Technical aspects

The main focus for volunteer involvement in STEEMI is on the conversion of existing ecological models into a standard, web-based format. This is most likely to involve students in ecological and related disciplines, either because they already have some training in modelling, or because they would like to pick up the ability with models by working with them.

However, there is plenty of opportunity for volunteers who would like to contribute in some other way. The main area for this is on the computing-technical side - for example, developing, extending or improving web-based tools for displaying and simulating the behaviour of models. If you have stumbled on this page, have computing skills, and would like to get involved, please do contact us. Equally, if you know of people with these skills and a desire to make a real contribution to improving our planet, please pass the link to this page on to them.

These pages both document technical aspects of STEEMI, and indicate areas where contributions are welcome.

Note: These pages are not intended to be read by people who are interested only in converting models. They are intended for readers who have some expertise in the relevant technologies, or who have the inclination to pick it up.

Technical areas

Converting models from other formats into Similette JSON

In the near future (June 2012), a web-based System Dynamics modelling tool will be available for building, displaying and running STEEMI models. The native format for this tool is JSON (though an exactly-corresponding XML format will also be developed). In principle, it will be possible to automatically convert a subset of models implemented in other modelling languages into Similette-JSON. In practice, the main converter will be one which converts from Simile's native Prolog notation to Similette-JSON.

Simile-Prolog to Similette-JSON converter

Working with Google Sites/Groups/Spreadsheets

This page collects my notes, tips etc for managing the site.