Jenny I'm not sure if we're talking about the same thing (the "XL" part threw me), but I upgraded our Elite Analyzer to the new pentium system (they call it the FlowCentre) w/ the EXPO-32 software from Advanced Cytometry Systems. I'd be happy to share my views in greater detail or answer any questions I can once you're using the system. General impressions: 1) Light years better than the old DOS system (assuming this is what you have now). No "send"/"recieve" transmissions btwn the computer and cytometer, nice graphics, compatible w/ other Windows graphics packages, interface people are used to, etc. 2) Given that I abhore Microsoft products, frustration with some of the above, but my users like it ;-) 3) Quite a few minor glitches, some w/ Windows (comes w/ 98), and some in the EXPO software. Typical example--very easy, intuitive process for drawing analysis regions, but if you want to change any attributes on a narrow region that lies w/in a larger region you can't--when you double-click to change it always selects the larger one. (The workaround is to move the big one out of the way, make your changes, and then move the bigger one back, but they don't display the boundaries in a clear fashion so you can put it in the same place w/o planning ahead.) Little things like that can drive you crazy at first, but don't misunderstand me--this is very nice software! 4) Beckman Coulter service: I don't know if it's different when you're on the service contract, but I get lousy service relating to this software. ACS developed it and licensed it to Coulter, and it seems like no-one at Coulter knows enough about it. And the documentation (presumably generated by ACS) is minimal. Of course #4 is irrelevant unless you're buying a new system, but it should be considered for new purchase decisions. The paranoid in me thinks Beckman bought Coulter for their customer list--they don't seem too committed to cytometry. I'd say go for it--it's a beautiful face lift, and in your situation you may really like some of the new panel and worklist features. Let me know if you want any more details, and I'd be happy to answer any operating questions you may have. Steve On Mon, 22 Jan 2001, Bryant, Jenny (NSW) wrote: > > Hello to all, > > Have any Coulter Elite users upgraded the machine computer to the EPICS XL > Pentium to run the Expo software? I would be interested to hear about your > experiences. > > Thanks > Jenny > > Jenny Bryant > Flow Cytometry > Australian Red Cross Blood Service - NSW/ACT > 153 Clarence St > Sydney, NSW 2000, AUSTRALIA .._|\ > Ph: 61 2 9229 4341 / \ > FAX: 61 2 9229 4487 \_.-._/<<<<<< > E-mail: jbryant@arcbs.redcross.org.au v > > -- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Steve G. Hilliard flowman@uga.edu Flow Cytometry Facility 542-9474 University of Georgia
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