These policies and practical considerations were the last version published in the NMR Newsletter October 2000 issue. As applicable these should also govern the use of these webpages and files.
The NMR. Newsletter (formerly the TAMU NMR Newsletter, the UT NMR Newsletter, and originally, the MellonInstitute NMR Newsletter), now in its forty-third year of consecutive monthly publication,continues under the same general policies as in the past.
1. Policy
The NMR. Newsletter is a means for the rapid exchange of information among active workers in the field of NMR spectroscopy, as defined broadly, including imaging. As such, the Newsletter serves its purpose best if the participants impart whatever they feel will interest their colleagues, and inquire about whatever matters concern them. Technical contributions should always contain a significant amount of information that has not already been published or that will appear in the formal literature within a few weeks of the appearance in the Newsletter. Since the subscriber/ participant clearly is the best judge of what he or she considers interesting, our first statement of policy is "We print anything." (This is followed by the reservation, "that won't land us in jail or bankruptcy court.") Virtually no editorial functions are performed, although on rare occasions there is the need to classify a contribution as 'not for credit'. The Newsletter is not, and will not become, a journal. We merely reproduce and disseminate exactly what is submitted.
2. Public Quotation and Referencing
Reference to The NMR Newsletter by its present or previous names in the scientific literature is never permissible. Public quotation of Newsletter contents in print or in a formal talk at a meeting, etc., is expressly forbidden, except as follows. In order to quote or use material from the Newsletter. it is necessary. in each individual case. to obtain the prior permission of the responsible author and then to refer to the material quoted as a "Private Communication". If your copy of the Newsletter is shared with other readers, it is your obligation as the actual recipient of the Newsletter to see that these other readers of your copy are acquainted with, and abide by, these statements of policy.
3. Participation is the prime requisite for receiving the Newsletter
In order to receive the Newsletter, you must make at least occasional technical contributions to its contents. We feel that we have to be quite rigorous in this regard, and the following schedule is in effect: Seven months after your last technical contribution, you will receive a "Reminder" notice. If no technical contribution is then forthcoming, nine months after your previous contribution you will receive an "Ultimatum" notice, and then the next issue will be your last, absent a technical contribution. Subscription fees are not refunded in such cases. If you are dropped from the mailing list, you can be reinstated by submitting a contribution, and you will receive back issues (as available) and forthcoming issues at the rate of nine per contribution. Frequent contributions are encouraged, but no advance credit can be obtained for them. In cases of joint authorship, only one contributor may be credited. Meeting announcements, as well as "Position Available," "Equipment Wanted" (or "For Sale"), etc., notices are very welcome, but only on a not-for-credit basis, i.e., such items do not substitute for a bona.fide technical contribution.
4. Finances
The Newsletter is wholly self-supporting, and its funding depends on Advertising, Sponsorships, and individual Subscriptions. The Subscription fee for the October 2000 - September 2001 year is US$190, with a 50% academic or personal subscription discount. Subscriptions are available for a minimum of the twelve monthly issues which end with a September issue. However, a subscription can be initiated at any time, with the price for more than twelve issues being prorated. Corporations are also invited to join the list of Sponsors of the Newsletter. Sponsors' names appear in each month's Newsletter, and copies of the Newsletter are provided to all Sponsors. The continuation of the Newsletter depends significantly on the generqsity of our Sponsors, most of whom have been loyal supporters of this publication for many years. We will provide further details to anyone interested. Another major, indeed most essential, source of funds for the Newsletter is Advertising. We earnestly encourage present and potential participants of the Newsletter to seek advertising from their companies. Our rates are very modest. Please inquire for details.
5. Practical Considerations
NEW: If possible, technical contributions should be submitted as attachments (in WORD7 format) to email messages. Please see 'New' Way to Submit Technical Contributions - copy attached.
a) All technical contributions to the Newsletter will be included in the next issue if received on or before the published deadline dates.
b) Please provide short titles of all topics of your contributions, to ensure accuracy in the Table of Contents.
c) Contributions should be on 8.5 .x 11" (21 x 27.5 cm) pages, printed on one side only. Contributions should be submitted in camera-ready condition. Contributions may not exceed three pages without prior approval. Each page must have margins of at least 0.5" (1.3cm) on all four edges. Black ink for typing, drawings, etc. is essential. All drawings, figures, etc. should be mounted in place on the 8.5 x 11" pages. We are not equipped to handle pieces of paper larger than 8.5 x 11" (21 x 27.5 cm).
d) Please include your e-mail address on your contribution.
Please do not fold, clip, or staple your pages. Protect the condition of your letters from the ravages of the mails by enclosing what you send in a cardboard or plastic folder, etc. Foreign subscribers are reminded that regardless of the standard paper length you use. all material, letterhead, text, figures, addresses printed at the page bottom, everything - must not exceed 10" (ca. 25.3 cm) from top to bottom.
When formatting your contributions, please consider the following:
i) Try using a smaller type font: The body of this page is printed in 10 point type, which I believe is adequate for most purposes. Even 11 or 12 point type is acceptable if the particular font is not too large. Type smaller than 8 point should not be used.
ii) PLEASE avoid excessive margins. Instruct your secretaries to avoid normal correspondence esthetics or practices, however time-honored or 'standard! This page has margins on both sides of 0.6" (ca. 1.55 cm), which is very adequate. Margins of the same size at the top and bottom are sufficient also, but don't worry if there is more space at the end of your document, for I can often use such spaces for notices, etc. Also, please avoid large amounts of unused space at the top of letters. Give thought to the sizes of figures, drawings, etc., and please mount these so as to use the minimum space on the page.
iii) 'Position Available'. 'Equipment Wanted'. and Similar Notices. These are always welcome, but not for subscription credit. Such notices will appear, however, only if received with these necessarily rigid constraints: a) Single spaced; b) both side margins 0.6 - 0.7" (1.5 - 1.7 cm.)- NOT WIDER; c) the minimum total height, please, but definitely no more than 4.5" (11.5 cm.).
iv) AVOID DOUBLE SPACING LIKE THE BLACK PLAGUE ! ! ! This is extremely wasteful of space.
6. Suggestions
They are always welcome.
October 2000