INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS
Abstract Deadline: FRIDAY, December 8, 2000, 5:00 p.m. CST
NO late abstracts will be accepted!
General Instructions
Abstracts are limited to two pages, and must be submitted in one of the following formats: PDF (preferred); PostScript; Microsoft Word 6 or Word 97 for PC; Microsoft Word 6 or Word 98 for Mac; WordPerfect 7 or 8; or RTF.
Note: Abstract files MUST include the title, authors, and affiliations, as shown in the templates. This information will NOT be extracted from the electronic submission form.
Download the appropriate template from the list provided. Using the format provided in the template, prepare your abstract for submission. YOU are responsible for the formatting and appearance of your abstract. Figures and tables must be placed in the file and therefore must be in digital format. We recommend that you use image file formats that provide acceptable resolution without being HUGE (for example, don't use a 4-MB TIFF file when a 700-K GIF file will do). Hard-copy line drawings AND photographs can be easily converted to high-quality digital format by using ordinary flatbed scanners and accompanying software. Please contact your systems administrator for assistance if necessary. We STRONGLY encourage authors to limit the size of their file to 4 MB; larger files often lead to technical problems.
Paper Size
If you are submitting a PDF or PostScript file, and normally use A4 paper, you should set up your source file so that the resulting submitted abstract is formatted for U.S. letter size (8.5 by 11 inches).
Fonts
You are urged to use fonts common to Macintosh and PC platforms, i.e., Times, Times New Roman, Helvetica, or Arial for text; Symbol for mathematical symbols and Greek letters.
Running Heads
All templates are set up with a running head for the second page. If you don't replace what's in the template with your REAL running head, the sample text will get published on your second page! (But don't use page numbers.)
Image Previews
If you have embedded EPS files in your abstract, and have included a low-resolution screen preview, please let us know that in the comments box on the abstract submission form. We will then be aware that your image should
actually be at a much higher resolution than what we are actually seeing in your file.
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE
PDF Files
If you have Acrobat Exchange and are able to produce PDF files, please submit in that format. This will give you more control over the quality of your published abstract. Be sure to set your preferences to embed the fonts in the document.
PostScript Files
LaTeX users can download the template and style file provided. The style file is written to use Times New Roman fonts. Instructions for downloading these fonts and installing them on your system are included in the template. If you do not have these fonts, the template will not work.
Asian Authors
We have experienced difficulty in translating files from Word for Asian format. After much testing and trial and error, we have determined that RTF files are the best solution to the problem. Go ahead and download the appropriate template for your machine, but when you're through with your abstract you should save it as an RTF (rich text format) file and submit that version.
Macintosh Systems
The occasional font problems we experience are almost always associated with Word files on a Mac. To avoid this problem, after downloading the template, make sure the text of the template is in Times New Roman, and NOT New York.
Submitting Your Abstract
After you have prepared the file containing your abstract, you are ready to submit it. Your file MUST be on the same machine as your Web browser, and you cannot leave the file open or the data will not transfer successfully. Go to the electronic abstract submission form and follow the instructions. The form should take less than 5 minutes to complete. Once you have completed the form and have clicked on the "Submit to LPI" button, the system will respond with a screen that informs you that your abstract has been successfully submitted and assigns you an abstract number. WRITE DOWN this abstract number and refer to it in any correspondence with us regarding your abstract. If you don't see the confirmation screen within a reasonable amount of time (no more than 10 minutes), or if you have any questions or need further assistance, please phone the LPI at 281-486-2188, -2161, -2195, or -2164, or send an e-mail message to publish@lpi.usra.edu.
NO REVISIONS ACCEPTED! Proof your abstract file VERY carefully before submitting it. We will NOT accept revisions or make corrections to abstracts submitted to this conference. If you submit
duplicate versions
of the same abstract, all versions except the first one will be discarded. If there are any technical problems with the content of your abstract (for example, your file was corrupted), our staff will be desperately trying to contact you immediately, so it is CRITICAL that you provide us with up-to-date contact information on the submission form. If you know that you will not be available to answer possible questions regarding your submission, please give us (in the comments box on the abstract submission form) the name of someone who can (and how we can reach them).
