AIAA experiments and results on SDD, Synoptics, Miniprints, and related topics

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has conducted experiments with Selective Dissemination of Documents (SDD), Synoptics, and Miniprints. In 1967 a 500-member test group responded favorably to a biweekly hard-copy SDD system comprising preprints and journal items in their selected topics. However, a proposed follow-on program languished for lack of funds: an analysis in 1971 indicated that the documents from AIAA alone would be too few for a viable SDD system, and a survey in 1972 showed that interest in SDD had declined. Therefore, the AIAA is no longer actively pursuing SDD. A Synoptic is a 2-journal-page presentation of the key results of a work in directly usable form (including selected tables and/or figures), backed by a full paper that is available on request at cost. Synoptics now replace about 25 percent of the full papers in AIAA journals, with reasonable success in respect to quality (the communication goal) and acceptance by all concerned, but few members would approve their in place of all full papers. Miniprints prepared by photoreducing author-prepared copy to half-size could save much money and shelf space. But minorities opposed them so strongly that this idea was shelved. Other questions on journal scopes, composition, and review procedures are also discussed.