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I have been told that the NIST ATM simulator is among the best ATM simulators. Well it may be so, but it sure is difficult to install (because of lack of docs?); even after reading the INSTALL file and searching the Net for a solution.
Recently I had a chance to install it for someone and I faced some problems, for which I found a solution and the simulator is running successfully and IMHO I should atleast document it for the information of other ill informed ppl like me.
Well the instalation on GNU/ Linux is somewhat straight forward and is exactly as specified in the instalation procedure. But after instalation how do we execute it! On running the "sim" executable it will give some error and simply refuse to start.
The solution is to switch your desktop from KDE or GNOME to something anciant like TWM and proably at a lower bpp (8bpp). Then run the simulator.
The steps are:

• In KDE or GNOME (whatever your Window Manager is) execute "switchdesk" command and select TWM as your Window Manager (preferably from GUI, for some strange reasons doesnot work from command line). You can also select your Window Manager from the GDM login screen.
• Edit your /etc/X11/XF86Config and select your color depth as 8 bpp.
• Once in TWM make sure that no other application is running. Right click aand start Xterm. Type "sim -i" in the terminal window. Simulator should start.

Best of luck.