Instead of recording information on paper, the sketches, text, equations, images, graphs, signatures, and other data are recorded on electronic notebook pages, which can be read and navigated just like in a paper notebook. Data can be input from keyboards, sketchpads, image files, microphones, and directly from scientific instruments. Collaborators in different geographic locations can share the record of ideas, data, and events of joint experiments and research programs.
Users can read and write to the notebook using an ordinary Web browser.
Current users of the DOE Electronic Notebook include companies such as DuPont, Chevron, and Mitsubishi and medical centers like St. Jude and Harvard. The present version of the copyrighted electronic notebook software is distributed under an open source license similar to that used by Linux. Geist's team is busy designing the next major version of the electronic notebook using XML for easier integration with scientific instruments and other input devices. Al Geist, Senior Research Staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6367. Help us provide you with what you need.