October 2003 - LIS-Forum - ncsi.iisc.ernet.in

Online Health Sites a Worldwide Worry
by Mailing List Manager 07 Oct '03

07 Oct '03

Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 12:56:21 +0530 From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> Friends: A number of people are using the net to find information on topics in which they are not experts. In fact I know of people who use this kind of searches on behalf of others and even charge fees for such 'data mining' sevices. One should be wary of such searches, indicates the following report from Australia. Sinclair, Jenny. "Online Health Sites a Worldwide Worry" The Sydney Morning Herald (16 September 2003) (http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/15/1063478109311.html). - A study by a Melbourne researcher -- who is also a nurse and a communications consultant -- concluded that most health-oriented websites "failed to meet basic standards." Many are "commercially driven," the study found, and others are downright misleading. The study reviewed the top 100 sites returned by a Yahoo! search for breast cancer, diabetes and depression, and compared them to the Health On the Net Foundation's code of conduct. The biggest failing was the amount of unverified information found on 58 of the sites. Other issues: "user confidentiality, openness about sponsorship and, importantly, making sure that users treat the information as complementary to proper medical treatment, rather than replacing it." The study did find that there was plenty of good information out there, and that it is generally a good idea for people to have unfettered access to online health information. Arun [Subbiah Arunachalam]

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PubMed Central backfile project (fwd)
by Library 07 Oct '03

07 Oct '03

Forwarded by Girija Srinivasan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Raman Research Institute Library, Tel: +91 80 361 0122 C V Raman Avenue, Sadashivanagar, Fax: +91 80 361 0492 Bangalore 560 080, India. Email: library(a)rri.res.in ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 14:14:22 -0700 From: george(a)LIBRARY.CALTECH.EDU Reply-To: Electronic Resources in Libraries <ERIL-L(a)LISTSERV.BINGHAMTON.EDU> To: ERIL-L(a)LISTSERV.BINGHAMTON.EDU Subject: [ERIL-L] PubMed Central backfile project PubMed Central (PMC) has initiated a major archival scanning project in conjunction with several participating publishers <http://pubmedcentral.com/about/scanning.html>. NLM is committed to providing cover-to-cover images of the journal issues, back through volume 1 of all participating titles. American Society for Microbiology (10 journals) and BMJ Publishing Group (BMJ and specialist journals; 21 titles) are the two largest publisher blocs. PNAS backfiles will apparently be created independently from the versions in JSTOR. PNAS is already the most heavily used title by Caltech from PMC, by more than an order of magnitude. With an additional 75 years of backfile becoming available, unfettered by IP-ranges or usernames & passwords, many grad students and faculty, working at home or on the road, will find PNAS via PMC to be an indispensable adjunct to their research. George S. Porter Sherman Fairchild Library of Engineering & Applied Science Caltech, 1-43 Pasadena, CA 91125-4300 Telephone (626) 395-3409 Fax (626) 431-2681

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Fwd: Re: On the Need to Take Both Roads to Open Access
by Subbiah Arunachalam 04 Oct '03

04 Oct '03

>From Stevan Harnad <harnad(a)ecs.soton.ac.uk>: > There will be an Open Access conference October > 20-22 in Berlin. Below > is a URL for the conference, followed by the > abstract of my own paper > (to be given in session 4.3): > > OPEN ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE IN THE SCIENCES AND > HUMANITIES > (organized by the Max Planck Society in > association with ECHO) > > http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~harnad/Temp/berlin1.htm > > http://www.zim.mpg.de/openaccess-berlin/index.htm > October 20 - 22, 2003, Berlin > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > My own paper will be entitled: > > On the Need to Support Both Open-Access > Strategies: > Open-Access Publishing (P) and Open-Access > Self-Archiving (S) > > Stevan Harnad > > ABSTRACT: It has taken a very long time for the > research community > to at last awaken to the importance of, the need > for, and the > attainability of toll-free online access to the > full text of all > peer-reviewed research articles for all > researchers ("open > access"). There are two roads to open access: > (P) Open-Access > Publishing and (S) Open-Access Self-Archiving. > It would be a great > pity, and a great loss for open-access and > research impact, if > today's long-overdue open-access initiatives > were now to be focused > exclusively, or even primarily, on Open-Access > Publishing (P), which > may be the easier concept to understand, but is > the slower, more > indirect and more uncertain of the two means of > attaining open access > today. Open-access publishing requires 3 steps: > > (P1) creating or converting 23,500 > open-access journals (there > are only 500 open-access journals today, and > 23,500 toll-access > journals), > > (P2) finding a means of covering open-access > publication costs > (varying from <$500 to >$1500 per article), > and > > (P3) persuading the authors of each of the > 2,500,000 refereed > research articles published annually to > publish them in these > 23,500 new open-access journals instead of > in the 23,500 > established toll-access journals. > > Open-access self-archiving requires only one > step: > > (S1) persuading the authors of each of the > annual 2,500,000 > refereed research articles to self-archive > them in addition to > publishing them in the established 23,500 > toll-access journals. > > As 55% of the established journals already > support self-archiving > (and many more will agree if asked), > > http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ls/disresearch/romeo/Romeo%20Publisher%2… > > and as at least three times as many articles are > open-access today > because their authors have self-archived them > than because they > have been published in an open-access journal, > > http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~harnad/Temp/dual-strategy.ppt > > it is undeniable that self-archiving is the > faster, more direct, > and more certain of the two means of attaining > open-access > today. Moreover, self-archiving is probably also > the single most > powerful means of hastening us all toward the > era of universal > open-access publishing! The optimal joint > open-access strategy that > the Berlin Declaration should accordingly > support and promote is > that all researchers should: > > (P) publish in an open-access journal today > wherever a suitable > open-access journal is available today; > > and > > (S) wherever a suitable open-access journal > is not available > today, publish in a toll-access journal but > also self-archive > the article in your institutional > open-access archive today. > > Fully support both open-access publishing (P) > and open-access > self-archiving (S). > > Harnad, S. (2003) Electronic Preprints and > Postprints. Encyclopedia of > Library and Information Science Marcel Dekker, Inc. > http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~harnad/Temp/eprints.htm > > Harnad, S. (2003) Online Archives for Peer-Reviewed > Journal > Publications. International Encyclopedia of Library > and Information > Science. John Feather & Paul Sturges (eds). > Routledge. > http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~harnad/Temp/archives.htm > > Harnad, S. (2003) Self-Archive Unto Others as Ye > Would Have Them > Self-Archive Unto You. > The Australian Higher Education Supplement. > http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~harnad/Temp/unto-others.html > > Harnad, S., Carr, L., Brody, T. & Oppenheim, C. > (2003) Mandated online > RAE CVs Linked to University Eprint Archives: > Improving the UK Research Assessment Exercise whilst > making it cheaper > and easier. Ariadne. > http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~harnad/Temp/Ariadne-RAE.htm > > Harnad, S. (2003) Maximising Research Impact Through > Self-Archiving. > http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~harnad/Temp/che.htm > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Stevan Harnad > Chaire de Recherche du Canada > Centre de Neuroscience de la Cognition (CNC) > Universite du Quebec a Montreal > Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3P8 > tel: 1-514-987-3000 2461# > fax: 1-514-987-8952 > harnad(a)uqam.ca > http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~harnad/ ________________________________________________________________________ Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo! Messenger http://mail.messenger.yahoo.co.uk

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Wellcome to fund publication in open-access journals
by Krishnan 03 Oct '03

03 Oct '03

>From NATURE (Oct 2nd issue) Wellcome to fund publication in open-access journals DECLAN BUTLER [PARIS] One of the world's largest research charities, the UK-based Wellcome Trust, has lent its support to calls for 'open access' to the scientific literature. A report to be released by Wellcome this week — An Economic Analysis of Scientific Research Publishing — says that the current system of thousands of subscription journals "does not operate in the interests of scientists and the public, but is instead dominated by a commercial market intent on improving its market position". In the report, the trust announces that it will allow scientists that it funds to use their grants to pay author charges required by open-access journals. In a separate statement, the trust also pledged its support for online journals, such as those of the Public Library of Science (PLoS), which will test alternatives to the 'reader pays' model of most research journals, which charge readers or libraries for subscriptions. Such open-access journals aim to transfer all publishing costs up front as a 'dissemination' fee paid by authors or their institutions, with papers then being made available free online. "As a funder of research, we are committed to ensuring that the results of the science we fund are disseminated widely and are freely available to all," says Mark Walport, director of the Wellcome Trust. "Unfortunately, the distribution strategies currently used by publishers prevent this." One of the obstacles to adoption of the alternative models may be scientists' reluctance or inability to pay dissemination fees — often around $1,500 — when they can publish for free in subscription journals. By endorsing the use of its research grants to pay such fees, the trust is supporting the idea that publication costs should generally be included as part of overheads on research spending. The US-based Howard Hughes Medical Institute has already agreed to provide its investigators with up to $3,000 each in 2004 to cover open-access dissemination fees. In its report, Wellcome calls on other funding bodies to adopt similar policies. "The fundamental point is that as a research funder we have to question whether it is right that we, and others, are in the position of having to pay to read the results of the research that we fund," says Walport. Dr. S. Krishnan Head, Information Division National Chemical Lab, PUNE 411008, INDIA e-mail: HYPERLINK "mailto:krish@ems.ncl.res.in"krish(a)ems.ncl.res.in HYPERLINK "http://www.ncl-india.org"http://www.ncl-india.org Tel: 020-5893457; Fax: 020-5893973 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.521 / Virus Database: 319 - Release Date: 9/23/2003

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FW: Industry TechLink - a New Service for Australian Small Busine ss
by Mailing List Manager 01 Oct '03

01 Oct '03

Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 09:34:16 +0530 From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> Looking for new technology? Need answers to technology questions? Industry TechLink is just what you need to become more efficient and profitable. What is Industry TechLink? Industry TechLink is a Free technology advice service for firms that are looking for ways to use new technology to improve their business. We can * answer your technology questions * find new technologies or machinery for you * suggest ways that resolve your manufacturing problems * help you to find the technology you need, or * assist you to get started. Our Consultants have extensive resources to solve your technology problems over the phone. We may even be able to send an Advisor to look at your problem, on site. In short, we can get you started when you don't know which way to turn. Industry TechLink is * Helpful * Informative * Resourceful * Government funded - privately run. Our service operates to Government standards of impartiality and confidentiality. We are not selling anything - just providing reliable, practical advice. We have helped * A Bed & Breakfast find a new, low cost reservations system * A shoe manufacturer setup a bill payment system * A construction firm stabilise concrete * A nursery set up a web site.... and many more. See if we can solve your technology enquiry. Call free-call 1800 111 485* and talk to one of our highly skilled consultants. For further information, please view our Brochure by visiting our website at http://www.industrytechlink.com.au/about.php <http://www.industrytechlink.com.au/about.php> Receive our informative newsletter Subscribe / Unsubscribe http://www.industrytechlink.com.au/subunsub.php <http://www.industrytechlink.com.au/subunsub.php> Neil Nyholm Project Director - Industry TechLink * Calls from mobiles are at mobile rates.

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Speech of President of India on LAUNCHING OF DIGITAL LIBRARY OF INDIA PORTAL
by Mailing List Manager 01 Oct '03

01 Oct '03

Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 15:42:52 -0400 From: Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur <rcgaur(a)tifr.res.in> Apologies for cross postings, if any; Hi! This is for your information please. Many thanks. Ramesh Ramesh C. Gaur, Ph.D --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visiting Scholar (Fulbright Program) Virginia Tech Dept. of Computer Science 660 McBryde Hall, M/C 0106 Blacksburg, VA 24061 +1-540-231-3615 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Librarian(Scientific Officer "E") Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (Deemed University and National Centre of the Government of India) Homi Bhabha Road, Navy Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai-400 005 Phone: 022-22804545 Ext. 2230, Fax: 022-22804610, 22804611URL: www.tifr.res.in\~library E-mails: rcgaur(a)tifr.res.in, ramesh_c_gaur(a)hotmail.com LAUNCHING OF DIGITAL LIBRARY OF INDIA PORTAL Rashtrapati Bhavan, September 08, 2003 THE DYNAMICS OF DIGITAL LIBRARY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am indeed delighted to participate in this beautiful function and launch the Digital Library of India Portal. After hearing today's proceedings, I am convinced that India has taken the initiative at the right time, which will have economic and social impact. The Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Pittsburgh and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore are partners in this mission. It is an important programme piloted by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT). My greetings to all of you. The mission of Digital Library is indeed bigger than all of us. Million books have to be digitized by 2005 in India. The programme is progressing in the right direction. When it is completed, it will be an important contribution by MCIT. I read an article on the proposal, a year back on Digital Library by Prof Raj Reddy and Prof N. Balakrishnan. I am now seeing the proposal becoming a reality. I was accustomed to launch of rockets and missiles. I am happy to launch this mission of Digital Library of India. My greetings to the team of CMU, IISc and all the participating institutions. Digital Library for everybody Last night I was preparing for this talk, in my Study in the computer, when my friend Prof Balakrishnan was sitting with me and discussing. I asked Prof Balki, " you see all around me books in my home library. Wherever I turn in any direction, all the books invite and tempt me to read. They are my friends. In such a situation, the Digital Library of India with its mission, will it be user friendly like my home library?" Prof Balakrishnan gave me a beautiful lecture to my question. The message what he gave was: (a) Digital library will not replace the home library nor should it be addressing people who can afford to have their own library. (b) Digital library gives equitable access, irrespective of place, caste, creed or colour or economic status. The mix of partners (about 15) reveals wide spectrum of colleges, universities, religious institutions, government organizations and Rashtrapati Bhavan. This itself shows Digital Library of India unites rather than divides. Digital library is where the past meets the present and creates a future. Digital Library : National knowledge preservation Saturday night, the IISc team was with serious faces at this very hall. I asked them what the problem is. The team informed me that the 250 GB (Giga Bytes) disk has crashed during their operation. How to recover the 30,000 books in time for the function today. It is like, equivalent to a library of 30,000 books, lost in a fire accident, similar to what happened in Alexandria. How to reconstruct the data or the books in the disk. Fortunately, there was a software that can correct and repair the disk. In a few hours time, the team made it operational with happiness. That means you have rebuilt with almost no cost and within a limited time. I realize that the Library is a wealth - particularly our ancient books and classics including millions of palm leaves - there is an urgent need for digitizing. We should not lose our national wealth. The Digital Library of India has to take it as an important mission. Digitization independent of Languages The Digital Library of India that we are launching today should contribute to our economic growth to some extent. Will it? It will definitely contribute, if the digital library is independent of language - particularly for a country like India which has many languages. Here lies the challenge. It is a fertile research ground for both CMU and IISc and other educational institutions - about 25 PhDs can be produced in this topic alone to push the frontiers of knowledge in Language Independent Digital Library (LIDL). Digital Library Mission 2005 I see the computer here which is similar to the PC that I have in my office with connectivity to all places. Prof Balki says, 30,000 books are inside this computer. In a decade's time, the same size computer would be able to store one thousand time more data - that means 30 millions books in the same PC. Digital library indeed would combat Digital Divide. Digital Divide is of great concern for us in India. I would like to suggest the MCIT and MHRD to provide one Digital Library of 100,000 books library, like in this PC, should reach every college and school in this country with connectivity to outside world by 2005. Since we have fibre optic cables, satellite communication and wireless infrastructure in position, it is essential to realize high band-width technology like 10 Gb (Giga Bits). Above all, just like I am seeing in my library, the book titles attracting me, I would like the first page of the Digital Library on a Laptop - will have SDI (Selective Dissemination of Information) profile of individuals or schools/colleges. May you be a master authority who uses the power of realization to stop being weak and to become powerful. May this Digital Library of India give us the knowledge realization. Thank you.

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Help required
by Mailing List Manager 01 Oct '03

01 Oct '03

Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 17:56:45 +0530 From: A. B. Naikal <naikal(a)mahindrabt.com> Dear Professional colleagues, I am looking for a floppy disk which comes with a book, in fact the book is accompanied by 2 floppies and I am in need of disk part one. Since it is not available in Mumbai and Pune market, I would appreciate, if you arrange to send it as attachment at the earliest, if the same is available with you or you can make it available through any of your sources. Giving below the details :- Microsoft Word developer's kit/Book and disks. Paperback: 994 pages Publisher: Microsoft Press; (August 1994) With regards Naikal ********************************** Appasaheb Naikal Asst. Librarian Mahindra-British Telecom Ltd Oberoi Estate Gardens Wing-1, Near Chandivali Studio Andhri-East, Mumbai-400072 Tel: 91-22-5679 2000 Ext. 7438 Cell: 9820524320 Fax: 022-2852 8959 E-mail: naikal(a)mahindrabt.com URL: www.mahindrabt.com *********************************************************

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Forwarded mail....
by Mailing List Manager 01 Oct '03

01 Oct '03

Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 12:56:21 +0530 From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> Friends: A number of people are using the net to find information on topics in which theyy are not experts. In fact I know of people who use this kind of searches on behalf of others and even charge fees for such 'data mining' sevices. One should be wary of such searches, indicates the following report from Australia. Sinclair, Jenny. "Online Health Sites a Worldwide Worry" The Sydney Morning Herald (16 September 2003) (http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/15/1063478109311.html). - A study by a Melbourne researcher -- who is also a nurse and a communications consultant -- concluded that most health-oriented websites "failed to meet basic standards." Many are "commercially driven," the study found, and others are downright misleading. The study reviewed the top 100 sites returned by a Yahoo! search for breast cancer, diabetes and depression, and compared them to the Health On the Net Foundation's code of conduct. The biggest failing was the amount of unverified information found on 58 of the sites. Other issues: "user confidentiality, openness about sponsorship and, importantly, making sure that users treat the information as complementary to proper medical treatment, rather than replacing it." The study did find that there was plenty of good information out there, and that it is generally a good idea for people to have unfettered access to online health information. Arun [Subbiah Arunachalam]

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