrict Weasel to the use of Java version 1.3.1, thus disabling graphics copy and paste and file drag and drop and exhibiting graphics of inferior quality. The most recent Weasel version compatible with these older OS X systems is Weasel v2.2.3 which is no longer offered for download but may be obtained from the author (email ).
Check the current Weasel version is appropriate to your operating system (see "About This Mac" on your computer). License holders using Weasel for the the older operating systems (Weasel version 2.2.3 or earlier) should request a new code when updating.
Since Apple has discontinued support for QuickTimeForJava, many newer Macintosh systems will not support the movie making feature of Weasel.
Your Macintosh will need Stuffit Expander to unpack the archive. If your system does not have that application it can be obtained from the Stuffit web site.
- Download the appropriate Weasel package which will unpack to a folder named Weasel. This typically will be dragged to the "Applications" folder but the program will function wherever it is.
Other Operating Systems:
Weasel is a Java program and should function on any system with Java v1.4.1 or later installed, including versions of unix. However, the movie making feature of Weasel requires QuickTime for Java which probably will not be available. If you have some familiarity with the operation of Java programs on your operating system, proceed as follows:
- Download the appropriate Weasel package which will unpack to a folder named Weasel. The file Weasel.jar can be launched directly by double-clicking, albeit with allocation of limited memory; usually 64MB, or by changing directory to the Weasel folder and using a command like: "java -Xmx256m -cp Weasel.jar Weasel" where "256m" indicates the allocation of 256MB memory to the program heap. More memory can be allocated if you have it available.
Download:
If you are now ready, go to Weasel Download.
License:
Or, if you have tested and enjoyed Weasel, obtain a License Application. Note that with every license comes a free copy of WEHI's ACluE flow cytometry cluster analysis program.
NEW 29th May 2006: Given the identical programming for PC and for "other" operating systems (which include flavours of unix) and given the reduced functionality where QuickTime is not available, licenses for Windows PC and "Other" operating systems will be coalesced. Thus a single license code may be used for collections of both of those versions. Macintosh licenses remain separate.