cc: Tom Holt , Mike Hulme date: Fri, 21 Feb 1997 08:24:01 -0000 from: Mick Kelly subject: Re: Use of Unified Model to: Nick Brooks Dear Nick Use of Unified Model in principle might be fine but you should be aware, and think seriously, about the fact that I doubt it's actually going to be of any use for your work because of the difficulties involved in using it. That's why I've never pushed it as an option for you. You're going to have to work hard to convince the panel it's a reasonable move. So start thinking now about the logistics of using it. One problem, for example, is that the model is not set up to do the kind of experiments you want to do so you'll have to alter the model most likely at the source code level. With GBP20K of funding to support Wan's project and three month's training in Bracknell for him, Tom and I have said we will not attempt to alter the source code of the model because we regard it as beyond our immediate capabilities without time working with the unmodified model. You need to do this, test the result and run the resulting experiments all by the summer's end to meet the panel's deadline. The second problem you will have is that you need to get time on a decent computer to run the UM in climate experiments. This will cost money that CRU won't put up, Maybe you can arrange it through UGAMP? Finally, you need to figure out how you are going to get technical support for the model. Bracknell won't give this to you directly so you'll have to, again, get UGAMP backing. Tom and I, with TDD's approval, won't support any other CRU UM user for the next 12 months at least other than Wan till we're sure the UM is 'usable'. Think seriously about all this because my feeling is that, if you see the UM as an alternative to the NASA modelling option, then we have a problem. The reason I'm pushing you over this - and will continue to do so! - is because we have to have a cast-iron justification at the next supervision meeting for the main thrust of your thesis and, if there are any remaining uncertainties, then we will most likely go back to the original plot. So - get organising! Cheers Mick __________________________________________ Mick Kelly Climatic Research Unit School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ UK Tel: 1603 592722 Fax: 1603 507784 Email: m.kelly@uea.ac.uk Web: http:/www.cru.uea.ac.uk/ __________________________________________