MCMC Preprint Service Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MCMC Preprint Service?

How do I use the service?

How do I find out what papers are available?

The Easiest way is via a web browser, such as Mosaic or NetScape. If you have such a browser then you can go the MCMC Preprint Server Home Page with URL http://www.statslab.cam.ac.uk/~mcmc/. This page lists a number of options. To browse through the list click on the icon marked Full List, and you will be served with the full list of papers currently on the list.

What if I only want to see the papers written by a particular author?

The Preprint service provides a search utility. On any page, select the Keyword Search The Keyword Search page allows you to enter a keyword and will search the list for that keyword under the heading you select, ie; Author, Title, Year, Institution or all headings. Once you have selected the heading and entered the keyword(s), press the Submit button and you will be presented with a page containing the papers which match your keyword search.

What if I don't have a web browser?

There are two things you could do. Firstly you could get one (see below). Secondly the list is available via anonymous ftp at ftp.statslab.cam.ac.uk in the directory pub/mcmc. The list is in PostScript format in the file list.ps. Also in this directory is a postscript file of this FAQ and a bibtex file containing the list entries in bibtex format.

What is anonymous ftp?

Anonymous ftp is a method of allowing controlled access to computing resources to remote users without logins on that system. To gain access to the MCMC Preprint Service List by anonymous ftp, for example type;

ftp ftp.statslab.cam.ac.uk

At the "Login" prompt type "anonymous" and at the "Password" prompt type your full e-mail address. You can then change directory to pub/mcmc by typing "cd pub/mcmc" and put a copy of the list in your own filespace by typing "get list.ps". Once you have finished, type "quit".

How do I get a hard copy of a paper?

If you have a web browser then move the mouse pointer onto the highlighted form of the paper that you require (usually Compressed PostScript) and press the mouse button once. After a short delay, whilst the file is being accessed and processed by your machine, the file will be displayed on your terminal. The file can then be saved by choosing the appropriate screen option, which will depend upon the package that your system uses to display Postscript files on the terminal. In most cases it will be quite clear how this should be done.

And if I don't have a web browser?

At the end of most list entries is an anonymous ftp address, which will tell you the name of the site which holds the file, the directory containing the file and finally the name of the file. You may then simply follow the procedure outlined above to copy the file to your own filespace.

How do I get my papers put on the list?

There are two main methods. The first is to use the simple form provided by the service. If for some reason the form doesn't work, then you can e-mail the administrator mcmc@statslab.cam.ac.uk with the following information

• Title of the paper.
• Name(s) of the author(s), email and affiliation.
• Type of file, (Postscript preferred)
• The full name of the http site (ie: the URL) or anonymous ftp site where the file is stored, together with the directory and name of the file.
• Two or three lines explaining the content of the paper, if you feel that it is not adequately reflected by the title.
• We also encourage authors to produce a separate Postscript or plain text file for each paper, which contains an abstract. The address of this abstract should also be provided, if appropriate.

Note: to avoid possible copyright infringement, the administrators respectfully request that authors inform them when papers are published, so that they can be removed from the list. Note also that although the administrators do not operate an editorial policy, papers which deal solely with the applications of MCMC will not generally be included on the list.

What do I do if I don't have an http or anonymous ftp site in which to put my file?

There are two things that you can do. Firstly you can go and see your local system administrator and ask him/her how to get one, or secondly you can provide your e-mail address instead and we will enter that on the list so that people can e-mail you directly to request a copy.

Note that we are unable to store copies of papers on our system, so please do not ask us to.