- Email: [email protected]
Trends in environmental computer applications
Environmental Software 7 (1992) 49-52
Trends in Environmental Computer Applications* Elizabeth M. Donley Publisher of the Environmental Software Report. Donley Technology, Box 335, Garrisonville, Virginia 22463, USA (703) 659-1954
U.S. EPA and Purdue University Offer Inexpensive Educational Environmental Software The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region V, has been working with Purdue University's (West Lafayette, Indiana, USA) Agricultural and Civil Engineering Departments to produce educational environmental software. The software was developed under the National Network for Environmental Management Studies. The resulting 17 programs are available to the public for little or no cost. An additional 15 programs will be available soon. The programs are in six categories: wastewater treatment, drinking water, water conservation, water education, agriculture, and health. The software runs on IBM/compatible microcomputers. Most require E G A or better graphics, 550 Kb RAM, and from 1 Mb to 8 Mb of hard-disk space; a mouse is optional. Each program comes on one high-density diskette except where noted below.
Wastewater Treatment ONSITE -- Principles & Design of Onsite Waste Disposal with Septic Systems (two high-density diskettes, 512 Kb RAM, 3.5 Mb hard-disk space): This program uses 80 color-graphic screens and some animation to teach the basics of on-site treatment (septic tanks, drainfields, mounds, water conservation, etc.). The main topics include: principles of treatment, design, and siting, soil basics, and water conservation. The program is useful for high school through college students, cooperative extension services, onsite treatment installers or their customers, and local sanitarians. RWASTE II Residential Waste Treatment Evaluation (550 Kb RAM, 1 Mb hard-disk space): Using lot layout, and soil and groundwater information provided by the user, RWASTE II selects a wastewater treatment technology (septic tank, mound, at-grade, holding tank) and does a preliminary system design. It calculates the amount of grade, backfill, and selects a pump, if necessary. This program is useful for on-site system installers, sanitarians, farmers, homesteaders, state and local regulatory staff, engineers, and engineering students. UNSEWER -. Alternatives for Unsewered Communities (three 3.5" high-density diskettes or four 5.25" high-density diskettes, 550 Kb RAM, 5 Mb hard-disk space): This program helps plan facilities for small communities. It discusses needs documentation, development of alternative solutions, selection of the best response, sludge, and treatment management and implementation.
Drinking Water NPDWR -. National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (550 Kb RAM, 2.4 Mb hard-disk space, CGA or better graphics): This interactive presentation of the National Primary Drinking Water
Sections of this column are reprinted from the Environmental Software Report with permission from Donley Technology. 49
Environmental Software 7 (1992) - - © 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd
50
E. M. Donley Regulations helps users define hundreds of technical terms, determine requirements for 137 contaminants, and find which regulations apply to a particular community or water supply. PRIVATE -- Private Water Systems Education System (two high-density diskettes, 550 Kb RAM, 5.5 Mb hard-disk space): Using an interactive hypertext format and dozens of color screens, this software teaches design and construction of private drinking water systems (wells and piping). Topics covered include: water quantities required, water pumps, systems controls, design considerations, and piping. The course is designed for farmers, engineers, cooperative extension services, high school through college students, sanitarians, environmental professionals, and homesteaders. L~'AD -. The Lead Contamination Information System (550 Kb RAM, 1 Mb hard-disk space, VGA graphics): This software program explains the dangers of lead in drinking water and presents techniques for reducing lead exposure. It uses graphics and hypertext.
Water Conservation WATCON -- Residential Water Conservation Techniques (512 Kb RAM, 3.5 Mb hard-disk space): Using more than 100 color graphic screens and animation, this program shows ways to save water inside and outside the house. It describes efficient toilets, showerheads, and faucets; leak detection; methods of watering lawns and gardens; car washing methods, and pool operation. It also helps calculate the savings from installing water efficient devices in a home. This software is useful for the general public, town and county officials or utility managers, on-site installers, sanitarians, junior high through college students, science teachers, and homesteaders. LANDSCP -- Water Efficient Landscape Planner (WELP) (550 Kb RAM, 2.1 Mb hard-disk space, VGA graphics): This program explains the principles and advantages of using water-efficient landscaping. It discusses the basics of landscape planning and provides guidelines and suggestions to help users select appropriate plants for their needs. This software is intended for homeowners who are considering changes to residential landscaping.
General Water Education GRNDWATR -- Groundwater Education System (550 Kb RAM, 1.5 Mb hard-disk space): This interactive hypertext-based program includes dozens of color screens describing the nature of ground water and the principles of ground-water protection. It includes a newspaper clipping file and follow-up quiz that can be updated or modified by the user. This software is for junior high through college students, cooperative extension services, environmental professionals, and the general public. It is currently used by U.S. EPA headquarters to educate new employees in the Office of Groundwater. SURFWATR .- Surface Water Education System (two high-density diskettes, 550 Kb RAM, 4 Mb hard-disk space, VGA graphics): This software uses graphics and hypertext to educate users about surface water resources, including information about the quantity of this resource, how it can become contaminated, and best management practices for agriculture. It also includes information on surface water resources in Indiana. WETLANDS -- Wetlands Education System (two high-density diskettes, 600 Kb RAM, 2 Mb harddisk space, VGA graphics): This program includes information on the definition and classification of wetlands and the types of plants and wildlife commonly found in wetlands. It discusses the importance of a wetland ecosystem in flood and erosion control, water purification, and ground-water recharge. Graphics illustrate the different wetland ecosystems. Agricultural EROSION -- Best Management Practices for Soil Erosion (two high-density diskettes, 550 Kb RAM, 4 Mb hard-disk space, VGA graphics): This program uses graphics and hypertext to inform the
Trends in environmental computer appfications user about soil erosion, in particular erosion from water. It describes types of water erosion and management practices and structures to control erosion. FARMSITE -. Soil and Geologic Site Evaluation (550 Kb RAM, 2 Mb hard-disk space, V G A graphics): Using hypertext and graphics, this software informs the user how soil properties, geology, and depth to ground water affect ground-water contamination. A risk assessment section helps the user determine the potential for ground-water contamination at a site based on these properties. FARMPEST -- Pesticide Storage and Handling Practices on the Farm (550 Kb RAM, 2 Mb harddisk space): Using graphics and hypertext, this software tells how to handle and store pesticides, assess the risks of pesticide use, and correct problems from pesticide storage. A Spanish version is available. FARMFERT -- Fertilizer Storage and Handling Practices on the Farm (550 Kb RAM, 2 Mb harddisk space): Using graphics and hypertext, this software tells how to handle and store fertilizers, assess the risks of fertilizer use, and fix problems from fertilizer storage. AGPP .- Agricultural Pollution Prevention (two high-density diskettes, 550 Kb RAM, 8 Mb hard-
disk space, mouse required): Using more than 100 color-graphic screens and an interactive hypertext format, this software shows how farmers can save money and reduce pollution by sensible use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. This program is useful for 4-H clubs, junior high through college students, science teachers, homesteaders, cooperative extension services, and entry-level environmental professionals. Health
Heart to Heart (550 Kb RAM, 2.7 Mb hard-disk space): This program teaches the basics of personal health and diet. It uses humorous illustrations and a large dietetic database to assess personal risk and recommend precautions against ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. Since the project began in October 1990, EPA has filled over 2,000 orders for about 9,000software programs. Due to increased demand, the software is now distributed by several other organizations. EPA Region V will still fill orders for federal government agencies if the agency sends the necessary number of formatted high-density diskettes. Public Brand Software (a shareware provider) distributes the software for $5 (U.S. dollars) per diskette. For more information, contact: Public Brand Software P.O. Box 51315 Indianapolis, Indiana 46251; USA (800) 426-3475 in the United States; fax (317) 856-2086 Purdue University also distributes the software for $15 (U.S. dollars) per program (some programs consist of several diskettes), or $10 each for more than one program on the same order. The complete set is $125. The price includes shareware registration which entitles the user to telephone support. For more information, contact: The Farm Building Plan Service Purdue University 1146 AGEN Building West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1146; USA (317) 494-1172 In addition, the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) distributes the programs at 125 embassies or libraries in 70 countries (USIA embassies and libraries can order the software from Wendy Beaver, USIA, Washington, DC 20547).
For more information, contact Alfred E. Krause, U.S. EPA, 77 W. Jackson, WCP-15J, Chicago, Illinois 60604; USA; (312) 886-0246; fax (312) 886-0168.
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E. M. Donley Elizabeth M. Donley is the publisher of the F_~lnmsr.m~ Software Report, a newsletter that examines computer applications in the environmental field. The E n v i ~ o n m ~ Software ~ is available by subscription to individuals for $60 (U.S.) per year and to institutions and companies for $95 per year. Subscriptions outside the United States are an additional $20 and must be paid in U.$. dollars. She also publishes the J~vis~nnugvtal ~flware Directory, which sells for $69 ($79 outside the U.$.). The 1990/91 edition is now available. For more information, contact Donley Technology, Box 335, Garrisonville, VA 22463, USA, (703) 659-1954.
Trends in Environmental Computer Applications* Elizabeth M. Donley Publisher of the Environmental Software Report. Donley Technology, Box 335, Garrisonville, Virginia 22463, USA (703) 659-1954
U.S. EPA and Purdue University Offer Inexpensive Educational Environmental Software The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region V, has been working with Purdue University's (West Lafayette, Indiana, USA) Agricultural and Civil Engineering Departments to produce educational environmental software. The software was developed under the National Network for Environmental Management Studies. The resulting 17 programs are available to the public for little or no cost. An additional 15 programs will be available soon. The programs are in six categories: wastewater treatment, drinking water, water conservation, water education, agriculture, and health. The software runs on IBM/compatible microcomputers. Most require E G A or better graphics, 550 Kb RAM, and from 1 Mb to 8 Mb of hard-disk space; a mouse is optional. Each program comes on one high-density diskette except where noted below.
Wastewater Treatment ONSITE -- Principles & Design of Onsite Waste Disposal with Septic Systems (two high-density diskettes, 512 Kb RAM, 3.5 Mb hard-disk space): This program uses 80 color-graphic screens and some animation to teach the basics of on-site treatment (septic tanks, drainfields, mounds, water conservation, etc.). The main topics include: principles of treatment, design, and siting, soil basics, and water conservation. The program is useful for high school through college students, cooperative extension services, onsite treatment installers or their customers, and local sanitarians. RWASTE II Residential Waste Treatment Evaluation (550 Kb RAM, 1 Mb hard-disk space): Using lot layout, and soil and groundwater information provided by the user, RWASTE II selects a wastewater treatment technology (septic tank, mound, at-grade, holding tank) and does a preliminary system design. It calculates the amount of grade, backfill, and selects a pump, if necessary. This program is useful for on-site system installers, sanitarians, farmers, homesteaders, state and local regulatory staff, engineers, and engineering students. UNSEWER -. Alternatives for Unsewered Communities (three 3.5" high-density diskettes or four 5.25" high-density diskettes, 550 Kb RAM, 5 Mb hard-disk space): This program helps plan facilities for small communities. It discusses needs documentation, development of alternative solutions, selection of the best response, sludge, and treatment management and implementation.
Drinking Water NPDWR -. National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (550 Kb RAM, 2.4 Mb hard-disk space, CGA or better graphics): This interactive presentation of the National Primary Drinking Water
Sections of this column are reprinted from the Environmental Software Report with permission from Donley Technology. 49
Environmental Software 7 (1992) - - © 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd
50
E. M. Donley Regulations helps users define hundreds of technical terms, determine requirements for 137 contaminants, and find which regulations apply to a particular community or water supply. PRIVATE -- Private Water Systems Education System (two high-density diskettes, 550 Kb RAM, 5.5 Mb hard-disk space): Using an interactive hypertext format and dozens of color screens, this software teaches design and construction of private drinking water systems (wells and piping). Topics covered include: water quantities required, water pumps, systems controls, design considerations, and piping. The course is designed for farmers, engineers, cooperative extension services, high school through college students, sanitarians, environmental professionals, and homesteaders. L~'AD -. The Lead Contamination Information System (550 Kb RAM, 1 Mb hard-disk space, VGA graphics): This software program explains the dangers of lead in drinking water and presents techniques for reducing lead exposure. It uses graphics and hypertext.
Water Conservation WATCON -- Residential Water Conservation Techniques (512 Kb RAM, 3.5 Mb hard-disk space): Using more than 100 color graphic screens and animation, this program shows ways to save water inside and outside the house. It describes efficient toilets, showerheads, and faucets; leak detection; methods of watering lawns and gardens; car washing methods, and pool operation. It also helps calculate the savings from installing water efficient devices in a home. This software is useful for the general public, town and county officials or utility managers, on-site installers, sanitarians, junior high through college students, science teachers, and homesteaders. LANDSCP -- Water Efficient Landscape Planner (WELP) (550 Kb RAM, 2.1 Mb hard-disk space, VGA graphics): This program explains the principles and advantages of using water-efficient landscaping. It discusses the basics of landscape planning and provides guidelines and suggestions to help users select appropriate plants for their needs. This software is intended for homeowners who are considering changes to residential landscaping.
General Water Education GRNDWATR -- Groundwater Education System (550 Kb RAM, 1.5 Mb hard-disk space): This interactive hypertext-based program includes dozens of color screens describing the nature of ground water and the principles of ground-water protection. It includes a newspaper clipping file and follow-up quiz that can be updated or modified by the user. This software is for junior high through college students, cooperative extension services, environmental professionals, and the general public. It is currently used by U.S. EPA headquarters to educate new employees in the Office of Groundwater. SURFWATR .- Surface Water Education System (two high-density diskettes, 550 Kb RAM, 4 Mb hard-disk space, VGA graphics): This software uses graphics and hypertext to educate users about surface water resources, including information about the quantity of this resource, how it can become contaminated, and best management practices for agriculture. It also includes information on surface water resources in Indiana. WETLANDS -- Wetlands Education System (two high-density diskettes, 600 Kb RAM, 2 Mb harddisk space, VGA graphics): This program includes information on the definition and classification of wetlands and the types of plants and wildlife commonly found in wetlands. It discusses the importance of a wetland ecosystem in flood and erosion control, water purification, and ground-water recharge. Graphics illustrate the different wetland ecosystems. Agricultural EROSION -- Best Management Practices for Soil Erosion (two high-density diskettes, 550 Kb RAM, 4 Mb hard-disk space, VGA graphics): This program uses graphics and hypertext to inform the
Trends in environmental computer appfications user about soil erosion, in particular erosion from water. It describes types of water erosion and management practices and structures to control erosion. FARMSITE -. Soil and Geologic Site Evaluation (550 Kb RAM, 2 Mb hard-disk space, V G A graphics): Using hypertext and graphics, this software informs the user how soil properties, geology, and depth to ground water affect ground-water contamination. A risk assessment section helps the user determine the potential for ground-water contamination at a site based on these properties. FARMPEST -- Pesticide Storage and Handling Practices on the Farm (550 Kb RAM, 2 Mb harddisk space): Using graphics and hypertext, this software tells how to handle and store pesticides, assess the risks of pesticide use, and correct problems from pesticide storage. A Spanish version is available. FARMFERT -- Fertilizer Storage and Handling Practices on the Farm (550 Kb RAM, 2 Mb harddisk space): Using graphics and hypertext, this software tells how to handle and store fertilizers, assess the risks of fertilizer use, and fix problems from fertilizer storage. AGPP .- Agricultural Pollution Prevention (two high-density diskettes, 550 Kb RAM, 8 Mb hard-
disk space, mouse required): Using more than 100 color-graphic screens and an interactive hypertext format, this software shows how farmers can save money and reduce pollution by sensible use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. This program is useful for 4-H clubs, junior high through college students, science teachers, homesteaders, cooperative extension services, and entry-level environmental professionals. Health
Heart to Heart (550 Kb RAM, 2.7 Mb hard-disk space): This program teaches the basics of personal health and diet. It uses humorous illustrations and a large dietetic database to assess personal risk and recommend precautions against ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. Since the project began in October 1990, EPA has filled over 2,000 orders for about 9,000software programs. Due to increased demand, the software is now distributed by several other organizations. EPA Region V will still fill orders for federal government agencies if the agency sends the necessary number of formatted high-density diskettes. Public Brand Software (a shareware provider) distributes the software for $5 (U.S. dollars) per diskette. For more information, contact: Public Brand Software P.O. Box 51315 Indianapolis, Indiana 46251; USA (800) 426-3475 in the United States; fax (317) 856-2086 Purdue University also distributes the software for $15 (U.S. dollars) per program (some programs consist of several diskettes), or $10 each for more than one program on the same order. The complete set is $125. The price includes shareware registration which entitles the user to telephone support. For more information, contact: The Farm Building Plan Service Purdue University 1146 AGEN Building West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1146; USA (317) 494-1172 In addition, the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) distributes the programs at 125 embassies or libraries in 70 countries (USIA embassies and libraries can order the software from Wendy Beaver, USIA, Washington, DC 20547).
For more information, contact Alfred E. Krause, U.S. EPA, 77 W. Jackson, WCP-15J, Chicago, Illinois 60604; USA; (312) 886-0246; fax (312) 886-0168.
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52
E. M. Donley Elizabeth M. Donley is the publisher of the F_~lnmsr.m~ Software Report, a newsletter that examines computer applications in the environmental field. The E n v i ~ o n m ~ Software ~ is available by subscription to individuals for $60 (U.S.) per year and to institutions and companies for $95 per year. Subscriptions outside the United States are an additional $20 and must be paid in U.$. dollars. She also publishes the J~vis~nnugvtal ~flware Directory, which sells for $69 ($79 outside the U.$.). The 1990/91 edition is now available. For more information, contact Donley Technology, Box 335, Garrisonville, VA 22463, USA, (703) 659-1954.