LYT-EDIT_NOTE-JUNE
5/22/07
12:21 PM
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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CALL FOR TUTORIALS AND FEATURE TOPIC PROPOSALS
T
An important consideration in planning a he magazine is interested in publishing feature topic is the team of guest editors. high-quality tutorials on current or While a single guest editor is allowable, a emerging technologies. One of the most team of two or three guest editors usually consistent messages we receive from reader works best in order to divide the workload. It feedback is the interest in more tutorials. I is not unusual for feature topics to attract a should say that ComSoc does publish excellarge number of submissions (e.g., more than lent tutorials in the free online peer-reviewed 30–40), and arranging timely peer reviews for publication, IEEE Communications Surveys so many submissions can be an overwhelming and Tutorials (http://www.comsoc.org/livepubs/ job for a single guest editor. In addition, a surveys/index.html). If you are writing a tutoteam of guest editors has a broader geographrial, you are certainly encouraged to submit to ical appeal for submissions. On the other IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, hand, a team much larger than three guest which offers no length limits and instant editors can become awkward to coordinate. It access by any reader around the world. I also TOM CHEN should be noted that guest editors are not encourage you to consider submission to allowed to author an article within their own IEEE Communications Magazine. The magafeature topic, but of course can submit to any other section of zine receives a fair number of surveys but not many tutorials. the magazine. In my opinion, it is difficult to write a high-quality tutorial. Another consideration in a feature topic proposal is a plan Whereas a survey covers the current research activities related for advertising a call for papers (CFP). Submissions are to a certain technology, a tutorial explains the technology in always collected from an open CFP, not from personal invitaan understandable but technical way to a nonexpert. In the tions to select individuals (although individuals can be encourpast, tutorials appearing in Communications Magazine have aged to submit, all submissions must go through the usual been very well received, because I believe everyone has the peer review process). To collect a sufficient number of acceptsame need to keep up with new technologies. If you are intered papers, it is usually necessary to attract a large number of ested and have an idea, I encourage you to email me or one submissions, which means that the CFP must be advertised of the editors. well (and not just in the magazine). I also encourage you to propose new feature topics. FeaFeature topic proposals are reviewed by our experienced ture topics serve a very important function in the magazine editorial team. Each proposal is judged according to a numbecause they focus on technical topics of current interest. The ber of criteria, such as relevance and timeliness, a plan for landscape of technology is dynamic, and feature topics are a collecting and reviewing submissions, a reasonable tentative way for the magazine to stay on the leading edge. Feature schedule, and past experiences of guest editors. We want to topics are typically three to seven related articles organized ensure that a feature topic will be interesting to the magaaround a topic. Compared to standalone articles, a feature zine’s readership and is likely to be successfully organized. topic gives more prominence to its collection of articles and When a proposal is accepted, a firm schedule will be deterprovides a broader perspective on a topic for readers. mined by the Editor-in-Chief, and then the CFP can be Feature topics are driven by readers who feel that a certain advertised. topic deserves prominent attention in the magazine. We welAs I mentioned, feature topics are planned well in advance. come feature topic proposals from readers like you because As a potential feature topic organizer or as a reader, you you have a finger on the pulse of the communications field. If might be interested in the plan for upcoming feature topics you have an idea for a current or emerging technology that (see http://www.comsoc.org/pubs/commag/call.html): has not seen adequate attention in the magazine, I encourage • Web services you to write a proposal for a feature topic. A guide explaining • Mobile multimedia broadcasting the guest editing process is available on Communications Mag• Multihop cellular networks azine’s Web site at http://www.comsoc.org/pubs/edbd• Quality of service in next-generation networks web/guesteditkit.html. The information is intended to increase • Military communications both chances of successful proposals and successful publica• Call admission control and QoS in VoIP over wireless tion of accepted feature topics. • Mobile Internet A proposal typically begins with a definition of the scope • Security in mobile ad hoc and sensor networks of the topic. A description of the background, motivation, and • IPTV scope of the feature topic allows the editorial board to under• Next-generation carrier Ethernet stand its significance and relevance to the magazine’s readership. Naturally, feature topics should be rather focused, but it IEEE Communications Magazine strives to stay at the leadis important that a proposed topic should also be of practical ing edge of the communications field, and I invite your help. I interest to a broad majority of readers who may be unfamiliar will be looking out for your ideas or proposals for tutorials or with that topic. In other words, feature topics should be feature topics. And as always, I invite your letters about anyaimed at the general readership rather than a subset of spething related to operations of the magazine to me at cialists.
[email protected].
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IEEE Communications Magazine • June 2007
