How can I use MIIND?

You can use the source code and the Makefiles (Unix/Linux) or the project files (Window/ MSVC7.1) to create libraries on your own systems and use them with your own code. MIIND is for developers: at the moment we don't offer script languages, GUIs, or other executables. You can create a few test executables to see if the code is working, but at the moment that's it. The MIIND API does allow you to create fairly complicated architectures with relatively little effort, however, and also it makes a considerable number of sophisticated algorithms available, which are typically not available in Open Source. If you are already modelling in C++, MIIND can reduce your development time considerably in some cases.

Is it Open Source?

Yes. It is essentially a BSD license with an extra provision: cite the currently valid reference if you have used it for writing a scientific publication.

Can it be used stand alone?

Almost. You will need the GNU Scientific Library. Om most *NIX systems this will be installed or your sysad can easily do this. Alternatively you can compile your own versions, which should be within your range of skills if you're going to use MIIND anyway. Windows users can download Csaba Kiss' WinGSl. Although this is a fairly old version of the GSL, it works without a problem, at least for the features that MIIND relies on.

Those who are considering using the PopulistLib or DynamicLib are strongly encouraged to install ROOT, a powerful class library which allows efficient storage and visualization of data, among other things. It is free.

Who uses mind ?

MIND is used at the University of Leeds (Marc de Kamps and students), the Technische Universität München (Melanie Dietz, Johannes Drever, Christian Osendorfer), the Ludwig Maximilians Universität München (Volker Baier and students) and the Universiteit Leiden (Frank van der Velde, Gwendid van der Voort van der Kleij)

Will it be extended?

Yes. We now have a group of people that is using the code regularly and it is to be expected that this will help in making the code friendlier to use. At some point we definetely want to introduce GUIs and scripting but we first need more person power to invest in that. For the time being development is mainly for our own needs although we do take up bug reports and will consider feature requests.