On a more serious note: with programs and databases, there are ways for authors to measure and justify their impact in the eyes of the funding agencies. For example, both the VMD and APBS projects track registrations and downloads so that they have documented usage statistics when it comes time to write grants.
Or developers can even adopt the extreme approach we have taken with PyMOL in sustaining the effort via the community entirely through peer-to-peer interactions, open-source code, and direct funding from end-users (which, incidentally, provides built-in accountability without government overhead or bureaucracy). Neither of the above approaces are perfect, but I think internet-based tool and data providers can do much to make themselves less dependent upon journal citations than methods-type publications. So when space is limited, I do not mind PyMOL being relegated to supplemental acknowledgements in order to make room for those whose funding is more directly dependent upon published attributions. (And of course, those who contribute to the project directly are excused from the acknowledgement requirement altogether!). Cheers, Warren > -----Original Message----- > From: CCP4 bulletin board [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of > Warren DeLano > Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 8:46 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Citations in supplementary information are invisible > > That's okay, we forgive you. > > As penance, you shall establish a new unsocial networking site: > "myreciprocalspace.com" with your slighted colleagues cited as key > crystal contacts obscured in the published unit sell. > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: CCP4 bulletin board [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > > Behalf Of William Scott > > Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 8:18 AM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: [ccp4bb] Citations in supplementary information are invisible > > > > Hi Citizenry: > > > > This is worth reading: > > > > http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7181/full/451887d.html > > > > Without knowingly doing so, I've short-cited coot and > > probably other crystallographic software in this way. I hope > > one day to redeem myself. > > > > > > Bill > >
