Through USDA Online, users can also access COIN (seep. 24-25) and several other data bases. Another communications network available to users of USDA Online is an electronic mail service linking various offices at USDA and the State Extension Services, land-grant Universities, State Departments of Agriculture, other Federal and State agencies, and other organizations interested in agriculture.
ADDRESS: News Division, Room 404-AOffice of InformationU.S. Department of AgricultureWashington, D.C. 20250
Rural Telephone LinesOne question to consider when you are selecting a computer system to be used in a rural area is whether your telephone line is adequate for potential users in your area. You must have a private line. Line quality is also important; excessive line noise or dips and surges in power may cause the communications system to disconnect you.In the future, farmers will be able to get information by satellite rather than through the phone, which could eventually be a cost saver for those who are far from the information source.
Rural Telephone Lines
One question to consider when you are selecting a computer system to be used in a rural area is whether your telephone line is adequate for potential users in your area. You must have a private line. Line quality is also important; excessive line noise or dips and surges in power may cause the communications system to disconnect you.
In the future, farmers will be able to get information by satellite rather than through the phone, which could eventually be a cost saver for those who are far from the information source.
Other Computer Developments at USDA
Besides online information services, there are several other computer developments available through USDA that are of use to farmers and ranchers. Many USDA agencies are using computers to disseminate information. Here is a partial list:
Since 1981, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has been releasing information electronically that previously had been distributed as publications through the mail.
The FAS electronic information system includes agricultural trade leads received from agricultural attaches relating to potential purchases of commodities by foreign buyers.
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), in cooperation with the Extension Service, has developed two software packages to help farmers make decisions about the kind and amount of crop insurance they will need. ARCIE (All Risk Crop Insurance Evaluation) comes in "mini" and "complete" versions.
Mini-ARCIE takes individual farm data and calculates a projected cash flow under various yield conditions with and without crop insurance. It takes about 15 minutes to run.
Complete-ARCIE, which takes about an hour, analyzes risk and loss probabilities over an extended period. It prompts farmers to enter expected prices and yields, and to include historical data.
Both programs examine the insurance options available—both public and private—and show how these options compare and how they complement each other. Federal Crop Insurance is currently available on about 30 major crops nationwide.
These programs are designed to run on most microcomputer models. Your State Extension Service, State Vocational Education Office, or your local crop insurance agent may already have the programs.
For further information, including how to obtain a copy of the program, write to:
The ARCIE ProjectDepartment of Agricultural Economics107 Agricultural BuildingTexas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TX 77840
TheAgricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service(ASCS) is planning to put small computers into all its county offices starting in 1985. They will keep lists of farmers and their acreage allotments and bases, record set-aside histories, and record and maintain the other myriad facts necessary to make the USDA farm programs work. The system will keep farm records, addresses for mailings, election registers, and records of payments. Even checks to pay farmers will be produced by the decentralized county computer systems.
The computers will also be tied into State systems and a central computer for some recordkeeping functions, and can be used for electronic mail and other communications.
One function of the new system will be to mesh FAS trade opportunity leads into the ASCS data base. This will permit a farmer or local agribusiness person to go into the ASCS office and immediately learn about trade leads reported by agricultural attaches. This program will go into operation during the mid-1980's.
TheEconomic Research Service(ERS) releases its Outlook and Situation reports through AGNET. Summaries of these are available through USDA Online.
Learning More About Computers on the Farm
The computer field is changing so fast that it is difficult to keep up with the changes. One way to keep current is to join a users group for your particular brand of computer, or an agricultural users group. Another way to get up-to-date information about new computer hardware and software products is to read a private newsletter. Some of these are:
AgriComp1001 East Walnut, Suite 201Columbia, MO 65201
Agricultural ComputingDoane-Western, Inc.8900 Manchester RoadSt. Louis, MO 63144
Agricultural MicrocomputingRidgetown College of Agricultural TechnologyRidgetown, OntarioCANADA NOP 2CO
Compu-FarmAlberta AgriculturalBox 2000Olds, AlbertaCANADA TOM 1PO
Computer Farming NewsletterLloyd DinkinsP.O. Box 22642Memphis, TN 38122
Farm Computer NewsSuccessful Farming1716 Locust StreetDes Moines, IA 50336
Friendly Farm Computer NewsletterFBS Systems, Inc.P.O. Box 201Aledo, IL 61231
Glossary of Computer Terms
Listed below are some of the shorthand or jargon terms in the computer field. Understanding these terms will help you discuss hardware and software systems and their operation.
ADDRESS:A number specifying a particular location in the computer's memory.
BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code):A relatively easy-to-use computer language that comes with most small and personal computer systems.
BAUD RATE:The speed at which information is exchanged over communications lines, generally expressed in characters per second. 300 baud is the most common rate. It is equivalent to 30 characters per second.
BINARY:A two-digit numbering system based on the digits 0 and 1. It is the basis for calculations on all computers, and the basis for storing and retrieving information, including alphabet characters.
BIT:The smallest unit of information the computer recognizes. A bit is represented by the presence or absence of an electronic pulse, 0 or 1.
BUG:A fault or error in a computer program.
BYTE:A byte is composed of several bits, and is used to represent one character—such as a letter, number, or punctuation mark. The older microcomputer systems used 8 bits per byte, but the newer ones are based on 16 or 32 bits per byte.
CHIP:A thin silicon wafer on which electronic components are deposited lithographically in the form of integrated circuits.
COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language):A high-level programing language widely used in business applications.
COMPUTER NETWORK:Two or more computers that are connected so they can exchange information.
COMPUTER PROGRAM:A collection of instructions that together direct the computer to perform a particular function.
CP/M (Control Program for Microprocessors):A popular operating system for small computers.
CPU (Central Processing Unit):The part of the computer that controls and organizes the operations of the other parts of the computer and does the calculations.
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube):A video screen that can be used for viewing output.
DATA:The information, such as numbers or letters, that are put into the computer system.
DEBUG:To remove the errors in a computer program.
DIAGNOSTIC:A program for detecting and isolating a problem or mistake in the computer system; features that allow systems or equipment to self-test for flaws.
DISK:A revolving plate on which data and programs are stored. Also called DISKETTE.
DISK DRIVE:A part of the computer system that reads and writes material on the disk. It can be part of the main hardware or a peripheral attached to the system.
DOCUMENTATION:1. The instruction manual for a program (software) or piece of hardware. 2. The process of describing a computer program so others using the program can see how it works.
DOWNTIME:Any time a computer is not available or not working because of a machine fault or failure. Downtime includes repair delay time, repair time, and machine-spoiled work time.
EDIT:To change or add data to an existing document or program.
FLOPPY DISK:A small, flexible storage device made of magnetic material. It looks like a soft phonograph record and is usually 5¼ inches or 8 inches in diameter.
FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation):A computer language widely used to solve scientific and engineering problems, mainly for large commercial systems.
GARBAGE:Meaningless information.
HARD COPY:A printout on paper of information from the computer.
HARDWARE:All the physical parts of the computer system, including the computer itself, the input and output equipment and peripherals, and the physical disk or tape equipment. (The computer programs are software.)
INPUT:The data that are put into the computer, or the process of putting it in.
INSTRUCTION:A group of bits that designates a specific computer operation.
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT:An electronic circuit or combination of circuits contained on semiconductor material, or chip.
INTERACTIVE:A computer system that allows two-way communication between the user and the computer.
INTERFACE:A piece of equipment used to connect two parts of a computer system that cannot interact directly with each other.
K (kilobyte):A measure of computer memory capacity. Each K of information is 1,024 bytes.
LOAD:To put data or programs into a computer.
MAGNETIC TAPE:A recording device used to store programs and data. It resembles audio tape used in tape recorders.
MEMORY:That part of the computer that stores information. Also, the external material, such as floppy disks, hard disks, or cassette tapes that store information.
MICROCOMPUTER:A small computer in which the CPU is an integrated circuit deposited on a silicon chip.
MICROPROCESSOR:A silicon chip that is the central, controlling part of the computer.
MINICOMPUTER:A computer that is usually larger, more powerful, and more expensive than a microcomputer, but is smaller than a mainframe in memory and functions.
MODEM (MODulator/ DEModulator):A device used to attach a computer or one of its devices to a communication line, often a telephone.
OPERATING SYSTEM:A special group of programs which controls the overall operation of a computer system. It mediates between the hardware and the particular software program.
OUTPUT:The information generated by a computer.
PERIPHERAL:A device, such as a CRT, disk drive, or printer, used for entering or storing data into, or retrieving it from, the computer system.
PRINTER:An output device to print the information from a computer.
PROGRAM:A set of coded instructions directing a computer to perform a particular function.
PROGRAMING LANGUAGE:A special language of words and rules that is used to write programs so the computer can understand them.
RAM (Random Access Memory):The portion of the computer's memory in which data, instructions, and other information are stored temporarily. Also called read-write memory.
ROM (Read Only Memory):The portion of the computer's memory that contains information and instructions that are stored permanently. This memory cannot be altered or added to.
SEMICONDUCTOR:A material such as silicon with a conductivity between that of a metal and an insulator. It is used in the manufacture of solid-state devices such as diodes, transistors, and the complex integrated circuits that comprise computer logic circuits.
SOFTWARE:A general term for computer programs, procedural rules, and sometimes the documentation involved in the operation of a computer.
SYSTEM:The computer and all its related components, including hardware and software, that work together.
TERMINAL:A peripheral device through which information is entered into or extracted from the computer, usually with a keyboard and an output device such as a CRT or printer.
TIMESHARING:A method by which more than one person can use a computer at the same time at separate terminals.
TURNKEY SYSTEM:A computer system that has all hardware and software installed. Supposedly, all you have to do is turn it on.
WORD PROCESSING:Typing, editing, storing, and printing text with a computer.
The mention of commercial products, services, or companies does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If additional computer services of interest to the agricultural community are available, we would be glad to consider them for inclusion in possible revisions of this bulletin.
Transcribers NoteThe title "Computor System Components" (p. 17) was changed to "Computer ...". UnderCOIN(p. 25) the reference to "Computer Management Network" was corrected to "Computerized ...".
Transcribers Note
The title "Computor System Components" (p. 17) was changed to "Computer ...". UnderCOIN(p. 25) the reference to "Computer Management Network" was corrected to "Computerized ...".