Aloha Brian:
You've touched on an important concern raised more than a year ago by
Attachai Jintrawet of Chiang Mai University in Thailand.  While we've
focused on the electronic import of data in any format into DSSAT v3, we've
neglected the first step:  collecting and recording data sets in the field.
The forms generated for v2.1, while restrictive to some, provided the field
worker with a form to complete in recording observations and measurements of
the MDS.
 
I'm presuming current users are using their own data forms or, as you
indicate, using forms for v2.1 and adjusting them to the file X formats.
 
The forms were useful for instructional and research purposes and as guide
to data collection.  If any of our users have managed to develop forms, it
would be of interest to many.  Can we hear from some of you.
 
Mahalo,
Gordon
 
At 05:01 AM 7/29/97 -1000, you wrote:
>Hello Everybody --
>
>One of my co-workers is getting ready to send out minimum data set
>collection sheets to several groups that she is hoping to work with.  We
>are trying to figure out what to send to these groups.
>
>We have the 1988 version of IBSNAT Technical Report #1 (Experimental Design
>and Data Collection Procedures for IBSNAT) which comes with a set data
>collection sheets which are made to be photocopied.  However these sheets
>were designed to work with the old database that was part of DSSAT 2 and
>don't correspond directly with the File X that are used with the current
>version of DSSAT.
>
>What are other groups doing with collecting data for crop models that are
>part of the DSSAT system?  Are they using the old data collection sheets
>and then "translating" them to the new formats when they get them back from
>the field?  Have people developed their own data collection systems?  Are
>there any examples of "new" data collection forms available in electronic
>form?
>
>Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
>
>-- Brian Baer
>==============================================================
>Brian Baer                              [log in to unmask]
>Program Analyst
>Dept. of Crop & Soil Science            (517) 353-8537 (voice)
>A574 Plant and Soil Science Building
>Michigan State University               (517) 353-8538 (fax)
>East Lansing, Michigan  48824-1325
>==============================================================
>