Authoritative Online Editions.

The author discusses the perceived benefits of online authoritative editions and archival material. The author reflects upon his own experience of trying to find out-of-print writings from Walt Whitman, and how he found many of the works at www.whitmanarchive.org. According to the author the biggest advantage to online archives is that all the information is in a central area, and one does not have to search numerous institutions to find the archival materials. Another perceived advantage to online archives is that new materials can be made available immediately, which can foster dialogue beyond the circle of a few scholars who have access to the materials before conventional publication can take place.