HI David (and all).  This is my first post.  Great forum, I've already found a ton of useful info.  David, I enjoy the subtle humor you write in your posts!  I want to take option D too, please ("It's your lucky day !!!!  Someone has used this instrument and will send you some working code.").   
I purchased labview last week for the lab I work in as a chemist.  I would really like to be able to control my MKS1179A Mass flow controllers using Labview.  I have an MKS 647C Gas Flow Controller.  It has RS232 communications.  From what I read, you have created VI's from this already?  Again, I would like to take option D too please!  My email is Gerry.Szachara@BASF.COM  Could you please send me the VI's and help me out?   
I'm ok using a PC and Labview for data acquisition, but I have no clue where to even start as far as control goes.  I'm TOTALLY new to instrument control.  Where can I start to learn?  I especially want to be able to do your option C eventually (write my own code from a protocol document).  But I have no clue where to start.  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks a lot.   
-Gerry 
-a small chemist trying to make it in a world of big chemists!