A few weeks ago I wrote (edited for space) : >>>... upgrading FACScans ... to power Macs. [we] ... purchased a ... Power Mac ... and Cell Quest with just that in mind, but were apparently told AFTER it was all purchased that it could not be connected to the HP-rigged Scan<<< Trying to keep from writing a 5 page letter on the history of the situation, I compressed some events into short statements that were misinterpreted as a jab at BD, but were not intended to be such. To clarify, one of the original ideas (of many being considered) was to connect the Mac to the FACScan, but the decision was made to have an independent Mac workstation, and if all was well, keep the option open to THEN connect the Mac to the Scan. Later, upon discussing upgrades with an individual who was IN NO WAY CONNECTED WITH BD, we were told the connection could not be made. Rather than seeking a professional opinion, since we were not planning the upgrade any time soon anyway, we just relied on the bad advice and moved on deciding not to pursue it. Many months later, after working with a FACScalibur this summer at another lab, and seeing HOW WELL the Acquisition portion of the CELLQUEST software worked, I began wondering again about connecting our Mac to our Scan, hoping the comment that "it couldn't be done" was wrong. I went to the archives of the flow cytometry bulletin board on the internet and found several letters relating to Scan / Mac upgrades and the like. I was surprised to learn that we may be able to make the connection, but the letters I found were not very specific as to how; they were more along the lines of after the fact trouble shooting. That's when I wrote my letter. Again, so the letter wouldn't be too long, I abbreviated the history, not intending it to be a poke any individual or corporation. In summary, some of our upgrade plans may never have been mentioned to anyone at BD, so we had not sought their advice. We were never told by anyone at BD that the upgrade could not be done. I apologize if my abbreviation of the history seemed like it was intended to implicate anyone; it was not. Peace, Darren Hickerson, ECU SOM
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Apr 03 2002 - 11:50:13 EST