Another Step in Technology: Electronic Manuscript Submissions and Reviews

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AS WE SIT fronting our computers, writing papers or corresponding via e-mail, I wonder how often we even think about the technological advances that are now an everyday part of our lives. Most of us probably do not go through a day without using a cell phone, a computer (and, in particular, e-mail), or other wireless forms of technology and communication. The global technological advances that we are experiencing are remarkable. We get world news instantly and can often view the news in real time either on television or via computer. We truly live in a global environment with worldwide communication. Communication from outer space to earth is possible too, as witnessed by the recent adventures of the space shuttle astronauts, in which the evening news showed footage, audio and video, of the astronauts in the space shuttle.

On a smaller level, the Journal of Professional Nursing (JPN) has also experienced a technological advance. We are now using an electronic system for receiving and reviewing manuscripts, specifically the Elsevier Editorial System. Although we are certainly not the first journal to move toward such a system, it is a major change for us. It is a step toward a paperless society, although I must admit that I am glad the journal itself is still in paper form. There is something satisfying about being able to hold a piece of paper, a manuscript, or a journal and read the words on it without needing some technological device. The process, however, of creating the journal will most definitely benefit from the technology that we are now using, and I fully embrace this new technology. We, at JPN, welcome this new system and look forward to more efficiency in our review of manuscripts. We hope, too, that our authors and reviewers share our enthusiasm about this new system.

I want to encourage you to feel comfortable using this new system, while recognizing that there is often trepidation in taking on a new technological challenge. I remember the days when we hesitantly began using e-mail. Over time, the use of e-mail has certainly improved efficiency. I am sure that there is some hesitation about using our new electronic system, but I believe that we will find it quite useful and more efficient as we use it routinely.

In moving toward this new technology, I began to think about the history of technology and how the process of communication among human beings has dramatically changed. In my own lifetime, I remember having a black-and-white television with only three channels that had to be changed manually (who knew about remote controls?). I remember the days when people would raise their voices while talking over the phone if it was a long-distance call to be sure the person at the other end of the line, so far away, could actually hear! Now, we use cell phones to call almost anywhere, without having to speak up! (Unfortunately, the downside is that we often overhear many phone conversations that take place in public places and cell phones tend to ring in the middle of meetings, entertainment events, etc.—but that is another story and not within the scope of this editorial!)

But even more dramatic changes are appreciated if we go back into history. Here are some highlights that mark this ever-evolving history (The Inventors: History of Communication). Sometime between 3500 and 2900 bc, the Phoenicians developed an alphabet, the Sumerians developed cuneiform writing, and the Egyptians developed hieroglyphics, all of which are the building blocks of communication. In 776 bc, the Greeks used an early version of airmail by sending messages to Athens via homing pigeons to indicate the winner of the Olympic competitions. Greece was also innovative in establishing the first library in 530 bc. Between 500 and 170 bc, reeds were used to create papyrus and parchment paper, allowing words to be created on a medium that could be transported. Books were first bound in 100 bc. Gutenberg invented the metal printing press in 1455, but not before the Chinese developed a wooden printing press in 305. In 1843, Samuel Morris developed the first telegraph line for communication. In 1861, the Pony Express was initiated for mail delivery in the United States; in 1867, the first typewriter was invented. Then, in 1876, the telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell, creating a major improvement in communication. Who was to know that we would eventually be able to create conference calls for numerous people to talk at once and to use video conferencing so that we can see one another as we talk! And we all know the impact of the computer, although I, for one, do not even comprehend the extent of how computers have changed our lives. It is truly mind boggling to think about how our world has changed.

In highlighting this historical context, my intent is to emphasize the importance of looking at progress as more than simply a new procedure to accomplish a task. We need to look into the social implications of progress. How has human interaction changed? What are the positive implications and, conversely, the potential negative implications? How can we best use this progress for the good of society?

Perhaps the progress that we are making at JPN about technology has made me appreciate how far we, as a society, have come in being able to communicate and collaborate with one another. My hope is that we will use the technology for the betterment of society in general and, in terms of the new electronic system, for a more efficient and responsive journal. I look forward to this new phase in our publication's chronology.

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Reference 

1. The Inventors: History of Communication. Retrieved August 30, 2005, from http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bl_history_of_communication.htm.
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