			       G E N E S I S

		   The GEneral NEural Simulation System
				Version 2.2

------------
Introduction
------------

This directory contains the distribution of GENESIS version 2.2.

This release represents a significant upgrade from the previous version,
2.1.  A detailed list of source code changes from previous versions is
provided in genesis/src/CHANGES.  New features are described in
genesis/Doc/Changes.doc.

Directions for installing the software may be found in the README file
contained in the 'src' subdirectory.  Be sure to read the directions
concerning the installation of the ".simrc" file.  Directions for printing
and using the documentation may be found in 'Doc/README'.  The
'Scripts/README' file describes the demonstration and tutorial simulations
which are included with this distribution.

----------------------
Description of GENESIS
----------------------

GENESIS is a general purpose simulation platform which was developed to
support the simulation of neural systems ranging from complex models of
single neurons to simulations of large networks made up of more abstract
neuronal components.  Most current GENESIS applications involve realistic
simulations of biological neural systems.  Although the software can also
model more abstract networks, there exist other simulation packages that
are more suitable for backpropagation and similar connectionist modeling.

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Machine dependence  
------------------

GENESIS and its graphical front-end XODUS are written in C and are known to
run under the following UNIX-based systems with the X Window System (X11R5,
and X11R6):

* Intel x86-based Linux systems:
   + Red Hat Linux 5, 6, and 7
   + Mandrake Linux 7.0
   + Debian Linux with kernel 2.x, glibc2.1 and egcs-2.91.66
* Intel x86-based FreeBSD 4.1
* PPC-based Linux systems running LinuxPPC and SUSE 7.0
* Sun SPARC-based systems running Solaris 2.6, and 2.7
* SGI MIPS-based systems running IRIX 5.x and 6.5.x
* IBM SP2 systems running AIX 4.2 and 4.3

It is quite likely that GENESIS will also work on systems running other
revisions of the operating systems listed above; however, the GENESIS
developers only have direct experience with the particular systems listed.

GENESIS is known to *fail* to work on DEC Alpha-based systems.

GENESIS has in the past worked on the following systems, but the developers
do not have these systems available for full testing and have not been able
to adequately verify that GENESIS 2.2 compiles and runs properly:

* Sun SPARC-based systems running SunOS 4.1.x
* Sun SPARC-based running Solaris 2.5/2.5.1
* HP-UX systems
* Intel Paragon
* DECStation running Ultrix 4.x or 3.x
* Cray T3E and T3D

We welcome feedback on experiences with these platforms.  If you attempt to
use GENESIS on these systems and have problem reports (or even better,
fixes), please contact the GENESIS maintainers.

A detailed guide to the GENESIS neuroscience tutorials and the construction
of GENESIS simulations is given in:

   The Book of GENESIS: Exploring Realistic Neural Models with the GEneral
   NEural SImulation System, Second Edition, by James M. Bower and David
   Beeman, published by TELOS/Springer-Verlag -- ISBN 0-387-94938-0

-------------------
GENESIS Users Group
-------------------

Serious users of GENESIS are advised to join the users group, BABEL.
Members of BABEL are entitled to access the BABEL directories and email
newsgroup.  These are used as a repository for the latest contributions by
GENESIS users and developers.  These include new simulations, libraries of
cells and channels, additional simulator components, new documentation and
tutorials, bug reports and fixes, and the posting of questions and hints
for setting up GENESIS simulations.  As the results of GENESIS research
simulations are published, many of these simulations are being made
available through BABEL.  New developments are announced in a newsletter
which is sent by email to all members.  Members are able to access the
BABEL directories and transfer files to and from their host machines using
a passworded ftp account.

Inquiries concerning GENESIS should be addressed to genesis@bbb.caltech.edu.
Inquiries concerning BABEL memberships should be sent to
babel@bbb.caltech.edu.  Other information concerning GENESIS, including
"snapshots" of GENESIS simulations and descriptions of research which has been
conducted with GENESIS may be found on the GENESIS World Wide Web Server at
the following URL:

       http://www.bbb.caltech.edu/GENESIS

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The addresses given above and in the GENESIS documentation
are correct as of July, 2001.  Later in the year, the GENESIS web, ftp, and
email addresses will be moving to genesis-sim.org.  When it occurs, the move
will be announced on the present GENESIS web page.  If you experience
difficulties using the addresses given above, try the web page
http://www.genesis-sim.org/GENESIS and the ftp site
ftp://genesis-sim.org/pub/genesis.  At some point, the genesis and babel
email addresses will change to genesis@genesis-sim.org and
babel@genesis-sim.org.

----------
Disclaimer
----------

It should be understood that this software system is being provided for
general distribution as a public service to the neural network and
computational neuroscience communities.  We make no claims as to the
quality or functionality of this software for any purpose whatsoever and
its release does not constitute a commitment on our part to provide support
of any kind.

----------------
Copyright Notice
----------------

  Copyright 1988 - 2001 by the California Institute of Technology

  Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its
  documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted,
  provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that
  both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in
  supporting documentation, and that the name of the California
  Institute of Technology not be used in advertising or publicity
  pertaining to distribution of the software without specific, written
  prior permission.  The California Institute of Technology makes no
  representations about the suitability of this software for any
  purpose.  It is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.

  Some components are copyright by the originating institution and are
  used with the permission of the authors.  The conditions of these
  copyrights (none of which restrict the free distribution of GENESIS)
  appear with these modules.
