[Geysers] Time code - Questions (and some opinions)

[jimscheir at aol.com]

I also agree with Jeff. I am strongly opposed to entering FAKE data into a permanent record, because, if you are not sure about an eruption, the data is FAKE. Excel can handle entries of just text or text with time guesses such as "overnight" or "possible eruption at 1425", etc.

I can understand the desirability of temporarily entering 0000? or 1355? or some other temporary number for Geysertimes.org to give an idea of when to look for the next eruption of a particular geyser, but I do not believe that such numbers should remain permanently if they can be misinterpreted. 

Jim Scheirer





-----Original Message-----
From: George Schroeder <george.schroeder at att.net>
To: Geyser Observation Reports <geysers at lists.wallawalla.edu>
Sent: Wed, Jan 16, 2013 8:31 pm
Subject: Re: [Geysers] Time code - Questions (and some opinions)


Amen, Jeff!

George Schroeder


On 01/15/2013 12:27 AM, JEFFREY CROSS wrote:


Three points:

1) The only way to keep data is to record *direct observations.*

2) It seems that the problems you're experiencing with your notes and codes are happening because you're trying to do two things at once.

The 0000? code keeps the *computer* happy.

The statement "Beehive probably erupted overnight based on icy boardwalk and dry cone noted at 8am" keeps *people* happy.

Who are you keeping data for?

If your record is to be used by future researchers, then throw out the 0000? codes.  Nobody in the future will know what they mean.

If your record is to be used for data calculation, then keep whatever codes you want, but know that the data won't be worth much to anybody who cannot interpret the codes.

3) And don't base any calculations on eruptions for which there is only scanty evidence.  If someone's only 50% sure that a particular geyser erupted overnight, then treat the overnight period as a gap in the data.  That's 100% honest.

Jeff Cross
jeff.cross at utah.edu



 

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