As the digital landscape evolved, academic publishing remained, to a large extent, stagnant. Fern is our endeavor to change that.
Born for the print era, PDFs have long been the standard for academic documents. But in an age of diverse screen sizes and interactivity, its static nature limits the potential of digital academic content.
LaTeX brought a revolution in document formatting, especially for complex content like mathematical equations. However, its steep learning curve makes it challenging for those outside the technical realm. The intricate structure also makes quick edits and collaborative work cumbersome.
Modern web design has been emphasizing the separation of content and style for years. This principle allows for responsive and adaptive designs, ensuring the style can dynamically change based on the device or user preferences. The adoption of such principles could streamline the submission process, offering flexibility and improved user experience.
Fern aims to combine the rigor and structure of academic content with the dynamic capabilities of modern web technologies. We envision a platform that:
- Is Responsive: Adapts to screens of all sizes, ensuring readability, accessibility and aesthetics.
- Separates Content from Style: Allows content creators to focus on the substance, while the platform ensures the presentation is top-notch.
- Allows Dynamic Reading: Interactive figures, adjustable content presentation, and responsive reading modes tailored to the user's needs.
- Promotes Accessibility: Incorporating features like dyslexic-friendly fonts and color schemes for the colorblind, we aim to make content more inclusive and accessible to all readers.
Taking full advantage of digital capabilities means more than just responsive design. It opens the door to integrating various media types directly into the content flow. Video materials, audio recordings, simulations, and file downloads are not just add-ons; they become integral parts of the academic narrative, enhancing comprehension and engagement.
Markdown stands out with its lightweight nature and easy-to-understand syntax, making it exceptionally user-friendly. Its simplicity doesn't mean a lack of power. With Markdown, not only can you create well-structured documents effortlessly, but you can also integrate LaTeX for mathematical expressions, marrying the best of both worlds. This blend caters to both novices looking for ease of use and professionals seeking advanced formatting, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of content.
In our journey to reshape digital academic publishing with Fern, we're considering the integration of several leading-edge tools that align with our mission:
Hugo is a robust static site generator, known for its speed and efficiency. It provides a solid foundation for content management and rapid site deployment, aligning with our vision for swift and seamless academic publishing.
Recognizing the crucial role of mathematical content in academic works, we're looking at the integration of MathJax. MathJax offers impeccable rendering of mathematical notations, bridging the gap between LaTeX's rigorous standards and the adaptability of the web. An added bonus is the ability to directly copy an expression in its TeX format.
To ensure a responsive and modern design experience, SCSS emerges as a potent tool of choice. Its advanced features, like variables and mixins, allow us to craft a consistent and dynamic visual experience, in line with our commitment to making academic publishing both beautiful and functional.
Explore our initial efforts through our initial prototype and GitHub repository. It's a starting point and there's a lot to refine and develop.
Fern isn't meant to be just a tool, but a movement. A push towards redefining how we approach academic publishing in the digital age. Your voice, insights, and expertise are invaluable to this journey. We encourage you to engage in conversations on our GitHub Discussions.
We firmly believe that collective collaboration is central to the strength and success of this project. Whether it's through feedback, code contributions, or innovative ideas, every input matters. Please refer to our Contribution Guidelines for more details.
Ferns, in nature, symbolize growth, renewal, and resilience. These ancient plants have thrived in various environments, constantly adapting to the world around them. In a similar vein, our project "Fern" seeks to usher in a new era for academic publishing. It's about adaptability—taking the best of what has existed and reshaping it for the demands and potentials of the modern digital age. Through "Fern", we aim to intertwine the rich legacy of academic discourse with the innovative capabilities of current technology, creating a system that's both rooted in tradition and flourishing with new possibilities.