The Archie server acts as your Review Group's shared drive or database for storing and sharing reviews. To access Archie, you need personal user account, which your Review Group can help set up for you.
When you want to edit a review, you need to check the review out from Archie, edit it, then check it in to Archie again. While a review is checked out to one user, it is not available for check out by any other user, so only one person at a time can make changes to a review. This is an essential part of Archie’s version control system.
Note: You are not forced to use Archie for storing and exchanging reviews. Review files can also be stored locally and exchanged via email or, for example, USB key. However, using Archie has several benefits, including:
Ensuring that edits are always made to the most up-to-date version.
Keeping a record of all previous versions. Your Review Group can compare versions to easily identify all differences between them.
Providing access to all your reviews from any computer with an internet connection.
See also Authoring and editorial phase, Checking in, Checking out, Versions, Working with co-authors