Scientific Journal of Applied Computer Systems: Looking Back and Moving Forward

Precisely twelve years have passed since 2000, when the first issue of the 5 series of “Computer Science, Applied Computer Systems” was compiled into the Scientific Journal of Riga Technical University. According to the Chinese Zodiac based on a twelve year cycle, in which each year in a cycle is related to an animal sign and its reputed attributes, the Scientific Journal of Applied Computer Systems is attributed the sign of a Dragon. Dragon is a mythical powerful creature highly worshiped in Chinese culture that symbolizes strength, health, harmony, and intellectual power. Many consider Dragons extremely lucky and blessed. Most entities born or created under this Chinese Horoscope sign are generally charismatic, endued with great powers and are likely to evolve into great inventors, scientists, actors, lawyers, politicians, and managers. Likewise, we are convinced that the Journal publishing the research results in the traditional fields of Institute of Applied Computer Systems, which has been born under the Dragon’s sign, is endowed with all these features. The first 12-year cycle is over, and the co-editors of the Journal of Applied Computer Systems would like to give a brief overview by looking back into the history of the journal formation and reaching its current status. The first issue was published in 2000 in response to the appeal by professor Ivars Knets to regenerate scientific traditions and to provide an opportunity for the scientists to publish major results of their research. The volume contained 9 papers that were presented at the 40 RTU International Scientific Conference. In its turn, to go on with the tradition of publishing scientific papers in the journal next year, the editors issued the call for paper with the announcement that the applications from PhD students would be of special interest. As a result, the amount of the submitted papers doubled. The second compiled issue bridged the 20 years' gap between the so-called “old” scientific school lead by professor Janis Osis, who developed the original approach to complex technical system diagnostics based on topological models, and the young generation of scientists. It is quite significant that the first paper of this issue was the paper dedicated to the history of research on system modeling at RTU, in which professor Janis Osis in honor of 40-year anniversary of the faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology described the evolution of the faculty scientific school over the last 40 years and presented its structure. The third issue of the series opened with the five papers presented at the international conference “Information System Development” (ISD), which for the first time was held in Eastern Europe and organized by the Division of System Theory of RTU. The papers devoted to the common problems investigated by the scientists of the Institute of Applied Computer Systems were also included in the agenda. In 2002 the editorial board had already 38 submissions of papers, which required a careful review. Therefore, the evaluation of the papers for this issue was characterized, first, by two blend reviewers for each paper, where disputable papers were additionally evaluated by one of the core editors. Figure 1 shows statistical data on the number of the published and rejected papers for all 13 issues launched during the last twelve years.