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NYTimes.com Article: Open Access to Scientific Research
by arun＠mssrf.res.in 07 Aug '03

07 Aug '03

This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by arun(a)mssrf.res.in. Here is an editorial in New York Times on open access. Arun arun(a)mssrf.res.in /-------------------- advertisement -----------------------\ Explore more of Starbucks at Starbucks.com. http://www.starbucks.com/default.asp?ci=1015 \----------------------------------------------------------/ Open Access to Scientific Research August 7, 2003 A number of influential scientists have begun to argue that the cost of research publications has grown so large that it impedes the distribution of knowledge. Some subscriptions cost thousands of dollars per year, and those journals are usually available online only to subscribers. This looks less like dissemination than restriction, especially if it is measured against the potential access offered by the Internet. That is why a coalition led by Dr. Harold Varmus, the former director of the National Institutes of Health, is creating a new model, called the Public Library of Science. Several years ago Dr. Varmus's group issued an open letter, signed by some 30,000 colleagues, calling on the publishers of scientific journals to make their archived research articles freely available online. Most journals declined, so they would not undercut the profitable business of selling expensive subscriptions to libraries. But there is a basic inequity when much of the research has been financed by public money. The Public Library of Science plans to confront that inequity by establishing a new series of peer-reviewed journals that will be freely available on the Internet. The first ones, published this October, will be PLoS Biology and PLoS Medicine. The aim is to create a freer flow of data about research and results. The journals will pay for themselves by charging a small fee to the organizations and institutions that support the research. Most of us, admittedly, will not have much use for free access to new discoveries in, say, particle physics. But it is a different matter when it comes to medical research. Popular nostrums abound on the Web, but it can be very hard, if not impossible, to find the results of properly vetted, taxpayer-financed science - and in some cases it can be hard for your doctor to find them, too. The Public Library of Science could help change all that, creating open access to research. The publishers of scientific journals are naturally skeptical, but the real test will come in the marketplace of ideas. What will matter this fall, when the new journals make their debut, is how many scientists choose to publish in them rather than in the journals traditionally deemed the most prestigious in their disciplines. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/07/opinion/07THU3.html?ex=1061257104&ei=1&en… --------------------------------- Get Home Delivery of The New York Times Newspaper. Imagine reading The New York Times any time & anywhere you like! Leisurely catch up on events & expand your horizons. Enjoy now for 50% off Home Delivery! Click here: http://www.nytimes.com/ads/nytcirc/index.html HOW TO ADVERTISE --------------------------------- For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact onlinesales(a)nytimes.com or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help(a)nytimes.com. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company

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open access (Washington Post)
by Mailing List Manager 07 Aug '03

07 Aug '03

Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 19:20:49 +0530 From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> Friends: You may find this article on open access interesting. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19104-2003Aug4.html Arun

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Re: New Book in Library and Information Science
by Mailing List Manager 06 Aug '03

06 Aug '03

Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 18:14:16 -0700 From: Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur <rcgaur(a)tifr.res.in> Sorry for crossposting, if any; "Reengineering Library and Information Services Process, People & Technology" by Ramesh C. Gaur Librarian, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai ---------- Allied PublishersPrivate Limited, Mumbai. pp. 304. Price Rs. 500/- Some Comments About the Book To me, it is a first research contribution of its kind from India. Therefore, LIS professionals in academic as well as professional circles will benefit a great deal, in integrating theoretical as well as practical aspects of the subject, in their own contexts. - Dr. Roshan L. Raina, Professor, IIM, Lucknow The present digital networked environment has changed the whole structure of 'knowledge organizations', i.e., libraries. The pace of such changes is very fast. To cope up wuth above changes, it requires a radical change in our thinking, in our organization, in our people, and in the usage of technologies. And this radical change is possible by way of re-engineering only. It is a guide book for librarians and library planners and gives us a very thorough understanding of the reengeeneering process. - Dr. Jagdish Arora, Coordinator, INDEST Consortium, Librarian, IIT, Bombay Today's librarian works in a hybrid environment and his role is more of pulling together the various channels of information, package the relevant bits and present it to the user. This calls for a totally fresh look at the professional routes and roadmap. Dr. Ramesh C Gaur is one of the pioneers in applying the principles of re-engineering in the context of librarianship in India. I welcome this publication which makes a significant contribution to professional literature. - Dr. Mishwara Bhat, Head of Library Services, BITS, Pilani 'Re-engineering Library and information services' by D. Ramesh Gaur is indeed a welcome addition to the library & information science literature in the country. The book portrays a vivid and candid picture about the prevailing status of the libraries under study and gives clear cut BPR as well as transformation guidelines they should adapt/adopt/absorb if they want to be relevant, reliable and context sensitive. As such the model could be emulated by any modern library/information center in the country. - M G Sreekumar, Librarian & Head, CDDL, IIT, Kozhikode The author places the responsibility for change in the way of working of libraries in the context of change in information environment coupled with changing information seeking patterns of users in the electronic environment. To cope up with issues posed by evolution and revolution in Information technology such as Internet and Intranet revolution, Web publishing, Electronic publishing, and other information technological innovations, etc. a fine-tuning of the operations and activities of libraries and their information services is required. This is possible by way of re-engineering library and information services as explained in this book. The book provides a step-by-step guide about the re-engineering of libraries. - Usha Mujoo-Munshi, Head, Library and Informatics Centre, INSA, New Delhi About the Book This study presents a report on the effort to bring forth the transition of a traditional library service, mainly relying on paper preservation and local diffusion, to a modern information centre, whose main goal is putting final users in contact with the information needed, whether it is local or remote, on paper or stored digitally. To cope up with issues such as Internet and Intranet revolution, Web publishing, Electronic publishing, and other information technological innovations, etc. a fine-tuning of the operations and activities of libraries and their information services is required. This study describes how this transition may be achieved through a process of re-engineering that involves staff tasks, available space, available resources, and choice of tools. The book is a first attempt towards an indepth study on applications of "Reengineering Management" to Libraries. This book is focused on the re-engineering of Library and Information services in which present state of management libraries in India has been discussed. On the basis of findings of the study, various solutions have been suggested. A case study of "Re-engineering of library of IMT, Ghaziabad has been presented. A comparative study of thirteen management libraries of NCR, has also been undertaken. The suggested "re-engineering framework" - a model for reengineering of libraries, is a useful outcome of this study. The primary beneficiary of this book would be the all libraries and information centers who are planning to improve their library and information services by way of reengineering. The head of the institutions, librarians, library staff and all policy planners, who plan, monitor, and use library and information services should be able to understand the basic principles of re-engineering management and use the proposed re-engineering framework to improve their library and information services. The case study will help librarians to prepare a plan for the reengineering of their libraries. The academia and researchers will find it as a basis for further application in other libraries too. About the Author - Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur is a Librarian at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. A Science graduate, he holds a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science and has undergone several advanced training programmes in IT Applications in Libraries and Management of Libraries. Besides this, he also holds Post B.Sc. Diploma in Computer Applications. He is visiting Virginia Tech., USA, under Fullbright Fellowship in Information Science & Technology for year 2003-04. He began his career as an Information Officer at Eicher Research Centre, Faridabad. Within a year he shifted to the Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi and then to Brisk Securities Ltd., a corporate company. He also worked in RIS, New Delhi. He made his mark at the IMT, Ghaziabad, where he automated the Library and transformed it to a top class establishment. During the 11 years of his professional career over 25 papers have been contributed by him to various publications. He has edited a book 'Business and Management Libraries: opportunities and challenges in 21st century' going to be released shortly. He has successfully organized Management Libraries Network (MANLIBNET) Convention and UPLA Seminar. He is member of all Library Association in India and some important one in abroad. His major professional achievements includes the formation of Ranganathan Research Circle (RRC) along with Late Shri C.V. Subba Rao as the Founder Convener of RRC. He is Life Trustee and Joint Secretary of Ranganathan Research Trust (RRT), New Delhi. Dr. Gaur's interests range from web designing to training programmes on IT in the library and information field, he has also been affiliated with studies based on management libraries in India. He developed a computer program entitled, 'Development of Some Library Applications Using d-Base III +' for Water and Land Management Institute. His goal is to develop and enhance professional competence and by virtue of this to serve its clientele the best and to become the leader in the Library and Information Science Field.

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Arcticle Requirement
by Mailing List Manager 06 Aug '03

06 Aug '03

Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 11:38:12 +0530 From: Dr. Arun K. Chakraborty <akc(a)bic.boseinst.ernet.in> Dear Professional Collegaues If you have following paper in your library please send me the copy. This paper is urgently required by one of our faculty members : Radiation Measurement 24 (3), 309-313, 1995. Thanks. DR. ARUN KUMAR CHAKRABORTY LIBRARIAN BOSE INSTITUTE, KOLKATA, INDIA MAIN CAMPUS : 93/1 A.P.C. ROAD, KOLKATA 700 009 INDIA PH : 91-33-2350 2402/03, 6619,6702 FAX : 91-33-2350 6790 CENTENARY CAMPUS : P1/12 CIT SCHEME - VII-M, KOLKATA 700 054 INDIA PH : 91-33-2337 9544, 9416, 9219 FAX : 91-33-2334 3886 Ph (Res) : 33-2672 1192, 3892 E-MAIL : akc(a)bic.boseinst.ernet.in, arunchkr(a)vsnl.net.in, c_arunk(a)hotmail.com

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ICT and research in DCs
by Mailing List Manager 06 Aug '03

06 Aug '03

Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 09:05:28 +0530 From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> Information for research in developing countries - Information Technology, a friend or foe? http://www.developmentgateway.org//ict/dg-contribute/item-detail?item_id=33… version_id=202274&from=alert This paper by Subbiah Arunachalam from M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation discussses the influence of ICT on the researchers in developing countries. One of the author's conclusions states that "a concerted effort should be mounted to persuade philanthropic foundations ... Arun

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GENISIS Manual
by mujib rahiman 06 Aug '03

06 Aug '03

Hi all A manual in English for Genisis is now available at http://www.nsf.ac.lk/purna/genisisman.pdf. Genisis is a web authoring software to create webforms and scripts required to query cds/isis databases using BIREME's wwwisis. GenesisCD is available to create CD-ROM interface. with regards Mujib Rahiman ===== Bioinformatics Centre and Library Central Plantation Crops Research Institute P.O. Kudlu, Kasaragod - 671 124, Kerala, India Ph: 04994 - 232 974 URL: http://bioinfcpcri.org E-mail: bioinf(a)bioinfcpcri.org ________________________________________________________________________ Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo! Messenger http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com/

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RE: [LIS-Forum] Do our Scientists deserve high bandwidths?
by Mailing List Manager 05 Aug '03

05 Aug '03

Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 07:09:18 +0530 From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> Dr Vyasamoorthy has raised a pertinent point and I like his frank expression of his views which might offend at least some of our colleagues in the labs! As it happens often, in ny given situation it is difficult to determine which is the cause and which is the effect. For a pretty long time, we were unable to provide decent infrastructure support to our scientists and doctoral students. It is not only in the provision of information; even in the provision of laboratory infrastructure (equipment, chemicals, reagents, etc.). Doing science under such circumstances, many of our scientists might have lost some of their enthusiasm. I believe that if we provide the proper environment (including facilities), there will be a change for the better. Especially, when there are low-cost options (providing information through open access and Internet, both of which are spreading fast and becoming cheaper), we should give them a try. Giving up is easy, but it can transform our country into a better place to live for us and our children. As a young scientist in a national laboratory, I often found it extremely difficult to be able to attend and speak at international conferences to which I was invited because of the attitude of officers who had the power to permit or disallow my participation in such meetings! But now things have changed. Arun

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Do our Scientists deserve high bandwidths?
by Mailing List Manager 04 Aug '03

04 Aug '03

Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 15:28:04 +0530 From: VYASAMOORTHY /IKP/HYD <Vyasamoorthy(a)icicikp.com> Dear Mr Arun & friends, I really wonder whether our scientists deserve (they may desire, though)such high bandwidth. In my opinion they are incapable of using even the meger internet bandwidth that they already have. Scientists in India were the first group of persons to enjoy internet based email via ERNET. I have not seen many scientists from India (Indians abroad are an exception) taking part in Newsnet newsgroups in any worthwhile manner. Most of the discussion fourums started enthusiastically die for want of participation. INFLIBNET Experts database, after having been in place for over a year does not have more than 12K profiles. This was based on a very good model of getting the database self-populated by the community. Compare it with Community of Science website. Recently a private firm in Bangalore sent out 3000+ email letters to Indian scientists - every one of whom is an author of some science paper or the other - asking them to try out free of charge some web based IT facility that would help them keep in touch with their colleagues: How many do you think responded? Not even one percent! My own experience in having organised JCCC@VIC has not been very encouraging -- there are no takers for this consortium effort. Others' experiences may be different but mine are sour. Regards Vyasamoorthy, P -----Original Message----- From: Mailing List Manager [mailto:mailman@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in] Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 2:58 PM To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] Competition spurs broadband in Europe (fwd) Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2003 09:03:57 +0530 From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> Friends: Almost everyone in Belgium - at least 98% of them - have broadband access of 3Mbps or better! Up to six times faster than the service available in France or Britain. Where do we stand in India? Even our research scientists cannot boast of such bandwidth. Let us do something about it and quickly. Our scientists deserve it. Regards. Arun -Original Message----- From: Andy Carvin [mailto:acarvin@benton.org] Subject: Competition spurs broadband in Europe (fwd) Also from today's Benton headlines.... -ac COMPETITION SPURS BROADBAND IN EUROPE A new report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development suggests that European countries that promote competition among telecom and cable providers show faster adoption of broadband Internet services. The report warned governments against propping up the telecom industry in exchange for broadband build-out. "Incumbent operators are using their economic influence on governments to say, 'If you are nice to us we will deliver broadband,' but what the OECD numbers show is that competition between operators is what delivers broadband," said Ewan Sutherland, director general of the Brussels-based International Telecommunications Users Group. Evidence shows that Germany, once the leader in broadband growth, has been overtaken by the more competitive environment in Belgium, where 98 percent of the country has access to at least 3Mbps service - up to six times faster than the transmissions available in France or Britain. The United States has fallen from 3rd to 10th in the OECD rankings, primarily because the prices and speeds offered by phone companies have not matched those offered by cable. Asian countries have used government subsidies to stimulate the markets have resulted in additional competition and lower prices, allowing the region to take the lead in broadband deployment. SOURCE: E-Commerce News; AUTHORL Jennifer L. Schenker http://www.ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/31231.html _______________________________________________ LIS-Forum mailing list LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum

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Competition spurs broadband in Europe (fwd)
by Mailing List Manager 04 Aug '03

04 Aug '03

Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2003 09:03:57 +0530 From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> Friends: Almost everyone in Belgium - at least 98% of them - have broadband access of 3Mbps or better! Up to six times faster than the service available in France or Britain. Where do we stand in India? Even our research scientists cannot boast of such bandwidth. Let us do something about it and quickly. Our scientists deserve it. Regards. Arun -Original Message----- From: Andy Carvin [mailto:acarvin@benton.org] Subject: Competition spurs broadband in Europe (fwd) Also from today's Benton headlines.... -ac COMPETITION SPURS BROADBAND IN EUROPE A new report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development suggests that European countries that promote competition among telecom and cable providers show faster adoption of broadband Internet services. The report warned governments against propping up the telecom industry in exchange for broadband build-out. "Incumbent operators are using their economic influence on governments to say, 'If you are nice to us we will deliver broadband,' but what the OECD numbers show is that competition between operators is what delivers broadband," said Ewan Sutherland, director general of the Brussels-based International Telecommunications Users Group. Evidence shows that Germany, once the leader in broadband growth, has been overtaken by the more competitive environment in Belgium, where 98 percent of the country has access to at least 3Mbps service - up to six times faster than the transmissions available in France or Britain. The United States has fallen from 3rd to 10th in the OECD rankings, primarily because the prices and speeds offered by phone companies have not matched those offered by cable. Asian countries have used government subsidies to stimulate the markets have resulted in additional competition and lower prices, allowing the region to take the lead in broadband deployment. SOURCE: E-Commerce News; AUTHORL Jennifer L. Schenker http://www.ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/31231.html

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Re: [LIS-Forum] Articles on Knowledge Society
by farooque 31 Jul '03

31 Jul '03

one may get information on "knowledge society" at following urls. http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/ifactory/ksgpress/www/ksg_news/transcripts/druck… http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/skills/recomm/report/ch_1.htm http://www.ies.ubc.ca/events/transition/abst.html http://members.tripod.com/knownetwork/what.html http://members.tripod.com/knownetwork/articles/heralding.htm On Mon, 29 Jul 2002 prafulla(a)nisc.co.in wrote : >Dear All: > >I am looking for a couple of good articles (Web-based, >available >free)) which provide a good and authoritative introduction to >the >concept of Knowledge Society. I shall appreciate any pointers >on >them --------------------------------- Mohammed Farooque DRTC,Indian Statistical Institute 8th Mile Mysore Road Bangalore-560059 Tel-(080)8483975(hostel) 8483002 ext 495(lab) ---------------------------------- ___________________________________________________ Download the hottest & happening ringtones here! OR SMS: Top tone to 7333 Click here now: http://sms.rediff.com/cgi-bin/ringtone/ringhome.pl

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