情報の科学と技術

2000.April Abstracts

Special feature : Publishing business and information service. The transition of the electronic publishing Media,

Akio NAKAMATA (Associate Editor of The Book & The Computer)

Abstract : It is very difficult that it is discussed in the common field for the terminology of the electronic publishing, since it has been used for until now too much meaning. To begin with, the “electronic publishing" must redefine the terminology of electronic publishing in order to consider what. In this paper, by limiting as a distribution system of character information which changes “electronic publishing" in the printing book, it was discussed. And, the close relation between electronic publishing and personal computer was described from the viewpoint that “book" were the personal media. In addition, the personal computer detached room of the electronic publishing which was at present generated was examined. The problem was dug up, when the history of the electronic publishing of domestic and overseas was summarized, while various trials at present are introduced.

Keywords : electronic publishing / multi-media / personal media / online contents

Special feature : Publishing business and information service. Markup Technology and Electronic Publishing

Masayuki HIYAMA (HIYAMA Masayuki Office)

Abstract : This article addresses the present situation and a possible future evolution of electronic publication. We will treat this issue mainly from the standpoint of markup technology. Firstly, we introduce some example of remarkable applications of markup technology. Secondly, explain two practical projects of electronic publication, i.e., Open eBook and JepaX, they are now in progress. Finally, we touch on the issue of XHTML as a candidate of next-generation e-publishing framework.

　Keywords : Markup technology / Electronic publishing / XML / SGML / Open eBook / JepaX / XHTML

Special feature : Publishing business and information service. The reform of the legal deposit system in Japan : The focus of the National Diet Library to deal with electronic publications

Yoshihiko TANAKA (Acquisitions Department, National Diet Library

Abstract : The legal deposit system in Japan was established in 1948, that the publishers shall furnish the domestic publications to the National Diet Library (NDL). Up to this time, the main objects of the legal deposit system have been non-electronic publications (i. e., books, serials, maps, and so on). But now, the NDL has to solve the questions of how to deal with new-media publications that were not conceived when the system was legislated. By the amendment of the NDL Law, off-line electronic publications will be the objects of the legal deposit system. And the number of government publications'copies (include local governments') shall furnish to the NDL will be also revised. 　

Keywords : legal deposit system / electronic publications / National Diet Library (NDL) / National Diet Library Law

Special feature : Publishing business and information service. The Challenge to On Demand Publishing of Book-ing

Wataru SATANO (Booking co. Ltd)

Abstract : Nippan Inc., a major book-distributor in Japan, has endeavored to improve the logistics in the book industry for ages. However, there was a limit in solving the problem of increasing “out-of-print" books in consequence of the commodities' short duration. Under the circumstances, with an advent of digital printing machine, publishers can financially and technically reprint the small number of copies ; namely, the new “print-on-demand" sarvice enables them to produce a book even if demand is for one copy. The establishment of Book-ing Inc. with 29 interested publishers last autumn was Nippan's first step to reform the distribution system. Besides, Nippan expects the contents of the diverse web-pages potential for future publication and the variable printing technology to propel P.O.D. 　

Keywords : go out of / Degital Printing / Publishing-Big Bang / Contents / On Demand / Internet

Selection of patent databases

Yuko OGAWA (Organo corporation), Sumiji FUKAI (Nippon Paint Co, Ltd).

Abstract : By the appearance of Internet, the world of patent information has been changed significantly. In this study, Internet databases (as of 1998-9) thought to be suitable to end-users and searchers from the points of cost and search precision have been investigated.　Also, a new system has been built up to enable anyone to easily choose the most appropriate patent database from those provided on Internet.

Keywords : internet / patent database / patent search / end-user / searcher / home page

Reforming Scholarly Publishing in the Sciences : A Librarian Perspective

Joseph J. Branin (The State University of New York at Stony Brook) and Mary Case (Association of Research Libraries)

Translaled by, Hidetomo KAJITA, Shigern MATSUURA and Kaori KOGA (The National Diet Library)

Abstract : Reserch librarians are increasingly troubled by the growing commercialization of scholarship, where scholars assign their copyrights to commercial publishers. The authors detail the spiraling cost of publishing and its consequences, attributing the problem in part to the “commercialization of scholarship". Also, it is argued that whether new information technology help solve troubling current economic and structural problems in scholarly publication or not. The authors conclude that, by bringing scientific scholarly publishing back into the circle of the academy, the scholarly publication system can be reformed to take full advantage of the archival and distribution potential of new digital information technology. 　 . 　

Keywords : scholarly publishing / commercialization of scholarship / information technology / copyright / journal price / inflation

Series : How to read statistics ⑪. Concerned with foreign trade statistics,

Kazumi NUNOME (Keio University Library Reference Service)

Abstract : Foreign trade statistics is also called customs clearance statistics. Statistics is compiled on basis of information contained in the declarations when export and import goods pass through the customs houses. Goods are classified according to “Commodity Classification for Foreign Trade Statistics" (from 1988). This classification is based upon the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS). The classification is revised every year. 　

Keywords : Statistics / foreign trade / export and import / Commodity Classification for Foreign Trade Statistics