Scientific journals serve three main functions. First, they are a primary means of communicating research results. Second, through the peer review process, they improve the quality of what is communicated. Third, they constitute a permanent record of created knowledge, permitting future scholars to build on prior accomplishments. In recent history, the scientific journal system has depended on publishers for the technology to print and distribute physical issues to individual subscribers and libraries. Advances in computing and communication technology have revolutionized scientific publishing. One remarkable change is improved access to scientific literature. For example, working at a major research university provides electronic access to a phenomenal range of journals. I rarely visit a library now, although I use library services almost daily. Even from home, I can access journal collections through a proxy server and download a PDF copy of a research article within minutes of identifying it.
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