Editorial

Scientific publications are going through a revolution in the way they are presented and in reaching its target population. Until very recently the only scientific journals were practically the printed ones. Currently, the transformation of this printed version into an electronic format is happening exponentially, aiming at expanding the readership and the very content of the journal. Putting things into a perspective about the growth rate of such change, CAPES shows that the number of scientific publications has jumped from a few dozens in 1991 to almost 3500 in 1997.
Brazil is also trying to follow on these winds of change, and many national journals are adopting the intelligent digital format or the mixed format (reducing the printed version and adding the electronic version). Such move has pros and cons; among them we list:

- electronic access is usually made by professionals who are involved in research or teaching, that being, professionals somehow connected to teaching institutions. The printed version is free and it passively reaches all Brazilian Otolaryngologists, including those who are not involved with university centers, whom see the printed journal as their main way for scientific update.

- the electronic version avoids the undesirable build up of paper as it happens with the printed ones, which invariably occupies much room in the homes and offices of these professionals. On the other hand, to depend exclusively on the inner workings of a computer to store the texts of interest is not always the safest of options. Therefore, the need for a printed back up may cancel out the very advantage of avoiding the build up of paper.
- the electronic only version reduces both printing and distribution costs inherent to the printed versions and increases the speed with which knowledge spreads and the very distribution of the journal itself. On the other hand, the printed version allows the journal to be read anywhere, thus bringing a certain reading comfort.

The Arquivos de Otorrinolaringologia journal has already been presented in a mixed format since its very creation in 1997. Its electronic version allows full access to the texts on the site www.forl.org.br, showing that the journal is following current trends.
We thought about changing the printed version into a CD-ROM which would still be freely sent to each otolaryngologist, reminding us that new knowledge is available at the reader's convenience. Before taking this action we would very much like to hear your opinion on the matter: WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE A CD-ROM WITH THE ARTICLES OF EACH NEW EDITION OF THE ARQUIVOS DE OTORRINOLARINGOLOGIA JOURNAL EVERY THREE MONTHS? Please, send us your response through any of the following means: email (arquivos@forl.org.br), fax (11-30859943) or telephone
(11-30689855).

Thank you all!

Dra. Tanit Ganz Sanchez
Dr. Olavo Mion
Prof. Dr. Ricardo Ferreira Bento
Prof. Dr. Aroldo Miniti