This thread is to discuss your experiences with flow cytometry software - especially free ones that can be used anywhere (as opposed to ones like FlowJo and WinList and CellQuest/Diva that usually don't make it out of core facilities!)
Here's some of the ones I've used for starters:
WinMDI (free)
WinList (free trial)
FlowJo Mac (Free Trial)
FlowJo PC (free trial)
CellQuest/Diva (comes with the FACScan/Vatage or LSRII respectively)
ModFit
Please include availablity/source and your impressions of the software that you use. Impressions of the software listed above also welcome - I've to get a new one, and want to factor other user opinions!

Yes. We already have one of their machines, so the software came with that. I found the software very user-friendly - more so i guess for beginers, but it is rather rigid and inflexible - software such as WinList and FlowJo have steeper learning curves, but are super-versatile.

I like the FlowJo and Winlist. However I've been using the CellQuest and it give to me anything that I want so far. It don't have the tool to adjust compensation once you have the file (as in WinList) but I think it would be useless if you adjust properly the compensation when you reading the samples.
The CellQuest could be used anywhere but you have to get the security key that comes with the software. The only disadvantage, in my opinion, is that those softwares for Mac is mostly running in the Classic OS, not yet in the OS X.

I've been a longtime CellQuest user. Any attempt at using other software hasn't worked for me because I'm so used to using CQ. Nonetheless, BD's software should be free and not priced at extortion levels. They also leave much to be desired in terms of export and, yes, OSX use. I'm sad to see them leave the MAC platform for the DIVA. The software on those machines is a real dealbreaker for me. I tried for a long time to learn it and I still get lost in it. It must have been written by someone who never performs FACS and never used the old version of CQ. It's way to complicated and user unfriendly. I think it is even worse than CQ on the old HP computers (15 years ago).

Nice stuff, thanks for the info guys.

I have the same frustrations but Found one solution I found on the internet. Google send me to a Forum that talked about a software called the fcs cytopro quickfacs and claim it is going to be out in Java. They Claim there is no license fee and only $150.00 for students.
If you google FlowCytometry Software you will find an AOL VIDEO of the software..Looks easy to use and can be downloaded from all sorts of sites.
The demo is free I see the links all over with different articles for the software. I Down loaded it last night but have not reviewed it yet.
Good luck.
Go to GOOGLE

I tried FCS express and I think its a very good program. Not CQ style but very easy to use. Although it's not free...

Elia

FCS Express now adds Multicycle for DNA analysis.
Reviewing back on the software i've used THIS year (FACSDiva (PC), FloJo 6.4 and 8.3 (Mac OS), FCS Express (PC));
FloJo v8 is probably the most versatile - especially its compensation matrix (fabulous if you have say, 6 colors), but also the priciest.
FACSDiva remains the one with the steepest learning curve and most unfriendly unintuitive interface - though its very capable.
Both FCS Express and FloJo allow for very easy basic analysis, but things go uphill quickly after that. FCS Express is fairly capable, and have the cheapest educational version - and if you have the Guava, getting it is a no-brainer. For one of the more capable all-digital BD or Coulter machines, (eg LSR II, Aria) which support a huge repertoire of colors and sample types, FloJo might work out better inspite of its huge price premium. One bad thing about FloJo is that the PC and mac versions are not compatible - I find that pretty ridiculous.
Haven't used the latest version of WinList, so will reserve comment on that.

The Fcs Cytopro Quick Facs 11 is very easy to use. It has no Menue Bar and can process 10 Million Event files by 40 paramaters. It is not listed on any University but can be Purchased at Simtel, Circuit City, C/net, BestBuy, and every Major Download site.. The software is avaiable in Java 6.0 too.
With no license fee and contract it is the best deal by far..
There is no Dongle and works on the PC. It does not have to stay in the lab.
The software Process 24-48,000 files per hour.
Just google Fcs Cytopro Quick Facs and get your free trial download.
Great software for only $150.00 for students..
It is not a JOKE...It is true...
Free trial...It works for all BD and Beckman Coulter Cytometers. Furthurmoore it does not use compensation so all the results are true.
Dual histograms with stats printed on between the histograms.
I love the software and can not believe it is only $150.00 for students.