Electronic publishing and the 3rd world

[Dora Ann Lange Canhos]

I would like to add a very short third world perspective
to this discussion. If you look at printed journals today
it is easy to imagine that information flow is predominantly
North-South. Less developed countries have great barriers to
overcome, in order to disseminate their information through
recognized journals. Just to list a few of these barriers,
we have:

. language
   most recognized journals only accept articles in english
. standards
   if one compares the 3rd world research budgets with those of
   industrialized nations it is easy to understand that many times
   certain scientific/technical standards may not be reached
. significance
   your work must be important from the publisher's point of
   view, which normally means from an industrialized country's
   perspective.

Therefor you must write in english, you must meet high standards
and your work must be important to industrialized countries
(whether it is important to your own country....., that's
 another story ;-)

The Internet is introducing a new and exciting way to disseminate
information. Those who are on Internet can create their own web
server, put up their own papers, in whatever language they want,
of significance to them, meeting their own standards. Whether
people read it or not, think it's good or not, is something of
concern to that particular institution or person.

Electronic publishing certainly reduces cost and time. I think
we will see more and more research institutions being responsible
for their own information on the net. I think we will also see
more information flowing not only from North - South but also
South - North and South - South.

This is much more then just a technological revolution it is also
a cultural revolution and we all must keep in mind that there are
some countries that are not on Internet and may miss the boat.
I believe we should aim at improving our understanding to make
this world a better place to live in.

All the best,
Dora

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Dora Ann Lange Canhos         E-mail: dora at bdt.org.br
Base de Dados Tropical        Tel:    +55 192 427022
Fundacao "Andre' Tosello"     Fax:    +55 192 427827
(http://www.bdt.org.br/)
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