I agree that you would have improved performance with software not embedded
in excel.  During a normal scan series however, the limiting factor is not
the CPU.  Physical movement of the mirrors and pushing the data through the
pipes would be a better target for upgrades.  It is my understanding the new
machines can scan 4096x4096, larger physical field of view, rotating scan
head, run 600mhz CPUs with improved flow of data.  I have been using 512MB
of RAM since I work on larger image stacks, but the added performance is
only during data rendering and not acquisition.  I know I would benefit from
a faster network card.  It is not possible to upgrade the card independent
of Leica since the license is tied to the network card.
I am very curious which microscope you upgraded to the SP version and what
was involved.

Ramin Rahbari
PARKE-DAVIS Pharmaceutical Research
Worldwide Preclinical Safety
2800 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor,  MI  48105
Voice         (734) 622-3383
Fax           (734) 622-5001
[log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: Sabine Fischer-Parton [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2000 12:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: New Leica Software


Thanks for raising the issue about the new Leica software.

My husband is currently working on a Leica which has recently
been upgraded to the SP version. The optics are very nice, but the
system has one really annoying draw back: The software functions
are very slow, it takes several seconds after pressing one button
before something happens. This may not be a problem for fixed
material, however for live cell work, especially with fast growing
cells, it is a problem. Emails to the Leica rep enquiring about the
new software upgrade have not been answered yet. Hopefully the
new software will be faster. However, if the new software will not
be released soon, we would like to know if upgrading to a faster
computer could improve the situation. At the moment it is running
on a Pentium Pro 200 MHz (and I think 128 MB RAM) with
Windows NT. The system was bought three years ago.
Does anybody else use the Leica for life cell work? What type of
computer are other (newer) Leica confocal systems running on.

Many Thanks

Sabine
Dr Sabine Fischer-Parton
Biological Timing Lab
Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology
University of Edinburgh
Waddington Building
King's Buildings
Edinburgh EH9 3JN
Scotland, UK