This file can be obtained from ftp://ftp.cs.toronto.edu/pub/xerion also see http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~xerion 1) Introduction --------------- This directory contains tar files that themselves contain the sources and documentation for Uts (Xerion, the sequel), a set of libraries for building and training neural networks, plus simulators built using these libraries. Currently, the only simulators implemented are a comprehensive back-propagation simulator (tkbp) and a mixture of Gaussians network trained using EM (tkmxm). The information here corresponds to release 4.1 of the Uts library, the tkbp simulator, and the tkmxm simulator. Uts was developed and is used by the connectionist group at the University of Toronto. This release contains a library of routines that build networks, and graphically display them, as well as an optimization library which can train nets using one of several different methods including conjugate gradient. All libraries are written in C and use Tcl/Tk as an interpreted language. 2) Installation Notes --------------------- Uts version 4.1 is greatly different from Xerion version 3.1 (Hence the name change from Xerion to Uts). Those familiar with Xerion 3.1 will recognize much of the same functionality and structure in the new simulator, but don't be fooled. Much of the actual implementation is different. The most important change, however, is the use of Tcl as a command language. This gives a greatly improved environment for writing scripts and extending the simulators. As well, it has improved the portability of the libraries and simulators. The major disadvantage is that the libraries are not backwards compatible. There is a good introductory tutorial on the use of the back-propagation simulator in the file tutorial.ps.Z (which is also included with tht tkbp distribution). This release should compile and run "out of the box" on any UNIX-like system that approximates POSIX, BSD, or System V. I know that it runs on workstations from Sun and Silicon Graphics. As stated above, uts is built using the Tcl (Tool Command Language) library , *plus* three extension to it. Before building Uts, you must build and install these libraries. Versions of these libraries are archived in the same directory with Uts (but can also be obtained via anonymous ftp from many other sites). Tcl tcl7.3.tar.Z Tk tk3.6.tar.Z TclX tclX7.3b.tar.gz [incr Tcl] itcl-1.5.tar.gz IMPORTANT: xerion has not been updated to work with more recent versions of tcl/tk. So please make sure you use use the following versions: tcl version 7.3 tk version 3.6 tclX version 7.3 itcl version 1.5 Before you build Uts, make sure you have all of the necessary source files. Uts comes in several packages. The tar file named uts-4.1p1.tar.Z allows you to build the libraries used by the various simulators (plus some utility executables). The file tkbp-4.1p2.tar.Z contains the source for the backprop simulator. The file tkmxm-4.1p2.tar.Z contains the source for the mixture of Gaussians simulator. You MUST build the uts libraries before building the simulators. 3) Bugs and Questions --------------------- There is a mailing list for people using xerion. Currently most of the people on the list are only familiar with Xerion version 3.1; however, there are people on the list that have been using Uts verion 4.1 for some time now. The mailing list is primarily intended for discussion of issues relating to the xerion neural network simulator, and dissemination of information directly relevant to using the simulator. The list will also be used to announce any bug fixes, updates and release news. If you want to be added to the list, send mail to: xerion-request@ai.toronto.edu If you find any bugs or have comments or questions, send mail to: xerion@ai.toronto.edu and we will do our best Xerion Project Dept. of Computer Science, University of Toronto 6 Kings College Road, Toronto, Ontario CANADA M5S 1A4