Launch of new beta platform

01 February 2010

In early February, RSC Publishing will launch a new integrated content delivery platform allowing over 500 000 journal articles, book chapters and database records to be searched through one simple interface. The new platform will deliver faster browsing, intelligent searching and more intuitive navigation. It will be launched as a public beta.

A key benefit of releasing the platform as a beta is that early and frequent software releases help create a tight feedback loop between the platform development and our users, enabling us to listen and respond to user requirements. The 'release early, release often' philosophy empowers the user to help define what the platform will become. 

Graham McCann, publisher at RSC Publishing is spearheading the project. His enthusiasm for the platform makes it clear something exciting is happening: 'user testing and feedback has been integral to the development process, aiding our design and helping us to produce something that offers a superior online experience.' 

RSC Publishing^beta is powered by Mark Logic Server, the industry's leading XML content server, which enables dynamic use of content in innovative new ways. State of the art navigational tools such as faceted browsing and topic clouds help users to find the content they are looking for quickly and discover related content simultaneously.

Here is a sample of some of the features on offer:

• Single search interface for journal, book and database content
• Faceted browsing - a technique that allows rapid filtering of search results 
• Integrated tools for bookmarking, saving and sharing information
• Topic clouds to highlight latest research
• Saved searches and alerts
• Librarian login area and branding 
• Latest news dynamically fed from blogs 

Innovation has been at the forefront of the new platform. Expert software engineers worked closely with the RSC to architect, design, develop and integrate the new content delivery platform into RSC's existing technology infrastructure. 'RSC Publishing^beta is one of the most interesting and innovative sites we have developed. It has raised the bar as to how chemistry content can be engagingly presented' commented Melvyn Burgoyne, managing director at Rave Technologies, UK. 

RSC Publishing^beta will run alongside the existing RSC Publishing website for the first phase of beta testing. Links encouraging users to try the new beta site are available across the existing publications website. We would love to hear your feedback about the new site. For example, tell us about: 

• Functionality: what features do you like, what features are missing? 

• Usability: what do you think about the user interface, could it be clearer, more intuitive? 

Please test our new publications platform rigorously and share your experience using the feedback form available online. 

MedChemComm opens for submissions

RSC Publishing's exciting new journal, MedChemComm , is now open for submissions. MedChemComm will be a high-impact, peer-reviewed journal for the rapid publication of research in medicinal chemistry. Monthly issues will contain a mix of vibrant and concise research and review articles. Submit your work today.

Integrative Biology - now in MEDLINE

We are pleased to announce that Integrative Biology has now been selected by the National Library of Medicine to be indexed and included in their database; MEDLINE. The selection of Integrative Biology reflects its appeal to scientists in biomedicine, This will be a big step in increasing the visibility of the journal.

Free access expired

Energy & Environmental Science, launched in 2008, has now reached the end of its free access period. We recommend that you contact your librarian to ensure your access in 2010 to the journal is secured. Subscribers to package A or A+ will have continuous access to the journal.