Re: Web app to direct user to the right microscope?

Posted by Arvydas Matiukas on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Web-app-to-direct-user-to-the-right-microscope-tp7592166p7592181.html

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Matthieu’s “simple” question sparked a very interesting discussion.  In my  understanding he needs a simple algorithm/app to orient and advise beginner-intermediate level non-confocal microscopy users. Such app may be useful for specific types of users and Microscopy Labs/Cores.

My Core hosts only confocals but I also supervise simple widefield microscopes as department-affiliated. In my experience the most difficult communication is with the beginner/low-experience microscopy users: I second other posts that such users often are not able correctly formulate their application and are using incorrect terms , or even worse –they insist on wrong application (because in their understanding they  were  advised in that way). Therefore in such case the app would not be efficient except giving the user some initial thought, and I would prefer live discussion and education of the user.

Intermediate level users usually correctly know their application but still may benefit from advice how to improve/optimize their sample, imaging mode and settings. I believe that the app would work best for matching such users with microscope types and applications.

Advanced users need the extreme from  state-of-the–art  microscopes or have a unique application. Therefore to achieve the best result a reiterative process of discussion and experimental imaging is needed (as was mentioned earlier). In this case the app would not work unless in includes huge knowledgebase.

Mathieu, I wanted to point you to some example algorithm that directs user to the optimal microscope, however I see only ones for the big Cores  hosting multiple  advanced and specialized microscopes.


Best regards,
Arvydas
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Arvydas Matiukas, Ph.D.
Director of  Neuroscience  Microscopy Core
Manager of NRB Shared Research Equipment
SUNY Upstate Medical University


From: VERMEREN Matthieu<mailto:[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2021 5:14 AM
To: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Web app to direct user to the right microscope?

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Thanks all for your answers.

I take your points -and I specially agree that people should talk *before* doing the experiment and tell us what the biological problem is- but I think you have overshot the question:

I have a small set of microscopes, each with advantages and unique capabilities (colour or greyscale cameras, incubation chamber, fluorescence...).  When users come and see me, I know which microscope to direct them to.  The app would be a first guide to *my* microscopes, not to the whole of microscopy.

Obviously, it will also tell people to come and talk...

Sincerely,

Matthieu




-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of VERMEREN Matthieu
Sent: 28 April 2021 17:28
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Web app to direct user to the right microscope?

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Dear all,

I've been repetitively asked by some users if I could build a Web app that would guide them through a series of questions (like a personality test) to the ideal microscope(s) for their experiment.  Does anyone have experience with this?  Which app have you used?

Obviously, I'd rather they come and talk but maybe I'm just scary :-)

Sincerely,

Matthieu

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