The word simming itself isn't in any dictionary, and neither is the word sim, but it's short for simulation.

When you look up the word simulation in the online edition of Webster, you find this definition:

Main Entry: sim·u·la·tion

Pronunciation: "sim-y&-'lA-sh&n

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English simulacion, from Middle French, from Latin simulation-, simulatio, from simulare

Date: 14th century
1 : the act or process of simulating
2 : a sham object : COUNTERFEIT
3 a : the imitative representation of the functioning of one system or process by means of the functioning of another <a computer simulation of an industrial process> b : examination of a problem often not subject to direct experimentation by means of a simulating device

Lt. Commander Data couldn't have defined it better himself.

But what's simming?

You may notice the reference to Star Trek and it's intentional, because the only experience I have with simming is playing a Star Trek sim.

My definition of simming is: "Playing a story - think of television (Star Trek, Earth: Final Conflict, Babylon 5), a book (The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy) or a film (Star Wars) - by e-mail or chat."

In a way, playing in a sim is a lot like Role Playing. You choose a character and you play a story. There are a few differences:

1. There are less rules about how powerfull your character can be
2. There is more freedom in choosing a character
3. More freedom in choosing a story and it's usually less bloody
4. You control the outcome of your story, random chance doesn't play any role
5. ...

As said before, sims can be played via e-mail or chat (IRC).

Examples come from our own Star Trek Simulation: Doroch Moon Station.

Simming via e-mail

There are two ways of simming via e-mail:

1. Turn based
2. Thread based

Turn based

In a turn based e-mail sim, a person writes part of the story and then decides which of the other characters should reply. To show how it works, here is a story written by my friend who plays commander Tedak in our sim. Tedak and Savel are in the shuttle bay. Tedak is Romulan, Sonak (the Captain) is Vulcan, they are married:

Commander Tedak regarded his wife coolly. "You may talk to me, but not here. I am awaiting someone. My sisters son called at the last moment that he would be arriving here. I do not like him, but he is the only family I have left."
At last the shuttle arrived and the young man stepped out. "Uncle Tedak, Captain," he greeted, though he did not know the woman's name.
"May I introduce my wife, Captain Savel," Tedak said, "Savel, this is my nephew D'rain." He turned back to the young
man. "Please precede us, my wife had something important to tell me."

D'rain went on ahead, while Tedak and Savel stayed behind. "Watch him Captain, he cannot be trusted, but you said you had something to tell me?" He watched his wife closely, but could not sense very much of her mind, as if she did not want him to...

Re: Savel

In this case, Tedak wants Savel to reply.

Thread based

A thread based e-mail sim is played in about the same way. The major differences are that various plotlines can be played at the same time and that you can mail a reply when you want, you don't have to wait until you're asked to write part of the story.

I think the second way is more fun, but it also requires the participants to be more experienced simmers. This is why I advise a turn-based e-mail sim, when you're just starting.

Simming in a chat room

The major advantage of playing a sim in a chatroom is that it's realtime. This usually leads to more spontanity and action. There are a lot of chatrooms in which you can pop in to play a sim at any time of the day.

Most chat-sims are played on a regular time each week, so it's difficult for people who cannot commit to a given time each week. To show how a sim on IRC works, I'm pasting a short piece of the log of our last sim, again featuring Tedak and Savel. The space station they're on is taken over, they are trying to steal a shuttle:

<Savel> Tedak: The shuttle deck will be guarded. How will we disable their security?

<Tedak> I shall distracht them, while you nerve pinch them.

<Savel> Sounds ok..

<Savel> I'll open the access hatch on the count of 3..

* Tedak walks up to the DorwI'an guarding the door.

<Savel> 1.. 2...

<Tedak> Hi there!

<Savel> 3..

* DorwI'an is being completely distracted

* Savel jumps out and gives the DorwI'an a nerve pinch..

<Tedak> Thank you my dear *grin*

<Savel> You were too fast.

<Savel> One day I'll teach you how to count..

Conclusion

Simming is a lot of fun and a may be good practice if you want to be a writer. You get to see a lot of writing-styles and that helps you develop your own.