Potpourri A N A L Y T I C A L C H E M I S T R Y has ar-
ranged with Readers' Service Group in Massachusetts to have the latter supply books listed in the journal to readers from the United States. Covered in this agreement are all books critically reviewed in the journal and also books listed under "Continuing Series." To clarify just what books are covered, these titles are accompanied by an asterisk. This arrangement goes into effect with this issue; see page 963 A. For a small service charge, readers can be assured prompt delivery of the ordered books. ANALYTICAL C H E M I S -
TRY supplies titles to Readers' Service in advance of publication of the review in the journal so that they have a store of books before the journal is mailed. Readers who choose to take advantage
of this service are invited to let the journal know how well it works. In the June Editors' Column, we commented on the way changing technology is influencing analytical instrument development and the production of A N A L Y T I C A L C H E M I S T R Y . AS we
mentioned, moving to computer-driven photocomposition has required adjustments from all persons concerned with publications in the journal. Not the least of these are the editors who have been seriously concerned with the loss of flexibility which we have seen with the new system. Eventually, as developments continue and refinements are made, we may finally have a great deal of flexibility; but until that day arrives, some things we used to do with ease are now prohibitively expensive and thus not practical. These include, for instance, the use of footnotes and copy changes made on pages (rather than at the galley stage).
However, in last month's issue (August) we were able to do easily something that would not have been possible before the computer age. For the first time, we used the detailed ACS Fall National Meeting program information as supplied by the ACS Meetings Department to Chemical and Engineering News as the basis for our program information in ANALYTICAL C H E M I S T R Y . The original material was keyboarded (commands given for type size, column width, etc.) and optically scanned, and a tape was produced for use in C&EN. This tape was then duplicated, and with the aid of a cathode ray tube screen (CRT), command codes were inserted to change type styles, sizes, column width, etc., to meet A N A L Y T I C A L C H E M I S T R Y ' S
style. Then a new tape was produced for our use. Obviously, to take maximum advantage of this system, we were committed to the copy as sup-
Perkin-Elmer's new 240A Auto Sampler System feeds, computes and prints CHN analyses for 60 samples...
Perkin-Elmer takes another giant step forward in the evolution of Automatic Elemental Analysis. The 240A is an automatic sampling and data handling system for Perkin-Elmer's Model 240 carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur analyzer. It feeds and computes up to 60 samples without operator
attention. There's really no limit to the number of sample containers that can be fed to the analyzer because each container is ejected after analysis. So a new magazine, even a rush sample, can be run without interruption. The 240A's simplicity reduces chance of human error. It delivers greater efficiency because the
analyzer remains conditioned for a longer time. It reduces overhead by producing more data output per man-hour. Failsafe features protect unanalyzed samples against practically all possible malfunctions. The new system is completely adaptable to your requirements. You enter sample weight into the
Editors' Column
plied; copy could be omitted but not added. However, the simplicity of this system and the savings in time and money, both in clerical work in the editorial office and in keyboarding at Mack, permitted us to expand our meeting coverage to include analytical sessions being sponsored in divisions other than the Division of Analytical Chemistry. It is a pleasure to report what we feel is an example of effective and progressive use of computer technology in printing. Although at publisher's conventions and elsewhere one keeps hearing that the number of scientific periodicals will be decreasing as increased costs, including postage, will force some publications out of business, we see no sign of this in technical publications in the broad field covered by the term "analytical chemistry." In addition to the technique-oriented journals dealing with specialized areas of analytical
chemistry, such as chromatography and spectrometry, there are more and more publications dealing in application areas such as forensic science, the environment, and, more recently, energy. Many excellent analytical application papers find their way into these publications where they may more easily reach interested readers than if published in analytical journals. Even though many of these periodicals are limited in scope and often are published only bimonthly or quarterly and are expensive, those working in the fields covered evidently find them useful. However, a development that we feel is unfortunate is a recent spate of "Newsletters." These are often prevalent in new areas where there is a great deal of activity. The newsletters purport to keep an alert eye on a developing field and digest the most relevant information from many sources
for the interested subscriber. We do not object to this except that these newsletters which rely mainly on original material developed by other publications are frequently very expensive. A recent newsletter in the analytical chemistry field, which unlike many newsletters is broad in coverage, costs $60/year for 12 issues. The first issue is eight pages. We question whether scientific workers want their information thus predigested or whether they would rather continue to browse in the journals themselves. We believe implicitly in the value of sitting down and looking through the journals and magazines in one's own and kindred fields. All sorts of ideas are apt to develop from some time devoted to easy unfocused reading in the scientific literature.
Josephine M. Petruzzi
while you do something else.
programmer at the push of a button. The 240A produces a complete analytical report — sample ID number, data, weight, gas responses, weight percent computations, simplest formula. You can add or change data in the programmer during runs. Obviously, the Model 240A is the most accurate, most auto-
matic, most reliable means to determine the common organic elements. And with it you get Perkin-Elmer's system responsibility, installation and service.
The Model 240A System is described in a paper by R. F. Culmo. Ask for it. Instrument Div., Perkin-Elmer Corp., Norwalk, CT 06856. (203) 762-4705
PERKIN-ELMER CIRCLE 184 O N READER SERVICE CARD
