PDFs and HTML files? (Version 3.3

Publishing Practices
1

I’ve been asked about file types from an editor. They ask:

“In your technical expertise, would it be worthwhile to update our older articles which are only PDF to include an HTML version, as a way to attract more visibility / potential readership?”

(I will also be consulting a librarian colleague, but I thought it relevant to pose this question here as well. If I have more information about this topic, I’ll add it later). Thank you!

2

Hi @PKP_Tam,

There are a number of considerations that you may wish to take into account:

  1. If you have the expertise to be able to produce HTML galleys on an ongoing basis.
  2. How involved your final galleys will be. For example, if you are consider making multimodal galleys with videos, images, sound, or other multimedia formats included, I’d recommend watching this presentation here: https://youtu.be/qv2GLxVTXjQ?si=IlQ26_Cv8udnpExe
  3. The work involved in making HTML galleys accessible. You can see our documentation here for more information: https://docs.pkp.sfu.ca/accessible-content/en/galleys#formats

PDF galleys are much more easily produced and less involved than creating HTML galleys.

I don’t think there is any one-size-fits-all solution - it will very much depend on the individual journal and whether or not they have the time, resources, and knowledge to be able to create HTML galleys.

Others may wish to offer their insights as well.

-Roger
PKP Team

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