8/3/2019 Possessed by an SD Daemon

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Possessed by an SD Daemon

My Search for RealUnobtainium

By Michael McCurley

Okay, Ill admit Im possessed. Not just any possession mind you, but that full-blown obsession

for the inaccessible Golden Chalice (like unobtainium)--what software manufacturers will never give us--

just because it might bankrupt them.

Yes, we all once dreamed that a SMILE would save us, born of XML and other software illusions,

users have been quite rudely awakened as they try to convert handy simulation models from one format

to another. This seemed natural to assume since word processors have been doing this for ages, but SD

alchemy initiates us into secret gilds with renewable annual licenses. Untold is the fact they all share

common ancestry with Jay W. Forresters forays with his Whirlwind computer, our National Defense

System, and what everyone today knows as System Dynamics. Although Dr. Emeritus may have rescued

the original computer code from the military, others have earned profits by using it to educate us.

Those of us who work as teachers find it challenging to create interesting activities that engage

the minds of our students. Isnt that what we live for? Salary considerations are another matter, but

few teachers get to complain about having more money than they know what to do with. Schools rarely

have much more than teachers do. So wheres the beef?

Schools with time, money, great teachers and flexible curriculums are in heaven. Good for those

who go there. Such kingdoms are not of this world. The rest of us need not apply. My teaching venue is

Myanmar, somewhat off the beaten track. For faithful Guildsmen throughout this world, there is a Holy

Trinity, known, but never uttered all at onceVensim, Powersim, and Stella. There are other gods

(), of course, but these three are what countless believers swear by.

It is not well that your right hand not knoweth what its left is doing. People are publishing

books about computer simulation modeling, writing papers, teaching, and using software that can only

run with that version and no other. This is meant, of course, to prevent the blasphemy of non-renewable

licenses. Followers are careful to follow the rituals of their sects, even though these are not terribly

different from one anotherBogforgiveme4Inonotwhatudo. BUT this becomes difficult when one sect

has a particularly good model that might be interesting for another. Reusability here would be welcome.

Setting religious considerations aside, I see no reason why we shouldnt share together and

work for a common purpose. We all want models, dont we? My modeling ideas might save you time(and time is money, and so on), or your ideas might be better than mine.

Oh, yes, my numinous internal daemon daiwho never leaves mehas not forgotten, not by

a long shot! Im possessed by the conviction we must share our models across all platforms, software

versions and emulators. I dream of the day when I can simply crack open a model like a can of soda, and

enjoy it immediately. I know this seems like an evil form of adulterous encouragement. But Ive done as

my daemon requiresnow so that youve read these words... Sorry!