FCS data standards

Mario Roederer (ROEDERER@Darwin.Stanford.EDU)
Thu, 30 Jun 1994 10:38:53 -0700 (PDT)

I agree with Paul about saying too much about supporting all data
types... There should be a minimal FCS configuration that ideally will
be supported by any program. But to stave off a lengthy EMail
discussion about data standards, I want to clarify that the problem
with Attractors is not one of a data standard.

Indeed, Attractors does support the FCS standard just fine. As pointed
out by BDIS in their mail message, it reads Consort 32 files, etc.
This obviously means that it simply checks the FCS header keywords for
particular configuration of values specifying original acquisition on BD
software. (er, I mean, "Current" BD acquisition software, since
Consort/VAX isn't included). However, if a file does not have this
configuration, Attractors gives a very misleading error message:

"This file is either damaged, or not an FCS file"

rather than telling you that it won't analyze "foreign" FCS files. If
BDIS is so open about documenting compatibility, why is this error
message so obscure?

Mario


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