DIAGNOSIS for Crop Protection(TM) Windows Version 2.0

DEMONSTRATION PACKAGE

Diagnosis for Crop Protection is a multimedia software package that aids in
teaching the process of diagnosing crop problems.  The user is presented
with a problem scenario and must interrogate the program to diagnose the 
situation.  Information is presented in the form of a text window, and 
optional graphics and video.  By looking at different plant parts, the 
growing environment, and by asking a variety of questions, the user 
gradually accumulates knowledge about the problem and makes a diagnosis.  
Feedback consisting of the correct answer, the key points that should 
have been observed, and the points that an experienced extension agent 
or crop consultant would typically make to diagnose the problem are given 
once a final diagnosis is entered by the student.  A points score and 
accumulated costs are also shown.  This feedback can be saved to disk 
for later assessment by lecturers or tutors.

It is not an expert system!  In DIAGNOSIS, the student is assumed to 
be the expert and they are expected to provide the diagnosis.  What 
the computer does, is to provide a "virutal reality" for them to 
practice their diagnostic skills on.  Observations are presented, 
and it is up to the students to determine the significance or 
otherwise of these.

A Scenario Builder (not provided with this demonstration) complements 
Diagnosis, easily allowing the creation of many different scenarios 
for the same crop, and for a variety of crops.  The user decides on a 
crop problem, and enters textual information and selects relevant 
images and video clips.

Diagnosis has a comprehensive feedback system.  If permitted by the 
scenario creator, the user may view the solution, recommended action, 
general debriefing comments, total cost and points accrued.  
Other feedback notes are also supplied.  All user information can 
be saved to a file, to be marked later.

This demonstration has been made available so tutors can determine 
the suitability of the package for their needs.  The unamended *.zip 
package may be freely distributed.  Usual disclaimers apply.


Files included in pldiag20.zip

BWCC.DLL
DIAG.HLP	- Help file
DIAG.ICO	- icon file
DIAGDEMO.EXE	- main program
EXAMPLE.APP	- Example application data file
GIF.EXE		- picture viewer
DIAG1.RLE	- Title screens
DIAG2.RLE
LOGO.BMP
4_6.RLE		- Pictures
ALTERN.RLE
APPLE.RLE
MD.RLE
MD1.RLE
MD2.RLE
MD2A.RLE
MD3.RLE
MD3A.RLE
MD4.RLE
MD4A.RLE
MD5.RLE
MD6.RLE
MD7.RLE
MITE.RLE
MITE1.AVI	- Video files
APPLE4.AVI
README.TXT	- This file
SETUP


Six megabytes of disk space is required.  Ensure that all files are in 
the same subdirectory.  Create a Group called DIAGNOSIS and create an 
item called DIAGNOSIS DEMO linked to diagdemo.exe.  Alternatively, you 
can run the program from the file manager.

The demo has one apple scenario included. The Media Player must be 
setup to run avi files, otherwise the supplied videos will not appear.  
A patch is provided for this in the full package, if it is not installed 
on your system already.  Also, most images require 256 colour SVGA to be 
appear properly.  


AVAILABILITY AND COST

The Diagnosis for crop protection Windows package comes complete with 
Diagnosis, a 61 page manual, the Scenario Builder and several sample 
scenarios which use text, images and in some scenarios video clips.  
Lecturers can use the Builder to construct their own scenarios.  
It is anticipated that a scenario library will be developed to allow 
registered users to swap and adapt different scenarios. New scenarios 
for a wide range of horticultural and field crops are currently being 
developed.

A Macintosh version and an MS-DOS version (more limited in their 
capabilities) are also available.  A demo version of the latter can be
found at the SimTel repository as pldiag11.zip.  

Costs are given below.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
                  MS-DOS            Macintosh           Windows
$Australian        $65                $130               $185
$New Zealand       $75                $155               $220
$US (for all       $40                $ 85               $120
countries outside
Aust. and NZ.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------


For more information or to place an order, contact the 

	Software Applications Officer  
	CRC for Tropical Pest Management
	University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072  Australia.
	Tel 61-(0)7-365 1851   Fax 61-(0)7-365 1855   
        email bryce@ctpm.uq.oz.au

Diagnosis for Crop Protection has been developed through a joint venture 
between Massey University, New Zealand and the Cooperative Research 
Centre for Tropical Pest Management, University of Queensland, Australia.

