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                    an experimental systems-modeling-wiki-thing



`modelthing` is a set of software tools for collaboratively editing
symbolic models of real world systems.

*What kind of real world systems?* any system that can be described by
algebraic differential equations. Examples: a double pendulum, population
dynamics in ecology, Moore's Law of increasing transistor density, the light
emited by an LED as a factor of current and voltage, real estate prices as a
factor of rent control, etc.

*What kind of symbolic models?* models which both hold semantic meaning and can
be computed. machines should be able to translate the models between different
symbolic, graphical, and interactive mediums, and both humans and machines
should be able reason with and judge the appropriateness of the models.

*What kind of collaborative editing?* aspirationally, rational discourse
between strangers on the internet who come to progressively more accurate
consensus. The models should be re-usable by hierarchal reference, with
automated tooling to cross-check for compatibility.

*Does it work?* there's no "here" here, yet, just some sketches and
experiments.


Building and Installing
---------------------------
modelthing is currently implemented in the Rust programming language. If you
don't have a toolchain installed, I recommend using rustup
(https://www.rustup.rs/). modelthing should work with stable rust circa 2016.

With a toolchain installed just run:

    cargo build