Fifty more interactive help models

Six months ago we announced the release of an initial ten interactive example models in our online help system at help.stem.impliedlogic.com. Since then we have been working through the rest of the Model features section, developing (more precisely) a further 52 models designed to bring to life the various static examples and figures in the original text. In parallel, we have also reviewed the structure of the whole section under a new heading of Calculation framework.

Finally we are pleased to announce the publication online of this new structure, together with the complete set of models which you can explore yourself (no registration required) if you want to learn more about how STEM works or simply evaluate its potential.

New-look calculation framework

The section formerly known as Model features is a self-contained reference to all of the built-in calculations made by STEM. Indeed it was even a separate binder in the days when we still shipped hard-copy manuals! As ever, each group of calculations is explained in detail with examples, and is cross-referenced with alphabetical listings of every pre-defined input and result. (The inputs are also presented by data dialog in the alternative context of the Editor skills section, which is where pressing <F1> in the Editor takes you, and these pages also link through to the associated features.)

This structure is now augmented with the new interactive models which exist in parallel to the static feature topics. Each model is linked (both ways) from an original example or figure in the feature section, and you can also browse from one model to the next for more of a ‘try it and see’ experience.

Figure 1: Structure of the new Calculation framework section

Try before you buy and see how it works

The library of interactive help models is still growing and will be maintained as a living resource. We expect to add further commentary and illustrations as appropriate, and to make individual models available for download in due course.

The 52 new models alone would serve as a useful weekly self-training exercise to learn STEM ‘from cover to cover’ over the course of an aspirational year. We may even add a Help model of the week feature to our main website to promote wider awareness of this rich opportunity. The current list of titles is shown in Figure 2 below.

Evidently the principal aim of these models is to serve the learning process as an extension of the original help content. However, the readily-accessible interactive format also facilitates ‘self-service’ evaluation of the system before buying.

Figure 2: Listing of interactive help models for STEM as at 31 July 2015 (in order of the original examples)

If you are still reading down to here, perhaps you would care to share this article or a link to the Calculation framework section with the hashtag #HelpModelOfTheWeek?

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