I understand what you are saying Petra and would just like to share a little about a conference I'm headed off to on Sunday - it will be held at Asilomar in Pacific Grove -its the Pacific Climate Conference - I do volunteer help with logistics for the conference.

At this conference many scientists and graduate students present their papers - and then the group discusses it or asks questions or even challenge parts or suggestions made - and even sometimes 2 different presenters have complimentary info and they then get together - it is very constructive and is meant to be a Syzygy sort of event where the output is more than the sum of the parts.

The exciting thing is that this year they have some special sessions on Solar Influences on Climate--Direct and Indirect. There is a link below for more info - I'm looking forward to being there.

Canie

• PACLIM Info