en ey a TAYK hain pari ae “CORPORATE F ITN ESS — . ‘TERRACE — Part of the recent Canada Fitness activities here _.. was the Corporate Cup, a com-. petition intended to get local workplaces involved in physical fitness. Sonya Kupka, the nutri- tionist for. the Skeena Health. Unit, says the final results are as follows: "Results of Terrace” -Fitweek. Corporate Cup The. following “prizes: were ' awarded: Greatest participation overall — Winner: Northwest Com- (230); second runner up: Skeena ; Cellulose (224). Highest average percentage participation — Winner: ICBC (85 percent); first runner up: Skeena Health Unit (58 percent); second runner up: Social Ser- ‘vices and Housing (42 percent). Highest one-day percentage participation — Winner: ICBC ig renin Brite pater ot cory ay Soe pins ages Et CN REY Creer (100 percent); first runner up:. Skeena Health Unit (90 percent); second runner. up: Social Ser- vices and Housing (69 percent), _ The following corporations participated: Skeena Broad- casters, Canada Safeway, Skeena Health Unit, Social Ser- vices: and Housing, Northwest Community College, ICBC, Terrace and District Community Services, Bank of Nova Scotia, : . Skeena Cellulose, Bell Pole, Dairy Queen, Mills Memorial Hospital, All West Glass, Ter- - oN a. Face Aquatic Centre. ‘munity College® (290); first run- ~ ner up: Skeena Health Unit The first seven corporations deserve special recognition in that they monitored the number _ Of -active employees every day during Canada’s Fitweek (May 26 to June 4). All the entrants came out win- , [ ners by joining in this celebra- tion of. physical activity. ‘Other corporations have already ex- pressed an interest in par- ticipating next year. Computalk A look at Data Management programs ~ One topic area that often gives beginning computer buyers dif- ficulty is the area of ‘‘Data Management” programs. Since this topic area abounds with many catchwords and technical phrases, I'll first clarify some of the terms. ‘Data’: Management programs are those that allow one to store _ information which can then be selectively retrieved, or sorted‘or _ -“*merged’’ into the infamous form letter (like the ones you get in ‘the junk mail which begin with... _ already won $10,000,000, so if you subscribe... you too SALLY, may have etc.). Typical uses for a data management program would include maintaining mail- ‘ing lists, parts lists, reservations, and so on, - Data Management programs are generally classified as being one of two types, either ‘‘File Management” programs, which only let one manage simple files such as an address book, or _**Database”’ programs whicli allow the user to set up links or ‘relations?’ between files such as linking parts ‘records with sup- . plier. records. There is a difference between the two types not on- ly in price, but also in learning time and difficulty of use. The. true Database programs not only cost:more than their File ‘Management counterparts, but they also take longer to learn and master. Some also require more powerful computer resources to operate at acceptable speed. Simple File Management programs are usually provided as a component of the popular integrated programs. For example, programs such as MICROSOFT WORKS, PFS First Choice, Ashton-Tate Framework, all provide file or record. management ‘capability. Generally all of these are quite easy to learn and use. If all one wants to do is manage a few mailing lists, all one usually needs is the file management component of one of the ‘popular low-cost integrated packages. Typically, most small businesses can manage well enough with this solution. - . However, these programs don’t let the user deal with more complex data relations such as suppliers-orders-customers. Also, ~ in my experience I have found the performance of these program really slows down after one reaches 500 records or more. If either these considerations is a factor, one may want to look at one of the more extensive database programs. There are a number of products serving this area, PFS File, Paradox, RBASE 5000, dBase 111+ and dbBase IV, and a host of others, many of them .dBase “‘lookalikes’’. Of these, dBase III +, and more recently dBase IV, are the most widespread, probably more as a result of “market momen- — tum?’ than any great technical superiority, Many buyers have mis- | understood dBase, buying it as an end-user product only to find _out to their chagrin that dBase requires some computer proficien- cy ‘before it can really be learned and used. The newest version of dBase, dBase IV, finally gives the end user some useful tools:to ‘directly manage data without programming. However, although dBase: IV is a great improvement over its predecessor dBase III +, it also is. far more demanding on computer resources. It requires the use of at least an AT level machine if not a 386.and also oc- cupies alrnost five million bytes (characters) of disk. Space. ‘Therefore, as in other aspects of computer usage, the buyer - ghost consider his or her needs and the tracie-offa tl that. are fe always required in a purchasing decision, : =. rs . ga tite es ‘ . ‘ele Rae Recerca ot ana “i see Te FE ma ies ee roa : et Free 5 Miineaeiee ie yr aH area ear cea ERE TI alan En ea Dwight Clarke: The system is 30 to 40 percent more efficient, r runs as quietly as a gasoline powered pickup truck, and is almost 100 percent pollution free. Big enough to. burn... natural gas? --If you noticed a strange look-. - ing logging truck in Thornhill last week, your eyes weren’t playing tricks on you. -Those torpedo-like tanks on the side stored the truck’s fuel supply — — natural gas. The vehicle was on display for local truckers to view, and under close examination they’ discov- ered’ just how unique it actually is. According to Dwight Clarke, a representative of. Centurion _ Fuel Systems Inc. of- Fort. St. ' John,. it is the first diesel to— undergo 100 percent natural gas - conversion. in North America, and the first coversion in the world whose power rating (440 ‘ horsepower) equals that of an unconverted engine. Clarke says that Centurion is the co-developer of the natural gas system with Transport Fuel Systems Inc. of New Zealand. And as he describes the benefits of the system, it becomes appar- ent. that it could well be the prototype of the industrial workhorse of the future. Bene- - fits include the lack of noise: when running, it makes no more noise than an ordinary pickup truck, and the jake brake is far quieter — though Clarke says he’s not sure why. This new contender from JONSERED with its stronger mid-section con really —_ i take a beoting. The | Super 470 pocks o powerlul.punch. gf Jonsered Super 670 | Takes on the Heavyweights! D Will out cut anything in its eloss e onsered r. ProLine SEE THE JONSERED SUPER 670 AT YOUR DEALER RIVER INDUSTRIES (TERRACE) LTD. P.O. BOX 638 — TERRACE, 8.C. V8G 485 61304 HIGHWAY 16 WEST And then there’s the lack of pollution, He says that natural gas burns far more cleanly than gasoline and lacks the odor of pollutants in diesel. And it’s highly efficient. The operator can realize a 30 to 40 percent saving in fuel costs, he says, and the engine is most efficient when. worked hard, He explains that a computer in the system adjusts pre-ignition automatically and the motor can “be .run to the outer fringes of durability and economy’’. . Finally, there are lower main- tenance costs. There’s no fuel pump, injectors, or setting the rack. According to Clarke, it took two years to develop the system and it will soon be offered to a “selective”? market of truckers. He says selection will be based on two criteria: the availability of fuel and specially trained mechanics. Clarke adds that many engine repairs can be done by mechanics using their diesel repair manuals — only the fuel © and ignition systems are dif- ferent. Clarke says that the con- version to natural gas will cost somewhere between $5,000 and $8,000 but the exact cost isn’t yet known because the prototype It’s Cool... It's Fost... It's Tough ond the challenge bee cut obove A CUT ABOVE THE REST 635-7383 uses a coil ignition system while production models will use elec- tronic ignition, The- final question put to Clarke was the matter of safety. Clarke says the system is safe. He says the prototype carries 13,000 cubic feet of natural gas, enough for about 420 miles of driving, and the tanks are “tough’’?, he says: ‘‘They’re made out of stainless steel... not brass’’. According to Clarke the only thing that could penetrate the tanks are armor-piercing bullets, Clarke adds that although the prototype has nine separate tanks, production models will have only one and fuel capacity will be increased’ by about 20 percent. This will provide ‘a ‘‘more acceptable appearance”, says Clarke. . fashionable smart chic elegant — sharp in vogue classy hip the last word v STYLE 4615 Lakelse Avenue 635-5222 ae ga