Re: Open Access and For-Pay Access (to the same IR materials)

[Joseph Esposito <espositoj@gmail.com>]

First, an apology to Brian Simboli, who sent me the link to the "overlay"
experiment at Lehigh sometime ago, but the message got lost in email
clutter.

I think the overlay model is innovative and well worth investigating.  It
is not the only creative idea in this area, of course, but the good news
is that we can expect an enormous number of new approaches to research
publishing in the years ahead.  The economic incentives in Mr. Simboli's
plan will inspire creativity.  And that is the point, is it not?  Not open
or closed or free or toll, but innovative?  And if economic incentives add
shoulders to the wheel, why would anyone push them aside?

Joe Esposito

On 4/22/05, Brian Simboli <brs4@lehigh.edu> wrote:
> With respect to Steven Harnad's comments below: have not the existence
> of web portals and web services (yahoo, google, e.g.) shown that free
> access to content is compatible with business models that generate
> revenue? He does not seem to dispute this, but does offer caveats about
> the business potential in this arena. Fine, business involves risk.
> 
> When I discussed the subscription overlay model with a relative who works
> in IT, he more or less blinked and said: well, scholarly publishing is
> just behind the times with respect to how things are done on the internet
> generally.
> 
> What is needed are new business models like those deployed by yahoo etc.,
> where much is made free, but where revenues are also garnered in various
> ways.
> 
> Thus the subscription overlay model as just one among other business
> models that need to be developed. I will not repeat my librarian's
> critique of the green initiative but refer to:
> http://www.lehigh.edu/library/guides/overlayjournals.html#green
> 
> "Journal prices are not dropping, and academic library budgets are not
> rising." From http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA516819
> 
> Brian Simboli