System Requirements
PC:A PC compatible computer running Microsoft Windows (95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP), 3 megabytes of free disk space and at least 16 megabytes of memory.
Macintosh: A Power Macintosh Computer running System 7 or higher with 3 megabytes of free disk space and at least 16 megabytes of memory.
Installing the Demo
PC:Insert the Demo disk into drive A (or drive B). Then, from the Windows Program Manager File menu (or Start button in Windows 95), select the Run command, type A:SETUP (or B:SETUP) in the command line and click OK. If you downloaded the demo program, the installer is called vendemo.exe and will be located in the directory you downloaded it into. The installation program will ask you where you want to install the Demo. By default, the demo will be installed in the directory C:\VENDEMO. You may choose a different disk or directory. The Demo is designed so that any files created during the installation and use of the Demo will be contained in the directory it is installed in, or a sub-directory thereof. If you are running the standard Windows Program Manager, the installation program will create a program icon for the demo in the group of your choice. If you do not want to create this icon then uncheck to box labeled "Install Icon in Group".
Macintosh:Insert the disk into your computer and double click on the Vensim Demo Installer Icon. If you downloaded the demonstration program double click on the file vensim_demo_installer.exe in the folder you loaded it into. You will be prompted for a folder to install into.
NOTE Installing the Demo will not make any modifications to your existing files.
Starting the Demo
PC: The Vensim installation program installs an icon in the Program Managers group you choose (by default the first, usually accessories); double click on this icon. You can also start the demo by invoking the File>Run command from the Program Manager, and then entering the full path and name for the Demo (usually C:\VENDEMO\VENSIM).
Macintosh:Double Click on the Vensim Demonstrator icon.
Using the Demo
When the Demo starts, you will find yourself inside a menu-driven Vensim Application (Venapp). Use the mouse to select one of the options. The button Overview of Vensim’s Capabilities runs through some of the features of modeling in Vensim. The button Exploration of Sample Models allows you to explore a number of different models through Vensim Applications (Section 2). The button Vensim Development Environment accesses a powerful and flexible user-directed environment for developing and working with models. Section 3 gives a brief description of basic operations in the Vensim Development Environment. Section 4 explains how to simulate and analyze an existing model. Section 5 shows you how to build and simulate your own models. You can exit and restart the demo at any time; you cannot save any models you create or modify.
NOTEThe Demo will terminate automatically after two hours of inactivity. If you return to your computer and the Demo is no longer active, you will need to restart it.
Removing the Demo
The Demo will not modify any of your existing files, or create any files outside of the directory or folder it is installed in. To remove the Demo, you simply need to erase the files in the directory you installed the Demo and each sub-directory thereof.
Windows 95/NT:Use Control Panel > Add Remove Programs and select Vensim Demo
Macintosh:Drag the folder you installed the demo in into the trash can.
After you remove the Demo you can, if you wish, install the Demo again.
License
The Vensim Demonstration Program is provided to you for evaluation purposes only and is subject to the terms of the license agreement that is displayed during installation. You are free to pass to demo program on to other people, but only in its original uninstalled form. The Demo software may not be used in any consulting or other commercial activity.
Information and References
Several books are available that provide information on continuous dynamic modeling, and include instruction on how to build models as well as example models. Industrial Dynamics by Jay Forrester is a foundational text book on the theory and practice (how-to) of system dynamics modeling, and is directed at managing business operations. Principles of Systems by Jay Forrester is a basic guide to system dynamics modeling developed from his courses at MIT. These, and other books, can be found at Pegasus Communications, in Waltham, MA (1-781-398-9700). The System Dynamics Review is a peer-reviewed journal which publishes articles on dynamic modeling. Subscriptions can be ordered from John Wiley and Sons (for more information check out http://www.vensim.com/sdmail). The Vensim PLE User's Guid which is available from our web site (www.vensim.com) or the Tutorial and Modeling Guide, which ship with the Vensim software, introduce building system dynamics models, with practical examples from business, physical, ecological, and social systems.
Questions and Comments
We will be happy to answer your questions and would like to hear your comments. Please contact us.
