As the name implies this program is designed to let you simulate a system of bodies that move under the influence of each other's mass. Many have written programs that attempt this task, but this implementation is quite different from any other I have seen. Among its features, it has a dynamic interactive three dimensional perspective display to view the bodies. I believe that the best way to learn is to experiment and be involved in the act of experimentation, and the best way to learn about this program is to try it. It has some brief descriptions about controls under its Help! menu, but full documentation is provided in the Microsoft Word file, SimSolarSys Dox, created for my Theoretical Mechanics course (Physics 111) at Harvey Mudd College. Brief capsule summeries of each of the files in the Play God folder created by Sm Solar System is provided in the file, About these Model Systems MSWD.
I named this Sm Solar System in an attempt to avoid legal conflicts with a publishing company that offers a number of famous games.
Compatibility
System 6.0.5 or later (maybe earlier, I haven't tried), however sounds are disabled under System 6. I've found no problems with this program under System 7.1. A keyboard with a numeric keypad is also required. Other requirements:
Long Version:
I wrote this program using THINK Pascal V4.0, so I must say that portions of the compiled code are under their copyright. However all other code is mine, so there! I compiled the code in 020/030 and FPU code, so the Mac Classic, Powerbook 100, SE, Plus and earlier computers are probably out of luck. I decided to use 020/030 code because it runs faster, takes up less room, and Apple isn't selling a platform that uses the 68000 anymore. Sign of the times, it is.
The FPU code may cause temporary problems for some. I've found that using the FPU code triples the speed of this program on my //ci. I figured why go to a common denominator if it's going to slow down so many others so drastically. This runs fine on a computer with the 68020/030 and 68881/2 FPU chips. It also works with the Quadra 700's and 900's I've tested as well as the Centris 650. But it doesn't work on a Centris 610, probably because Apple disabled the FPU functions inside its '040. For everyone without an FPU, get PseudoFPU (I forgot the derserving author's name), a control panel that installs some SANE traps so that any FPU calls are diverted to floating point routines executed by the main processor. I've ran this program on a //si that I think had PseudoFPU installed.
Short Version:
All '040s except Centris 610 + All '030/020s w/FPU: Works fine
68000's: Sorry
Everyone else: Get an FPU or PseudoFPU
Sm Solar System LT is a restricted version of Sm Solar System for shareware distribution. You have 15 days to try it out, then you must send a check ($20) made out to:
Dean Dauger
3582 Venture Drive
Huntington Beach, Ca 92649
I am also offering Sm Solar System 1.0, the full featured version for $40. You will recieve a disk with a version optimized for your system (tell me your system configuration (FDHD or DD, FPU, 030 code, etc.) when you order) and other related files. You will also receive a pair of 3D glasses to work with the color 3D features of the program. Comments, suggestions, and whatever else may be sent to the above address or on Internet: ddauger@hmcvax.claremont.edu or ddauger@jarthur.claremont.edu. Those two accounts are on systems at Harvey Mudd College. I will respond when other responsibilities permit.
