Welcome to the third day of the DOAJ blog!

It would not be an exaggeration to say that there are almost unlimited possibilities in what you can do in the fields of technology. Without the explosively growing importance of the web, Open Access and global exchange of knowledge would not be possible in such an extent as it is. To pay tribute to innovation in the field of technology and web publishing, we are today highlighting some of the journals that are using modern technology, web 2.0 solutions and similar in creative ways. Cause when it comes to creating interactive meetings, reader participation and spreading articles globally, electronic journals surely hold a leading position compared to printed journals. This is why we feel that it is worth showing Open Access journals that are making the most of the possibilities that the web is offering!

The journal IBIMA Business Review is one of the few listed journals that are publishing some of its articles both in HTML and PDF format, but also in a format that is especially designed for mobile phones. We find this very exciting and believe that this kind of increased accessibility is something we will see more of in the future! If interested in this technology you just grab your cell phone and give downloading a try! For example try to access the article Considering the Human Element of Long-Term IT Outsourcing: A Case Study of an Australian Bank on this address: http://www.ibimapublishing.com/journals/IBIMABR/2010/236485/m236485...

Another innovation which is beneficial for users can be found in the journals published by OMICS Publishing Group. They have uploaded articles both in the traditional way and as audio files, so that users can listen to the articles. This is an initiative which is very helpful for students with reading and writing disabilities, why we view it as an excellent service. At the moment we have got 7 journals from this publisher in DOAJ, all of them covering natural sciences and related areas. For an example of the service visit the current issue of Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology: http://www.omicsonline.org/ArchiveJMBT/CurrentissueJMBT.php´

If not just looking forward, but also back in time, digitalization is a relevant topic. A huge number of journals are making real efforts to find financial support and make their entire archive Open Access. South African Medical Journal is an outstanding example of such a journal. From a link in the archive on their web site users can reach all the published issues from the start 1884 until 2002: http://archive.samj.org.za/. If interested in the issues from recent years you can access them from the web site.

When it comes to web 2.0 solutions a lot of journals have integrated these technological developments into their web design. Trends toward interactivity and user participation have thereby also entered the scholarly community, and are not exclusive for forums, commercial companies like Facebook or the music business. One example of a journal which successfully has integrated web 2.0 elements into their web design is Journal of Buddhist Ethics. Instead of using traditional keywords to describe the articles, these are marked with tags. In the right menu a tag cloud is placed, which makes common topics visible visually. You as a reader have also got the possibility to comment on articles and debate their content. If interested in reading an article where the debate after publishing was heated, we can recommend The Question of Vegetarianism and Diet in Pāli Buddhism by James J. Stewart from University of Tasmania: http://blogs.dickinson.edu/buddhistethics/2010/05/15/vegetarianism-and-diet-in-pali-buddhism/comment-page-1/#comment-62

One of the huge benefits with Open Access is the possibility to increase readership. To fulfill this aim however, it is important that the articles are written in languages that the target group master. The editorial board of the journal 452º F : Revista de Teoría de la Literatura y Literatura Comparada has clearly understood the importance of providing their published material in several languages to be able to reach a wider readership. They have made the effort not only to translate the web site itself, but also all of their published articles into four different languages: English, Spanish, Catalan and Basque. By making each volume a web site which can be viewed in the preferred language, we also view the design a piece of art in itself!

Are you having any opinions on the topic? Please do not hesitate to use the comment field to discuss technology advancements in Open Access journals. And – as always – do not hesitate to suggest new titles to us!