:: System summary ::

iPad is a general system for creating structured documents and storing them in a database. Structuring documents means organizing (or labeling) the information within them. This technique for information management was only recently made accessible to non-programmers and has been rapidly gaining popularity (1). Unlike forms, labeling does not interfere with the natural flow of a document and can allow full flexibility in how a document is created. At the same time, it offers many new ways to organize, manage, and use the vast amounts of information stored within documents. Due to its flexible architecture, the system can be easily adopted to organize information in a variety of fields and applications.

Specifically, iPad is being adopted for managing project reports, research notes, and research resources (e.g., materials, protocols, etc.) at Institut Pasteur. The main advantages and disadvantages of using iPad for these purposes are outlined below (although there are many more less obvious benefits as well).