Kipp&Zonen BSRN Scientific Solar Monitoring System - Manual (Page 4)

II
Preface to the First Edition
Like all aspects of the Baseline Surface Radiation Network, this m anual is in its infancy. The ideas contained
within m ay be new to m any, but have been applied successfully at various locations throughout the globe.
On the one hand this indicates that these concepts should be considered seriously before being rejected, but
on the other hand there m ay be som e that are unworkable because of various clim atic or operational factors.
I would encourage all those using this m anual not to reject any procedures without first carefully attem pting
to put them into operation. There is an anecdote within the m eteorological com m unity that m ust be overcom e
if the operation of the BSRN is to be successful. The question is asked, “How long does it take for a new
instrum ent to be accepted as operational?” The answer, “One generation of m eteorologists.” Let this not be
the case within the BSRN!
Som e instructions or ideas within the m anual m ay be unclear. If this is the case, I would appreciate having
these reported to m e as quickly as possible. I believe that everyone who has ever written step-by-step
instructions has fallen into the trap of m issing a step, or assum ing too m uch. I would encourage scientists and
technicians alike who use this m anual to also apply “com m on sense” to the problem to overcom e any
om issions that I m ay have m ade.
Although the W MO allowed m e a significant am ount of travel and opportunity to observe how various stations
were operated, I am sure that excellent ideas have been m issed within this first version of the m anual, even
with the significant help of those who reviewed it at the BSRN m eeting in August 1996. Although only one
person can place ideas on paper (or its virtual counterparts), the contents of this m anual m ust rem ain a group
effort if we are to build a radiation observing system of which we can be proud in our years of retirem ent. To
this end I encourage new ideas be brought forward and new areas suggested for inclusion in the next
revision.
As paper gives way to electronic publications, the idea of editorial revisions has changed substantially over
the last few years. W here once the second edition of a book m ight be expected a decade after the first
printing, our expectations have increased to seeing som ething new on the W EB every day. It is hoped that
m inor revisions of the m anual (clarifications etc.) can be put into place alm ost im m ediately and the revision
num ber of the electronic version of the m anual altered to reflect any changes. Major revisions (e.g. new
sections) will obviously be less frequent, but will com e out not only electronically, but also as a new printed
m anual.
Finally, and again, this m anual will im prove with the feedback of the users. I urge anyone to contact m e with
any and all suggestions that m ight im prove this m anual..
Bruce McArthur
Experim ental Studies Division
Atm ospheric Environm ent Service
4905 Dufferin Street
Downsview, Ontario, CANADA
M3H 5T4
Telephone: 1 416 739 4464
Facsim ile: 1 416 739 4281
Em ail: bruce.m carthur@ ec.gc.ca