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2nd International Asian Dendrochronology Conference

This conference is being Held August 20-23, 2011 in Xi'an, China, and the theme is "Climate Change: Opportunities and Challenges." From their web site: "In the latest 20 years, Asian dendrochronologists have also made great progresses. The main goal of the conference is to assemble researchers and to strengthen communications and cooperations among tree-ring researchers all over Asia. We expect about 200 participants from all over Asia. The 2nd International Asian Dendrochronological Conference, lasting 4 days, will enhance new collaborations and stimulate intellectual exchanges amongst the researchers throughout Asia." Links on the web site provide information on Conference Committees, the Post-Conference Excursion, the Pre-conference Fieldweek, Session Topics, and the Conference Programme (once abstracts are submitted).
   

Random Tip

  
 

Pre-wrap those fragile cross-sections...

When collecting fragile samples for fire history analysis, I've found it very useful to wrap the sample tightly in-situ with plastic wrap prior to sawing with a chain saw. Make your top-cut first, wrap the sample, then make your bottom-cut after wrapping. This will keep those fire scars from flying everywhere!
   
 

The ITRDB Internet Forum

 
 

An Internet forum for dendrochronology (ITRDBFOR) has been sponsored by the ITRDB since 1988 as part of the ITRDB mission to foster communication among dendrochronologists worldwide, and to help those collecting and developing tree-ring chronologies throughout the world. Currently, over 600 scientists from 32 countries subscribe to the forum. Anyone interested in dendrochronology can join and participate in the forum, used by members to address important issues confronting dendrochronologists. For example, the forum has been used to:

  • discuss current issues relevant to tree-ring research, such as crossdating procedures and available tree-ring software,
  • announce upcoming meetings dendrochronologists may wish to attend,
  • announce the publication of articles and books relevant to dendrochronology,
  • announce and acknowledge recent contributors of tree-ring data to the holdings of the ITRDB,
  • foster communication with other members of the forum to help establish new research initiatives, and
  • announce news items that other scientists may find useful.

JOINING THE FORUM

To join the ITRDBFOR, send the command "subscribe itrdbfor [your first name] [your last name]" as one line of text in the mail message (please omit the brackets) to the following address: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU. For example, one would send the message "subscribe itrdbfor John Smith" if you wanted to join (substitute your name for "John Smith," though). New participants are encouraged to submit a short, one paragraph outline of interests and current research to inform members who may have similar interests.

SENDING MESSAGES TO THE FORUM

Messages sent to the forum are automatically routed to the entire membership. The address for the forum is: ITRDBFOR@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU. Please be forewarned that any message sent to this address is automatically sent to over 600 scientists worldwide, so personal messages should never be sent via this address. Participation in the forum is optional, but is more useful if a large number of researchers actively contribute. The ITRDB forum is managed by David Lawrence, Andy Bartholomay, and Martin Munro.

ACCESS TO THE FORUM ARCHIVES

If you would like to retrieve and read past messages sent to the forum, you can do so by connecting to the ITRDB Forum Archives at the University of Arizona. Note that you can choose a particular month to browse though, which then lists a complete table of contents featuring the subject title of the original message. The senders' names are listed as well. You may also conduct a search for a particular term (e.g., "Velmex") and use various filters (words in the title, senders' names, beginning and ending period to search though) to delimit your search. This is a major service that greatly enhances the ITRDB Dendrochronology Forum.

BASIC COMMANDS FOR THE FORUM

There are some basic commands you should know to help you become more accustomed to using the listserver software that runs the dendrochronology forum. New subscribers to the forum may want to connect to the listserv site at the University of Arizona to learn more about these commands - it's really easy! To use any of these commands, just send them as one-line messages to the listserv address given above:

  • To subscribe to the forum:

    subscribe itrdbfor your-first-name your-last-name

    Example: subscribe itrdbfor Henri D. Grissino-Mayer

    NOTE: you should not include your e-mail address. The listserver will automatically retrieve it.

  • To retrieve a list containing the names and e-mail addresses of all members subscribed to the list:

    review itrdbfor by name, or
    review itrdbfor by country

  • To retrieve a list of all the log files for all months the forum has been in operation:

    index itrdbfor

  • To retrieve a digest containing all messages sent to the forum during any particular month (here, for October of 2009):

    get itrdbfor log0910 (but see how to do so via the Web above)

  • To temporarily turn off receiving messages from the forum (for example, when you go on vacation to keep your mailbox from overflowing):

    set itrdbfor nomail

  • To once again start receiving messages from the forum upon your return:

    set itrdbfor mail

  • To unsubscribe yourself from the forum permanently:

    signoff itrdbfor

  • To change your e-mail address:

    First, signoff from the forum while your old address is still in effect. Once the new address takes effect, subscribe using the first command above. When all else fails, contact the list managers: David Lawrence, Andy Bartholomay, or Martin Munro.