Fast and efficient
Today the internet is the perfect medium for scientists to win a wider audience for their work by publishing their papers online. The advantages of online publication in comparison to traditional print publication are manifold. For once, the submitted text can be accessed worlwide by anyone anytime. Online publication is non-exclusive, which means that the text can still be marketed and sold otherwise. Various modes to search the text for central data, key words or results are possible with online publications. Especially in the world of natural science where results need to be updated continuously, the speed of online publication is a plus, too. Another interesting fact is that it is possible to include 3D-graphics, sounds or animations into the online text, a possibility printed scientific texts do not offer. The submitted text reaches, if placed on the right site, a professional academic circle which enables the author to participate in the scientific discussion of his or her field. Even students who have not published any work yet, can take part and submit papers.

Finding the right place to publish
Texts can be published in e-journals, e-book-form or other formats. The portals all give detailed instruction on how to use their services. Most portals are not specialised concerning their subject matter. There are websites that cover special areas like natural science or health science, though. The right portal will be the one which is linked to the right websites and therefore will be found by the right readers. The selection of the right portal may also depend on the country the scientist works in. Most sites are national sites, often university websites. Then there is the question of publication fees. Most university sites are free. Whereas commercial sites sometimes charge fees for their services.

The List
Here is a selection of portals offering the online publication of scientific texts:
Natural sciences – www.nature.com
Health science – www.elsevierhealth.com
Directory of open access journals – www.doaj.org
HighWire, Stanford University - highwire.stanford.edu/
Pro Quest (USA) – www.proquest.com/en-US/catalogs/services/author_services.shtml
DissOnline (Germany) – www.dissonline.de
Austrian Research Centers – www.ait.ac.at/home_en.html
Science Manager (publication fee) – www.sciencemanager.com