If this is successful it would be one of the best things to happen to science in decades. It is ridiculous that open scientific collaboration is hindered by paywalls.
The sad fact of the matter is that it probably wouldn't affect scientific collaboration. A large fraction of scientific research is done at universities that generally have subscriptions to these journals (albeit at a relatively large price).
What's more appalling is that you[1], as the taxpayer who funded this research can't see the results. And don't let the companies that oppose the FRPAA flim-flam you: the published papers are the real results of the research, not the progress reports that get filed with the funding agencies. I'm not going to deny that journals add some value, but how much they add and whether subscriptions and one-off $40/article fees are the best way to recoup those values is something about which I'm deeply skeptical.
[1] I'm a grad student at one of those aforementioned universities. It's a hassle for me when I'm not on campus, but not impossible
What's more appalling is that you[1], as the taxpayer who funded this research can't see the results. And don't let the companies that oppose the FRPAA flim-flam you: the published papers are the real results of the research, not the progress reports that get filed with the funding agencies. I'm not going to deny that journals add some value, but how much they add and whether subscriptions and one-off $40/article fees are the best way to recoup those values is something about which I'm deeply skeptical.
[1] I'm a grad student at one of those aforementioned universities. It's a hassle for me when I'm not on campus, but not impossible