Vol. 110 (1997): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Citrus

ACQUIRING WEATHER INFORMATION VIA A DECISION MAKING SYSTEM (DISC)

Published 1997-12-01

Keywords

  • decision making system,
  • frost warning,
  • weather information,
  • citrus production information,
  • citrus networking,
  • expert systems,
  • knowledge engineering
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Abstract

Information is increasing at a rate that makes acquisition of information seem like drinking from a fire hose. Privatization of weather information dissemination has made the information marketplace seem voluminous if not chaotic. Hope to resolve this situation for citrus led to the development of DISC [Decision Information System for Citrus]. A proposal to develop such a system was funded by the Florida Citrus Production Research Advisory Council. The system is expected to contain a number of weather sensitive production, harvesting and marketing modules. The links through which weather information may flow to various weather sensitive models are diagrammed. Potential users are represented in the development team. Their participation promises a system that is tailored to their needs and for which they feel ownership. Their enthusiasm for weather information provides encouragement to the VARs [value added retailers] of weather information. The role private enterprise may play in a system created in part in the public domain is a manifestation of privatization in the information marketplace. Potential users of such a system have an opportunity to play a critical role in designing the system for their use.