FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 020 (27/08/96)

SPADE WORK

I know nothing about computers, I don’t understand the language, and I’m not interested in playing games or hacking into other systems. I am a keen gardener though, and I could find use for what I suppose you might call a computerised diary, where I could store information under various headings, to be recalled at a later date. I don’t want to be blinded by science, or slick sales-people; can you put me on the right track?

J.H.T., Dover

A

The simplest solution would seem to be a personal organiser, like a Psion 3A or Sharp RZ-5800. Firstly they’re both highly portable, so you can use them in the field, as it were. They are very easy to use and all the software you need is pre-loaded. They have powerful diary features, that will allow you to make date-linked entries, with alarm options, to remind you to do things at specified times and dates. You can compile longer texts, using their word-processors. On the Sharp model you can also enter notes using a stylus, by writing directly onto the display screen. They’re relatively inexpensive too -- compared with the cost of a mid-range PC. A Psion 3A (the one megabyte model is ideal)  will set you back around £320, whilst the Sharp palmtop costs £550.

Your other alternative is a desktop or portable PC. A basic desktop model capable of running simple diary or organiser software needn’t cost you more than £300 to £500, but the danger is you would quickly outgrow it, and miss out on the incredible

amount of information and advice now available to gardeners. In addition to the dozen or more CD ROMs concerned with gardening, garden design and horticultural matters, there’s the Internet. This will give you access to vast data banks, including those managed by the Royal Horticultural Society and Royal Botanical Gardens, and scores of other organisations around the world. There’s discussion groups and forums, covering just about every topic you can imagine, and you can even buy seeds, plants and other items from the dozens of gardening companies that advertise on the net. The Internet can also put you in touch with other gardeners in the UK and around the world, all for the price of a modest monthly subscription and a local telephone call.

A Pentium PC, with a 100 or 120Mhz processor, 16 megabytes of RAM, a one-gigabyte hard disc drive,  four or six-speed CD ROM drive, and a fast modem, that can do all of the above, plus a whole lot more, can be brought for less than £1000.

The Royal Horticultural Society’s new web site is at: http://www.kudos.co.uk./rhs/rhs/rhs1.htm  the Royal Botanical Gardens can be found at: http://www.rbgkew.org.uk.

DEAD RED

I have a problem with my monitor, which occasionally looses the colour red. It seems to occur soon after booting up. After a while it rectifies itself, but it will continue to loose colour sporadically.

M.G.J., Tyne and Wear

A

The fact that the missing colour returns when the machine warms up suggests a thermal fault, probably caused by an intermittent contact on one of the plugs or sockets that connect the PC to the monitor. This is one of the few places where red video information exists as a separate entity. It could also be the video card, not seated properly in its socket on the motherboard, or, even a problem with the monitor itself.  Check that by substituting another monitor, or trying your monitor on another PC. If the monitor checks out then try the monitor cable. Unplug it and squirt switch cleaner into the plug and socket contacts at both ends. If you’re feeling bold you could also try re-seating the video card, though only do this if you’re familiar with the innards of your machine. If that doesn’t work the only solution is to have it check by an engineer.