The electronic future for rock mechanics

Abstract

I am pleased to be able to introduce this first issue of the electronic International Journal of the JCRM (Japanese Committee for Rock Mechanics). The start of the Journal is a most constructive initiative – illustrating the dynamism of the Japanese rock mechanics community. It is also a timely initiative because we are moving rapidly towards an electronic future in rock mechanics. In 1984, when I first visited Japan for a rock mechanics conference in Kyoto, in order to arrange the visit, it was necessary to communicate by air-mail letter, i.e. snail mail, and the turnaround communication time for the letters was about two weeks. In 2004, when I made my most recent visit to Japan for a Workshop, also in Kyoto, everything could be rapidly arranged by email and the turnaround time for communication was just minutes if both people were at their computers. But it is not only email: we can now send pictures, documents, etc. and visit websites for information, all at high speed. It is difficult for us to remember how we operated before these facilities were available.