Ventana software support forum

Posted: **Mon Apr 15, 2002 8:09 am**

Bruce Skarin wrote:
> Finally I have most absent mindedly forgotten the work of one of my
> colleagues: http://www.systemdynamicist.net/sd/index.php
> Jared Rhoads has constructed a website

This looks very promising, as Bruce suggests an integrated approach across
several areas would be most desirable
fulfilling the needs of the novice, world citizen, student, academic,
consultant and domain area expert or interested worker, whether it be
Business Sector, Economics, Government,
Education, Health and Social Care or Public Policy, Defence, etc. I can see
a useful Discussion Thread about the taxonomy of SD

Regards
Geoff McDonnell
Director Adaptive Care Systems
sydney australia
gmcdonne@bigpond.net.au

Posted: **Fri Sep 13, 2002 1:43 pm**

Near the beginning of this year there was a discussion that has remained
in my thoughts. It stemmed from many factors including: the benefits of
society membership, the use of the list serve, and in essence the
"purpose" of system dynamics. There seemed to be concern about the free
availability of the field of SD, but there were also points about
underutilized SD resources (especially those available through
membership).

Another point I have noticed is the reoccurrence of topics as well as
parallels and shared features. Some topics have also already been well
detailed in past issues of the SD Review.

Finally I have most absent mindedly forgotten the work of one of my
colleagues: http://www.systemdynamicist.net/sd/index.php
Jared Rhoads has constructed a website that I believe holds a great
potential for improving the accessibility of SD material and resources.
I think that if Jared, Bob Eberlein, and SD Society were to work
together that it would be possible to put together a far more
transparent and expandable interface for the SD world.

My thought is for it to remain as simple as this email list serve, but
to also be mirrored on an online forum. Through such a format each topic
forms a new thread, but each can also be categorized for future
reference online. In addition, models, papers, and links can be referred
to and made accessible. In process, society membership would be better
"marketed" since SD review articles are very often related to the
discussion topics. I am certain that more individuals would more willing
join if they were aware of the information available to them online
(back issues to 1996 online with membership!).

Anyways, I could go on forever but it is really no use without the
interest of others. Take a look at Jareds site. I can already see that
several changes would be required to make things work, but it is a very
good template. Those who have the time and or resources might wish to
make their potential contributions known. I am certain the WPI could
find an MQP or IQP to assist in development (wink).

Kindest Regards,

-Bruce
From: "Bruce Skarin" <bruceskarin@hotmail.com>

Posted: **Sat Sep 14, 2002 2:56 pm**

I suspect that some subscribers are experts on remote collaboration, but
here are my thoughts ...

The basic email list works well. Its great to have fresh messages mailed
daily, rather going to a website to fetch them, which is merely a nuisance
for a single list, but a royal pain if you belong to several. See below for
some pros and cons of different ways of holding internet discussions:
http://www.geocities.com
esearchTriangle/Lab/6882/nforums.html

Some possible enhancements, in order of increasing effort :

1 - Add a standard footer to each message.
This could include the address of the lists web page, subscribe/unsubscribe
instructions, link to a FAQ, etc.

2 - Publish past postings to a public archive in a user-friendly HTML
format.
The excellent (and free) MHonArc package will convert mail to HTML and
provides mail thread linking, etc. For some simple output (the package is
highly customizable), see:
http://lists.debian.org/debian-laptop/2 ... reads.html

Some nice aspects of this approach:
- It would make individual messages searchable by Google and other search
portals
- Useful past postings would be retained
- Its low effort, very reliable, easy to automate, etc

3 - Publish a FAQ
There are lots of SD resources on the web, but I havent been able to find a
useful SD FAQ. Creating one would need considerable effort and expertise.
Ideally it would be sponsored and hosted by the SD Society or another major
SD institution, but made available publicly.

From: Jonathan Moore <Jonathan.Moore@paconsulting.com>

Ventana software support forum

This List, The System Dynamics Society, and Systemdynamicist

This List, The System Dynamics Society, and Systemdynamicist

This List, The System Dynamics Society, and Systemdynamicist

This List, The System Dynamics Society, and Systemdynamicist