Even by the end of the first month, however, it was clear that it would be of great use to maintain the papers indefinitely, if only to eliminate the need of having to accumulate stacks of preprints on desktops and in file cabinets. The growth of the Los Alamos archive has been remarkable and largely driven by the research community itself. The success of the initial high energy physics theory archive resulted in requests for other archives. Today more than 25 fields of physics and math have archives. The most successful archives are in fields where the majority of researchers use TeX and have long felt comfortable using preprint materials in their research.
Readers can use computer-based methods to search bibliographic information.
This may require conversion of these formats into Postscript, PDF, or other document display formats. Another area of investigation is in searching and classification. The APS E-print Server is intended to remain a single database, in contrast to the large number of archives served by Los Alamos. Another focus for the APS E-print Server is on facilitating electronic submissions, refereeing, and production of the journals. The web provides a reliable means for the transfer of files, particularly binary files.