With “Sacred Techs” we wanted to bring together information focused upon using technology in the real of biblical and ancient studies. It will be periodically updated, on a monthly basis at the least, with articles and interviews on various topics around this general theme. We are very hopeful that others will be willing to contribute to the site, there are many within the world of online ancient studies who are very (and more) adept in these areas, many who are creating the very technology that we will be reviewing, citing, and discussing. This is particularly true if you use something other than Apple products and MacOS, iOS, or Android software. It is not that we are prejudiced against other platforms, but the reality is that Robert and I both tend to use those products and platforms. If you are interested in contributing please drop us a line or leave a comment!

So welcome to Sacred Techs and stay tuned for what we hope will be a great year. First up on the podcast (see below!) is an introductory discussion and then we will follow up with a few interviews from 2011 SBL. Be sure to let us know whom you would like to hear us interview and what products you would like reviewed or compared.

@Targuman @sacredtechs @xkv8r Here’s one. How can Bible software help non-experts evaluate translations as never before? Long term effects?

 

In terms of music, one year I said that I had stumbled across The Shins and was told that was “old” and that I was way too behind. Oh well. (Still like them, BTW.) I followed the world to Esperanza Spalding and do not regret joining that bandwagon for a minute! If you like jazz, give her a try. (Close runner up: Renaud Garcia-Fons.)

As are as books are concerned, I read a lot this year, but most of it seemed to be strategic plans, thesis proposal forms, and applications. My pick is an oldie but a goodie, made better by the fact that I read it with my 7-year old son. The Hobbit is a classic and I am eager to see the new movie adaptation. But the fact that a novel with no images kept a 6, then 7 year old occupied and captivated speaks volumes in today’s context of iPads and iPods. In non-fiction I will strongly recommend Wrong: Why experts* keep failing us–and how to know when not to trust them *Scientists, finance wizards, doctors, relationship gurus, celebrity CEOs, … consultants, health officials and more by David Freedman. First, there hasn’t been a title like that since 1792. Second, it is a great study in “critical thinking” (and the lack thereof) and perfect for classes, even if it is not terribly penetrating. (I doubt that you will learn anything new, but it is nice to have someone else do the homework for you.)

Finally, I was unable to see many movie in the theatre but Netflix, iTunes, and Comcast have been my friend. I can whole heartedly name Cowboys & Aliens as my top pick. There were some fun animated and “hero” movies this year, but the combination of my two favorite genres (leaving out only spies, and Daniel Craig covers that with his presence) made C&A an easy favorite. Great fun and a nice twist on classic movies, with enough nods to antecedents to keep geeks thoroughly engaged. (Super 8 was a nice runner up for me and is Ed’s pick, but JJ Abrams would you please cut it out with the lens flare already!)

So, those are mine, or at least are a few that come to mind. What are yours? Go let Ed know at Ralph the Sacred River.

 

See you in San Francisco and don’t forget to register your preference of time and location for a biblioblog meet up.

I also want to thank Thomas Verenna for the shout out regarding the upcoming announcement of Sacred Techs on November’s Biblical Studies Carnival: The Undead Edition.

 

Perhaps we should have a new category, “The National BiblioEnquirer” for those who post solely about other stories that inflame, irritate, or otherwise make their undergarments get scrunched into uncomfortable shapes.

Anyone remember Phil. 4:8?

 

"Sun Setting on the Left" (No, it is not a political statement.)

To all those who enjoy the Biblical Studies Carnivals and care what is represented in them I encourage you to go over to Daniel McClellan’s site and post or email him your suggestions. I may send some links, but I won’t be hosting any more carnivals.

I know this topic has come up in the past and I want to emphasize that I am not doing this in a huff or out of anger (although it is out of frustration). In fact, I feel that, for me, the BS Carnival is both more relevant and less useful all at once. When we began, some of us 7+ years ago, there were just a handful of bibliobloggers. Then there were dozens and we needed some way to keep up, a nice summary of what was shaking in the bibliobloggersphere. But now we have hundreds and there is no way to keep up.

The BS Carnival is a helpful, handy collection of links to some of what is going on in the biblioblogging world. But it is not representative. I don’t see how it can be. It is always what the host has read or gathered by suggestions. As we saw last month, when none of the suggestions are from a particular group then it runs the risk of seeming biased. (It is true, there were almost no blog posts on exegetical matters, aside from translational issues. You never want to tick off exegetes.)

So while I will be reading and will link to the monthly carnivals since I do find them useful, I will not be volunteering to host them in the future. Which is also a good thing since it will allow others to host and bring their own perspective and selection to the mix.

The Carnival is dead, long live the Carnival!

 

It doesn’t allow you to “multicast,” that is, post to multiple blogs at once (which BlogPress lets me do from my iPad or iPhone), but it does allow me to quickly change a drop down menu after I save to one blog to change to another. So it should be just a couple of steps.

In the meantime, here is another picture I took recently to make your visit worthwhile. On Saturday, otherwise know as “The Rapture,” I was driving home from a wedding and the sky looked as if it was indeed portending momentous events.

 

You think I need more focus? You mean you don't like rambling posts, comics, and iOS tips?

Well, my site may not be as popular as our reigning #1 Biblioblogger, but I think I have figured out why I fare so poorly in the Alexa rankings. It isn’t that I am blogging far less frequently or that people aren’t interested in what I have to say (well, that could be it, but I resolutely refused to accept it; I reject your reality and substitute my own). Rather it is that Alexa ranks my home domain http://targuman.org rather than the blog URL. See, if they would measure my blog’s actual hits rather than the home page (which is very nice looking, by the way, you really should stop by) then I am sure my ranking would be right up there. Easily up to #48. I am sure of it. Absolutely.

 

OnSwipe describes itself as “a platform that makes it insanely easy for publishers of all sizes to make their content and advertising a beautiful experience on touch-enabled devices via Web browser.” Any blog hosted at WordPress.com is already enabled with the OnSwipe plug-in, and if you host your own WordPress site, you can easily install the plug-in yourself.

via Make Your WordPress Site Tablet-Friendly – ProfHacker – The Chronicle of Higher Education.

UPDATE: Not surprisingly, I am late to this party. It looks as if every WP blog I read today is using this and has been for a while. Still, I like it.

 

Bob Cargill, #1 of the January Top Ten

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I admit that I have not kept up with all the changes with the latest season of “So you think you can blog?” I am pleased and honored however to have been voted into the January 2011 Top 10 Biblioblogs list (and to remain, barely, in the Top 50 as determined by Alexa).

I would love to make it to the top of the Top 10 just to get such a nice portrait!