News
Physics News
H. Sylvia Toombs
Pat Kreitz, Stanford Linear Accelerator Library, requested that any interested PAM members look at her web sites for online particle physics information and Nobel laureates in physics. Corrections, reactions, problems should be brought to Pat's attention; ideas, comments, additions and suggestions are also welcome. Pat can be reached at (415)926-2411 or by email.
Four speakers reported on various aspects of electronic publishing and the experiences they have encountered in persuading subscribers to sign contracts for their electronic products. Donna Berg, Head of Customer Services, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Research Library, reported on Paul Ginsparg's automated e-print archive of physics papers. Begun in August, 1991 for high energy physicists, the database now has over 35,000 users worldwide and over 70,000 hits per day. When "hot topics" surface, usage is even higher. Acceptance and usage of the database in all areas of physics has been phenomenal and promotes serious discussion about the need for paper publication of physics research. Mr. Ginsparg indicates researchers in underdeveloped countries can access electronic sources more easily than building or running a conventional library. Ginsparg's paper is available on the web. In Ginsparg's view electronic databases with research results have few disadvantages. Electronic communication provides for faster dissemination of current research results and concomitant discussion without the delays and costs of the print medium. Current problems includes non-standardized transcontinental bandwidths and author's thinking and writing processes. The electronic medium provides greater possibilities than authors currently use for print publishing.
Tim Ingoldsby, Director of Product Development, American Institute of Physics (AIP), stated that Applied Physics Letters online has two years of electronic articles available. This is over 4,000 articles that are readily accessible from a researcher's desktop. AIP has found that users want to be able to print what they see and they want links to referenced articles. AIP will continue to make Applied Physics Letters online available after OCLC's Guidon is discontinued at the end of 1996. AIP's PINET Plus includes announcements of all AIP journals and is available on the web.
Maria Lebron, Associate Publisher, American Physical Society (APS) discussed the fact that re-engineering the editorial process for Physical Review Letters online was necessary. Electronic journals require different editing from print journals. Display and access of electronic material require different ways of thinking, working and distribution from paper, typesetting and use of the postal services. Two new electronic products are available as of July 1, 1996: Physical Review C (to institutions), and Physical Review B, Rapid Communications (to individuals). Physical Review C is available to paper subscribers free of charge through December 31, 1996.
Electronic publishing raises a whole new set of questions and problems, one being how to deal with errata. Should the original paper be changed, or should the error be flagged with the correction listed somewhere at the end of the paper? Agreements covering user access are also being discussed by the APS with many of its subscribing institutions. These discussions have led to two different agreements currently being used; one covers OCLC's Guidon users and the other is being tested on those who subscribe to the electronic version of Physical Review C. APS wants to work with libraries in providing access to the readers and not make access more difficult. Libraries and users should not find electronic access any more difficult to use than printed products. For further information contact APS or FAX at 1-301-209-0844.
John Long, Institute of Physics (IOP), Sales Manager, North America stated that 31 Institute of Physics journals are now electronically available. IOP is providing electronic access to paper subscribers without levying an extra charge. Institutions register their electronic addresses, then individuals within the institution register to gain access to the electronic titles. IOP is working with 5 other publishers in providing CoDAS (COndensed matter Direct Alerting Service) an alerting, profiling and document delivery service for condensed matter researchers. Peers, a free, moderated e-mail directory with over 2,500 records, is another product sponsored by the IOP. Peers provides a worldwide e-mail directory within the physics community and other scientific disciplines. IOP can be contacted on the web for further information.
Harry Lustig informed the group that the American Physical Society is discussing managing the Ginsparg database beginning in 1997. APS realizes that electronic communication has become an important part of physics interaction but that not all physicists want to communicate exclusively in an electronic milieu. When APS assumes this task they want to make their server user-friendly and continue to archive and relay scholarly articles. Access to research literature should continue in a non-refereed way as the Ginsparg model exists, but refereed papers and writings will continue to have a place and that balance will be explored by the Society and its members and researchers.
Lev Malov representing Turpion publishers, addressed the group indicating there was a web site with the tables of contents and abstracts of their publications. Pion has a web site.