Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Publish on the Web?
The Times reports today on an FAS plan by which Harvard profs would publish their scholarship online, rather than signing exclusive agreements with high-priced scholarly journals.
“In place of a closed, privileged and costly system, it will help open up the world of learning to everyone who wants to learn,” said Robert Darnton, director of the university library. “It will be a first step toward freeing scholarship from the stranglehold of commercial publishers by making it freely available on our own university repository.”
Might I suggest a compromise?
Allow the journals to publish first, but retain the online rights that allow the author to publish their pieces online—even, gasp, on their own (currently non-existent) websites—after the journal is, say, off-stand, or a month, whichever comes first.
That way you don't put these journals out of business. (Although perhaps there's an argument that you should....) ¶ 7:34 AM
“In place of a closed, privileged and costly system, it will help open up the world of learning to everyone who wants to learn,” said Robert Darnton, director of the university library. “It will be a first step toward freeing scholarship from the stranglehold of commercial publishers by making it freely available on our own university repository.”
Might I suggest a compromise?
Allow the journals to publish first, but retain the online rights that allow the author to publish their pieces online—even, gasp, on their own (currently non-existent) websites—after the journal is, say, off-stand, or a month, whichever comes first.
That way you don't put these journals out of business. (Although perhaps there's an argument that you should....) ¶ 7:34 AM
Comments:
<< Home
The motion passed unanimously.
Richard, it's a very odd idea for you to suggest as a "compromise" (as though you were stepping in to mediate a Mideast peace agreement) that professors should continue to work for the welfare of scholarly publishers so they can charge enormous amounts of money to maintain an artificial scarcity of their content. Don't worry. Articles Harvard professors write for 02138 are not covered by today's vote.
Richard, it's a very odd idea for you to suggest as a "compromise" (as though you were stepping in to mediate a Mideast peace agreement) that professors should continue to work for the welfare of scholarly publishers so they can charge enormous amounts of money to maintain an artificial scarcity of their content. Don't worry. Articles Harvard professors write for 02138 are not covered by today's vote.
# posted by 
: February 12, 2008 7:23 PM
: February 12, 2008 7:23 PM
Indeed, 7:23! What a crazy thought! That anyone from outside should actually contribute a suggestion.
And FYI, no Harvard professors have written articles for 02138 since I've been executive editor. Not that I would have anything against it...but just to set the record straight. Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to pitch something....
(You would have to put your name to it, though.)
Post a Comment
And FYI, no Harvard professors have written articles for 02138 since I've been executive editor. Not that I would have anything against it...but just to set the record straight. Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to pitch something....
(You would have to put your name to it, though.)
<< Home
