Electronic publication of new names: a proposal

[Curtis Clark]

It would be possible to publish new names electronically today, with no
changes in the rules.  Here is one proposal for doing it:

1. Required equipment: a web server and a print journal (you knew that was
coming :-).

2. Authors would submit manuscripts in HTML format, with accompanying
multimedia goodies (photos, chirps, etc.) by e-mail.

3. Editors would send mss by e-mail for review (reviewers could use web
browser to view or print the manuscript). Reviews would be returned by e-mail.

4. Revised manuscripts would be printed using Netscape and a high-quality
laser printer.  CRC signatures would be calculated for the manuscripts (to
insure authenticity of electronic copies), and the CRCs and list of files
would be added to the printed version.

5. The printed version would be photo-offset (or whatever), bound, and
issued as a supplement to the existing journal.  The printed version would
be effective publication under the rules, and the authentication mechanism
would insure that the electronic copy be the same as the printed one.  The
electronic version would be posted on the web server on the day of effective
publication of the printed version.

6. Only papers containing new names would be published in this manner, so
that the value of the paper journal to the subscription-holders would not be
substantially diminished, and there would be no need to charge for access to
the electronic documents.

7. The print copy would of course lack the chirps (although it could include
the sound spectograms), and the photos would be black-and-white, but sounds
and color photos would be of value even if they weren't part of the official
(printed) protologue, and they would be available for later official
designation if the rules change.

8. All the files of a document would be kept together on a server (and
possibly distributed in a compressed archive form), and the server would be
mirrored at other sites.  Because the print journal contains the CRCs (and
the algorithms for generating them), it would always be possible to
authenticate an electronic copy.

This would clearly be an interim position, but it would allow the systematic
community to "test the waters" in a situation with *increased* redundancy
(both paper and electronic).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Curtis Clark        http://www.sci.csupomona.edu/biology/clark/clark.htm
Biological Sciences Department                     Voice: (909) 869-4062
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona    FAX:   (909) 869-4396
Pomona CA 91768-4032                               jcclark at csupomona.edu