>>> Do any of the commercial confocal vendors have plans for using a PowerMac
>>> computer and MacOS to run or collect images on a confocal microscope?
>>>
>>> Are there any Mac users who would be interested?
>>
>>Signal Analytics already has a Macintosh software interface (IPLab
>>Spectrum) to the Meridian Instruments InSight Basic confocal microscope
>>systems.  Many of our customers using other confocal instruments also
>>make use of  IPLab Spectrum for visualization and image processing.  We
>>also incorporate control of numerous image acquisition devices (frame
>>grabbers and digital cameras) into  IPLab Spectrum. Other modules related
>>to  confocal microscopy currently available from Signal Analytics include
>>FISH, Ca++/pH Ratio, 3D deconvolution, rendering and visualization, and
>>more.
>>
>>If you are interested in more info about IPLab Spectrum and our interface
>>to your Macintosh-based imaging system or confocal microscope, please
>>contact me.
>>
>>Paul Krumpe
>>Signal Analytics Corp.
>>(703) 281-3277
>>www.iplab.com/sac
>
>
>Yes, I'll agree that IPlab Spectrum, especially the newest version, is
>great for image processing and collection of 2D images from a CCD camera.
>A major part of the question that was posed, however, was can MacOS
>software run the hardware of a confocal microscope, including the z-stage
>control, laser scanning, and PMTs?  To my knowledge there are no
>commercially available confocal microscopes that can be run by a Mac,
>although it sounds like there would be a market for one based on the
>responses to this inquiry.  I have not yet heard a convincing argument from
>microscope and imaging companies on why they are only developing PC based
>software (most don't even use Windows 95 because there are too many bugs).
>
>Is Signal Analytics (or any other company for that matter) developing MacOS
>software to run a confocal microscope or even a z-stage control?
>
>If no, why not?
>
>
>********************************************************************
>
>Janine LaSalle Ph.D.            [log in to unmask]
>Genetics Division               (617)355-7577 (phone)
>Children's Hospital             (617)355-7588 (FAX)
>300 Longwood Ave.
>Boston, MA  02115
>
>********************************************************************
 
Dear Janine,
 
I am baffled by your message.  My main interest in a commercial instrument
is usually focused on its capabilities (e.g. speed, resolution,
signal-to-noise) and less on the implementation.  Specifically, it is
doubtful that a computer controlling a confocal microscope will ever be
used for general computing (e.g. surfing the net), so does it really matter
whether the hardware and software belongs to the Mac camp or to the
PC/Windows camp?  Of course the situation is different if I have to develop
my own software.
 
Just a simple thought.
 
Massimo
 
Massimo Sassaroli, D.Sc.
Dept. of Physiology & Biophysics
Box 1218
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
1 Gustave L. Levy Pl.
New York, NY  10029-6574
 
e-mail: [log in to unmask]