_Current_Cites_ Volume 3, no. 6 June 1992 Library Technology Watch Program University of California, Berkeley Edited by David F.W. Robison ISSN: 1060-2356 Contributors: Teri Rinne, Vivienne Roumani, Lisa Rowlison, Mark Takaro, Roy Tennant >From the Editor: many of the articles cited in this issue were difficult to categorize as they fit into more than one section, so please be sure to look around this issue for topics that might interest you. - DR Electronic Publishing Bennett, Scott and Nina Matheson "Scholarly Articles: Valuable Commodities for Universities" The Chronicle of Higher Education (May 27, 1992):B1-B3. Bennett and Matheson introduce a proposal to regard scholarly journal articles as work done for hire. They offer this proposal as a solution to the problem of protecting scholarly communication by eliminating copyright restrictions for non-profit libraries and reducing journal costs. - VR Campbell, Robert "The Commercial Role in Journal Publishing: Past, Present and Future" LOGOS 3(1) (1992):27-33. With this article (essentially a reply to Ann Okerson's article, "Back to Academia? The Case for Universities to Publish Their Own Research" LOGOS 2(2) (1991):106-112), the Managing Director of Blackwell Scientific justifies the role and intentions of commercial publishers. Campbell maintains that many librarians' views of commercial publishers are born of an either naive or incomplete understanding of the publishing process. Most of his argument centers around the economic circumstance of publishing (a great motivator and causal influence). Campbell suggests that the development of the electronic journal will occur in increments, determined by economic feasibility in terms of demand and technological development. He concludes that the development of electronic publishing should bring publishers, academics, and librarians together instead of widening the chasm between the camps. With such words so easily spoken, it will be quite interesting to see what sort of collaborative relationship actually develops between librarians and commercial publishers as electronic publishing matures. - LR The special double issue of Serials Review 18(1-2) (1992) contains nearly 30 articles on topics of direct interest to electronic publishing. Titled "Economic Models for Networked Information" the issue covers topics of copyright and licensing, pricing and costs, etc. This month's and next month's issues of Current Cites will contain abstracts of selected articles from the special issue of Serials Review. It should be noted that each article in the issue is well worth reading. As a whole, the issue presents the reader with a well rounded perspective of the timely matters surrounding electronic publishing. o Getz, Malcolm "Electronic Publishing: An Economic View" pp. 25-31. Getz presents a discussion contrasting the costs and values of publishing (scientific publications) in the print and electronic mediums. This economic view includes a description of market factors and the role of government pertinent to electronic publishing. This stimulating article presents a concrete picture of the interacting forces (the elements of value: readability, durability, portability, etc.; and costs of editing, production and distribution) which will prove to be determining factors in the future of electronic publishing. - LR o Jensen, Mary Brandt "Making Copyright Work in Electronic Publishing Models" pp. 62-65. One of the most onerous processes inherent to the success of electronic publishing will be the development of copyright law which is both comprehensive and fair. In this article, Jensen provides a well-written and detailed look at several different types and applications of copyright licenses. She concludes with a description of one potentially effective licensing model for electronic information: a hybrid negotiated compulsory license. - LR o Lynch, Clifford "Reaction, Response, and Realization: From the Crisis Scholarly Communication to the Age of Networked Information" pp. 107-112. Writing the concluding article for this special issue, Lynch notes that while it is clear that scholarly communication is undergoing massive change, if not a revolution, it is hard to see what the result will be. Among other issues, Lynch discusses copyright and the actual migration of scholarly communication to the networked world. - DR o Okerson, Ann "The Missing Model: A 'Circle of Gifts'" pp. 92-96. What Okerson proposes here is the formalization of the model of electronic publishing that is already happening on a fairly large scale already (with this journal being a case in point). The Circle of Gifts model is based on the idea that "information published is owned by the scholars, learned societies, colleges, universities, and research institutions who have funded and created it." While there is no marginal cost of such publication to the user or publisher, the larger institution does pay for the access to the electronic arena. This model, which fosters widespread scholarly communication will need to be subsidized in the future if it is to remain viable. - DR Networks and Networking Baczewski, Philip "Bitnotes: Does BITNET Have a Future?" NetMonth 40 (June 1992). While some are saying that BITNET is a thing of the past, Baczewski argues otherwise. While some aspects of the system's technology may be behind that of the Internet, BITNET provides unique services to a number of institutions. It is also a system that is evolving to adapt to the new net environment (BITNET II for example). So don't count BITNET out yet! - DR Kahn, Robert "National Information Infrastructure Components" Serials Review 18(1-2) (1992):85-87. Kahn writes that the NII will eventually include (very fast) multimedia capability, a National Digital Library, National Knowledge Banks, and an electronic system for transacting business. He also argues that it is desirable that the NII be capable of evolution, be built upon the current system, and support users in obtaining crucial information. Kahn makes an interesting point when he explains that he envisions search "agents" (software) that will help the user formulate a strategy and "brokers" (people) who will help to execute the strategy "in the most effective manner." - DR Kesselman, Martin "BIDS and Networked Databases vs. CD-ROM" Wilson Library Bulletin 66(9) (May 1992):84-85, 132. Kesselman considers whether the increasing use of networked databases among large, though specific, user groups will spell the demise of CD-ROMs. Using the example of the BIDS system in the UK, Kesselman examines both the ease-of-use issues and the economics of providing networked databases. - DR Marx, Gary T. "Techno-Fallacies of the Information Age" EFFector ONline 2(10) (June 9, 1992):[8-11]. Marx addresses some of the social issues related to the increasing pervasiveness of technology in our lives, especially where privacy is concerned. While much of this is old hat to librarians, it is always worthwhile to revisit this issue as the information age progresses. The article also includes a list of other articles by the same author. - DR U.S. Congress. Senate. "GPO Gateway to Government Act of 1992." 102nd Cong., 2nd sess., S. 2813. Posted on PACS-L@UHUPVM1.BITNET (June 17, 1992) by James Love. This bill (if it becomes law) would "Establish in the Government Printing Office an electronic gateway to provide public access to a wide range of Federal databases containing public information stored electronically." The bill stipulates that the information should disseminated "through a wide range of electronic networks, including the Internet and the National Research and Education Network" and that depository libraries be permitted "to connect to, access, and search and retrieve information through the GPO Gateway without charge...." - DR Optical Disc Technologies Fox, Barry "CD Makers Perform in Unison to Stop the Rot" New Scientist 134(1815) (April 4, 1992):19. This article describes new test procedures European CD manufacturers are implementing that may provide archival-quality compact discs. The procedure involves "putting CDs in an environmental chamber, raising the temperature from 20 degrees C to 48 degrees C in half an hour, leaving the temperature steady for 12 hours, and then cycling down again. This goes on, at a relative humidity of 95% for 4 weeks." This procedure is slated to become a Philips Red Book standard. Bert Gall, General Manager of Optical Systems at Philips, optimistically predicts that CDs that meet the new standard will enjoy a life span of more than a thousand years. - TR Nipp, Deanna and Salwa Shamy "CD-ROM Troubleshooting Manual: Support for Reference Desk Librarians" RQ 31(2) (Spring 1992):339-347. The authors present a solution to the problem of daily CD-ROM equipment maintenance at the reference desk in the form of developing a CD-ROM Troubleshooting Manual. Using a model developed for the Library of Science and Medicine at Rutgers University, the manual is based upon "seven steps fundamental to writing good technical documentation and includes instructions for resolving problems like removing paper jams, replacing ribbons, and rescuing CD-ROM discs from floppy disk drives." - TR General Shneiderman, Ben. Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction. Second edition. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1992. This revised and expanded second edition of Shneiderman's essential book on user interface design represents a significant update to a key resource. The first edition, published in 1986, was one of a very few books of its kind that was accessible to a wide audience. This updated version is likely to further cement the position of this work as a must read for those interested in user interface design. - RT "Storage Buyer's Guide" MacUser 8(7) (July 1992) 58 p. This MacUser Buyer's Guide includes articles reviewing both 3.5-inch and 5.25-inch magneto-optical drives. The former article includes a sidebar offering a rare glimpse inside an m-o drive, accompanied by an effective "How it Works" graphic and explanation. - TR ------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Cites 3(6) (June 1992) ISSN: 1060-2356 Copyright (C) 1992 by the Library, University of California, Berkeley. All rights reserved. All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Mention of a product in this publication does not necessarily imply endorsement of the product. Copying is permitted for noncommercial use by computerized bulletin board/conference systems, individual scholars, and libraries. Libraries are authorized to add the journal to their collections at no cost. This message must appear on copied material. All commercial use requires permission from the editor, who may be reached in the following ways: drobison@library.berkeley.edu // drobison@ucblibra // (510)642-7600 -------------------------------------------------------------------