DoingAcademicResearch

The Newton makes the perfect tool for doing academic research with a few simple add-ons.

Matthew Reidsma's Process

The Add-on Applications:

• CardMedia - A collection of Names extensions that allow you to catalog Books, Articles, or other media in the Names application. (Available at your local UNNA.
• MoreInfo - This application by SilverWARE seamlessly integrates with the Newton's built-in Names, Dates, ToDoList, Calls, InOutBox, NotePad (including voice recording stationary) and add-ons like NewtonWorks to provide extraordinary linking capabilities that transform the Newton into a full integrated information management system. (Commercial, Download Free Trial $80 and worth every penny.)

The Process:

I create new Book or Article cards in CardMedia when I encounter a reference I am interested in pursuing. I then tap the routing icon, and select "link to." (This is where MoreInfo comes in). I link the new Book or Article record to my next scheduled library visit in Dates. When I arrive at the library, the linked Book and Article cards tell me what items I need to retrieve. My university library almost always has the material that I need, but if not, I'll request it through Interlibrary Loan and then link the Book or Article card to the next library visit I schedule.

As I examine each source, I create a new linked note from each Book or Article card using MoreInfo. I write any citations or notes in the NotePad, and they are linked both to and from the bibliographic citation.

To find citations by "keyword," I use either the built-in Find or Assist functions. I make heaby use of the Assist function for all of my Newton-related activities, and so it is natural for me to use it to find things. If I want to find everything containing the word "padua," I tap Assist and either select "Look for" from the drop-down menu or write "find padua." I can select to search everywhere on the Newton, including Calls, To-Dos, Notes, Works documents, Dates, or I can select only certain places to search. For research, I usually limit my search to the NotePad and NewtonWorks.

I transfer my notes from the Newton to my PowerBook via BluetoothOBEX. In OS X it is also possible to move notes to the desktop using Glass Onion Software's NotePad plugin for NewtSync or SimonBell's new Cocoa NCU replacement, NCX.

I generally compose longer pieces on my PowerBook, but will occasionally compose a document in pieces in the NotePad and then combine them into a larger, formatted document in NewtonWorks using WorksBetter by StandAlone. Jonathan Dueck also wrote an excellent page on ScholarlyWriting with the Newton and OSX running Bookends 9 and Nisus Writer.

Other applications that can be helpful for the researcher:

• VoiceNotes - quickly read out that citation when your hand is sick of writing, and organize it as well.
• HyperNewt - Allows you to organize your notes in a more intuitive interface.
• NewtNotes - An EndNote interface for the Newt. No longer developed, but technically still supported, this software is really expensive. Unsure if it talks with newer versions of EndNote.

External Sites about the Newton and Research:

• The Post-Graduate Newton - One man's experience with his brand-new MP2000 while earning his PhD. (circa 1998).