One does not substitute for the other. Scientists with access to JBC online were overwhelmingly pleased with the quality and style of its presentation. The online version offers the advantages of rapid searching, convenience, timeliness, and efficient storage. The printed version offers ease of reading, figures reproduced with higher quality, the serendipity of discovery while browsing, independence from computer systems, and portability. The persistent differences in the advantages cited argue that the two versions are viewed as different ways of obtaining information, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Scientists appear to regard the print and on-line versions as complementary.
One does not substitute for the other. Scientists who find it easy to access the online version are solidly in favor of it, even if they do not favor an online-only option. A small number of scientists, estimated at approximately 5 percent, used the electronic version exclusively. Given a choice between having the JBC online and having it in print format, respondents to the surveys, not surprisingly, chose to have it both ways. Publishers Publishers are understandably concerned about the financial consequences of moving materials online.