The Ipad is an invaluable tool for research.
I discovered that for the first time in 2012.
It more than paid for itself in ease during a two-week swing through the South researching a novel.
Here are three ways it made a great difference in my ease of research:
1. Camera.
At the University of Kentucky,, I could handle actual items touched, written, or read by my historical characters. The library allowed me to photograph these marvelous finds.
At UK, I photographed typed transcripts of someone else’s notes. What bliss!
Rather than stand over the copy machine (I also did that) for hours, I found what I wanted and clicked away. I
It worked better when I made a “cage” out of archive boxes to hold steady the Ipad when I clicked the button.
2. The Ipad allows you to display the photos for others
I spent time where in the house where my hero lived as a young man.
The docents had never seen some of the photos before. I pulled them up on the Ipad as they crowded around and crowed.
I had an older photo of a house whose picture hung on the wall.
They brought out their picture and we discussed differences, which led them to remember further stories which will be helpful for my book.
3. I carried research documents with me.
Using both the Kindle and the IBook apps, I had documents pertaining to my characters.
Both apps allowed me to email documents or download actual books. This meant if I needed to check a detail, or make sure if I had a piece of informationt, it was right there at my fingertips.
Access to the Internet meant I could send information and photos to my fellow researchers and get feedback as I worked.
I had a keyboard that linked with my Ipad through Bluetooth. That allowed me to take notes at Louisville’s Filson House.
The Ipad slipped into my bag perfectly and I reviewed everything while flying home.
Easy.
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