DCS+-+Tools+for+labs

When taking notes it is often easier to work with an existing document. [|Skim for osx] is a simple tool for annotating pdfs.
 * Annotating pdfs**

[|Chemix] is very easy to use and can be used for drawing apparatus setup for lab reports. It's an online java app and doesn't need to be installed.
 * Drawing diagrams**

Make more use of your macbook in labs you may already use excel to collect raw data, but what about time? It's in very common usage in labs. This fully featured stopwatch app allows you to set interval alarms and countdown timers. Simple and very effective:
 * Timing tools**

Apimac timer (click the logo to visit Apimac and download the application)

An online alternative is [|Online Stopwatch], a simple online flash based stopwatch and countdown timer. It is not as well featured, but is very easy to use.

For the iPhone consider [|lab timer] or the similarly named [|lab timer] for Android smart phones.

If you need to do any kind of random sampling a random number generator can be very useful. [|Random.org] is a useful easy website which can help facilitate this process.
 * Random numbers**

//(if you have your own apps that work well for you please email me so I can post so they can be shared with others)//

Particularly useful in photosynthesis experiments are tools that give lux readings. Lux meter for the iPhone can do so when you choose to display 'extra info'. [|Lux meter] and [|Light Meter] for android is more straightforward, but both are good at recording light levels.
 * Light**

Controlling sound is important in many labs, particularly when studying people and behaviour. [|Decibel 10] enables you to monitor sound levels with your iPhone as does [|Sound Meter] (another two options [|Sound Meter] and [|Noise Meter]) for Android.
 * Sound**

Whether it's bubble generation during photosynthesis or tallying cells to measure population density it's easy to lose count. [|Click counter] for Android or the similarly named [|click counter] for iPhone is easy to use and works well.
 * Counting**