From the editors´ desk

In this issue, we have our first guest editorial, by Dr. Steven Boggs, Director, Electrical Insulation Research Center, Institute of Materials Science, at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Boggs makes the thought provoking suggestion that the present system of peer review of papers be abolished in favor of a system whereby papers could be published, subject to guidelines, and reviews, comments, and rebuttals would also be published, permanently attached by electronic means. Although having pitfalls because the present system relies too heavily on the quantity rather than the quality of papers, Dr. Boggs argues that the quality of the papers would likely improve as it would be in the best interest of the authors to have their papers reviewed by colleagues prior to publishing. The model suggested by Dr. Boggs ought to provoke comments and suggestions so please send us your thoughts to be included in the next issue.