As paper prices rocket, journal editors seem to be asking authors more
frequently to trim the lengths of their papers. Yet out there on the net there
is an abundance of space. Anyone can "publish" whatever they want on the
internet. Bionet bulletin boards are archived in at least two locations. So
what is delaying things?
The main stumbling blocks are:
(1). No easy way of citing a posting.
(2). Even if there were an easy way of citing a posting, would Editors in
the paper literature allow such citations in their journals.
(3). Possible opposition from the paper publishers, who see their profits
declining.
Problem 1 may be solved by using the time parameters of an electronic posting
as one would volume and page numbers.
Thus: Smith J (1995) Bionet.journals.note 405, 1703
(April 5th at 1703h)
Recently according to The Scientist, several groups have been given $4 million
each to study ways of literature retrieval. I hope that the groups will also
study the electronic publication problem, and perhaps give us their opinions in
this forum.
Sincerely,
Don Forsdyke, Discussion Leader,
Bionet.journals.note
