A Long Summer:
EvoTutor represents a collection of simulations that I wrote over the summer of 2000. My intentions were threefold: 1. To learn to program in Java, 2. To learn some web design, and 3. To develop tools for future teaching opportunities.
These simulations are intended to be pedagogical tools: I welcome all who wish to use them for that purpose. However, I would like the content on this site to remain on this site. Please respect the countless hours I have spent on them and ask for permission if you intend to do otherwise. If using them in a classroom please give credit where credit is due.
Because the simulations are newly created, there is bound to be a few errors that I could not catch. I have spent a considerable amount of time assuring that the factual information presented is correct. Please do me a favor and report any errors via e-mail so I can remedy them ASAP.
I invite you to e-mail me regarding current simulations or ideas for future simulations.
The Simulations Have the Following Properties:
1. Interactivity: this means that for each simulation, you can adjust the parameters and observe the changes in the results.
2. Stochasticity: this means that the results of the simulation will not be the same every time the simulation is run, even if the parameters are the same. Therefore, you must run the simulation several times to obtain a general pattern.
3. Java-based: all simulations are Java applets. This is good because they can be run on all operating systems, given the right browser. However, applets are not without their problems: that is why I have tested the applets on numerous operating systems and browsers. It is strongly recommended that you run the simulations in an applet viewer.
4. Safe: I have made every effort to make sure that the applets on my sight are safe for you to use. For example, all applets neither read nor write any files and, thus, are entirely self contained.
5. Unscripted: the simulations are intended to demonstrate evolutionary processes. They do just that because of the principles of evolution that they are based on, not because they are forced to behave a certain way. As a result, random number generation is common to all simulations (do determine if an individual will die, for example). In addition, each individual is accounted for as are the alleles that are represented. Consequently, simulations will run slower than if they were based on mathematical formulae. Please be patient.
For Best Results:
Run Applets in an Applet Viewer
Otherwise:
1. Maximize your browser's window.
2. Avoid maximizing, minimizing, scrolling or moving your browser while a simulation is in progress.
3. Use the refresh button on your browser to stop a simulation in progress.
4. Use Explorer instead of Netscape if possible.
5. Run simulations several times for each set of conditions.
6. Press the Reset button between each simulation to reset the population.
7. If you wish to change the conditions during the middle of a simulation, wait until the simulation stops, make the desired condition changes, then press the run button without pressing the reset button. This trick may not work in all of the simulations.
8. Use a medium font (w/times roman or arial) setting on your web browser.
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