Ventana software support forum

Posted: **Wed Apr 10, 1996 7:26 am**

>I have just read about a simulation package called EZ-IMPACT. This is

I took a class this spring where we had the choice of using EZ-Impact or SD.
>From an educational point-of-view unfortunately no one chose EZ-Impact. I
wanted a copy but the book store didnt want to order one copy.

The software is DOS. It is, I believe, $25 (well at least for students).
As I understand it the author is at Texas A&M. My impression is that it is
the program is particularly useful for building a "consensus" behavior in a
group environment.

I will see the professor next week and get more information.

Jay Forrest

Pteragenesis
Chaos, Complexity, System Dynamics, Studies of the Future
pteragen@neosoft.com
http://www.neosoft.com/~pteragen

Posted: **Wed Apr 10, 1996 9:56 am**

EZ-IMPACT appears to very similar to a technique called KSIM developed
by Julius Kane at the U. of British Columbia in the early 70s. It
was first documented in Tech. Forecasting and Social Change, 1972, I
believe.

There was considerable follow-on work with KSIM by a various
practicioners, including many publications.

--Wayne Wakeland (wakeland@leupstv.com)

Posted: **Wed Apr 10, 1996 5:09 pm**

I have just read about a simulation package called EZ-IMPACT. This is =
discussed in an article by Stark, C.R. and Seitz, W.D. "EZ-IMPACT: A =
judgment based program for public input in resource management and =
modeling", _Society and Natural Resources - an international journal_, =
no 4, 1988.

This package uses the following numerical approach:
Xi(t+1)=3Dxi(t)exp(Zi(t)) where the Zi(t) term is the ratio of the sum 1 =
plus delta t times the sum of negative impacts on Xi to 1 plus delta t =
times the sum of positive impacts on Xi.

It has a public involvement data collection process in which =
participants estimate the impact that up to 39 variables have on each =
other as max, min and most likely.

Has anyone heard about this work. It was conducted by the University of =
Illinois Agricultural Economics Department with the support of the US =
Soil Con. Service with watershed management the subject of the article. =
It sounds like a SD approach in some ways. A colleague pointed it out =
to me and commented that my SD methodology is nothing new.

Comments?
___________________________________________________________________
John Wolfenden (jwolfend@metz.une.edu.au)
Centre for Water Policy Research, University of New England
Armidale NSW Australia 2351
International prefix (+61 67) Australian STD prefix (067)
Phone 732420 Fax 733237

Posted: **Thu Apr 11, 1996 7:40 pm**

I finally have info on EZ-IMPACT modeling software and have a demo which is
encouraged to be shared. I can zip it and mail it to anyone who wants to
see it. The demo is "Presentation" software based and not a dummy version of
the program and IT IS SLOW! Because it is so slow I gave up while running
the demo and cannot tell you much about the program. It is DOS based.

EZ-IMPACT is available in three flavors.
Consultant (Ver 5.3) for workshops and classes $195 per copy
Scientist (Ver 5.1) for science and single users $ 95 per copy
Educational (Ver. 5.1) for students $59 each or $29 each for 5+

Shipping is copies x 5$ in US or x$20 for outside us

EZ-IMPACT can be ordered from:
BioSocial Decision Systems
280 Capetown
Montgomery, Texas 77356
Tel/Fax (409)588-4557

Let me know if you want a demo! Wish I could tell you more!

Jay Forrest

Pteragenesis
Chaos, Complexity, System Dynamics, Studies of the Future
pteragen@neosoft.com
http://www.neosoft.com/~pteragen