Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!mit-eddie!ll-xn!ames!sdcsvax!ucsdhub!hp-sdd!hplabs!hplabsz!taylor
From: cje@topaz.rutgers.edu (Chris Jarocha-Ernst)
Newsgroups: comp.society
Subject: Re: Computer-Based Journals
Message-ID: <778@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM>
Date: Fri, 11-Sep-87 20:16:56 EDT
Article-I.D.: hplabsz.778
Posted: Fri Sep 11 20:16:56 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 13-Sep-87 02:17:50 EDT
References: <Computer-Based>
Sender: taylor@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
Lines: 43
Approved: taylor@hplabs

Andrew Jennings writes about computer based journals, but misses certain
key points:

If you're going to send PostScript code, subscribers are at the mercy
of the speed of their printers (assuming they have them, otherwise
they wouldn't be subscribing to such a journal).

If you're going to send ASCII text, you seriously limit the type of
info that can be included in articles.

Regarding reviewing and assembling, this is still a good idea and is
even happening now, what with journals accepting TeX files.

> Once the journal is assembled it could then be sent (by e-mail  or by 
> ordinary post) to people who have paid a nominal charge for subscription.

Subscribers must also eat the cost of printing the thing (incl.
maintenance of the equipment).  I would imagine that libraries make up
a large subset of journal subscribers, and such a scheme prevents any
library without the bucks to spend on the appropriate equipment from
getting the journal.  

> (First objection : anyone can get hold of a copy for free. Answer : this 
>  can be done now with photocopiers).

Yes, but at different costs.  The cost to me to copy a file and print
it is much less than the cost of my standing over a photocopier,
including the costs of both my time and the printing process.  So a
"free" electronic copy costs me less than a "free" photocopy.  Given
that, I'd expect more people to copy the thing than subscribe to it.

Plus, there's the problem of forgery and related evils.  I could
modify the received electronic journal to, say, include my name in
an article (to impress a prospective employer who likely won't take
the time to check another copy of the journal) or to change some of
the report (I intercept the mailing intended for a hated colleague in
order to sabotage his or her research).

Admittedly, I can do the same with a traditionally printed journal,
but again, the cost to me to do such a thing is much less with an
electronic journal than with a printed one.

Chris Jarocha-Ernst