MedEdPORTAL launched Version 2.0 Repository on April 7, 2009. This dramatic release allows users to download resources directly from the MedEdPORTAL Web site and therefore, serves as a true open-source repository. Within these parameters, MedEdPORTAL has realigned its policies and procedures for the packaging of Web-based submitted content (¿Web-based Resources¿). The rationale for this realignment is based upon a necessity to maintain the integrity of each peer-reviewed publication. In addition, MedEdPORTAL ensures that all content within its repository will always be available through MedEdPORTAL for free even if the author or institution removes or shuts down the submitted Web-based Resource or decides to charge a fee for access to the Web-based Resource at a later date or time. From this point forward, Web-based Resource will only be accepted under one of the following four conditions:

Condition #1: If Web-based Resources are postings of content (Word/PDF/PowerPoint documents), then it is required that the authors package and upload all the various resource files during the submission process as opposed to only submitting the link to the website where the content is hosted. This allows MedEdPORTAL to host the complete resource on its servers in perpetuity after publication. This does not preclude authors from maintaining the Web site on their own servers after publication and even updating the content on their own servers. If this cannot be accomplished, please refer to the next condition.

Condition #2: Web-based Resources which are not posted within the aforementioned framework must then have the ability to be stripped and/or broken down and packaged on a compact disc (CD) with the goal of eventually publishing and hosting the final approved version on MedEdPORTAL servers. This does not preclude authors from maintaining the Web-based Resource on their own servers after publication. If the submitted Web-based Resource cannot be packaged onto CD, authors are then encouraged to extract all the content from the Resource and incorporate into files (formats listed in Condition 1) for dissemination. If this also cannot be accomplished, please refer to the third condition.

Condition #3: If the Web-based Resource cannot be packaged or extracted into documents then the author will need to provide computer-screen snapshots of each individual page that compiles the entire Web-based Resource. If the Web-based Resource has multiple pages and further branching, the author must also provide a mapping of how the Web-based Resource is to be reassembled at a later date by MedEdPORTAL staff. This does not preclude authors from maintaining the Web-based Resource on their own servers after publication. If this also cannot be accomplished, please refer to the last condition.

Condition #4: If the Web-based Resource is an executable program or requires a proprietary hosting environment that cannot be supported on MedEdPORTAL servers then the last option is to pursue a contractual agreement between the hosting institution and the AAMC/MedEdPORTAL that legally obligates the hosting institution to ensure the published Web-based Resource will be open and available for free in perpetuity to all MedEdPORTAL subscribers. The contractual agreement will also stipulate that the hosting institution must provide MedEdPORTAL with a packaged version of the Web-based Resource (regardless of the cost to the institution) in the event the institution no longer plans to host the published Web-based Resource.

If none of the above mentioned conditions can be met, then the Web-based Resource is not in an acceptable format for publication through MedEdPORTAL's open-source repository.