A method and system for enabling multiple users from different physical
locations to access, observe, control and manipulate physical processes
and devices over a computer network such as the Internet is disclosed. A
user may visually monitor the physical set up and state of an experiment
or environment by receiving live video and data, as well as directly
control instrumentation while receiving live feedback regarding the input
commands. Measurement data may be collected into a database and
computational analysis can be generated and displayed as a physical
process is being performed. An online interactive laboratory notebook is
also provided that manages items such as collected data, laboratory
parameters, "to do" lists, personal notes, etc.