Any suitable science research-based organization software (mac)?

October 1, 2009 7:14 AM

I am doing research in a Hematology/Oncology genetics lab and I am looking for computer software that can organize my research data (e.g., new project, dates and findings, results, task management) and was created for scientific purposes. I have a macbook (black), OSX10.6, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB ram. I am looking for one that is free or inexpensive (under $150). Any help? Thanks.
posted by jbreyfogle to technology (5 comments total)

Are there any chance of there being legal implications to what's being recorded? I know that can be a factor in choosing that sort of software.
posted by XMLicious at 8:02 AM on October 1

I am using emacs org mode for something like this, although it is not specifically geared to scientific tasks.

Pros:
- Flat text file storage, very versatile for scripting, version control, diff backups, portability etc.
- Flexible, easily amenable to customization.
- Free
- Emacs integration

Possible cons:
- Text-only interface
- Somewhat steep learning curve
- Emacs integration.

I am assuming you can get emacs for macbooks fo any color, right?
posted by Dr Dracator at 8:25 AM on October 1

Clicking on my own link, I have discovered you can indeed get emacs on macs, and in fact there is a specific org-mode package called fink.

Also, there is some sciencey stuff in org mode, in the form of built-in support for LaTex.
posted by Dr Dracator at 9:01 AM on October 1

I'm sot sure that I understand what you mean. When you say (dates and findings) and (results) are you talking about (clinical outcomes, genotypes,lab results) and (analysis)? And you want that in the same application as project overview and task management?
posted by a robot made out of meat at 10:21 AM on October 1

The guys that made Papers have come out with a free lab notebook program. I haven't used it yet, so I don't know if it does everything you want, but it is worth checking out.
posted by jenne at 11:34 AM on October 1