On a more serious note: with programs and databases, there are ways for
authors to measure and justify their impact in the eyes of the funding
agencies. For example, both the VMD and APBS projects track
registrations and downloads so that they have documented usage
statistics when it comes time to write grants.
Or developers can even adopt the extreme approach we have taken with
PyMOL in sustaining the effort via the community entirely through
peer-to-peer interactions, open-source code, and direct funding from
end-users (which, incidentally, provides built-in accountability without
government overhead or bureaucracy).
Neither of the above approaces are perfect, but I think internet-based
tool and data providers can do much to make themselves less dependent
upon journal citations than methods-type publications.
So when space is limited, I do not mind PyMOL being relegated to
supplemental acknowledgements in order to make room for those whose
funding is more directly dependent upon published attributions. (And of
course, those who contribute to the project directly are excused from
the acknowledgement requirement altogether!).
Cheers,
Warren
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CCP4 bulletin board [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Warren DeLano
> Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 8:46 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Citations in supplementary information are
invisible
>
> That's okay, we forgive you.
>
> As penance, you shall establish a new unsocial networking site:
> "myreciprocalspace.com" with your slighted colleagues cited as key
> crystal contacts obscured in the published unit sell.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: CCP4 bulletin board [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> > Behalf Of William Scott
> > Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 8:18 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: [ccp4bb] Citations in supplementary information are
invisible
> >
> > Hi Citizenry:
> >
> > This is worth reading:
> >
> > http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7181/full/451887d.html
> >
> > Without knowingly doing so, I've short-cited coot and
> > probably other crystallographic software in this way. I hope
> > one day to redeem myself.
> >
> >
> > Bill
>
>
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