On Sat, 11 Aug 2001, Jim Till wrote:
But, what about reasons WHY the primary research literature should be
freed? Here's my first attempt at a summary of some of the main reasons:
1. It should be done:
- Information gap: Libraries and researchers in poor countries can't
afford most of the journals that they need.
- Library crisis: Libraries and researchers in rich countries can't
afford some of the journals that they need.
- Public property: The results of publicly-funded research should be
publicly-available.
- Academic freedom: Censorship based on cost rather than quality
can't be justified.
(and) - Easier access: A global repository of all scientific literature,
full-text searchable, and citation linked.
2. It can be done:
- Open archives: Authors can self-archive their publications in open
archives.
- Cost issues: Both electronic journals and open archives can be
funded in a variety of ways.
- Branding issues: Essential quality control and certification need
not be sacrificed.
- IP issues: Desirable protection of intellectual property need not
be sacrificed.
What other important reasons have I neglected?
Jim Till
University of Toronto
--
Tim Brody
Computer Science, University of Southampton
email: tdb...@soton.ac.uk
Web: http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~tdb198/
