Despite the recognition of electronic journals as an important means of publication, there is, as yet, little migration to this medium. In this paper we review progress in the establishment of a peer-reviewed 'pure' electronic journal, and place it in the setting of the nature of the scientific research paper. In particular, we review the background to the journal, outlining its main features and the way it has been designed to fulfil several roles in extending the scope of e-journals for academic research as a whole. We also suggest developments in which the e-journal may help create a research framework centred around digital data transfer.