Page 137 - How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 8th Edition 8th Edition

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Language). This language consists of code-like tags based on written English. Based on the structure type of the
object, these tags define the typeface, size, and placement, as well as colors, graphics, and hypertext links. Document
structure types include such elements as paragraphs, headings, lists, tables, and backgrounds. HTML also allows Web
developers to imbed other programming codes, such as Shockwave and Java, which supply visual animation and other
effects. The specific browser used by the viewer interprets the HTML code written into the document and causes the
material to appear as coded on the user screen. Each browser interprets HTML code somewhat differently, but the
general format is similar. The standards for the HTML language are universally maintained and codified, undergoing
revisions and additions on a regular basis.

When a scientific paper is published on the Web, it no longer is made up of pages in the traditional sense. The article
may be one single page consisting of a long, scrollable window, or it can be broken up into short segments, with each
"page" segment having a separate URL link. To break up text into page-like segments, links are required to go
forward to the next page, backward to the previous page, and backward to the start or "home" page. The start page
needs a table of contents consisting of links to various information segments in the article or to named "screen pages.''
Graphics and tables can be included within the text. Many journals now provide their own conversions from word-
processing text to HTML format. Others ask the author of the paper to provide the HTML formatting at submission.

Keep in mind that including many large photographs with your paper means the published article, when called up by a
user, will take longer to load. Many sites now give the option of accessing "text-only" versions, to circumvent this
loading problem. If you want your work to appear in a search, it must be indexed by the search facilities you choose,
and you will need to supply some significant keywords for access. A fee may be charged for indexing. Converting
simple text for Web access is relatively easy. However, if you are using linkable graphics and more elaborate HTML
codes for page layout, working with a professional in this area is a good idea. Many books on Internet publishing are
available.

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The best ones can explain in detail how the Internet works, what links are, and how to translate a standard text
document into HTML code so that it can be read by a Web browser.

Adobe Acrobat

If you want viewers to be able to download a printable copy of your article which retains the design of the original
hardcopy, you can use the Acrobat Distiller application. Acrobat, a program created by Adobe, converts your file into
something called PDF (Portable Document Format). A file in this format can be viewed on screen with the Acrobat
Reader, which can be downloaded free from the Adobe Web site <http://www.adobe.com>. The PDF file can be
printed as hardcopy, with substitute fonts that are part of the application. (Note: Unlike Acrobat Reader, Distiller is
not free software.) Adobe Acrobat treats the text like an image, and therefore it takes up a lot of memory.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Web Publishing

Among the advantages of placing reports and articles on the Web is the ability to make frequent updates, keeping
information current almost day by day. Other advantages are the use of hyperlinks to related data and the ability to
immediately access files for collaborative work and peer review.
Among the disadvantages of Web publishing is the fluidity of electronic text, which can be changed by someone
reposting your material in disregard of the copyright. With new security measures, this problem is gradually being
resolved. A more serious problem is the
ad hoc nature of Web publishing; reports and articles appearing on the Web have often not been subjected to the
rigorous peer and editorial review process that is inherent in the scholarly publishing process. Publishers are starting to
work around this problem in two ways. The first is by publishing reports and articles in print before publishing the
same material on the Internet. This type of secondary publishing makes the information and data in a report or article
available to a wider international audience. The second is by publishing material on a secured site to which viewers

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