[Air-l] conference publication requirements

[Jonathan Sterne]

Hi All,

I know this is going to sound like I'm being a troublemaker, so please 
accept my apologies in advance.  I know that the conference organizers work 
hard, and do their best to advance the organization's and members' best 
interests and I appreciate all their labor so I don't have to do it.

Here's the thing: I just got the forwarded version of the acceptance email 
for a panel I'm on.  That's just dandy and I look forward to seeing 
everyone.  The problem is the requirement that a full paper be turned over 
to AoIR for publication on the conference site.  Here are my issues:

1.      As often as possible, I give talks, not written papers.  This isn't 
because I'm doing stuff at the last minute or undertaking half-assed work 
but rather because I find people fall asleep when they listen to written 
language read aloud, and they understand a lecture/talk much more 
clearly.  I have had great success with this approach in my young career 
and intend to continue doing it.  I could scan in my notes and they could 
be posted to the website, but really, what's the point?  About half the 
time, I also actually present work-in-progress and want feedback (that's 
why it's called a conference, right?) rather than immediate publication of 
my ideas in their present form.

2.      I know this was covered once before onlist, but I don't remember 
the resolution.  What are you supposed to do about the paper being 
published in the conference proceedings if it's already promised to another 
publication?  That is the case for me this time.  Doesn't the whole 
conference proceedings thing cause trouble for those of us who present work 
we plan to submit other places as "new" publications?  Maybe this is a 
humanities/social sciences thing?  At least at Pitt, the soc sci people 
seem to value presentations a little more highly than they do in my neck of 
the woods.

Anyway, that's it.  Matthew?  Steve?  Someone?

Thanks.

Best,
--Jonathan