Dear Mark and other Zeiss LSM410 folk,

I mostly have to agree with Lutz. Nobody that sells proprietary
software should be expected to provide source code. I don't know the
particulars in this instance, but it would be typical for a company
like Zeiss to contract with a software company (or programmer) that
actually creates the code, i.e., Zeiss may not even own the source
code. Second, is it possible that the coding was done in assembler?
If so, the simple recompiling-linking option may not be possible.
(Perhaps you know already know where this stands)

There are other possible pitfalls including introducing errors that
affect the operation of the entire system. That's why software
companies have elaborate protocols for product development including
generating a set of requirements, coding, and, very importantly,
testing. It is possible that with the source code you could do what
you say, but I would not make that assumption and the risk of
creating errors is real and compiler-linker dependent.

Given the above, I would still expect that a respectable company that
stands by its products, which sell for 200k and up, should be able to
provide a simple upgrade path as software and computer hardware
become obsolete. In this day and age, I would never buy a system that
does not have this type of architecture. Zeiss should be able to come
in and replace your boards/processors/software without a lot of
trouble and in a reasonable period of time. Or, better yet, just mail
you the stuff and you do it yourself. I would consider Zeiss to be
pathetic, if they are unable to do so.

In your case, I would lobby against anyone buying a Zeiss confocal
until your problem is fixed such as by providing you with an upgrade
path that doesn't require more than a software patch and a new board?
But source code? That may just not be realistic unless you cut a deal
with them. You write (if necessary) and test the code, and Zeiss gets
to sell it. Just a suggestion.

Anyway, I am very interested in how this plays out. Please, keep the
List informed.

Mario M. Moronne, Ph.D.
NanoMed Technologies, Inc.
1561 Posen Ave
Berkeley, CA
94706


>Mark,
>
>>current board offerings). When I asked Zeiss about source code they
>>refused
>>release it (due to the proprietary nature of the code -HaHa). I view
>>this as
>>unacceptable as it means that the future for the LSM410 is now very
>>limited. I
>>
>While trying to understand your problem I don't think that your posted
>comments are fair. Service and support surely is one thing, but the release
>of source code is yet another. I don't think that any commercial company
>would ever release source code unless it is for the sole purpose of the
>product and can be supported as well. Sometimes there are rather convoluted
>patent or 3rd party developer issues involved that prohibit such disclosures
>anyway. I agree though that the service people should offer you a reasonable
>repair solution so you can continue to use the instrument.
>
>>the money for a new confocal in the near future). If Zeiss are not
>>prepared to
>>allow us to continue using our machine by not releasing the source code
>>or
>>supplying a new version then I for one would not recommend Zeiss to any
>>groups.
>>
>Again, I don't think you can base the quality of service and support on the
>willingness of the manufacturer to disclose company trade secrets. I am
>sorry but improvements, upgrades or future limits to your existing system
>does not have anything to do with a support issue.
>
>
>Cheers
>Lutz
>
>______________________________________
>Lutz Schaefer
>Advanced Imaging Methodology Consultation
>16-715 Doon Village Rd.
>Kitchener, Ontario
>N2P 2A2, Canada
>Email: [log in to unmask]
>Phone, FAX: (519)-894-8870
>______________________________________