MED-PC IV

SOF-735
MED-PC® IV Software

OS Compatibility: Windows® 95, 98, 2000, XP, and Windows NT®

Although some manufacturers may try, it is difficult to compare any other system to MED-PC® and other software products developed by Med Associates. Having stood the test of time, MedState Notation™ continues to be the choice of more laboratories than any other behavioral control language. The simple fact of the matter is that MedState Notation™ works. It does exactly what is contained in written text just like any other programming language. It is not necessary to review countless tables to determine which options are set under which conditions. MedState Notation™ uses simple commands whose functions are inherently recognizable and easy to learn (e.g., ON, OFF, SHOW, ADD, IF, and SET). Placing these commands into logically ordered text gives the user total flexibility over the control of chamber components, stimuli, and reward mechanisms, as well as data variables and arrays. A well written procedure is a permanent record of the experimental protocol. It can be easily reviewed years later for modification or used as is by other investigators. Many standard procedures have already been written and are described at the end of this section.

Four separate applications make up the MED-PC® package. Each is designed to handle a specific task as easily and transparently as possible. MedTest verifies hardware function independent of MED-PC®. This includes an interface card test, a test for the Programmable Audio Generator (ANL-926), and tests for SmartCtrl™ interface modules (DIG-716B test shown), standard modules, and SuperPort™ modules.

Trans IV translates and compiles selected MedState Notation™ procedures into DLL files that may be executed by MED-PC®. This application also serves as a text editor with a detailed help index to MedState Notation™ programming. Error checking code activated during translation clearly points to simple format type errors.

Hardware Configuration is used to build a configuration file that tells MED-PC® how many boxes are connected, how many inputs and outputs are available to each box, and how are they identified. This utility guides the user step by step through this procedure. It is used to set or update such user controlled parameters as file format, automatic file naming strategy and structure, automatic back up frequency, and data file path.

MED-PC® IV is the run time or operating system of MED-PC®. It lets the user run up to 16 test chambers with up to 1 million data elements per chamber. A single test chamber could have up to 80 inputs and 80 outputs. Interface cabinets for 8 or 16 modules are available. Modules with 8, 12, 16, or 24 inputs/outputs in various combinations are available. A few of the MED-PC® IV screens and features are illustrated below.

The MED-PC® IV Load Wizard is specially designed for first time users. It takes the operator through a series of screens for loading and starting one or more boxes. This can be most helpful when first learning the MED-PC® system. This feature may be disabled at any time, and boxes may be loaded from file menu selections, buttons on the tool bar, or customized macros with optional user-defined dialog boxes for the operator.