COMPUTERS The Michigan Daily Tuesday, April 9, 1985 Page 5 NUCLEAR AWARENESS GAMES WANT ED Contest offers programer p nes By PATRICK HAGGOOD How would you like to take $100 home with you after classes this year? If you are even a "Supernovice" BASIC programmer, then one of four prizes could be yours for an original BASIC program. ; The contest, which is sponsored in part by the student chapter of the American Nuclear Society here at the University, is aimed at educating the public about nuclear energy. "By being a member in the American Nuclear Society, we are involved in public education about safe nuclear energy," said Donald Wood of ANS. "During the course of the year our corporation may sponsor small energy fairs, send representatives to schools for small presentations, or may even sponsor a display in the Hands-On Museum. We found out about a booth that the American Nuclear Society sponsored in the Knoxville World's Fair, and found that most visitors were most impressed with the compter programs included in the display." THOUGH THEY were simple programs, they explained important everyday questions about nuclear energy, Wood MTSHappenings Tuesday Lecture: Teleconference in MTS, Part I, 3:30 - 5 p.m., 165 Bus. Admin. Wednesday Lecture: Computing for Poets, Part II, 3:30 - 5 p.m., 165 Bus. Admin. Thursday Lecture: Teleconferencing in MTS, Part II, 3:30 - 5 p.m., 171 Bus. Admin. said. This gave the local chapter, which includes Wood's employer, Bechtel Associates, area power companies, and students and faculty involved in energy programs at the University the idea of using computers in local energy presentations. There were some difficulties with this, however. For one, there are very few programs on the market at all that are even remotely related to nuclear energy. And of these few, far less to none are of an educational value. Said Wood, "We were not looking for a flashy shoot-em-up game just to draw people's attention to any booth we may be displaying at the time. We wanted to find something that was first educational, and fun to play with after- ward." Unfortunately, they were unable to find any commercial program that fit the bill. The contest itself, is a drive to cir- cumvent that void in the commercial market.. "THIS PROMPTED us to decide on taking advantage of the local talent available to us here in Ann Ar- bor," Wood said. The contest itself will use the Knox- ville World's Fair programs 'as a model. "We do not," Wood em- phasized, "want duplicates of those programs. We would like to see original ideas implemented, indepen- dent of the themes of these other programs." The program should be on a nuclear energy theme, with the goal to educate the user on some aspect of nuclear energy. This can be done through simulations, sample questionaires that compute for the user important infor- mation about nuclear energy, or even an arcade shoot-em-up that uses an educational theme. "We don't want to discourage arcade- like entries, we would in fact very much like to see some," said Wood. "However, the program must realize the major purpose of the program is to teach, not to entertain. If the first is met, the entrant is free to make the program as graphically pleasing asahe merits, which of course could oily add to the programs consideration at the judging." THE JUDGES will includean energy engineer, a University professor, and a local computer enthusiast. Wood ex- plained that this combination would enable thorough evaluation of the program on its educational merits, programming expertise used, and its accuracy. What else should prospective entran- ts know? Contest entries must be writ- ten in BASIC, to allow customizability for different displays and age groups. The program must be written to run on the IBM PC or Apple II series microcomputers. The deadline for en- tries is April 15. "With finals and the end of classes coming, we may consider a small ex- tension of the deadline, only if entrants call and express a need for more time," Wood said. Wood said the winner will not have to forfeit ownership of the program, "The program would definitely still be 'he property of the programmer. As sponsors of the con- test, we wish only to retain the right to copy and distribute the program to schools, other ANS chapters, or other distribution to other non-profit ends." These others could include a possible permanent display in the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, with a chapter or Cechtel representative there on weekends. The owner is free to copywrite and distribute the program on his or her own." The Campus Copy Shop COPIES REDUCTIONS ENLARGEMENTS " PASSPORT PHOTOS BINDING * AND MUCH MORE! Open 7 days a week/Mon.-T hur. till midnight. 540 E. LIBERTY ST. 761-4539 Corner of Maynard and Liberty SUMMER CAMP POSITIONS STILL AVAILABLE AT TAMARACK CAMPS Bunk Counselors * Specialists in Waterfront, Crafts, Nature, Photography, Video, Computers, Horseback Riding, Song Lead- ing " R.O.P.E.S. Course Instructors " Trip Leaders " Unit Super- visors " Secretary " Food Service Staff " Nurse and Clinic " Assistant " Social Worker " Bud Drivers. Some positions available as trip leaders and counselors at Camp Kennedy, Agree Outpost and Teen Adventure Trips. Also opportunities to work with emotionally im- paired children at Silverman Village. FINAL U-M INTER VIEW DATES APRIL 17 SIGN UP CAREER PLANNING AND PLACEMENT Tamarack is the Jewish residents camp agency sponsored by The Fresh Air society of Metro Detroit since 1 903 1 Ann Arbor's Authorized Dealer I I I Apple Computer Dealer is I i offering you specialsavingson I 1 all Macintoshssoftware in stock. I 1 10% off when you buy 2 or more! 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It's the only way to take care of your phone business quickly, easily and accurately. Remember, the number for service is 1-523-9900. A reminder: Michigan Bell no longer provides or maintains telephone equipment. If you have questions concerning the purchase, leasing or return of your telephone, please contact your telephone supplier. An event you won't want to miss. As part of this campus T J model cars and trucks. GET OFF TO A GREAT START WT'rFLT LC ONl M HF I