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They get the content for free, they get the editing for free, now that they are digital rather than print, distribution costs almost nothing ... and then they s
by philjohn 9y ago
They get the content for free, they get the editing for free, now that they are digital rather than print, distribution costs almost nothing ... and then they sell back the research to the institutions who created it in the first place.
They're a parasite, and have been for years.
The other awful part is their "bundling" - only want access to journals X, Y and Z? Tough. You have to buy them in a package that includes bottom of the barrel journals A-W as well, for a huge fee.
- Fomite 9y agoTwo thoughts: - Most of the journals I publish in do a considerable amount of layout, and I find this to be a significant value in reading papers. - At least one of the academic societies I'm in is essentially financially dependent on the income they make from allowing $Publisher to publish their society journal. My corner of science would be considerably worse off if that was dropped.
- philjohn 9y agoThey are certainly valid points, and the second one especially so, but the current situation can't go on.