A Workshop organised by The Biotechnology Information Strategic Forum, with support from DGXII of the Commission of the European Communities, and held at CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, UK, October 1996
Welcome -- Jim Gilmore
The challenges facing today's biotechnology information producers make a fitting subject for discussion; the changes are enormous and the end points are difficult to see. Very little is predictable except perhaps that the user is demanding more and more say in the way information is stored and disseminated; and more and more players are entering the field.
Modern technology means that anyone can prepare texts and images for publishing on the Internet and WWW; but is this publishing and what dangers are inherent in this revolution? Publishing has always been more than just setting the authors' words on paper. It involves adding value through reviewing, editing, indexing, distributing and archiving, and it forms an essential link in the storage of information for future work and generations. Will (biotechnology) information be easier to find and validate in this new regime? Will the user be served by new, open, market places?
BTSF meetings debate issues and the speakers today have been asked to "set the scene" for later discussions rather than trying to state solutions to perceived problems. Therefore I look forward today to listening to some of the emerging needs and dangers, and to some possible solutions.