The future of PIM: pragmatics and potential

While there are challenges in transferring personal information management (PIM) research into products, PIM research does, over time, filter through into commercial systems, and practical systems often exhibit innovation that can guide future PIM research. This paper uses two approaches to understand some potential future directions for PIM research and practice. First, it deconstructs the term “personal information management” to understand how PIM techniques and tools intersect with other academic areas. Second, it examines a small selection of popular PIM tools to see how they shed light on actual adoption of PIM systems. It uses lessons from these in a more open discussion of potential future developments.