Submitting a manuscript

To the Editors:

I feel a little stupid. Recently, I wanted to submit a manuscript to the European Respiratory Journal (ERJ). I went to the ERJ website but, rather bafflingly, did not seem to be able to find a reference as to how one could submit. After Googling I found http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/erj. But there the system immediately defeated me. I had to sign in with a name and password. Not being aware of having the required login details, I tried the Help button by providing my e-mail address, and then enjoyed the bliss of eternal silence. In all fairness, a message actually arrived after about 30 minutes, but I had given up all hope before that time.

Whilst I was waiting, I noticed that there was a facility to register, so that is what I did. But I was immediately stopped in my tracks because the system said it already knew me. I tried the Help button again by submitting my e-mail address, and received a password within a reasonable time, together with my first request. Now, though, the system would not let me submit a manuscript without filling in keywords and the like. I dislike systems that collect unnecessary information about individuals. I only want to submit a manuscript and there is no reason why a system should demand that I provide this information; I might do so if politely asked.

Eventually, the system said that all had been accomplished and that I could now submit a manuscript. Forget it, it just did not work. By this time I had spent an hour or more in futile activities. So, in desperation, I rebooted my computer and tried to establish contact again with Manuscript Central.

I have now submitted the manuscript. It took about 5 hours from the start. I had to copy information that was already provided in the manuscript, such as author names and affiliations. In a number of cases, I did not want to accept what the system forced upon me, such as “Cole, Time J” instead of “Cole, Tim J”, and “rosenthal, mark”, instead of “Rosenthal, Mark”; in addition, the latter’s affiliation was omitted by the software. The system said that I was not allowed to change the information. I also had to copy from the manuscript the abstract text, the legends to the figures, etc. In the old days you printed the text, wrote a cover letter, put it in an envelope with address, licked a stamp and affixed it to the envelope, then put it in a mailbox. Maybe 15 minutes work. Manuscript Central seems to have made this process bureaucracy to the highest level of perfection whilst grinding the process down to the lowest possible pace; this may be a bureaucrat’s delight but as an author, I dislike it. Ironically, if the manuscript is accepted I also have to pay for all my work.

I first used a computer in the 1970s and wrote my first software. I also run four (used to be five) websites, including those via which I provide people with free software, and I handle a large number of quite complicated pieces of software on a daily basis. So at first blush one would think that I have enough experience and insight to make submission of a manuscript a breeze. I am never too old to learn but it seems my talents are failing me. It must be Alzheimer’s but I remember from a more lucid period of life that I thought that computers should never run our lives.

I am not writing this to upset anyone as I am convinced that everyone works to offer the best service. Most people would not dare submit a manuscript and then complain about the procedure. But I am a retired person, no longer involved in the rat race, and I have nothing to lose; only science that makes me tick. Of course, the senior author would normally leave this to a junior and never be aware of that junior’s frustrations. Therefore, I thought that it might be worthwhile letting you know what I, acting as a junior author, went through.

Statement of interest

None declared.