Technical Issues

Posting Papers

This is probably the most frustrating part of developing a research web site. One of the major functions of a research site is to provide information, such as working papers and other data. Mathematical notation can be very difficult if not impossible to incorporate in basic HTML format. Therefore, other methods must be used. The following provides descriptions of various methods of posting publications. To date, we have not found an ideal method of posting publications and would appreciate any suggestions. Please email suggestions to manfredo@uiuc.edu .

No matter how you decide to post your paper, it is nice to provide a simple abstract in HTML. Also, provide an email address in case they have any problems accessing the paper.

HOPEFULLY THE FOLLOWING DOES NOT MAKE THINGS MORE CONFUSING. MOST OF THE BELOW LINKS SHOULD PROVIDE FURTHER HELP. SEE YOUR WEBMASTER FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL HELP.

HTML Format

HTML is probably the easiest way to post a publication, if there is no mathematical notation or tables. One can incorporate equations, tables, and graphs as ".gif" files. The OFOR working paper number 95-03 was posted in HTML format. Notice how the equations, tables, and graphs are individual "gif" files. HTML allows one to view the document and to print the document, however, somtimes the graphics do not print well.

PDF Format/Adobe Acrobat

The Adobe Acrobat system does a good job of dealing with mathematical notation, graphics, and tables. With the Adobe system, word processing or desk top publishing documents can be converted into a format called "pdf". These "pdf" files can then be posted on your server and viewed using the free, downloadable, Adobe Acrobat viewer. Once you configure the viewer to run with your Netscape Navigator, you can view documents in "pdf" format. These documents can also be printed, mathematical notation included. The paper will maintain its original look and integrity, therefore, people are able to view it and print it but can not edit the file.

The following is a link to the Adobe Corporation's homepage. From here you can learn more about how to convert files to "pdf" format and how to obtain the aforementioned software.

http://www.adobe.com/

There are some drawbacks to the Adobe system. First, you must have access to the Adobe software that converts word processing files into the "pdf" format. Also, you must make available the free Adobe Acrobat reader on your homepage so that potential readers of the paper can view the file. Note, once the viewer is downloaded and configured, it does not have to be done again. The fact that a potential reader of a working paper has to do all of the above may prove to be frustrating, especially if the potential reader is a web neophite.

Microsoft Viewer

The Microsoft Viewer functions very similar to the Adobe Acrobat viewer in that it is an external application to be used in addition to Netscape. Like Adobe Acrobat, the Microsoft viewer handles mathematical notation, graphics, and tables well. The paper will be viewed exactly the way it shows up on the wordprocessor. The Microsoft Viewer is freeware.

To post papers to be viewed with the Microsoft Viewer, you must use the Microsoft Word word processing package. Similar to Adobe Acrobat, you must make the Microsoft Viewer available on your homepage. Also, you must use the Microsoft Word program to develop your documents.

To learn more about how to use the Microsoft Viewer, check out this link:

http://www.microsoft.com/msword/internet/Viewer/Viewer6 /default.htm

OFOR Working Paper number 96-02 can be viewed using the Microsoft Viewer.

Postscript

Many technical papers are in the Postscript format. Postscript handles mathematical notation, graphs, and tables well. To view Postscript files on screen, you need to use a program called Ghostview (have fun loading this one!). We have yet to figure out how to print or create a Postscript file. For more information on Postscript take a look at the following links.

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/

http://econwpa.wustl.edu/viewing.html

http://www.area.fi.cnr.it/area/ps2html.htm

Economics Working Paper Archive (WPA)

This looks like a good place to go especially if you do not want to worry about a lot of technical details. The Working Paper Archive will take your paper and convert it to both Postscript and Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. The paper will then be archived by category along with other papers. These papers may then be viewed and/or downloaded from the archive. You may then make reference to the Working Paper Archive on your homepage. A drawback is that you don't have much control over the paper once it is posted in the Archive (i.e., editing).

Also, check out the NetEc , WoPEc , BibEc , WebEc , and CodEc projects on the Working Paper Archive page. These may prove to be valuable resources to publicize your papers.

Simple Download of a Word Processing Document

One simple way to post a working paper on the net is to just put the file on the server and link to it. The potential reader of the paper just clicks, and saves the file to his or her hard drive. The file can then be viewed under their respective word processor. This sounds simple, but the major drawbacks are that the document can not be viewed on screen and the file can be manipulated making plagiarism easier. Also, this procedure may not be suitable across platforms.

For instance, OFOR Working Paper number 96-01 is posted as a Word Perfect file. Some users of Macintosh computers may not be able to download the paper. Note that the tables are downloaded separately from the main body of the text.

Posting Data

Other data, such as spreadsheet data can be posted on your server and linked to your homepage. After putting the data on the server and linking to the file as you would any other site, the potential user of the data only has to click and save the data to their hard drive. The data can then be viewed in their respective spreadsheet program. The data can be in spreadsheet format (i.e., Lotus or Excel) or in text format.

Microsoft Excel files may also be viewed using the Microsoft Viewer for Excel. This program is very similar to the Micosoft Viewer for word processing files.

Check out http://www.microsoft.com/msexcel/Internet/Viewer/default.htm for more information on the microsoft viewer.

Note: The server that materials are posted on may need to be configured to properly display and download papers and data. See your Webmaster for details.

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