D4-Lincaster Fanning Saturday, April 30, 1988 JIM PEASE Extension Economist Penn State Ui In previous col umns, I’ve exam ined the possible uses of a farm business micro- computer and suggested some ways in which you can identify your information needs before you make the (some times) scary decision of buying a computer. If you have decided to seriously investigate the possibili ty of buying a computer, then read on. But don’t get too anxious about making a decision this very day. You should carefully evalu ate the software and hardware alternatives available before mak ing a purchase. Careful planning and evaluation may save you from having an expensive paperweight in your office. A reasonable time frame for making the decision (from search to purchase) would be approximately 6 months. On the other hand, don’t put off a deci sion because the microcomputer world is changing so much. 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Those folks don’t seem to think about the pro fit opportunities they’re missing by not having a computer now. Microcomputer Software ‘Software’ indicates the compu ter programs or Set of instructions that run the hardware (equipment), ask for the data input and print the reports you want to use. The most critical activity you can accom plish in purchasing a computer system is the evaluation and selec tion of software which accomp lishes the information functions you want. This brings me to Pease’s First Computer Commandment: Choose the hardware which runs the software you want That is, lind the software which provides you with the information you need in the lime frame and presentation format you require. Then choose microcomputer hard ware which will mn that software. Don’t be paralyzed (and likely swindled) by purchasing a particu lar brand of microcomputer with out determining that software exists which will be the real source of profit which pays for the com puter system. My rule of thumb is to spend at least 3/4 of your search time on finding the best software. So if you spend 6 months evaluat ing computer hardware and soft ware, at least 4 1/2 months of that should be spent in looking at software. Information Sources How to find the software which can accomplish what you want? There are several sources of infor mation which might be available to you. Probably the best source of information about software is the experience of other managers. You may know some friends who are using computers on their farms. Those folks may have the most unbiased view available of the usefulness of computers for practi cal decision making. If they think computerization has been a suc cess, make sure you understand what changes have been made pos sible through computer use and what part of their enthusiasm is ’computer infatuation’. If they think it’s been a failure, try to determine whether the problem has really been the computer, or whether the failure is mostly their own fault. Computer user groups can also be a source of information about software. Most commonly, these groups are composed of personal computer users, not business users. 01 ten these users arc interested in showing off their own skills. The Game Player and the Power Prog rammer are two such birds that inhabit the roost. However, occa sionally there are business users and farm business users who can BEFORE YOU BUILD... Do Yourself A Favor And Make 1 More Call! IF YOU NEED AN... Equipment Shed, Horse Bam, Riding Arena, Warehouse, Garage, Off ice Build ing, Chicken House, Turkey House, Cow Barn, Calf Barn, Pig House, Church, Store, Mini-Warehouse, Restaurant, Sheep Pen, Goat Pen, Large Or Small, Plain Or Fancy... 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Yet another source of good infor mation are the various publications produced by Doane’s Information Services (11701 Borman Drive, St. Gypsy Moth Spraying DOVER, DE The Depart ment of Agriculture’s 1988 Gypsy Moth Suppression Project will begin on or about April 25, accord ing to program manager Linda T. Bradley. “The exact date will depend on weather conditions, leaf develop ment and caterpillar hatch,” Brad ley explained. Aerial applicators will begin spraying woodlots in Sussex County and southern Kent County and work their way north. The entire project is expected to last seven to 10 days. Small airplanes and helicopters will apply Dimilin to inland wooded areas first. Dimilin (dif lubenzuron) is an insect growth regulator that prevents the forma tion of new skin during the cater- * (In Blue Ball Next To Pensifpreme Store) Louis, MO 63146). The past few years have seen the demise of most agricultural computing newslet ters and magazines, and Doane’s Agricultural Computing newslet ter ($72/year, 12 issues) is the best available source of background information, descriptions and reviews of computer hardware and software, and tips for avoiding common pitfalls. Doane’s Agri cultural Computing Source Book is a collection of some of the best articles from the newsletter over the past few years, and it provides very good information on setting up your farm computer system. No farmer who is serious about purchasing computer software should be without Doanc’s Agri cultural Software Directory. pillar’s molting process. Planes and helicopters then wilil apply B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis) to wetland areas and residential deve lopments targeted for spraying in New Castle County around May 1. B.t. is a biological insecticide which controls caterpillars by interfering with their feeding process. Both insecticides arc registered with the EPA and are not harmful to people or animals. However, it is advised that residents remain indoors while spraying is under way. Spraying will begin at dawn and continue as long as weather condi tions are favorable, Bradley explained. Some spraying may take place in the afternoon if necessary. Til L
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers