155 Farmer's Bookshelf: Evolution of an Information System for Crops in Hawaii

In 1988, the Farmer's Bookshelf started out as a computerized information system of crops grown in Hawaii. The first version was created on an Apple Macintosh computer using a hypermedia program called HyperCard. Because HyperCard came with each Macintosh computer, only the crop files needed to be sent to clientele. As the demand for an IBM-compatible version of the Farmer's Bookshelf increased, the Windows version was created using a hypermedia program called Plus. In addition to the crop files, the runtime version of Plus was also distributed to clientele. Later, other files were added to the Farmer's Bookshelf, including files to diagnose problems of macadamia in the field, select ground covers, select landscape trees, recommend fertilization, calculate nut loss for macadamia growers, and calculate turfgrass irrigation. Cost of analysis spread-sheets for several crops were also added. Recently, the Farmer's Bookshelf was moved to the World Wide Web, which has the advantages of reaching a world-wide clientele, easier updating and modifications, and linking to sites of related information. We have added links to newspaper articles on agriculture in Hawaii, to related sites on a particular crop, to on-line agricultural magazines and newsletters, to agricultural software, to upcoming agricultural events, and to Y2K sites. Because of the benefits of the Web version, the diskette versions (Macintosh and Windows) are no longer supported. Putting the Farmer's Bookshelf on the Web has allowed us to better meet the needs of our clientele for up-to-date information.

Design and Construction of a Quantitative Uniaxial Straining Stage For The Environmental SEM

The environmental scanning electron microscope (or Environmental SEM) is a powerful tool in the materials science laboratory. The large sample chamber and ability to operate in a very poor vacuum (>5Torr) makes it an ideal device for a wide variety of in-situ studies. A three point bending stage has been used in the ElectroScan E3 environmental SEM at the University of Michigan for over four years. The stage is extremely flexible and can be used to view samples in both planar and transverse views. It also allows for quantitative recording of the stress and strain exerted on the sample via a load cell and a linear variable differential transducer. The output s of the load cell are acquired into an Apple Macintosh computer via a National Instruments analog-to-digital acquisition card. To extend the capability of EMAL's in-situ tensile testing laboratory, a uniaxial tensile stage has been constructed in collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics.

Review: Insects - a World of Diversity

Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization (Ed.) 1994: Insects- a World of Diversity. - C.S.I.R.O., Information Services, 314 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia. CDROM Version 1.0 and printed Teachers' Guide, 104 pp (A4 size, alternatively spiralbound 17.5 x 24.5 em). CD-ROM available for both Windows and Macintosh versions. System requirements: Windows: IBM-compatibel computer 386-33 or faster, super VGA video card and monitor; 4Mb of RAM, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later, Microsoft Windows compatible digital audio card and CD-ROM drive. Macintosh: Apple Macintosh computer, 13 inch colour monitor (or larger), 4Mb of RAM, CD-ROM drive and Quicktime 1.6 or later(providedonCD).Price: CD-ROM: AUD 109.-,CD-ROMandTeachers' GuideAUD 129.-.

Computing procedures for mapping soil features at sub-catchment scale

Procedures for detailed mapping of a large number of soil features in small landscape units displayed in either vertical cross section (i.e. soil toposequences) or horizontal plane (i.e. soil maps) are presented. Rom hand coloured drawings that display the soil-landscape features, an Apple Macintosh Computer, with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Patterns and Textures programs, is used to produce high quality coloured maps ready for reproduction in any form (e.g. posters, publications, slides or overhead transparencies). The first step is to produce the detailed computer map with all soil features included. This detailed computer map is made up of the following three layers or bases: (i) a black linework and lettering base, (ii) a polygon base filled with black and white textures, and (iii) a polygon base filled with colours. The detailed computer map, saved as the master file, is very easily modified to generate more simplified and thematic maps by: (i) grouping soil features into larger soil components in order to display soil-landscapes in a more simplified form, (ii) deleting certain soil-landscape components in order to highlight specific soil features, and (iii) adding newly aquired information (e.g. chemical and hydrological data) to previous versions.

Development of a human-computer interface

In this paper we describe the development of a teaching aid for the intensive study of Arabic text samples. To do this, we consider it more useful to adopt the standpoint of the Human-Computer Interface (HCI) engineer, rather than the educational theorist.Most of the HCI problems we have encountered spring from unique features of the task domain (which is what HCI practitioners call the restricted world in which the computer-assisted worker lives and moves). All real-world applications have unique features. Not infrequently these loom large enough to dominate the design effort. By discussing what are admittedly unique features of the present project, we shall nevertheless cast light upon the general requirement for appropriate HCI tools and techniques in present-day teaching media. We also aim to share our experience of using HyperCard, running on the Apple Macintosh computer, as a course-authoring system.

Teaching the Principles of Landscape Bidding with an Electronic Spreadsheet

An interactive spreadsheet program was developed to demonstrate how a landscape bid is estimated. Information from a profit and loss statement, entered periodically, is retained for succeeding bids. Machine and labor costs are determined separately. For an individual bid, inputs include cost of materials, overhead, labor and machine times, contingency, and profit. Labor costs are automatically modified to reflect crew efficiency, and materials costs reflect storage, freight, and other charges. Overhead is based on the relationship between annual direct and indirect costs. The calculations section displays intermediate steps of the final bid estimate. Summaries from calculations include a final bid estimate. A printing option allows the user to selectively print any of the sections, a customer's copy, or the entire bid. The program uses an Apple Macintosh computer, was written for Microsoft Excel software, and uses macro programs. Its concept can be adapted to any electronic spreadsheet and can be protected to allow entry of only certain input data. The program can be used for small landscape businesses, classroom instruction, and/or extension instruction in which higher-order thinking skills are emphasized.