1. What is OSCAR?

2. How to use the clustering algorithms in OSCAR?

3. How can I add my newly developed clustering algorithm into OSCAR?

4. Why do I wait for a long time but get not answer?

1. What is OSCAR?

An enormous amount of cluster algorithms for microarray data analysis have been proposed and new algorithms are emerging at a fast rate. Not a single software tool is capable of incorporating the majority of these algorithms to allow users to use them side by side. OSCAR is an open web platform for cluster analysis of microarray data and for development of clustering related analytical tools. It provides a comprehensive but friendly environment to both users and algorithm developers. For users, OSCAR provides 1) a palette of clustering tools for analysis of a single species data, including Hierarchical Clustering, K-means Clustering, Self Organization Map, Tight Clustering, and a new algorithm called Parallel Tight-Clustering, 2) a novel tool for analysis of two species data, and 3) visualization and interactive analysis capabilities. For algorithm developers, OSACAR is a plug-and-play platform. Developers can plug in their own algorithms to the OSCAR server, which will equip their command line executables with user friendly interface and interactive analysis capability, and most importantly, allow their algorithms to run on a dedicated server and provide service to users through a web interface.

2. How to use the clustering algorithms in OSCAR?

Please refer to the following section Use the existing clustering algorithms in OSCAR in the help page.

3. How can I add my newly developed clustering algorithm into OSCAR?

Please refer to the following sections Clustering executable specification  and Add an new clustering executable to OSCAR   in the help page.

4. Why do I wait for a long time but get not answer?

This means the clustering algorithm executable you selected is not running correctly. It may caused by (a) using mal-formated data files which are not accepted by the executable; (b)using too big data files; (c) using inappropriate parameters. Please stop the browser if you are not getting response after 10 minutes. The suggested solution is (a) first read the description page for your selected clustering algorithm; (b) secondly, make sure that the data files are in the right format; (c)make sure that the data file you upload is not bigger than 800KBytes; (d) finally, try different parameters.