Colleagues: I have decided to temporarily withdraw the current instrument survey and remove the data from the archive because I believe the survey may not be representative of real-life data. In the past couple of days the numbers for Becton-Dickinson and Cytomation use increased dramatically and outside our observed normal acceses. I checked the logs and logins record 36 access from within Cytomation's corporate network and 15 from within B- D's corporate network. I stress, these accesses came from within these companies computer systems. We are not in the business of tracking people's use of the survey and I did this with great reluctance. Regardless, many of you might be surprised as to how much of your "private" information is trackable..... I am not suggesting that either company has used the survey in a manner inconsistent with the intentions of its creation. However, upon evaluating the logs, I believe that the data does not represent real instrument use. I am withdrawing this survey until I decide what I should do. >From a philosophical perspective, I was hoping that we could use quick surveys to gain an understanding of how folks who USE cytometry think in different areas. I started with some very basic quesitons mainly to test the system. It clearly failed. I spent a considerable amount of time thinking about what my response to the cytometry community should be in this instance, and I decided that closing the survey was the only appropriate action. Perhaps some people feel that creating false impressions from survey data is acceptable - I do not find it at all amusing. In future, I will place a notice that will make it clear that the success of these surveys requires that participants treat them with respect and not games to play with peoples minds. Cytometry might be fun, but it is definitely not a game. I would appreciate your comments on the survey system, its faults and potential. My goal is not to make this a witch hunt, but I would like constructive criticism as to how to improve the system. Best wishes Paul Robinson Purdue Cytometry Net J.Paul Robinson, PhD PH:(765)4940757 Professor of Immunopharmacology Professor of Biomedical Engineering Purdue University FAX:(765)4940517 EMAIL:jpr@flowcyt.cyto.purdue.edu WEB: http://www.cyto.purdue.edu
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