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Hi Ray,

I train all users, and they have to know the instrument from startup to
shutdown - ours is also an SP2.  Once they're trained, they're let loose
though I'm usually around for help if people get stuck.  I stuck numbers on
all the buttons and dials that have to be turned on and off, and have a
sheet next to the instrument, with photos of the controls, telling them the
sequence in case they forget.  I even have a number on the edge of the
screen next to the start icon....  There's also a full set of instructions
that I encourage people to make their own copy of so they can annotate it.

So far, no major problems - a few minor ones, like resetting the z-stage
limits (those front buttons are so tempting....I made a plastic cover for
them so they can't be touched) and occasionally getting oil on all
objectives.  I make sure that users take on board the policy that "if you
break it, you pay for it to be fixed", and tell them how much that 63x
water objective would cost to replace...this is our workhorse.

We charge $75/h for assisted use, $30/h for unassisted use and individually
negotiated lower rates for very extended use.

cheers,
Rosemary


>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
>Hi,
>
>How do you handle requests to use your confocal at nights and on weekends?
>
>We run a small operation - I'm the only one in the lab - with a Leica TCS
>SP2.  Our present policy is that I get everything turned on and ready to go
>and then, for those users who have shown they know what they are doing, I
>let them run it.  I'm in the area, however, if need be.
>
>I could use the income from what might result in additional hours and,
>really, the only aspect I worry about (but it's a big concern, of course) is
>damage to the objectives.  We already have a crack on our workhorse, 63x oil
>objective, but that happened even without allowing after-hours usage
>(fortunately the crack/scratch [we're not sure which] is off center and
>doesn't seem to affect image quality).
>
>As more and more investigators/groups are attempting to acquire their own
>systems, I don't want to put my lab in a non-competitive situation.
>
>Finally, how do you charge for extended-hours experiments, e.g., 24 to 48
>hrs?  We now charge $25/hr but it wouldn't be feasible for m/any
>investigators to pay $600 to $1,200 for one of these lengthy protocols.
>
>Thanks for any thoughts on either of these concerns.
>
>Ray Hester
>Univ. of South Alabama


Dr Rosemary White                        [log in to unmask]
Microscopy Centre                        fax     61- 2 6246 5000
CSIRO Plant Industry                      ph.     61- 2 6246 5475 or
GPO Box 1600                              mob.  61- 0402 835 973
Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia