Past Chief Editor’s Note

It has indeed been three years of continuous learning, and doing what needed to be done in order to keep a great Geophysics magazine – the RECORDER – rolling along. At times it definitely felt like “baptism-by-fire”, but it was well worth the experience I gained during the past three years.

The task of being the Chief Editor was not an impossible or even a very difficult one, but one that required the skill to manage the influx of articles in a somewhat unpredictable fashion – due to time constraints that everyone in the industry experiences in their day-to-day work. It was essential for me to keep in mind that everyone who contributed a focus article or a monthly article had a paying job or an academic career that needed their attention first and foremost. My professional courtesy in requesting the necessary article in reasonable time was always met with equal courtesy from the many authors who contributed to each RECORDER issue.

Accomplishing the necessary tasks to get each issue to print gave a definite sense of satisfaction, only to be replaced by a sense of urgency in working on getting the next issue to print in time.

During these three years, the most important experience I gained was to be proactive about any task that lay ahead so as to avoid surprises in terms of any of the focus article authors not being able to meet the deadlines.

If I had a wish with regards to the future of the RECORDER, it would be to emulate the SEG’s TLE magazine in setting firm deadlines for the receipt of focus articles which require a greater pool of authors than just the local industry pool.

In my final note I wish to thank the following individuals: first to those who often wrote emails to encourage me and compliment me regarding my efforts, I say “THANK YOU!” Your words of encouragement and appreciation provided me the momentum I needed to maintain my enthusiasm and dedication to the members of the society. Equally, I wish to thank those who occasionally expressed their concern and unhappiness regarding aspects of the RECORDER that needed extra attention, because without constructive criticism, one faces the risk of becoming complacent.

There are too many to thank individually for their efforts towards the success of the RECORDER magazine, but have no doubt that I am truly in your debt, because without it all my efforts would have been futile. One thing I did realize was the great effort Satinder Chopra and Oliver Kuhn made on behalf of the RECORDER for over 10 years and filling “their big shoes” was nearly impossible. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Penny Colton for helping out to ensure the completion of the May and June issues.

One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind.
~ MALAYAN PROVERB