Software

The fuzzy cognitive map applet is, obviously, an applet. This implies that it has all the advantages and disadvantages of applets. One advantage is that you can run it from your web browser; there is no need to install anything. One disadvantage is that, due to the security constraints of applets, you cannot save your work (you do not want applets to write and remove files in your hard disk, do you?). If you create a new fuzzy cognitive map in the applet, your work will be lost when you close the web browser. The way around this inconvenience is to run the program as a standalone application. However, this is not yet possible. If enough people express interest in the program I will modify it and distribute it as an application.

If you are using a dial-up connection you do not need to stay connected to Internet in order to use the applet. In fact, the applet runs in your browser, not in the web server. Once this page has been downloaded completely you can close the connection to Internet and then use the applet as long as you wish.

In order to be able to see and use the applet you have to enable Java in your browser. I cannot explain to you how to do this because it is different in every browser. Usually it is one of the Preferences settings. Look up the online help of your browser if in doubt.

I have tested the applet with Internet Explorer 5.5, Konqueror 2.1.1 and Netscape Communicator 4.76 and 6.01. If you find any problem while using the applet, first check if it is any of the known problems. If your problem is not listed there, you may need to install a more recent version of Netscape Communicator, Konqueror, Opera or any other good web browser. Please note that the Java support of Internet Explorer (at least version 5.5 and earlier) is not good, and the applet will not work properly on it.. I have not tried Internet Explorer 6. I suggest you use Netscape Communicator 6 or later.

The interface of the applet is quite intuitive, I think, once you know what fuzzy cognitive maps are. Nevertheless you may want to read the help page before you try the applet. Alternatively, you can click the help button of the applet at any time. The applet allows the user to input the factors of a system, to set the relationships between factors and to run simulations on the fuzzy cognitive map. The applet does not have an interface in which the factors are represented by circles, the relationships between factors are represented by arrows and all is drawn in a panel. I thought that the circles-and-arrows approach is good for representing systems with a few factors and a few relationships, but it can get really messy for moderately complex fuzzy cognitive maps. In my applet the factors of the system are displayed in a list, and the relationships between factors are set with a factor editor.

Donwload the source code: Zip format (114 kb) or tar.gz format (80 kb).