Weasel, ACluE and the free software are java programs and require java version 1.8 or later that will be found on (or can be installed on) most recent computers (e.g. Mac OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) or better. Installation is manual but is not too tricky if you follow the tips below:

In the context of malware, mentioned below, please be aware that in the entire history of Weasel distribution from 1983, no user has reported such problems. A simple check is to compare the byte count of the downloaded package with the byte count given on the web page.

Windows PC

• To see which java version (if any) is installed, launch the command window and type "java -version".
  
• If your computer does not have Java, download it from Java.com and install it.
  
• IMPORTANT! Other than for the free software, right-click the downloaded .zip package and select "Extract All..." to extract the program folder. 
  
• The intact folder typically will be dragged to C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) but it will function wherever it is stored. 
  
• Launch the program by double-clicking the command file (Weasel.cmd or ACluE.cmd) or, for the free software, double-click the .jar file.
  
• In newer Windows 10 systems, an attempt to launch Weasel.cmd may trigger the message: "Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting".  Click "More info" and you will be given the option to "Run anyway".
• Launch enhancements for advanced users and .cmd file editing advice are in the enclosed README.txt. 
  

Unix varieties or other computers

• If your computer does not have Java, download it from Java.com and install it.  
• IMPORTANT! Other than for the free software, right-click the downloaded .zip package and select "Extract Here..." or "Extract To..." to extract the program folder.
• After extracting the program folder, the program could be launched by double-clicking the .jar archive however, other than for the free software, it is preferable to use a launch command that sets the initial memory heap allocation.  See the enclosed Weasel.sh or ACluE.sh shell file and README.txt for more information.  

Macintosh

Since Mac OS 10, Apple's malware checking has made installation more onerous.  First, sign in as an Administrator.

• To see which java version (if any) is installed, launch the utility Terminal.app and type "java -version".
• If your mac does not have Java, download it from Java.com and install it.
  
• Other than for the free software, if the downloaded package is a .zip, double-click  to extract the program folder containing the application. For Weasel or ACluE, packaged as .dmg, open and drag the folder to your location of choice.
  
• The intact folder may be placed in "Applications" but it will function wherever it is stored.
  
• Open the folder and attempt a launch by double-clicking the application.  If that generates a pop-up indicating the application cannot be opened because the developer is not recognized, select "Cancel".  Right-click or Control-click the application and if you get a pop-up offering the option "Open", select it and the program should launch.  Having launched once, the program will open subsequently without  problem.
  
• If the previous procedure fails to offer an "Open" option, bring up a Terminal window and type (red section):

My-iMac: myAdminAccount$ sudo spctl --master-disable
Password: [enter your administrator password]


• Launch System Preferences, select Security & Privacy, unlock the controls (using administrator password) and set "Allow apps downloaded from:" to "Anywhere"if it is offered or select "Open Anyway" if that is offered. . 




• Right click on the app (Weasel.app, ACluE.app or the free software .jar file), select "Open" and confirm the "Open" request.
  
• The program will launch and can be run from then on just by double-clicking.
  
• Return your Security & Privacy settings to their original state.
  
• If you have changed security settings after executing the Terminal command above, restore the original system state by typing (red):

My-iMac: myAdminAccount$ sudo spctl --master-enable
Password: [enter your administrator password]


• Launch enhancements, e.g. increasing memory allocation, for advanced users are in the enclosed README.txt
  

Java Heap Memory Usage

Upon launch, a quota of memory (the "Heap") is made available for the Weasel program. Portions of this quota are allocated as they are required but, at any time, some of the allocation may be unused. If the initial quota is too small, Weasel will be unable to display many data files or large data files.

Check the current memory status using "Display->Memory" where values are in MB.

Heap memory allocation in Windows:

Weasel is normally launched by double-clicking Weasel.cmd in which the Java memory heap size is set.  Edit Weasel.cmd in a text editor and find the line: "java -Xmx3072m -jar Weasel.jar Weasel" where "3072m" sets the Java memory heap to 3GB.  If your computer has less physical memory, this must be reduced to less than the physical memory size (e.g. for 1GB heap size, the line will read: "java -Xmx1024m -jar Weasel.jar Weasel") or, if your computer has more memory, the heap may be increased to allow for reading of larger data files. 

Heap memory allocation in Unix-style systems:

Weasel may be launched by executing Weasel.sh in which the Java memory heap size is set.  Edit Weasel.sh in a text editor and find the line: "java -Xmx3072m -jar Weasel.jar Weasel" where "3072m" sets the Java memory heap to 3GB.  If your computer has less physical memory, this must be reduced to less than the physical memory size (e.g. for 1GB heap size, the line will read:"java -Xmx1024m -jar Weasel.jar Weasel") or, if your computer has more memory, the heap may be increased to allow for reading of larger data files.

Heap memory allocation in Macintosh systems:

In the finder, locate the Weasel.app application within the Weasel folder.
Right-click or control click and request "Show Package Contents".
Navigate to Contents/info.plist and open with a text editor.
Find the array of strings following <key>JVMOptions</key> and the line  <string>-Xmx3072m</string>  where "3072m" indicates allocation of 3072 MB.  The value can be adjusted to be just less than your computer physical memory size (e.g. for 1GB heap size, enter -Xmx1024m).
Save and Quit.

For more information or if problems arise in installation, please contact the author. 

Return to Weasel Home..

Return to ACluE Home..

Return to Frank Battye: Flow Cytometry Consulting..