,transcrib]s ,note  ,text emphasis d5ot$
 z ,italics & ,bold4                    
,comput]s on ! ,f>m                     
,f>m ,uses = ,comput]s1 ,h[ to          
,select ,s(tw>e & ,h>dw>e1 &            
,onl9e ,in=mation ,s\rces 9 ,agriculture
                                        
,illu/ration                            
,illu/ration                            
,unit$ ,/ates                           
,dep>tm5t (                             
,agriculture                            
,f>m]s'                                 
,bullet9                                
,numb] #bbgg   ,cov] ,photo3 ,fran &    
,brian ,s*n>re1 a f>m c\ple f ,columbia1
 ,miss\ri1 work+ at _! comput]4 ,photo  
by ,duane ,dailey1 ,univ]sity (         
,miss\ri4   ,prep>$ by ,(fice (         
,in=mation1 ,(fice ( ,gov]nm5tal &      
,public ,affairs   ,issu$ ,m>* #aihd    
,cont5ts     ,purpose ( ,?is ,bullet9   
#e   ,:at a ,comput] ,c ,d = ,y         
#e       ,recordkeep+                   
#f       ,f>m ,managem5t ,analysis      

#f       ,process ,controll]s           
#f       ,telecommunications            
#g       ,o!r ,uses                     
#g   ,comput]s on ! ,f>m                
#g   ,h[ to ,*oose a ,microcomput]      
,sy/em                       #h         
,/rategies = ,gett+ into ,comput]s      
#i   ,alt]natives to ,buy+ a            
,microcomput]                    #aj    
,in=mation ,available f ,y\r ,c\nty     
,ext5sion ,ag5t    #aj   ,h[ to ,select 
,s(tw>e                                 
#aa       ,*eckli/ = ,evaluat+ ,s(tw>e  
#aa       ,:]e to ,look = ,good ,s(tw>e 
#ac   ,compatibility ,c\nts             
#ac   ,h[ to ,select ,h>dw>e            
#ad       ,*eckli/ = ,evaluat+ ,h>dw>e  
#ad       ,:]e to ,look = ,good ,h>dw>e 
#af       ,types ( ,h>dw>e              
#af   ,compon5ts ( a ,microcomput]      
#ag   ,try ,x ,out                      
#ah   ,comput]s ,ne$ an ,inve/m5t ( ,"t 
& ,money            #ai   ,in=mation    
,available ,onl9e f ,,usda1 ,/ate1 &    
,private ,s\rces                        

#bj   ,o!r ,comput] ,developm5t at      
,,usda                        #cj       
,le>n+ ,m ab\t ,comput]s on ! ,f>m      
#cb   ,gloss>y ( ,comput] ,t]ms         
#cd     ,comput]s on ! ,f>m   by        
,deborah ,takiff ,smi?     ,purpose (   
,?is ,bullet9   ,h[ c a comput] help y  
op]ate y\r f>m bett]8  ,h[ d y select   
useful comput] programs 7s(tw>e7 &      
equipm5t 7h>dw>e78  ,if y h a comput] or
 plan to get "o1 :at in=mation c y obta9
 ) y\r comput] t w be useful = y\r f>m  
op]ation8  ,?is publication w help y    
answ] su* que/ions4 ,x w help y evaluate
 & select a new sy/em1 or get m out ( ! 
"o y already h4  ,! key compon5ts (     
comput] sy/ems y may want to "k ab\t    
are3   ,h>dw>e--! physical equipm5t     
itself4   ,s(tw>e--! comput] programs on
 tape or disk1 &   ,onl9e s\rces (      
in=mation--su* z curr5t m>ket & wea!r   
in=mation & te*nical reports4  ,?is     
publication (f]s guidel9es to help f>m]s
 select h>dw>e1 s(tw>e1 & onl9e         
in=mation4 7,see ! gloss>y at ! end (   

?is publication = def9itions (          
specializ$ comput] t]ms47     ,:at a    
,comput] ,c ,d = ,y   ,y c use a        
microcomput] to help y--  ,det]m9e ! mo/
 economical fe$ ration = dairy c[s & o!r
 f>m animals4  ,s*$ule irrigation1  ,get
 quick access to records1  ,keep ma*9]y 
inv5tories & depreciation s*$ules1      
,help ) tax records & mak+ out income   
tax returns1  ,keep live/ock bre$+ &    
production records1  ,keep a record (   
loans & ca% fl[ to meet int]e/ &        
pr9cipal paym5ts1  ,det]m9e levels (    
e>n+s by work+ ?r\gh a pr(it & loss     
/atem5t & by calculat+ a p]c5tage return
 to capital & a p]c5tage return to      
equity1  ,decide ! optimum production   
*oice = a p>ticul> f>m 9 a giv5 ye>1 & !
 optimum comb9ation ( inputs to gr[ !   
crops or live/ock *os51  ,/ore l>ge     
am\nts ( data1 &  ,get curr5t m>ket &   
wea!r in=mation if ! microprocessor is  
connect$ via ! telephone to data bases  
7see section on onl9e s]vices74  ,s(tw>e
 programs are also available 9 su* areas

 z f9ancial managem5t1 crop & field     
records1 mail+ li/s = cu/om]s ( c]tifi$ 
se$ & bre$+ /ock1 ma*9]y pur*ase v]sus  
cu/om hir+1 inve/m5t feasibility (      
build+ & live/ock facilities1 commodity 
price *>ts & tables1 income taxation1   
m>ket+1 soil cons]vation1 & integrat$   
pe/ managem5t4  ,! comput] & its        
associat$ s(tw>e packages c help y d f\r
 k9ds ( "w3 7#a7 /ore & manipulate      
records1 7#b7 provide analyses =        
managem5t decisions1 7#c7 control ma*9es
 or monitor production1 & 7#d7          
communicate fa/] ) o!r p ?r\gh _!       
comput]s & data bases4   ,recordkeep+   
,_m exp]ts recomm5d t y />t on a small  
scale1 comput]ize "o ?+ at a "t1 & le>n 
z y g along--r ?an try+ to put in=mation
 on y\r entire f>m op]ation into !      
comput] all at once4 ,a good place to   
/>t is ) f>m records4  ,y c use         
microcomput]s to keep track ( f9ancial  
records--su* z ca% fl[1 bank balances1  
acc\nts payable1 acc\nts receivable1 net
 wor? /atem5ts1 co/s1 & returns--z well 

z o!r records--su* z live/ock bre$+ &   
production reports1 crop & field        
records1 & mail+ li/s4   ,f>m ,managem5t
 ,analysis  ,aft] comput]iz+ ! f>m      
records1 ! next /ep w\ld be to d simple 
analyses on ! microprocessor4 ,a good   
place to />t is by analyz+ data already 
/or$ 9 ! comput] or available 9 ! files4
  ,= example1 y c\ld use ! recordkeep+  
capabilities ( ! comput] to record &    
depreciate equipm5t1 & to decide :e!r x 
is *eap] to lease or buy f>m equipm5t4  
,g5]al s(tw>e is available to help y )  
acc\nt+ & bookkeep+1 basic bus9ess      
functions4   ,process ,controll]s       
,besides analyz+ f>m managem5t problems 
& /or+ data1 comput]s h ano!r key use--z
 process controll]s4 ,!y c control su*  
devices z pumps & gates1 record milk    
output p] c[1 & control gra9 dry+4  ,to 
save wat] & en]gy1 "s f>m]s h swit*$ to 
sophi/icat$ irrigation s*$ul+ by        
program+ _! comput]s to read ! moi/ure 9
 ! soil1 ! wea!r1 & ! humidity1 & to    
provide in=mation on a plant's age &    

irrigation ne$s4 ,! comput] !n tells !  
f>m] :5 to wat] a crop & = h[ long--& c 
ev5 turn ! wat] on & (f4                
,telecommunications  ,y c also use a    
comput] z an up-to-date s\rce =         
communication1 l9k+ y to banks (        
in=mation t are available almo/         
in/antane\sly f public & private onl9e  
in=mation s\rces4 ,) ! comput] hook$ up 
to ! telephone1 y c get in=mation       
quickly1 receive x visually1 & record x 
9 detail if y wi%4  ,"s key in=mation   
s\rces are li/$ on page #bj ( ?is       
bullet94   ,o!r ,uses  ,f>m families c  
use microcomput]s ! same way o!r        
families d--to plan ! family budget1    
keep an inv5tory ( h\sehold furni%+s1   
keep track ( recipes1 keep mail+ li/s1  
turn lights & heat on & (f1 type        
homework & o!r docum5ts1 le>n new       
skills1 & play games4     ,comput]s on !
 ,f>m   ,mo/ ( ! comput]s f>m]s are     
gett+ are microcomput]s1 also call$ home
 comput]s or p]sonal comput]s4 ,!y are !
 basis ( ! comput] revolution t has be5 

occurr+ s9ce ! late #aigj's & !y are !  
focus ( ?is publication4  ,_m f>m]s1    
especially ! own]s ( ! l>g] f>ms1       
already h comput]s4 ,b y don't h to be a
 l>ge f>m] to af=d a microcomput]4      
,comput]s c be useful 9 almo/ all areas 
( a f>m+ op]ation--help+ y decide :at1  
:51 & h[ to plant2 h[ to sell2 & h[ to  
arrange ! f>m bus9ess to be m effici5t &
 m pr(itable4  ,! comput] c supplem5t ! 
calculator1 typewrit]1 & file cab9et4 ,&
 x c s5d & receive writt5 or graphic    
messages by telephone 79 mo/ areas ( !  
c\ntry7 t might be too long or complex  
to d v]bally4  ,a comput] c be v useful 
:5 repetitive analyses are ne$$ or :5   
data /orage is important1 z ) f9ancial  
records or daily milk output p] c[4  ,m 
& m1 f>m+ requires sophi/icat$ managem5t
 decisions & managem5t ( basic res\rces1
 includ+ l&1 wat]1 labor1 production    
inputs1 & capital4 ,^! are ! k9ds (     
decisions ! comput] c help y make fa/] &
 m co/-effectively4  ,al?\gh a comput]  
program = y\r f>m op]ation c\ld make    

recordkeep+ & analysis easi] & improve  
y\r ability to manage1 x might be h>d to
 measure ^! improvem5ts 9 doll>s4 ,b !  
doll>s y save by hav+ bett] in=mation on
 :5 to sell a crop1 h[ to monitor !     
bus9ess1 & h[ to diagnose a problem be=e
 x gets out ( control might pay = !     
comput]4 ,f>m]s & ran*]s ) l>ge fe$lot  
or o!r live/ock op]ations might f9d t a 
fe$ =mulation program c\ld cut co/s     
en\gh to pay = ! comput] sy/em )9 a few 
mon?s4     ,h[ to ,*oose a ,microcomput]
 ,sy/em   ,%\ld y buy a microcomput]8   
,h[ d y decide on a sy/em t's be/ = y8  
,"h are "s factors to consid] 9 mak+ ^! 
decisions4  ,! fir/ /ep is to ?9k ab\t  
y\r ne$s4 ,:at w\ld y d ) y\r comput]   
sy/em8 ,h[ w\ld y actually use x to help
 y run y\r op]ation bett]8 ,li/ y\r     
prim>y ne$s1 ! important ?+s y want to d
 "r away ) y\r comput]4 ,!n1 ?9k (      
second>y ne$s--?+s y might d 9 ! future 
once y h a comput]4  ,once y've id5tifi$
 y\r ne$s1 ! next /ep is to %op         
ar\nd--to f9d "s s(tw>e t fulfills y\r  

ne$s & to see "s sy/ems 9 op]ation4 ,g  
to comput] /ores or get 9 t\* ) !       
salespeople 9 y\r area4 ,y c\ld decide  
to h cu/om programs writt5 = y\r        
op]ation1 b !y w be significantly m     
exp5sive ?an programs t h already be5   
develop$4  ,talk to o!r f>m]s1 ran*]s1  
ext5sion & univ]sity speciali/s1 &      
bus9ess p :o are us+ microcomput]s4 ,f9d
 out :at s(tw>e !y are us+4 ,d "s rese>*
 7by read+ books or magaz9es1 tak+ a    
c\rse or sem9>1 or visit+ a trade %[7 s 
y'll be an in=m$ cu/om] :5 y %op        
s]i\sly4  ,_m comput] exp]ts /rongly    
recomm5d aga9/ buy+ a comput] fir/ & !n 
%opp+ = ! s(tw>e packages4 ,s id5tify   
y\r ne$s & select ! s(tw>e packages or  
mat]ials t w help y d :at y want to )   
y\r comput]4 ,!n f9d ! h>dw>e to run !  
programs4                       ,!      
,comput] ,revolution      ,! adv5t (    
comput]s to f>m managem5t 444 is already
 und]way     & seems likely to h a      
p[]ful influ5ce1 said ,,usda hi/orian   
,wayne ,rasmuss5 9 #aihb4 ,! comput]    

%\ld lead to m effici5t     managem5t ( 
ma*9es & en]gy & %\ld help 9 o!r f>m+   
op]ations su* z co/ acc\nt+1 mix+ fe$   
rations & apply+     f]tiliz]s & o!r    
res\rces effici5tly4 ,"s f>m]s n[ h     
comput]s ( _! own1 & _m o!rs h access to
 comput]     sy/ems ?r\gh _! c\nty      
agricultural ag5ts1 ,rasmuss5 po9t$     
out4      ,! comput] c be se5 z ! ?ird  
revolution 9 ,am]ican     f>m+4 ,! fir/ 
revolution 0 ! use ( ! horse1 :i* add$  
animal p[] to human p[]4 ,! second 0 !  
swit* f ! horse     to ! tractor1 :i*   
aga9 exp&$ ! p[] an individual c\ld     
wield4 ,b ! comput] is a diff]5t k9d (  
te*nological advance     because x adds 
to ! f>m]'s p[] to manage4      ,by     
#aiij1 ! comput] w probably be z        
important a "p ( a     comm]cial f>m]'s 
op]ation z ! pickup truck4 ,f>m]s may   
flip     on _! comput]s fir/ ?+ 9 !     
morn+--in/ead ( _!     radios--to get ! 
late/ m>ket prices4 ,!y c get a rund[n  
on wea!r & gr[+ conditions = major      
worldwide production     areas2 p]t95t  

data on prices1 m>ket conditions1 cr$it 
t]ms1     transportation & /orage rates1
 & relat$ =eca/s2 & f9ally     a li/ (  
priorities ea* day to take advantage (  
^! conditions4      ,gett+ ! "r sy/em--!
 comb9ation ( h>dw>e 7! physical        
equipm5t7 & s(tw>e 7! comput]           
programs7--is ! problem     f>m]s mu/   
solve be=e !y c make ! mo/ ( ! comput]  
revolution4     ,/rategies = ,gett+     
,into ,comput]s   ,if y're int]e/$ 9    
gett+ y\r f>m's op]ations comput]iz$1 & 
y're j />t+1 y c\ld *oose v>i\s         
/rategies = do+ s4 ,"o way is to fir/   
buy ! basic h>dw>e & compon5ts y ?9k y  
ne$1 & !n add memory & o!r compon5ts    
lat]4 ,if y d t1 be sure y c add        
additional disk drives1 memory1 & a     
pr9t] to y\r comput]1 all at a          
reasonable co/4  ,:at c y d ) a small   
comput] once y outgr[ x1 & y want to get
 a bigg] "o8 ,y might want to use y\r   
old] comput] 9 a small1 specializ$ f>m  
op]ation1 or keep x to retrieve &       
analyze records t y /or$ on ! old       

equipm5t4 ,o!r alt]natives w\ld be to   
trade x 9 on a l>g] comput]1 adv]tise to
 sell x ?r\gh ! local want-ads1 trade or
 sell x to a fri5d or neighbor1 keep !  
small comput] = someone else 9 ! family 
7p]haps a game-play+ y\ng/]71 or donate 
x to a local s*ool or religi\s or       
*>itable gr\p & take a tax write-(f4  ,!
 f>m ( ! future may h _m comput]s1 "s = 
specific functions su* z irrigation     
s*$ul+ or dairy op]ations1 & "o =       
f9ancial records4 ,hav+ sev]al comput]s 
w\ld help f>m]s deal ) ! problem (      
malfunction+ comput]s1 s t ! :ole f>m   
w\ld n be %ut d[n if "o comput] goes    
d[n4     ,alt]natives to ,buy+ a        
,microcomput]   ,y might consid]        
alt]natives to buy+ a comput]4 ,y may be
 able to lease "o to see :at x w d = y1 
& use x until y\r ne$s make x wor?:ile  
to buy "o4 ,prices keep com+ d[n4 ,! be/
 "t to buy is :5 y f9d y c pr(itably    
make use ( a comput]4 ,ev5 ?\gh x       
becomes te*nically obsolete1 x w /ill d 
= y :at y pur*as$ x =4  ,a programmable 

calculator may be an appropriate tool t 
is mu* less co/ly !n a microcomput]4    
,if y l :at a comput] c d = y\r op]ation
 b ar5't ready to buy "o or to use x    
y\rself1 y might hire a consultant to   
help y select an appropriate sy/em4 ,or 
y might reta9 an acc\ntant or comput]   
consultant to run ! f9ancial analysis   
programs y ne$4 ,?is k9d ( s]vice gives 
quick results1 & relieves y ( hav+ to d 
x y\rself4     ,in=mation available ,f  
,y\r ,c\nty ,ext5sion ,ag5t   ,/ate     
,coop]ative ,ext5sion ,s]vices are help+
 ,/ates provide comput]s = c\nty (fices4
 ,_m ,/ate ,ext5sion ,s]vices already h 
comput]s 9 ne>ly e c\nty ,ext5sion      
(fice4  ,if y are consid]+ buy+ or leas+
 a comput] sy/em1 or want s(tw>e or     
time%>+ s]vices to make ! mo/ ( ! sy/em 
y h1 a good place to g is to y\r ,/ate  
or c\nty ,ext5sion (fice4 ,9 _m ,/ates1 
c\nty ,ext5sion (fices h t]m9als        
connect+ !m to ma9frame comput]s2 "s h  
microcomput]s :i* give !m access to     
in=mation on crop managem5t1 animal     

production1 & m>ket+4  ,! c\nty         
,ext5sion /aff c tell y :at is available
 onl9e 9 y\r area t is tailor$ to y\r   
k9d ( f>m+ & y\r region4 ,! ,ext5sion   
/aff w also be able to tell y ! s(tw>e  
programs applicable 9 y\r ,/ate4 ,_m    
,/ate ,ext5sion (fices h publications on
 comput]s1 & o!rs h or are develop+     
onl9e in=mation networks l9k+ f>m]s &   
o!r us]s to ! ,/ate univ]sity ma9frame  
comput] & its data base4  ,/ate         
,ext5sion speciali/s are a logical place
 to />t :5 look+ = s(tw>e t is          
appropriate to y\r ne$s4 ,_m ,/ate      
,ext5sion comput] & agricultural exp]ts 
h produc$ s(tw>e mat]ials t are         
available1 & ! c\nty ag5t w "k ab\t !m4 
,9 "s cases ! c\nty ,ext5sion (fice c   
l5d y s(tw>e4 ,if y don't h a comput]1 !
 ,ext5sion (fice may be able to run     
programs = y1 *oos+ ! appropriate s(tw>e
 available & plugg+ 9 ! precise         
conditions & problems on y\r f>m+ or    
ran*+ op]ation4 ,or !y may be able to   
use ! comput] to se>* = in=mation y ne$1

 p]haps communicat+ ) a l>ge ,/ate1     
regional1 or national data base4  ,z l[]
 co/ comput]s ) improv$ s(tw>e h become 
available1 an increas+ numb] ( p are    
turn+ to _! ,/ate ,coop]ative ,ext5sion 
,s]vices = tra9+ 9 comput] fundam5tals1 
equipm5t selection1 & s(tw>e evaluation4
 ,c\nty ag5ts c help p f9d :at is       
available1 b !y probably w n be prep>+  
s(tw>e programs !mselves4     ,h[ to    
,select ,s(tw>e   ,! key crit]ia =      
select+ good s(tw>e are ! foll[+3 ,does 
x meet y\r ne$s8 ,does x d :at x says x 
w d8 ,& does x h good support           
docum5tation8   ,*eckli/ = ,evaluat+    
,s(tw>e  ,"h are "s factors to consid]  
:5 evaluat+ & comp>+ s(tw>e3            
,docum5tation4 ,look at ! docum5tation  
or ! writt5 7pap]7 mat]ials t come ) y\r
 program4 ,^! %\ld expla9 cle>ly :at !  
program does & :at y h to d to use x4   
,ease ( ,use4 ,is ! program fairly easy 
to use8 ,does x guide y ?r\gh ! program8
  ,in/ructions4 ,ano!r factor y %\ld    
consid] 9 evaluat+ s(tw>e is !          

in/ructions4 ,are !re in/ructions 9 !   
program or 9 ! writt5 docum5tation8 ,are
 !y readable8 ,y %\ld be sure y und]/&  
h[ to op]ate ! program4  ,help4 ,:at    
help c y get if y run into problems8    
,does ! program h a help function8 ,:5 y
 don't "k h[ to answ] a "q or ne$ help1 
c y turn to a sep>ate "p ( ! comput]    
program or to a "p ( ! accompany+       
docum5tation to answ] y\r "q8 ,is !re a 
company phone-9 s]vice y c call if y ne$
 help8  ,"s s(tw>e programs may come to 
y ) bugs 7errors7 9 !m4 ,f9d out :at    
backup s]vices are available4 ,is !re a 
hotl9e y c call = help if ! program has 
a problem y c't solve8 ,does ! company  
provide updat$ v]sions p]iodically8 ,are
 !y free or at nom9al co/8              
,compatibility ) ,h>dw>e4 ,is ! s(tw>e  
compatible ) h>dw>e y already h1 or does
 x run on an op]at+ sy/em y c use ) y\r 
h>dw>e8  ,"s comput]s use tape          
cassettes1 l audio tape y use on a tape 
record]4 ,! mo/ /&>d /orage m$ium =     
programs & data is ! floppy diskette1   

:i* looks l a s(t phonograph record4 ,! 
diskette comes 9 sev]al sizes--! mo/    
common are #h in*es & #e in*es4 ,a new] 
possibility is ! #h-;in* h>d disk4 ,!   
h>d disk may be us$ = /orage1 b y buy ! 
s(tw>e on a floppy disk & transf] x4    
,memory4 ,does y\r comput] h en\gh      
memory to run ! program8                
,recomm5dation4 ,does ! program come f a
 reputable s\rce1 or does x come ) a    
recomm5dation f someone y tru/8         
,effectiv5ess4 ,does ! program d :at y  
want x to d correctly & consi/5tly8     
,:]e to ,look = ,good ,s(tw>e  ,:]e d y 
f9d good s(tw>e8 ,"s f>m]s & ran*]s     
write _! own programs or pay a programm]
 to write a cu/om program4 ,b mo/ get   
exi/+ programs ei!r f ,/ate ,ext5sion   
s\rces or f comm]cial outlets4  ,_m     
op]ations f>m]s ne$ to p]=m on a comput]
 c be done by us+ g5]aliz$ s(tw>e       
packages readily available ?r\gh        
comm]cial s\rces4  ,*eck ) y\r ,c\nty   
,ext5sion ,ag5t4 ,he or %e may "k ( !   
programs t h be5 tailor$ = y\r op]ation4

 ,! ,ext5sion ,s]vice has publi%$ a     
directory ( agricultural s(tw>e programs
 produc$ by ,/ate ,ext5sion ,s]vices1   
entitl$ ,updat$ ,inv5tory (             
,agricultural ,comput] ,programs4,a     
,footnote ,a3 ,to ord] a copy1 s5d      
#c4ej1 payable to ! ,univ]sity (        
,florida1 to    ,adm9i/rative ,s]vices  
,in/itute ( ,food & ,agricultural       
,sci5ces 7,,ifas7 ,bldg4 #ffd           
,univ]sity ( ,florida   ,ga9esville1    
,,fl   ,!re are also v>i\s private      
directories ( s(tw>e t is compatible =  
p>ticul> equipm5t4 ,y c get ^! programs 
at comput] /ores or ?r\gh mail-ord]     
s\rces4 ,_m trade j\rnals c>ry ads (    
agricultural s(tw>e v5dors4  ,! l&-grant
 univ]sity 9 y\r ,/ate may h comput]    
programs available = f>m]s at nom9al    
co/4 ,_m ,/ates h produc$ ext5sive      
comput] s(tw>e4 ,!re are also _m        
comm]cial s(tw>e h\ses t produce comput]
 programs 9 ! field ( agriculture4 ,!   
be/ programs are writt5 by p :o comb9e  
/rong exp]tise 9 ! agricultural subject 

matt] ) ! ability to write good comput] 
programs t are relatively fri5dly or    
easy to use4  ,! #aihj's h se5 a big    
jump 9 ! numb]1 quality1 & fri5dl9ess ( 
agricultural s(tw>e4 ,b y /ill ne$ to   
evaluate c>efully ! programs y are      
consid]+4 ,rememb] t s(tw>e selection & 
evaluation are important factors to     
consid] :5 plann+ a comput] sy/em = y\r 
f>m4     ,compatibility ,c\nts          
,comput]s & m>riages %\ld %>e "o ?+ 9   
common3 ,compatibility4 ,if x's n !re1 !
 sy/em won't "w4  ,n all h>dw>e & s(tw>e
 are compatible4 ,9 fact1 hundr$s (     
produc]s ( comput] equipm5t & comput]   
programs are 9 ! m>ket1 & !re are few   
across-!-bo>d /&>ds4 ,s x's important to
 get h>dw>e & s(tw>e t are compatible4  
,s(tw>e1 or ! comput] programs !mselves1
 are n l records t c be play$ on any    
record play]4 ,!y h to be compatible ) !
 h>dw>e 9 t]ms ( ! program+ language    
us$1 op]at+ sy/em1 size1 =mat1 & o!r    
factors4  ,try to f9d a /ore 9 y\r area 
:]e y w get ! exp]tise y ne$ to obta9 ! 

"r comb9ation ( s(tw>e & h>dw>e to meet 
y\r ne$s4  ,:5 y buy a comput]1 f9d out 
:e!r x comes ) a /&>d op]at+ language t 
w all[ y to use a wide v>iety ( programs
 writt5 9 diff]5t languages on y\r      
comput]4 ,ev5 !n1 y may f9d t a disk t  
suppos$ly works ) t op]at+ language w n 
"w on y\r ma*9e4     ,h[ to ,select     
,h>dw>e   ,*eckli/ = ,evaluat+ ,h>dw>e  
,"h are "s factors to consid] :5        
evaluat+ & comp>+ h>dw>e3  ,s(tw>e4 ,!  
fir/ que/ions to ask are1 ,:at s(tw>e d 
y plan to use8 & ,:i* comput] w run t   
program8  ,does ! comput] come ) a /&>d 
op]at+ sy/em s t x w be compatible ) a  
range ( s(tw>e programs8  ,memory4 ,h[  
mu* memory1 or in=mation /orage         
capacity1 d y ne$8 ,! comput]'s memory  
is measur$ 9 kilobytes 7abbreviat$ ,k71 
& mo/ comput]s come 9 sizes rang+ f #b,k
 up to #bef,k4 7,a kilobyte is equal to 
r\ghly #a1jjj *>act]s47 ,y ne$ to "k !  
s(tw>e program y w use & y\r recordkeep+
 requirem5ts to accurately e/imate !    
capacity ( ! equipm5t y ne$4  ,"s       

agricultural programs use #dh,k or #fd,k
 ( memory4 ,us] fri5dly programs1 :i*   
require little tra9+ to use & :i* guide 
y ?r\gh ! program1 may be easi]2 b !y   
may require m memory = ! program itself1
 leav+ y less /orage space or memory = !
 data4  ,computation4 ,:at k9d (        
computational ability d y want y\r      
comput] to h8 ,w x s]ve ! comput+ ne$s y
 h id5tifi$ = n[ & lat]8  ,input &      
,output ,devices4 ,:at k9d ( output d y 
ne$8 ,:at additional pieces ( equipm5t  
or p]iph]als 7su* z sep>ate scre51 disk 
drive1 modem1 pr9t]7 w y ne$ to buy to  
make ?is sy/em d :at y want x to8  ,mo/ 
agricultural programs require a pr9t]4  
,a dot matrix pr9t] 7:i* produces       
*>act]s made ( small dots7 may be       
suffici5t4 ,ano!r option is a lett]     
quality pr9t]1 :i* is m exp5sive4  ,h[  
big a scre5 d y ne$8 7,scre5s are       
measur$ 9 *>act]s & 9 in*es47 ,d y ne$  
an #hj-;column or #dj-;column monitor8  
,d y ne$ color & /rong graphics         
capability8 ,:at quality scre5 image d y

 ne$8  ,c y add memory & o!r compon5ts  
lat] if y ne$ to8  ,ext]nal ,/orage4    
,:at k9d ( ext]nal /orage does ! sy/em  
use1 floppy disk1 h>d disk1 or tape8    
,cassette tape /orage co/s less1 b      
comp>$ to disk /orage1 x has sev]al     
disadvantages4  ,if ! h>dw>e uses floppy
 disks1 is ! disk drive includ$ z "p ( !
 comput] package or does x come         
sep>ately8 ,is a second disk drive      
includ$ 9 ! package or does x come      
sep>ately8 ,:at k9d ( a disk drive7s7 d 
y ne$1 s+le or d\ble d5sity8 ,h>d or    
floppy8  ,tra9+4 ,:at tra9+ is available
 9 ! use ( ! new equipm5t8  ,backup &   
,ma9t5ance ,s]vices4 ,:at backup &      
ma9t5ance s]vices are available f !     
v5dor or o!r s\rces1 once y've b\ght ?is
 comput]8  ,:at happ5s :5 ! comput] is  
d[n 7n work+78 ,does ! company or /ore f
 :i* y plan to buy (f] a s]vice         
contract1 & h[ mu* does x co/8 ,w y h to
 c>ry y\r comput] to _! site = s]vic+1 &
 h[ long are y likely to be )\t x8 ,h[  
f> away is y\r deal] & :]e w ! comput]  

actually be s]vic$8  ,x's important to  
buy some?+ t y c h fix$ fairly quickly &
 *eaply1 s9ce elem5ts ( y\r sy/em1      
especially ! me*anical p>ts1 may well   
ne$ repair at "s "t4  ,value4 ,:at      
equipm5t & s(tw>e programs come ) !     
basic package1 & are ^! items includ$ 9 
! base price8  ,comp>e prices c>efully1 
consid]+ ! compon5ts & s(tw>e y are     
gett+ = a p>ticul> price4 ,d n buy on ! 
basis ( price alone1 b consid] also !   
reliability ( ! equipm5t & ! v5dor1 & ! 
s]vice y w be gett+ to set up1 ma9ta91 &
 support y\r sy/em4   ,:]e to ,look =   
,good ,h>dw>e  ,_m buy]s get _! comput]s
 at specialty /ores t h&le comput]s &   
o!r electronics4 ,"s h&le only "o br& ( 
comput]4 ,x's wor?:ile to %op ar\nd &   
see v>i\s sy/ems4 ,! big national       
dep>tm5t /ore *a9s sell comput]s1 too4  
,talk to y\r neighbors ab\t :at !y're   
us+1 & be sure to get h&s-on practice ) 
sy/ems y are consid]+4  ,try to f9d a   
reputable deal] :o c (f] backup support4
 ,consid] ! pros & cons ( gett+ all     

equipm5t f a s+le v5dor v]sus %opp+     
ar\nd = p]iph]als f diff]5t             
manufactur]s4 ,a reliable deal] :o h&les
 sev]al br&s c help y make ?is decision4
  ,*eck ) y\r ,ext5sion (fice4 ,x may h 
a ,/ate publication on comput]s or a    
*eckli/ = buy+ "o4   ,types ( ,h>dw>e   
,f>m]s are us+ sev]al diff]5t types (   
comput]s4 ,besides ! microcomput]1 :i*  
is ! mo/ widely us$1 o!r k9ds ( f>m     
comput]s include int]active t]m9als1    
videotex t]m9als1 h&held processors1 &  
m9icomput]s4  ,a microcomput] c be us$ z
 a /&-alone unit1 work+ on its own ) a  
s(tw>e disk or tape4 ,or x c be connect$
 to outside in=mation s\rces if x is    
equipp$ ) a device kn[n z a modem1 :i*  
all[s ! comput] to communicate ) o!r    
comput]s ov] ! telephone4 ,! modem turns
 ! comput] f an in=mation processor &   
/orage ma*9e into a piece (             
communications equipm5t4  ,an int]active
 t]m9al has no data /orage capability b 
is l9k$ to a c5tral comput] ?r\gh !     
telephone4 ,?is is call$ a dumb t]m9al  

because x c receive1 display1 & s5d     
in=mation1 b x _c process t in=mation4  
,programs & data are /or$ 9 ! c5tral    
comput] & ! us] pays a fee to access !  
sy/em4  ,a videotex keybo>d t]m9al c be 
connect$ to a telephone jack & any      
television set4 ,! us] c reque/ &       
receive any k9d ( in=mation /or$ 9 !    
c5tral comput]4 ,"s ( ! onl9e s]vices   
use ?is type ( equipm5t 7see section    
ab\t onl9e in=mation sy/ems on page     
#bj74  ,_m f>m]s are also us+ h&held    
programmable calculators4 ,^! are       
conv5i5t to use 9 ! field1 & c record   
(t5 repeat$ data1 su* z daily milk      
production4 ,!y h little memory 7usually
 #b,k7 & _! output c be pr9t$ on #b-;in*
 pap] tape4 ,!y are mu* *eap] ?an !     
microcomput]4  ,f>m]s use !m to record  
daily milk production1 =mulate dairy &  
beef rations1 e/imate value ( dairy     
=ages1 e/imate co/ ( op]at+ f>m ma*9]y1 
& calculate depreciation & inve/m5t tax 
cr$it4  ,"s v l>ge f>m op]ations use    
m9icomput]s1 :i* are l>g]1 h m memory1 c

 d m functions ?an ! microcomput]s1 & c 
support multiple us]s4 ,h[ev]1 ! new]   
microcomput]s h m memory & m functions1 
& ! diff]5ce betwe5 m9icomput]s &       
microcomput]s has n>r[$4   ,comput]     
,sy/em ,compon5ts  ,illu/ration3 ,pr9t]2
 ,display ,scre52 ,telephone_/,modem2   
,disk ,drive2 ,floppy ,disk2 & ,c5tral  
,processor ) ,keybo>d     ,compon5ts ( a
 ,microcomput]   ,"o way to und]/& h[ a 
microcomput] works is to see its key    
compon5ts4  ,! c5tral process+ unit     
7,,cpu7 is ! silicon *ip t is ! bra9 ( !
 comput]4 ,x does all ! computation &   
controls all ! o!r process+4  ,! ,,cpu  
/ores memory ( sev]al k9ds4 ,"p ( !     
memory is wir$ into ! comput] p]man5tly 
by ! manufactur]4 ,?is is call$ ,read   
,only ,memory 7,,rom74 ,x conta9s su*   
?+s z ! op]at+ sy/em & program language4
 ,r&om ,access ,memory 7,,ram7 is !     
memory bank t includes ! comput] program
 or in/ructions1 z well z ! data4 ,y\r  
/orage devices--tape cassettes1 floppy  
disks1 or h>d disks--t /ore comput]     

programs & data1 are sometimes call$    
ext]nal memory4  ,! comput] sy/em also  
ne$s input devices & output devices4    
,y\r keybo>d is an input device2 disk   
drives & tape drives are also input     
devices4 ,! output w probably be a      
ca?ode ray tube 7,,crt71 :i* looks l a  
video monitor4 ,! pr9t] is ! o!r output 
device y may *oose to include 9 y\r     
comput] sy/em4  ,make sure !            
microcomput] has an adequate numb] (    
input & output ports = future ne$s4  ,if
 y use y\r comput] = communications1    
y'll ne$ a telephone modem4  ,"h is a   
possible %opp+ li/ ( h>dw>e = a f>m]'s  
/>t+ microcomput] sy/em3  ,,cpu         
7comput]7 ) #dh,k or #fd,k ( memory4    
,,crt or monitor ) adequate "* wid? = ! 
programs y plan to use4  ,"o or two disk
 drives1 ei!r #e or #h in*es 9 diamet]4 
,dot matrix pr9t] 7optional74  ,modem = 
communication ) l>ge comput] 7optional74
     ,try x ,out   ,be sure y try !     
sy/em y plan to buy4 ,te/ run on a      
sample problem ! h>dw>e & s(tw>e        

comb9ation y are consid]+ us+4 ,see if y
 ?9k ! solutions ! comput] puts out are 
:at y ne$4  ,if y insi/ on a ?or\gh     
demon/ration ( ! mat]ial y are consid]+ 
buy+1 y c evaluate x 9 t]ms ( its ease (
 use & ! usefulness ( its analysis4  ,if
 y're ?9k+ ( buy+ a new s(tw>e package =
 a comput] y already h1 ask to try x out
 fir/4 ,"s s(tw>e di/ributors 9 ! public
 sector w give y a trial p]iod to make  
sure ! program is satisfactory & runs on
 y\r equipm5t4 ,or y may be able to     
obta9 a demon/ration disk4 ,at lea/1 try
 out new programs ) ! same              
microprocessor1 pr9t]1 & scre5 y use to 
make sure !y w "w on y\r equipm5t4  ,x's
 useful to h s(tw>e evaluat$ by a       
reputable s\rce--= example y\r local    
c\nty ,ext5sion ag5t1 ,/ate ,ext5sion   
speciali/1 or a neighbor :o has _h      
exp]i5ce4  ,let ! buy] bew>e is a good  
motto to rememb] z y %op ar\nd = a      
comput] sy/em4                    ,gett+
 ,com=table ) ,comput]s      ,if y c use
 a typewrit]1 y c use a comput]4 ,mo/   

agricultural program's d n require      
p>ticul> ma? or te*nical     skills1 j a
 k ( y\r f>m+ op]ation & ! ability      
to ?9k 9 a logical1 ord]ly way4 ,mo/ new
 programs are us]     fri5dly2 !y ask y 
que/ions 9 pla9 ,engli%1 & y type !     
answ] on ! keybo>d4      ,a good way to 
feel com=table ) comput]s is to try "o  
out at     y\r local comput] /ore1 or at
 fairs1 conf]5ces1 or work%ops     at   
univ]sities4     ,comput]s ,ne$ an      
,inve/m5t 9 ,"t & ,money   ,9 addition  
to consid]+ ! co/ ( a comput] sy/em1    
consid] ! "t & ef=t x takes to le>n !   
equipm5t & ! programs1 & to keep        
records4 ,:o w be op]at+ ! microcomput]8
 ,does he or %e h ! pati5ce & skills to 
le>n to op]ate ! comput]1 & to ent] !   
l>ge am\nts ( data t w be requir$       
initially8  ,! comput] may save "t &    
money4 ,_m f>m]s f9d t !y don't save "t 
b !y accompli% m 9 ! "t !y d sp5d4      
,don't und]e/imate ! am\nt ( "t & ef=t x
 w require to collect data1 make sure   
x's accurate1 ent] ! data1 & run !      

analyses4  ,x's important to consid] h[ 
us]-fri5dly ! comput] is1 & h[ mu* !    
comput]'s s(tw>e w d to guide y ?r\gh ! 
analysis4  ,a comput] w d calculations v
 quickly1 p]haps sav+ h\rs ( labori\s   
figur+4 ,a comput] w /ore in=mation f "o
 "t p]iod to ! next1 & recalculate      
alt]natives quickly4 ,by mak+ !         
in=mation available1 x w help y id5tify 
/rong & weak po9ts 9 y\r op]ation4      
,h[ev]1 ^! functions w dep5d on y\r     
data4 ,if ! records y use 9 mak+ a      
computation are incomplete1 = example1 !
 comput] _c fill 9 ! gaps = y nor       
ov]come inaccuracies 9 ! data4          
,in=mation available ,onl9e ,f ,,usda1  
,/ate1 & ,private ,s\rces   ,y c trans=m
 y\r own microprocessor or o!r comput]  
into a p[]ful communications device by  
add+ a modem to x & communicat+ ov] !   
telephone4  ,?is w help y ga!r in=mation
 on news1 wea!r =eca/s1 em]g5cies or    
disa/]s1 crop & live/ock production1 &  
m>ket+ 7includ+ curr5t & future prices74
  ,onl9e comput] s]vices also include   

buy+ & sell+ f>m products2 pur*as+ f>m &
 home supplies1 includ+ tele%opp+2 bank+
 s]vices2 bus9ess managem5t advice2     
ord]+ !at] tickets2 in=mation conc]n+   
f>m & public policy2 & p]sonal education
 & ent]ta9m5t4  ,_m f>m]s :o are        
comput]iz+ _! op]ations1 z well z o!rs 9
 agriculture1 c use "s =m ( onl9e       
in=mation4 ,!re are m ?an #a1cjj public 
& private in=mation s\rces available on 
comput]4 ,new ones seem to come out e   
week4 ,! foll[+ select$ li/ ( in=mation 
y c receive on comput] includes "s ( !  
major private onl9e in=mation s]vices ) 
agricultural applications1 z well z !   
ma9 ones available f ,,usda & ! ,/ate   
l&-grant in/itutions4  ,mo/ ( ^!        
in=mation networks are paid = by ! us]  
bas$ on ! am\nt ( use4 ,_m *>ge an      
initial fee1 & !n mo/ *>ge ! us] by !   
am\nt ( "t he or %e sp5ds on ! sy/em4   
,no "o comput] sy/em or onl9e sy/em may 
be adequate = ev]yone4 ,!re are _m good 
sy/ems1 & diff]5t sy/ems are good =     
diff]5t tasks4   #a4 ,,agnet  ,,agnet is

 a major onl9e in=mation & problem-solv+
 s]vice = f>m]s1 ran*]s1 agribus9esses1 
& homes4 ,x is sponsor$ jo9tly by five  
,/ate ,coop]ative ,ext5sion             
,s]vices--,nebraska1 ,montana1 ,nor?    
,dakota1 ,s\? ,dakota1 & ,wa%+ton--&    
op]at$ by ! ,univ]sity ( ,nebraska4     
,c\nty ,ext5sion (fices 9 sev]al ,/ates 
p>ticipate1 & f>m]s 9 ne>ly all ! #ej   
,/ates & ,canada subscribe to ,,agnet4  
,x helps p make m>ket+ & production     
decisions & solve agricultural managem5t
 problems1 & x provides curr5t in=mation
 on m>ket conditions & news items4 ,x   
(f]s ca% & futures m>ket reports1       
int]national m>ket reports f ! ,u4,s4   
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture 7,,usda7 ,=eign
 ,agricultural ,s]vice 7,,fas71 reports 
& report ab/racts f ! ,,usda's ,economic
 ,rese>* ,s]vice & ,/ati/ical ,report+  
,s]vice1 & m>ket comm5ts by ,ext5sion   
,s]vice economi/s4 ,also available are  
electronic mail s]vice & electronic     
conf]5c+1 :i* all[s gr\ps ( us]s )      
simil> int]e/s to %>e ideas & in=mation4

  ,f>m]s & ran*]s :o h comput] t]m9als )
 communication capability c access      
,,agnet4 ,o!rs c tap into ,,agnet ?r\gh 
_! c\nty ,ext5sion s]vices4 ,,agnet     
subscrib]s are typically agricultural   
l5d]s & bank]s4 ,ext5sion speciali/s1   
f>m manag]s1 home economi/s1            
agricultural consult+ firms1 f>m]s &    
ran*]s1 & export]s ( agricultural       
commodities4    ,,address3 ,,agnet      
,univ]sity ( ,nebraska            #aje  
,mill] ,hall            ,univ]sity (    
,nebraska            ,l9coln1 ,,ne      
#fhehc   #b4 ,,agricoia  ,,agricoia is  
an onl9e in=mation s]vice produc$ by !  
,national ,agricultural ,libr>y 7,,nad (
 ,,usda71 & is available comm]cially f a
 numb] ( s\rces 7includ+ ,,dialog &     
,bibliographic ,retrieval ,s]vices74 ,x 
provides compreh5sive access to         
in=mation on publi%$ lit]ature p]ta9+ to
 agriculture4  ,,agricoia is ! catalog &
 index = ,,nal & cov]s mat]ials publi%$ 
s9ce #aigj4 ,x includes ab\t #a4e       
million citations4  ,,agricoia conta9s  

citations to worldwide publi%$ books1   
s]ial titles1 & j\rnal articles on      
agriculture & relat$ subjects4 ,9       
addition to bibliographic citations (   
publi%$ lit]ature1 ! sy/em (f]s         
in=mation ?r\gh sev]al specializ$       
subfiles2 ^! subfiles include           
brucellosis 7,,bru71 environm5tal impact
 /atem5ts cov]+ #aigg & #aigh 7,,env71 &
 ! ,food & ,nutrition ,in=mation ,c5t]1 
:i* emphasizes human nutrition rese>* & 
education & food te*nology 7,,fnc74     
,libr>ians are ! ma9 us]s ( ?is sy/em4  
,,address3 ,to f9d out m ab\t           
,,agricoia1 contact3                    
,educational ,res\rces ,/aff            
,national ,agricultural ,libr>y         
,room #adjb            ,beltsville1 ,,md
 #bjgje   #c4 ,agri,data ,network       
,agri,data is a private in=mation &     
comput+ network specializ+ 9            
agriculture4 ,x (f]s imm$iate access to 
m ?an #aj1jjj pages ( cont9u\sly updat$ 
bus9ess1 f9ancial1 m>ket+1 wea!r1 &     
price in=mation1 z well z analyses &    

recomm5dations f its own & o!r report]s1
 analy/s1 economi/s1 meteorologi/s1 &   
rese>*]s4  ,x (f]s sev]al diff]5t       
s]vices1 includ+ an onl9e comput+ s]vice
 t all[s us]s to access a libr>y (      
microcomput] s(tw>e programs t c be     
transf]r$ to ! us]'s microcomput]2 an   
agricultural production te*nology s]vice
 (f]+ data bases f #dj l&-grant         
univ]sities & f agricultural1 *emical1  
f]tiliz]1 equipm5t1 se$1 & fe$          
companies2 an electronic yell[ pages1 or
 product s]vice directory = f>m]s2 &    
electronic mail4    ,,address3          
,agri,data ,res\rces1 ,inc4             
#bje ,we/ ,highl& ,ave4                 
,milwaukee1 ,,wi #ecbjc   #d4           
,agri-,m>kets ,data ,s]vice 7,,amds7    
,agri-,m>kets ,data ,s]vice is an       
agricultural data base s]vice (f]$ by   
,capital ,publications 9 ,arl+ton1 ,va4 
,! s]vice provides m>ket in=mation1 su* 
z prices & %ipm5ts1 z well z comm5t>y & 
o!r in=mation4 ,x gives daily & weekly  
m>ket comm5t>y on local & national m>ket

 activity 9 live/ock1 gra91 fruits &    
vegetables1 & p\ltry & dairy products4  
,,address3 ,agri-,m>kets ,data ,s]vice  
#acjj ,nor? #ag? ,/41 ,suite #afjj      
,arl+ton1 ,,va #bbbji   #e4 ,,ams ,m>ket
 ,news ,network  ,! ,,usda ,agricultural
 ,m>ket+ ,s]vice 7,,ams7 has a ,m>ket   
,news ,telecommunications ,sy/em t      
reports up-to-!-m9ute in=mation on      
commodity prices1 dem&1 & movem5t4 ,!   
sy/em transmits betwe5 #gjj & #ijj      
diff]5t reports ea* day on m ?an #aej   
f>m commodities4 ,ea* report is         
re-transmitt$ an av]age ( #cj times4 ,! 
initial use ( ?is m>ket news sy/em is to
 transmit reports to ! news m$ia & among
 m>ket news (fices2 firms & individuals 
may also subscribe at _! own co/4  ,9   
addition1 ,,ams & ! ,public ,broadca/+  
,s]vice deliv] m>ket in=mation directly 
to f>m]s via a television caption+ sy/em
 call$ ,f>m ,m>ket ,,infodata1 available
 9 sev]al cities ar\nd ! c\ntry4 ,by    
select+ a special *annel on a clos$     
caption+ decod]1 anyone )9 ! broadca/   

cov]age area ( ! p>ticipat+ public      
television /ation may receive ! m>ket   
in=mation4 ,additional /ations 9 a numb]
 ( ,/ates h in/itut$ ?is s]vice on _!   
own4  ,= m in=mation1 contact3          
,,ams ,communications & ,op]ations      
,bran*            ,adm9i/rative ,s]vices
 ,division1 ,room #jjib                 
,u4,s4 ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture         
,wa%+ton1 ,d4,c4 #bjbej   #f4 ,aut,ex   
,sy/ems  ,aut,ex ,sy/ems designs &      
op]ates comput]-bas$ communications     
sy/ems :i* l9k buy]s & sell]s 9 specific
 indu/ries4 ,two agricultural s]vices   
are its ,produce ,network & its ,floral 
,m>ket+ ,network4  ,subscrib]s to !     
networks use ,aut,ex suppli$ t]m9als to 
access a nationwide communications      
network t includes buy] & sell] (f]s4   
,?is onl9e data communications sy/em    
(f]s pretrad+ in=mation4 ,! t]m9al pr9ts
 in=mation ne$$ to comp>e buy+ & sell+  
opportunities 9 fre% fruits &           
vegetables1 z well z floral products4 ,!
 company is own$ by ,x]ox4    ,,address3

 ,aut,ex ,sy/ems            #ee ,william
 ,/4            ,wellesley1 ,,ma #jbaha 
#g4 ,*ase ,econometrics  ,*ase          
,econometrics1 a subsidi>y ( ,*ase      
,manhattan ,bank1 (f]s economic &       
f9ancial in=mation & analyses 9 ! areas 
( indu/rial economics1 en]gy1 f]tiliz]1 
m9]als1 int]national economics1 ,u4,s4  
economics1 & agriculture ?r\gh its      
in=mation sy/em4 ,data & =eca/+ s]vices 
on agribus9ess cov] int]national1       
national1 regional1 & /atewide levels4  
,subscrib]s receive regul> reports &    
analyses1 & also h access to a numb] (  
hi/orical & =eca/ data bases acquir$    
?r\gh int]nal data collection activities
 or f o!r organizations4 ,_m ( its      
cu/om]s are l>ge food & agribus9ess     
firms4    ,,address3 ,*ase ,econometrics
            #aej ,monum5t ,rd4          
,bala ,cynwyd1 ,,pa #aijjd   #h4 ,,cmn  
7,comput]iz$ ,managem5t ,network7       
,develop$ by ,virg9ia ,polyte*nic       
,in/itute & ,/ate ,univ]sity z a        
national in=mation sy/em = use by ,/ate 

,ext5sion ,s]vices1 ,,cmn helps         
,ext5sion work]s 9 solv+ problems1      
retriev+ in=mation1 & evaluat+ programs4
 ,to date1 _m ,,cmn programs h provid$ !
 f\ndation = sev]al highly successful   
,ext5sion programs4 ,two ( ! mo/ popul> 
are ! ,simplifi$ ,dairy ,cattle ,fe$+   
,program1 :i* has _h a sub/antial impact
 on ! economics ( fe$+ dairy h]ds1 &    
,,co91 :i* provides l[-co/ us] access to
 ,,usda reports on m>ket+1 futures1 &   
summ>y in=mation on all major crops &   
live/ock ent]prises4 ,! ,,cmn sy/em is  
design$ to be us$ by p :o h no special  
tra9+ ) comput]s1 & is available        
nationwide & 9 ,canada4    ,,address3   
,,cmn            ,virg9ia ,coop]ative   
,ext5sion ,s]vice            ,plaza ,i1 
,bldg4 ,d            ,blacksburg1 ,,va  
#bdjfa   #i4 ,,co9 7,comput]iz$ ,outlook
 & ,in=mation ,network7  ,,co9 is a     
nationwide s\rce ( in=mation f !        
,ext5sion ,s]vice1 :i* c be access$ by  
,/ate & c\nty ext5sion /aff1 z well z by
 rese>*]s1 f>m]s1 & agribus9ess4 ,x     

conta9s ,,usda outlook1 m>ket1 & o!r    
in=mation on a national comput] network4
  ,in=mation f ! ,,usda :i* is available
 ?r\gh ,,co9 includes ,/ati/ical        
,report+ ,s]vice 7,,srs7 ,crop ,report+ 
,bo>d reports4 ,economic ,rese>* ,s]vice
 7,,ers7 economic situation summ>ies4   
,_w ,agricultural ,outlook ,bo>d reports
 on _w agriculture supply & dem&4 ,=eign
 ,agricultural ,s]vice 7,,fas7 weekly   
r\ndup ( _w production & trade reports4 
,agricultural ,m>ket+ ,s]vice 7,,ams7   
summ>y ( daily gra9 m>ket prices1 &     
,,usda news releases4  ,"s ,/ates use a 
multi-,/ate comput] network1 or an      
9-,/ate comput] sy/em1 or bo?1 to       
transf] agricultural outlook &          
production in=mation to c\nty (fices &  
dissem9ate x to ! g5]al public4 ,/ate   
,ext5sion outlook speciali/s load _!    
outlook analyses directly onto ,,co9 7) 
a remote t]m9al7 _m times ?r\gh\t ! ye>4
  ,,co9 is available on ! ,comput]iz$   
,managem5t ,network 7,,cmn7 & ?r\gh     
,,usda ,,onl9e 7see ^? entries on ?is   

li/74   #aj4 ,compu,serve  ,compu,serve 
,in=mation ,s]vice (f]s access to m ?an 
#ejj data bases4 ,"s ( ! subjects (     
p>ticul> int]e/ to f>m]s include        
agribus9ess1 agricultural news1 f9ance &
 inve/m5t1 news1 wea!r1 specific        
commodities includ+ cotton futures      
prices & cattle prices1 & ! ,commodity  
,news ,s]vice data4 ,x also (f]s        
electronic %opp+ & bank+1 electronic    
mail1 hobby & special int]e/ newslett]s1
 & games4    ,,address3 ,compu,serve    
,incorporat$            #ejjj ,arl+ton  
,c5tre ,blvd4            ,po/ ,(fice    
,box #bjbab            ,columbus1 ,,oh  
#dcbbj   #aa4 ,,cris--,curr5t ,rese>*   
,in=mation ,sy/em  ,,cris--,curr5t      
,rese>* ,in=mation ,sy/em--is a comput] 
bas$ in=mation /orage & retrieval sy/em4
 ,x cov]s mo/ ( ! ,nation's publicly    
support$ agricultural & =e/ry rese>*1 & 
conta9s ab\t #cj1jjj summ>ies ( rese>*  
projects4 ,! data base is updat$ mon?ly4
 ,,cris summ>ies provide in=mation ab\t 
ongo+ rese>* projects conduct$ or       

sponsor$ by ,,usda rese>* ag5cies1 #eh  
,/ate agricultural exp]im5t /ations1 #ag
 ,/ate =e/ry s*ools1 #bh s*ools (       
vet]9>y m$ic9e1 #af l&-grant colleges ( 
#ahij1 ,tuskegee ,in/itute1 & o!r       
coop]at+ ,/ate in/itutions4 ,x w5t onl9e
 9 #aigg4  ,?r\gh ?is retrieval sy/em1  
an individual c obta9 a brief           
description ( ! rese>*1 along ) !       
inve/igators' names1 p]=m+ organization 
& location1 curr5t progress1 & a li/ ( !
 late/ publications result+ f ! rese>*4 
,,cris inh\se se>* s]vices are provid$  
prim>ily to rese>* sci5ti/s & rese>*    
manag]s 9 ,,usda & ,/ate p>ticipat+     
in/itutions4 ,! public c directly access
 ! ,,cris data base ?r\gh ! ,,dialog    
onl9e retrieval sy/em4  ,rese>*]s 9     
public & private in/itutions are ! ma9  
us]s ( ,,cris4    ,,address3 ,cu/om]    
,s]vice            ,,dialog ,in=mation  
,retrieval ,s]vices1 ,inc4              
#cdfj ,hillview ,av5ue            ,palo 
,alto1 ,,ca #idcdj   #ab4 ,,dri 7,data  
,res\rces1 ,inc47  ,,dri is a private   

=eca/+ s]vice ) regional models t =eca/ 
acreage plant$ & h>ve/$1 & yield = all  
commodities4 ,?is s]vice does indep5d5t 
=eca/s ( production1 prices1 & dem& =   
live/ock1 & has a sep>ate program =     
f]tiliz]4 ,,dri has s(tw>e programs =   
potato produc]s4 ,"s ( its ma9 cli5ts   
are big agricultural supply companies & 
food process+ firms4    ,,address3 ,data
 ,res\rces1 ,inc4            #bd        
,h>twell ,ave4            ,lex+ton1 ,,ma
 #jbagc   #ac4 ,,e/el 7,ext5sion ,s]vice
 ,telecommunication ,sy/em7  ,,e/el is a
 pilot project f ! ,univ]sity ( ,m>yl&'s
 ,coop]ative ,ext5sion ,s]vice4 ,x      
provides f>m]s ) in=mation via a        
microprocessor or videotex equipm5t1 :i*
 receives ! in=mation & displays x on a 
video scre54 ,! videotex equipm5t may be
 *eap] to pur*ase ?an a microcomput]4   
,,e/el provides curr5t in=mation on     
m>ket news1 local wea!r conditions1     
pe/icides1 production in=mation1 & en]gy
 cons]vation tips1 z well z home        
economics & #d-;,h programs4            

,,address3 ,,e/el 7,ext5sion ,s]vice    
,telecommunication ,sy/em7              
,m>yl& ,coop]ative ,ext5sion ,s]vice    
,univ]sity ( ,m>yl&            ,college 
,p>k1 ,,md #bjgdb   #ad4 ,f>m ,bureau   
,,acres  ,! ,am]ican ,f>m ,bureau       
,f$]ation has a program to provide      
m>ket+ in=mation & advice = its memb]s4 
,kn[n z ,f>m ,bureau ,,acres1 ?is m>ket+
 in=mation project involves sev]al ,/ate
 f>m bureaus4 ,,afbf memb]s c retrieve  
in=mation f ! ho/ comput]s via telephone
 hookup &1 at ! same "t1 s5d messages to
 ,/ate comput]s1 !reby provid+ a two-way
 daily contact betwe5 ,/ate coord9ators 
& f>m]-memb]s4 ,= m in=mation1 contact  
y\r c\nty or ,/ate ,f>m ,bureau4   #ae4 
,fir/h&  ,bas$ on ,fr5* videotex        
te*nology kn[n z ,teletel1 ,fir/h& is a 
transactional videotex sy/em orig9ally  
/>t$ by ! ,fir/ ,bank ,sy/em (          
,m9neapolis & n[ available 9 o!r areas  
too4 ,) ?is sy/em1 p>ticipants c access 
agribus9ess bookkeep+ sy/ems2 wea!r1    
commodity1 & f9ancial reports2 & dome/ic

 & int]national news ?r\gh a local      
telephone numb]4 ,cli5ts c also d _!    
%opp+ electronically f a catalog1 &     
obta9 commodity reports & o!r           
agribus9ess in=mation (f]$ by o!r       
in=mation provid]s4 ,!y c see _! bank   
/atem5ts & balances1 make transf]s      
betwe5 acc\nts1 & pay bills             
electronically4    ,,address3 ,videotex 
#bbj ,soo ,l9e ,bldg4                   
,m9neapolis1 ,,mn #eedjb   #af4         
,grassroots  ,grassroots is a ,canadian 
videotex sy/em t provides agribus9ess ) 
compreh5sive1 up-to-date in=mation4 ,x  
helps f>m]s make effective pur*as+1     
op]at+1 f9anc+1 & m>ket+ decisions4 ,x  
(f]s m>ket in=mation on curr5t & future 
prices ( all major agricultural         
commodities1 & c>ries f>m managem5t     
programs z well4 ,x also (f]s in=mation 
f companies (f]+ products & s]vices (   
int]e/ to agriculture1 includ+ mat]ial  
on *emicals1 f]tiliz]s1 equipm5t1 real  
e/ate1 se$1 fe$1 gra91 & live/ock4      
,mat]ial on f9ancial s]vices1 bank+1 &  

insurance is updat$ daily4    ,,address3
 ,infom>t            #afd ,m]ton ,/4    
,toronto1 ,ont>io1 ,,canada ,m#d,s      
#c;,a#h   #ag4 ,in/ant ,update  ,in/ant 
,update is a time%>+ in=mation deliv]y  
sy/em design$ = ! ,pr(essional ,f>m]s ( 
,am]ica4 ,! sy/em (f]s its us]s a v>iety
 ( s]vices & in=mation1 includ+         
electronic mail1 agribus9ess news &     
analyses1 wea!r reports1 & te*nical     
in=mation4    ,,address3 ,in/ant ,update
            ,pr(essional ,f>m]s (       
,am]ica            #bai ,p>kade         
,c$> ,falls1 ,,ia #ejfac   #ah4 ,m>ket  
,data ,sy/ems1 ,inc4  ,m>ket ,data      
,sy/ems c>ries in=mation f #ac commodity
 ex*anges = ! b5efit ( cu/om]s4 ,x      
leases t]m9als on :i* to receive !      
in=mation4    ,,address3 ,m>ket ,data   
,sy/ems1 ,inc4            #chce lam>    
,ave4            ,memphis1 ,,tn #chaah  
#ai4 ,,nema 7,national ,electronic      
,m>ket+ ,association1 ,inc47  ,,nema    
(f]s m>ket+ firms comput]iz$ m>ket+     
sy/ems = _m agricultural products4 ,x is

 a way ( l9k+ buy]s & sell]s )\t hav+ to
 fir/ transport ! products to m>ket4    
,electronic m>ket+ enables buy]s &      
sell]s to negotiate transactions 9 a    
public m>ket :ile rema9+ 9 _! own       
(fices4 ,,nema is develop+ sev]al m>ket+
 sy/ems = agricultural m>kets4 ,,nema 0 
develop$ by ,virg9ia ,te* ,ext5sion &   
,rese>* /aff 9 coop]ation ) ! ,virg9ia  
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture & ,comm]ce &   
,,ams4  ,?r\gh a telephone hookup to    
comput] t]m9als 9 any location1 buy]s & 
sell]s are br\ght toge!r at a specific  
"t to det]m9e ! price1 on a competitive 
basis1 = ! products be+ (f]$ = sale4    
,prospective buy]s c obta9 writt5       
descriptions ( ! products be=e sale "t4 
,"o pric+ te*nique is a comput]iz$      
auction process1 :]e ! comput] acts z ! 
auctione]4 ,dur+ ! auction1 ! comput]   
drops ! ask+ price until a bid is       
receiv$1 !n raises ! price f t po9t     
until !re is only "o bidd] left4 ,at !  
end ( a sale1 ! highe/ bidd]s receive   
summ>ies ( _! pur*ases4 ,! products are 

%ipp$ effici5tly f sell] to buy]4  ,/ate
 ,coop]ative ,ext5sion ,s]vices1        
produc]s' organizations4 ,/ate dep>tm5ts
 ( agriculture1 & o!r ag5cies h develop$
 & implem5t$ ,,nema1 z well z "s o!r    
electronic m>ket+ sy/ems 9 ! ,unit$     
,/ates4 ,today comput]iz$ sy/ems sell   
slaught] & fe$] live/ock1 cotton1 & %ell
 eggs4  ,?is sy/em is = m>ket ag5ts &   
buy]s4    ,,address3 ,national          
,electronic ,m>ket+ ,assn41 ,inc4       
,p4,o4 ,box #gbb                        
,*ri/iansburg1 ,,va #bdjgc   #bj4       
,,npirs 7,national ,pe/icide ,in=mation 
,retrieval ,sy/em7  ,,npirs is a        
nationally accessible onl9e data base   
conta9+ in=mation ab\t all pe/icides    
regi/]$ ) ! ,environm5tal ,protection   
,ag5cy1 & indicat+ :i* are regi/]$ = use
 aga9/ specific pe/s on specific crops  
or sites4 ,/ates c also ins]t in=mation 
ab\t ,/ate pe/icide regi/rations4       
,purdue ,univ]sity is develop+ ! sy/em  
"u a coop]ative agreem5t ) ,,usda & is  
manag+ ! data base1 :i* uses facilities 

provid$ by ,m>t9-,m>ietta1 ,inc4        
,,address3 ,national ,pe/icide          
,in=mation ,retrieval ,sy/em            
,entomology ,hall            ,purdue    
,univ]sity            ,we/ ,lafayette1  
,,9 #dgijg   #ba4 ,rural ,v5tures       
,rural ,v5tures (f]s c\rses & data1     
recomm5ds solutions to problems ( small 
f>m]s1 & promotes economic effici5cy 9  
small-scale agriculture & food process+ 
ent]prises4 ,x is a jo9t v5ture by      
,control ,data ,corporation & o!r gr\ps1
 :i* />t$ ) a project 9 ,pr9ceton1      
,m9nesota4  ,a ,rural ,v5ture project   
gives f>m]s ! capability to det]m9e !   
optimum selection ( crops1 live/ock1 &  
equipm5t1 & (f]s a full range (         
comput]-bas$ education & tra9+ programs4
     ,,address3 ,rural ,v5tures1 ,inc4  
#abj ,s\? ,la,grande ,ave4              
,pr9ceton1 ,,mn #eecga   #bb4 ,! ,s\rce 
,! ,s\rce1 a subsidi>y ( ,read]'s       
,dige/1 provides access to m ?an #a1bjj 
programs & s]vices 9 a v>iety ( subject 
areas1 includ+ agriculture4 ,x c>ries ! 

,commodity ,news ,s]vice g5]al news     
reports & daily price activities = major
 commodities4 ,! sy/em also supplies    
news & comm5t>y on curr5t bus9ess tr5ds 
along ) updat$ li/+s ( /ocks1 bonds1    
commodities1 & futures4     ,,address3  
,! ,s\rce            ,s\rce ,telecomput+
            #afaf ,&]son ,road          
,mc,lean1 ,,va #bbajb   #bc4 ,telplan   
,telplan is a time%>+ comput] s]vice )  
sev]al int]active problem-solv+         
packages4 ,its agricultural programs are
 9 ! areas ( f>m f9ance & animal        
nutrition1 & x (f]s family f9ance &     
human nutrition programs z well4 ,x is  
op]at$ by ,mi*igan ,/ate ,univ]sity & is
 available nationwide4     ,,address3   
,telplan--,mi*igan ,/ate ,univ]sity     
,room #bg ,agriculture ,hall            
,dep>tm5t ( ,agricultural ,economics    
,mi*igan ,/ate ,univ]sity               
,ea/ ,lans+1 ,ml #dhhbd-ajci   #bd4     
,,usda ,onl9e  ,,usda ,onl9e deliv]s    
news & o!r curr5t in=mation f ,,usda's  
,(fice ( ,in=mation4 ,s]vices include ! 

foll[+ reports z !y are releas$3 7#a7   
,,usda national news releases ab\t      
policy & program ann\ncem5ts1 7#b7      
,,usda regional & ,/ate news releases   
ab\t program ann\ncem5ts1 7#c7 outlook &
 situation report summ>ies1 7#d7 ,crop  
,report+ ,bo>d reports1 report          
highlights1 & summ>ies1 7#e7 ,=eign     
,agricultural ,s]vice reports &         
ann\ncem5ts on =eign crops1 _w          
production1 & trade1 7#f7 ,economic     
,rese>* ,s]vice report ab/racts1 7#g7 a 
daily agricultural news summ>y call$    
,,ag a4m41 & 7#h7 a weekly ,f>m ,pap]   
,lett] = f>m magaz9e & newspap] editors 
& o!rs int]e/$ 9 ! summ>y & highlights (
 ,,usda reports = ! week4  ,?r\gh ,,usda
 ,onl9e1 us]s c also access ,,co9 7see  
p4 #bd-be7 & sev]al o!r data bases4     
,ano!r communications network available 
to us]s ( ,,usda ,onl9e is an electronic
 mail s]vice l9k+ v>i\s (fices at ,,usda
 & ! ,/ate ,ext5sion ,s]vices1 l&-grant 
,univ]sities1 ,/ate ,dep>tm5ts (        
,agriculture1 o!r ,f$]al & ,/ate        

ag5cies1 & o!r organizations int]e/$ 9  
agriculture4     ,,address3 ,news       
,division1 ,room #djd-;,a               
,(fice ( ,in=mation            ,u4,s4   
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture                
,wa%+ton1 ,d4,c4 #bjbej                 
,rural ,telephone ,l9es      ,"o "q to  
consid] :5 y are select+ a comput] sy/em
     to be us$ 9 a rural area is :e!r   
y\r telephone l9e is     adequate =     
pot5tial us]s 9 y\r area4 ,y mu/ h a    
private     l9e4 ,l9e quality is also   
important2 excessive l9e noise or       
dips & surges 9 p[] may cause !         
communications sy/em to     disconnect  
y4      ,9 ! future1 f>m]s w be able to 
get in=mation by satellite     r ?an    
?r\gh ! phone1 :i* c\ld ev5tually be a  
co/     sav] = ^? :o are f> f !         
in=mation s\rce4     ,o!r ,comput]      
,developm5ts at ,,usda   ,besides onl9e 
in=mation s]vices1 !re are sev]al o!r   
comput] developm5ts available ?r\gh     
,,usda t are ( use to  f>m]s & ran*]s4  
,_m ,,usda ag5cies are us+ comput]s to  

dissem9ate in=mation4 ,"h is a p>tial   
li/3  ,s9ce #aiha1 ! ,=eign             
,agricultural ,s]vice 7,,fas7 has be5   
releas+ in=mation electronically t      
previ\sly _h be5 di/ribut$ z            
publications ?r\gh ! mail4  ,! ,,fas    
electronic in=mation sy/em includes     
agricultural trade leads receiv$ f      
agricultural atta*es relat+ to pot5tial 
pur*ases ( commodities by =eign buy]s4  
,! ,f$]al ,crop ,insurance ,corporation 
7,,fcic71 9 coop]ation ) ! ,ext5sion    
,s]vice1 has develop$ two s(tw>e        
packages to help f>m]s make decisions   
ab\t ! k9d & am\nt ( crop insurance !y w
 ne$4 ,,arcie 7,all ,risk ,crop         
,insurance ,evaluation7 comes 9 m9i &   
complete v]sions4  ,m9i-,,arcie takes   
individual f>m data & calculates a      
project$ ca% fl[ "u v>i\s yield         
conditions ) & )\t crop insurance4 ,x   
takes ab\t #ae m9utes to run4           
,complete-,,arcie1 :i* takes ab\t an    
h\r1 analyzes risk & loss probabilities 
ov] an ext5d$ p]iod4 ,x prompts f>m]s to

 ent] expect$ prices & yields1 & to     
include hi/orical data4  ,bo? programs  
exam9e ! insurance options              
available--bo? public & private--& %[ h[
 ^! options comp>e & h[ !y complem5t ea*
 o!r4 ,f$]al ,crop ,insurance is        
curr5tly available on ab\t #cj major    
crops nationwide4  ,^! programs are     
design$ to run on mo/ microcomput]      
models4 ,y\r ,/ate ,ext5sion ,s]vice1   
,/ate ,vocational ,education ,(fice1 or 
y\r local crop insurance ag5t may       
already h ! programs4  ,= fur!r         
in=mation1 includ+ h[ to obta9 a copy ( 
! program1 write to3    ,! ,,arcie      
,project   ,dep>tm5t ( ,agricultural    
,economics   #ajg ,agricultural ,build+ 
,texas ,a,m ,univ]sity   ,college       
,/ation1 ,,tx #gghdj  ,! ,agricultural  
,/abilization & ,cons]vation ,s]vice    
7,,ascs7 is plann+ to put small comput]s
 into all its c\nty (fices />t+ 9 #aihe4
 ,!y w keep li/s ( f>m]s & _! acreage   
allotm5ts & bases1 record set-aside     
hi/ories1 & record & ma9ta9 ! o!r myriad

 facts necess>y to make ! ,,usda f>m    
programs "w4 ,! sy/em w keep f>m        
records1 addresses = mail+s1 election   
regi/]s1 & records ( paym5ts4 ,ev5 *ecks
 to pay f>m]s w be produc$ by !         
dec5traliz$ c\nty comput] sy/ems4  ,!   
comput]s w also be ti$ into ,/ate sy/ems
 & a c5tral comput] = "s recordkeep+    
functions1 & c be us$ = electronic mail 
& o!r communications4  ,"o function ( ! 
new sy/em w be to me% ,,fas trade       
opportunity leads into ! ,,ascs data    
base4 ,?is w p]mit a f>m] or local      
agribus9ess p]son to g into ! ,,ascs    
(fice & imm$iately le>n ab\t trade leads
 report$ by agricultural atta*es4 ,?is  
program w g into op]ation dur+ !        
mid-#aihj's4  ,! ,economic ,rese>*      
,s]vice 7,,ers7 releases its ,outlook & 
,situation reports ?r\gh ,,agnet4       
,summ>ies ( ^! are available ?r\gh      
,,usda ,onl9e4     ,le>n+ ,m ,ab\t      
,comput]s on ! ,f>m   ,! comput] field  
is *ang+ s fa/ t x is difficult to keep 
up ) ! *anges4 ,"o way to keep curr5t is

 to jo9 a us]s gr\p = y\r p>ticul> br& (
 comput]1 or an agricultural us]s gr\p4 
,ano!r way to get up-to-date in=mation  
ab\t new comput] h>dw>e & s(tw>e        
products is to read a private newslett]4
 ,"s ( ^! are3      ,agri,comp     #ajja
 ,ea/ ,walnut1     ,suite #bja          
,columbia1 ,,mo #febja                  
,agricultural ,comput+                  
,doane-,we/]n1 ,inc4     #hijj ,man*e/] 
,road ,/4     ,l\is1 ,,mo #fcadd        
,agricultural ,microcomput+             
,ridget[n ,college ( ,agricultural      
,te*nology     ,ridget[n1 ,ont>io       
,,canada ,,nop #b;,,co      ,compu-,f>m 
,alb]ta ,agricultural     ,box #bjjj    
,olds1 ,alb]ta ,,canada ,,tom #a,,po    
,comput] ,f>m+ ,newslett]     ,lloyd    
,d9k9s     ,p4,o4 ,box #bbfdb           
,memphis1 ,,tn #chabb      ,f>m ,comput]
 ,news     ,successful ,f>m+     #agaf  
,locu/ ,/reet     ,des ,mo9es1 ,,ia     
#ejccf      ,fri5dly ,f>m ,comput]      
,newslett]     ,,fbs ,sy/ems1 ,inc4     
,p4,o4 ,box #bja     ,al$o1 ,,il #fabca 

,gloss>y ( ,comput] ,t]ms   ,li/$ bel[  
are "s ( ! %or?& or j>gon t]ms 9 !      
comput] field4 ,und]/&+ ^! t]ms w help y
 discuss h>dw>e & s(tw>e sy/ems & _!    
op]ation4  ,,address3 ,a numb] specify+ 
a p>ticul> location 9 ! comput]'s       
memory4  ,,basic 7,beg9n]'s ,all-purpose
 ,symbolic ,in/ruction ,code73 ,a       
relatively easy-to-use comput] language 
t comes ) mo/ small & p]sonal comput]   
sy/ems4  ,,baud ,,rate3 ,! spe$ at :i*  
in=mation is ex*ang$ ov] communications 
l9es1 g5]ally express$ 9 *>act]s p]     
second4 #cjj baud is ! mo/ common rate4 
,x is equival5t to #cj *>act]s p]       
second4  ,,b9>y3 ,a two-digit numb]+    
sy/em bas$ on ! digits #j & #a4 ,x is ! 
basis = calculations on all comput]s1 & 
! basis = /or+ & retriev+ in=mation1    
includ+ alphabet *>act]s4  ,,bit3 ,!    
smalle/ unit ( in=mation ! comput]      
recognizes4 ,a bit is repres5t$ by !    
pres5ce or abs5ce ( an electronic pulse1
 #j or #a4  ,,bug3 ,a fault or error 9 a
 comput] program4  ,,byte3 ,a byte is   

compos$ ( sev]al bits1 & is us$ to      
repres5t "o "*--su* z a lett]1 numb]1 or
 punctuation m>k4 ,! old] microcomput]  
sy/ems us$ #h bits p] byte1 b ! new]    
ones are bas$ on #af or #cb bits p]     
byte4  ,,*ip3 ,a ?9 silicon waf] on :i* 
electronic compon5ts are deposit$       
li?ographically 9 ! =m ( integrat$      
circuits4  ,,cobol 7,common             
,bus9ess-,ori5t$ ,language73 ,a         
high-level program+ language widely us$ 
9 bus9ess applications4  ,,comput]      
,,network3 ,two or m comput]s t are     
connect$ s !y c ex*ange in=mation4      
,,comput] ,,program3 ,a collection (    
in/ructions t toge!r direct ! comput] to
 p]=m a p>ticul> function4  ,,cp_/,m    
7,control ,program = ,microprocessors73 
,a popul> op]at+ sy/em = small comput]s4
  ,,cpu 7,c5tral ,process+ ,unit73 ,! "p
 ( ! comput] t controls & organizes !   
op]ations ( ! o!r p>ts ( ! comput] &    
does ! calculations4  ,,crt 7,ca?ode    
,ray ,tube73 ,a video scre5 t c be us$ =
 view+ output4  ,,data3 ,! in=mation1   

su* z numb]s or lett]s1 t are put into !
 comput] sy/em4  ,,debug3 ,to remove !  
errors 9 a comput] program4             
,,diagno/ic3 ,a program = detect+ &     
isolat+ a problem or mi/ake 9 ! comput] 
sy/em2 features t all[ sy/ems or        
equipm5t to self-te/ = flaws4  ,,disk3  
,a revolv+ plate on :i* data & programs 
are /or$4 ,also call$ ,,diskette4       
,,disk ,,drive3 ,a "p ( ! comput] sy/em 
t reads & writes mat]ial on ! disk4 ,x c
 be "p ( ! ma9 h>dw>e or a p]iph]al     
atta*$ to ! sy/em4  ,,docum5tation3 #a4 
,! in/ruction manual = a program        
7s(tw>e7 or piece ( h>dw>e4 #b4 ,!      
process ( describ+ a comput] program s  
o!rs us+ ! program c see h[ x works4    
,,d[ntime3 ,any "t a comput] is n       
available or n work+ because ( a ma*9e  
fault or failure4 ,d[ntime includes     
repair delay "t1 repair "t1 &           
ma*9e-spoil$ "w "t4  ,,edit3 ,to *ange  
or add data to an exi/+ docum5t or      
program4  ,,floppy ,,disk3 ,a small1    
flexible /orage device made ( magnetic  

mat]ial4 ,x looks l a s(t phonograph    
record & is usually #e in*es or #h in*es
 9 diamet]4  ,,=tran 7,f,o,rmula        
,t,r,a,nslation73 ,a comput] language   
widely us$ to solve sci5tific & eng9e]+ 
problems1 ma9ly = l>ge comm]cial sy/ems4
  ,,g>bage3 ,mean+less in=mation4  ,,h>d
 ,,copy3 ,a pr9t\t on pap] ( in=mation f
 ! comput]4  ,,h>dw>e3 ,all ! physical  
p>ts ( ! comput] sy/em1 includ+ !       
comput] itself1 ! input & output        
equipm5t & p]iph]als1 & ! physical disk 
or tape equipm5t4 7,! comput] programs  
are s(tw>e47  ,,input3 ,! data t are put
 into ! comput]1 or ! process ( putt+ x 
94  ,,in/ruction3 ,a gr\p ( bits t      
designates a specific comput] op]ation4 
,,integrat$ ,,circuit3 ,an electronic   
circuit or comb9ation ( circuits conta9$
 on semiconductor mat]ial1 or *ip4      
,,int]active3 ,a comput] sy/em t all[s  
two-way communication betwe5 ! us] & !  
comput]4  ,,int]face3 ,a piece (        
equipm5t us$ to connect two p>ts ( a    
comput] sy/em t _c int]act directly )   

ea* o!r4  ,k 7kilobyte73 ,a measure (   
comput] memory capacity4 ,ea* ,k (      
in=mation is #a1jbd bytes4  ,,load3 ,to 
put data or programs into a comput]4    
,,magnetic ,,tape3 ,a record+ device us$
 to /ore programs & data4 ,x resembles  
audio tape us$ 9 tape record]s4         
,,memory3 ,t "p ( ! comput] t /ores     
in=mation4 ,also1 ! ext]nal mat]ial1 su*
 z floppy disks1 h>d disks1 or cassette 
tapes t /ore in=mation4  ,,microcomput]3
 ,a small comput] 9 :i* ! ,,cpu is an   
integrat$ circuit deposit$ on a silicon 
*ip4  ,,microprocessor3 ,a silicon *ip t
 is ! c5tral1 controll+ "p ( ! comput]4 
,,m9icomput]3 ,a comput] t is usually   
l>g]1 m p[]ful1 & m exp5sive ?an a      
microcomput]1 b is small] ?an a ma9frame
 9 memory & functions4  ,,modem         
7,m,o,dulator_/ ,d,e,modulator73 ,a     
device us$ to atta* a comput] or "o (   
its devices to a communication l9e1 (t5 
a telephone4  ,,op]at+ ,,sy/em3 ,a      
special gr\p ( programs :i* controls !  
ov]all op]ation ( a comput] sy/em4 ,x   

m$iates betwe5 ! h>dw>e & ! p>ticul>    
s(tw>e program4  ,,output3 ,! in=mation 
g5]at$ by a comput]4  ,,p]iph]al3 ,a    
device1 su* z a ,,crt1 disk drive1 or   
pr9t]1 us$ = ent]+ or /or+ data into1 or
 retriev+ x f1 ! comput] sy/em4         
,,pr9t]3 ,an output device to pr9t !    
in=mation f a comput]4  ,,program3 ,a   
set ( cod$ in/ructions direct+ a comput]
 to p]=m a p>ticul> function4           
,,program+ ,,language3 ,a special       
language ( words & rules t is us$ to    
write programs s ! comput] c und]/& !m4 
,,ram 7,r&om ,access ,memory73 ,!       
portion ( ! comput]'s memory 9 :i* data1
 in/ructions1 & o!r in=mation are /or$  
tempor>ily4 ,also call$ read-write      
memory4  ,,rom 7,read ,only ,memory73 ,!
 portion ( ! comput]'s memory t conta9s 
in=mation & in/ructions t are /or$      
p]man5tly4 ,?is memory _c be alt]$ or   
add$ to4  ,,semiconductor3 ,a mat]ial   
su* z silicon ) a conductivity betwe5 t 
( a metal & an insulator4 ,x is us$ 9 ! 
manufacture ( solid-/ate devices su* z  

diodes1 transi/ors1 & ! complex         
integrat$ circuits t comprise comput]   
logic circuits4  ,,s(tw>e3 ,a g5]al t]m 
= comput] programs1 proc$ural rules1 &  
sometimes ! docum5tation involv$ 9 !    
op]ation ( a comput]4  ,,sy/em3 ,!      
comput] & all its relat$ compon5ts1     
includ+ h>dw>e & s(tw>e1 t "w toge!r4   
,,t]m9al3 ,a p]iph]al device ?r\gh :i*  
in=mation is ent]$ into or extract$ f ! 
comput]1 usually ) a keybo>d & an output
 device su* z a ,,crt or pr9t]4         
,,time%>+3 ,a me?od by :i* m ?an "o     
p]son c use a comput] at ! same "t at   
sep>ate t]m9als4  ,,turnkey ,,sy/em3 ,a 
comput] sy/em t has all h>dw>e & s(tw>e 
in/all$4 ,suppos$ly1 all y h to d is    
turn x on4  ,,^w ,,process+3 ,typ+1     
edit+1 /or+1 & pr9t+ text ) a comput]4  
99       99       99       99       99  
,! m5tion ( comm]cial products1 s]vices1
 or companies does n con/itute          
endorsem5t by ! ,u4,s4 ,dep>tm5t (      
,agriculture4 ,if additional comput]    
s]vices ( int]e/ to ! agricultural      

community are available1 we w\ld be glad
 to consid] !m = inclusion 9 possible   
revisions ( ?is bullet94         99     
99       99       99       99           
,transcrib]s ,note  ,! title ,computor  
,sy/em ,compon5ts 7p4 #ag7 0 *ang$ to   
,comput] 4444 ,"u ,,co9 7p4 #be7 !      
ref]5ce to ,comput] ,managem5t ,network 
0 correct$ to ,comput]iz$ 4444