HISTORY: PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES ONLINE

The Digital Photobiology Compendium (DPC) was initiated by Dennis Valenzeno in 2000 (download DPC.pdf).

As described in the PDF document, the DPC was conceived as consisting of a matrix of more than 100 instructional modules in all sub-disciplines of photobiology. The modules were designed to be mutually compatible to allow the user (learner or instructor) to connect a set of modules in a user-defined Work. The matrix was designed to include modules suitable for learners at various levels, from advanced undergraduate through practicing professional. The website was quite complicated, with sections for Learners, Instructors, Developers, and Visitors.

In 2004, there were 12 completed basic modules on the major areas of photobiology, and 8 modules as historical vignettes. There were 28 files in the developer section, in various stages of completion. Unfortunately, various circumstances prevented the DPC project from reaching maturity.

In 2007, Kendric Smith salvaged the files, and modified the archaic HTML code so that the files could be viewed on current computers. The project was renamed Photobiological Sciences Online (PSO).

Kendric Smith, as Editor and Webmaster, then started the long process of obtaining revisions of the old modules, and of seeking new modules. In 2010, the last of the old modules was finally revised. Currently (May 2013) there are 93 modules, with many new modules "In Preparation".

There are also modules on How to Cite Modules, Suggested Readings, Help For This Website, Editorial Advisory Board, User Statistics, History of PSO, Animations for Science, Editor's Blog, and a section of Experiments for Students.

In September 2011, all interactive graphics and movies were either removed, or replaced with a still picture from the graphics, or replaced with a new figure. This was necessary because these graphics do not show up on Apple iPads, which are now used by so many students. These graphics also do not show up in PDF files, which are the first step toward producing eBooks, the new technology for textbooks.

The current User Statistics show that PSO is widely used. PSO has about 10,000 unique hits per month from all over the world (see Newsletters).

Unfortunately, in May of 2013 I received from The American Society for Photobiology (ASP) a “straw that broke the camel’s back”. Without going into all of the details, after 6 years of no cooperation or appreciation from ASP, a society that I founded in 1972, and was its first President, I decided to change things.

If I am going to work alone on PSO without any appreciation, I might as well really work alone. Therefore, I moved PSO to an independent web address on 05/17/13.

Now that I have had my little pout, I realize that this move is not fair to the authors of the modules in PSO. With an independent site, when I die all of the modules will disappear.

Therefore, on 07/11/13, I moved Photobiological Sciences Online back to the old address: http://www.photobiology.info

Effective October 1, 2015, John Lee will come onboard as Coeditor. John has been an Associate Editor in Photobiological Sciences Online (PSO), and has made the Bioluminescence section one of the most complete sections on PSO. In addition he has served well in giving advice and answering questions from me.

I will remain as Coeditor until John gets up to speed with his editing and webmastering skills.

In the meantime, we are asking you to give serious thought about what would be good new topics and authors for PSO. We need to keep PSO dynamic and up-to-date.

It is equally important that the current authors keep their modules up-to-date.

With your help, we can make PSO even better.

10/01/15

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