The XID Authoring System allows authors to create their own “smart key” or random access expert system for the identification of any group of species, individuals, or objects, i.e., plants, animals, cars, criminals, etc. The system consists of multi-layered menus in which any attribute can be prioritized and described. The elegant simplicity of the XID System makes it extremely user friendly. It is as useful for the junior high school teacher as for the professional scientist.

As well as creating state-of-the-art identification systems for professional scientists, the XID System provides an excellent vehicle by which to teach classification, taxonomy, logic, and problem solving skills. The authoring system allows students to be involved in the entire process, including selection of subject matter, determination of characters and character states (i.e., color {red, blue, green}), gathering and compiling the data, data entry, error checking, and data correction. Their efforts are strongly reinforced by the final use of the program for the identification of the selected subject matter.

Unlike many of the larger and more cumbersome systems such as DELTA and MEKA, the XID System utilizes state-of-the-art technology. this allows for extreme user friendliness for both the author and end user of the database, as well as maximizing the speed and efficiency of data storage and manipulation. Characteristic terminology and database items may be graphically represented using line drawings or color photos.

In addition, unlike a dichotomous key, which requires a rigid set of steps, the XID System allows the user to randomly select characteristics that are consistent with their specimen and skill level. If the user cannot decide upon a characteristic, they may query the program, which will provide a list of suggestions in order of ease of use, effectiveness, and items remaining.

Applications in which the XID System is being used include the identification of weeds, insects, poisonous plant symptomatology, fishes, rocks and minerals, diseases, etc. The XID System can also be used in applications as diverse as assigning health care benefits, personnel selection, research plot evaluation, or any other application where a relational database is required.

As well as the Authoring System XID also markets the weed identification databases created by co-founder Dr. Richard Old, weed identification specialist for Cooperative Extension Service at Washington State University since 1976.