----- Original Message -----
From: "Fytton Rowland" <J.F.Rowland_at_LBORO.AC.UK>
To: <AMERICAN-SCIENTIST-OPEN-ACCESS-FORUM_at_LISTSERVER.SIGMAXI.ORG>
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 7:15 AM
Subject: Re: Etymology of "Eprint"
<snip>.
>
> But in the USA thirty or so years ago an effort was made to
organise a
> preprint exchange, which really did distribute paper (photo)copies of
> as-yet unaccepted typescripts. It eventually collapsed for two reasons:
> many scientists objected to the distribution of non-refereed material as
> debasing the currency; and the costs involved, especially postage costs
for
> pritned materials in large quantity, became too high. I think there was
> also a feeling that it created a privileged class of people who were on
the
> mailing list, leaving others unable to get hold of the material so early.
>
> Yours, Fytton.
>
Specifically, this was an activity of NIH to foster communication between
grantees working in a common area. As I recall, it failed because it turned
out to be politically impossible to keep the distribution to a chosen group.
Received on Mon Jan 24 2000 - 19:17:43 GMT