This issue of Computer Music Journal celebrates the 20 years of progress
in the field of computer music since the Journal's founding. We present
historical and overview articles, as well as a sampling of current
research, development, and compositional activity from leaders in our
domain. This Editor's Note examines the role that the Journal can play
for computer music practitioners now and in the future.

A "mission statement" has existed for Computer Music Journal since its
inception by John Snell and John Strawn. The document has a number of
sections, and I would like to address several topics from it, in the
form of responses to a series of questions about Computer Music Journal
and its context.


How does Computer Music Journal relate to other printed, recorded, and
network-based media'

Computer Music lournal is a print journal--now and for the near future,
at least--that maintains a World-Wide Web (WWW) presence and an Internet
ftp archive. The journal's focus and intended readership can be
specified in relation to "pure" academic journals of contemporary music,
to the commercial electroacoustic music media, and to CDROM- or
WWW-based "electronic magazines." The Journal strives to present
up-to-date research in a manner that is accessible to a non-expert, and
to discuss new commercial products and services in a professional and
balanced tone. One of the primary reasons for continuing publication in
paper is access--many readers do not have computers linked to wide-area
networks or the WWW. The archival value of paper is also still an
advantage.


What media will be relevant for Computer Music Journal in the future?

Over the next few years, Computer Music lournal will certainly evolve
into an increasingly mixed combination of printed material, electronic
publication and archival, and interactive network-based applications.
What forms this will take depends largely on reader feedback.

There are many practical reasons, however, for continuing publication in
paper: high print quality, wide access, low cost, and ease of archival,
for example. The editors are sensitive to those readers without a
highbandwidth Internet connection, and plan to continue paper
publication for the forseeable future.


How should Computer Music Journal mix text and sound?

Having a "silent" publication called Computer Music lournal has always
seemed an oxymoron to the lournal's editors. The old vinyl soundsheets,
the newer CDs, and the Internet based sound archive all augment the
printed medium with audible sound and music selections.


How should Computer Music Journal be visible on the World Wide Web?

At present, we use the WWW to offer general information for those
interested in the field, information about the printed journal, and
extensive archives of related sound, code, and other resources.


What review and editing process is appropriate for Computer Music
Journal in the future?

We will continue to adhere to the process of double-blind peer review
and formal editing for form and content, giving a high degree of
consistency of preparation. We intend to place more emphasis on article
archival in a standardized format (RTF, PDF, and/or HTML) for possible
future projects.

At age 20, Computer Music lournal is proud to serve as one of the
central organs of such a vibrant and rapidly changing field. The editors
look forward to a future that includes many interesting lournal
articles, possibilities for exploiting new media, and collaborations
with other organizations interested in the field of computer music. We
invite reader feedback on any of the issues raised in this note, or
others related to the ournal's format and role within the community