large-scale multidisciplinary endeavors. STELLA is sufficiently versatile to enable
development of large-scale dynamic models. Such models can include a variety of
features that are typically not dealt with by an individual modeler. Through easy
incorporation of new modules into existing dynamic models and flexibility in
adjusting models to specific real-world problems, STELLA fosters dialog and
collaboration among modelers. It is a superb organizing and knowledge-capturing
device for model building in an interdisciplinary arena. Individuals can easily
integrate their knowledge into a STELLA model without “losing sight” of, or
influence on, their particular part of the model. We anticipate that the modeling
approach presented in this book will increase interaction among modelers and
will be generating new momentum for interdisciplinary and cross-cultural
exchange of ideas.
With the various books in the Modeling Dynamic Systems book series, of which
this volume is a part, we wish to initiate a dialogue with and among you and other
modelers. We invite you to share with us your ideas, suggestions and criticisms of
the book, its models, and its presentation format. We also encourage you to send us
your best STELLA models. We intend to make the best models available to a larger
audience, possibly in the form of books, acknowledging you or your group as one of
the selected contributors. The models will be chosen based on their simplicity, their
application to an interesting phenomenon, or real-world problem.
We believe that the dynamic modeling enthusiasm, the ecolate skill, spreads by
word of mouth, by people in groups of two or three sitting around a computer doing
this modeling together, building a new model, or reviewing one by another such
group. Share your thoughts and insights with us, and through us, with other
modelers.
Bruce Hannon
Matthias Ruth
University of Illinois
Northeastern University
Urbana, IL, USA
Boston, MA, USA
428
45 Building a Modeling Community
development of large-scale dynamic models. Such models can include a variety of
features that are typically not dealt with by an individual modeler. Through easy
incorporation of new modules into existing dynamic models and flexibility in
adjusting models to specific real-world problems, STELLA fosters dialog and
collaboration among modelers. It is a superb organizing and knowledge-capturing
device for model building in an interdisciplinary arena. Individuals can easily
integrate their knowledge into a STELLA model without “losing sight” of, or
influence on, their particular part of the model. We anticipate that the modeling
approach presented in this book will increase interaction among modelers and
will be generating new momentum for interdisciplinary and cross-cultural
exchange of ideas.
With the various books in the Modeling Dynamic Systems book series, of which
this volume is a part, we wish to initiate a dialogue with and among you and other
modelers. We invite you to share with us your ideas, suggestions and criticisms of
the book, its models, and its presentation format. We also encourage you to send us
your best STELLA models. We intend to make the best models available to a larger
audience, possibly in the form of books, acknowledging you or your group as one of
the selected contributors. The models will be chosen based on their simplicity, their
application to an interesting phenomenon, or real-world problem.
We believe that the dynamic modeling enthusiasm, the ecolate skill, spreads by
word of mouth, by people in groups of two or three sitting around a computer doing
this modeling together, building a new model, or reviewing one by another such
group. Share your thoughts and insights with us, and through us, with other
modelers.
Bruce Hannon
Matthias Ruth
University of Illinois
Northeastern University
Urbana, IL, USA
Boston, MA, USA
428
45 Building a Modeling Community