iPad as PIM device: Input, interrelation and indexes

This paper presents preliminary results from components of a larger research study which explores the processes and challenges of information workers conducting personal information management (PIM) within offices. Here, we focus on the findings specific to users of iPad-style tablet computers with the Evernote PIM software; data reported was collected using several online questionnaires and semistructured interviews; content analysis and open coding techniques were used to analyse the data. Our results suggest three themes — input, linking and tagging fatigue — that regularly impact users of this software, these themes are not specific to Evernote, and are common to many PIM tools. Our results give insights into the use of software for PIM, generally, and specifically the use of software on iPad-style tablet computers for PIM, and we provide suggestions for future work to improve tools and practices.