Using computers to disseminate scientific information: The potential of optical disk based journals

Several potential advantages of computerized scientific journals delivered on erasable optical disks are explored, including the availability of hypertext functions; databases of evaluative peer ratings and comments, as well as of author responses; keyword, rating, and text searching; author revisions or retractions of articles; availability of original research data to other researchers; and the possibility of incremental construction of journal-based computer expert systems. Problems associated with current editorial review processes that are likely-to-be obviated or alleviated by computerized journals are also discussed.