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20 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, May 6, 1986 Buying yourself farm computer by Michael Toombs (P.Eng.) Lecturer Kemptville College of Agricultural Technology In the last article some of the reasons for having a farm computer were investigated. This article looks into the steps involved in selecting - SPECIAL - Kreepy Krauleys $575.00 (While They Last) We offer a complete line of chemicals including... "BROMINE" \ and buying a computer for vour farm. Computer systems are comprised of two main components, software and hardware. Software consists of the instruction programs a com- puter uses to operate. Hardware consists of the physical components "HICKLING POOLS & SPAS of Scott Hickling located at of the system such as the monitor, system unit, keyboard and printer. Good software is the key to a suc- cessful farm computer system. Without software that can perform the tasks you require the hardware will just collect dust; therefore you should select software before Enterprises Ltd. Our 16'x32' pool this year is selling for only $7,200.00 in the Uxbridge area. This 1s completely installed with * Steel Walls ¢ 6° diving board * 30 ml. vinyl liner ¢ 3 step ladder ® 20" Hayward Sandfilter * 3/4 HP Hayward Super Pump * Necessary maintainance equipment We are now selling 5 Douglas | ~ Liquip Road Uxbridge 852-3411 Drop by_today and view our beautiful new showroom! CHLORINE 'Free water testing available to customers! With 15 years in the swimming pool business, we at Hickling Pools feel very confident that we can give you the type of experience necessary for an excellent professional installation. CLIP & SAVE Fri. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat. 9a.m. to 5 p.m. CI CLR TC EE iy Save $35.00 uw ON ANY on FARA IA Ry o P R T NY 3 SAVE $25.00 wm uracr winosnieio cian ng LIMIT ONE PER PURCHASE. @o 3 PLUS An Additional Bonus of $10.00 Worth of FREE Gas. = This offer : This offer res expires Z [ELE Autodlas | 1986 1986 UXBRIDGE LINDSAY sre FREE MOBILE SERVICE ee 852-5382 CLIP & SAVE hardware. First, determine your re- quirements; what do you want the computer to do for you? Are you primarily going to use it to keep records? Then you can start looking for software to meet requirements. Where do you find the software to do the job? There are many sources of information. A.C.E. Agricultural Computer Extension produces a newsletter and has just compiled a software directory "Agricultural ~ Software Catologue 1986" of soft- ware available in Ontario. These are factsheets: 'Agricultural Computer Information Sources' and "Selec- ting A Farm Computer System." In addition there are several good farm computer magazines on the market and some good reviews of agricultural software available. The information is available through 'your local county OMAF office or farm computer dealers listed in your local agricultural newspaper. It is important to ask questions and to test the software yourself so you can be fully satisfied before you buy it. Perhaps the best course of action is to contact somebody already us- ing the software you're interested in and ask their opinion. Other things to consider when evaluating soft- ware include: clarity of the these documentation, ease of use of the program, online help facilities and effectiveness of the programs. Once you have selected the soft- ware, hardware selection comes easy. Simply select the hardware that is required to run the software. If you have the choice of several compatable machines then look at the cost, reputation and local ser- viceability of the computer. In summary there are four steps to selecting and buying a farm com- puter system: . (1) Determine your computing requirements. (2) Select software to meet these requirements. . (3) Select hardware to support the software. (4) Determine if the benefits justify the costs for your farm computer system. NEED 1 PHOTOCOPIES? | We can do them for you! Letter, Legal & Ledger. Reduced & Enlarged. PORT PERRY STAR 235 Queen Street 985-7383 from 12 Noon til 3 P.M. Avoid the Crunch ... Come for Brunch! "Mother's Day at Smiel s "Place For reservations: call 985-2066 es 5 Year % Annual : Interest Rates subject to change without notice COMMUNITY TRUST COMMUNITY TRUST COMPANY LTD. APPLY TO DON FORDER INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. 30 WATER ST., PORT PERRY - 985-8471 GCompudose controlled release cattle implant SHUR-GAIN DIVISION Canada Packers Inc increased average daily gain improved feed efficiency controlled release payout cannot be crushed no withdrawal no need to re-implant Now available at Shur ® Gain Service Centres H & M WRIGHT FEED CO. LTD. 14 Scugog Street, Blackstock Telephone: 986-4201 or I ape i "Zl wm I