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Sacred Techs is up!
I am very pleased to announce that the first post and podcast of Sacred Techs are now up! (The podcast is even available via iTunes.) This site is a collaboration between myself and Dr. Robert Cargill. We describe the site as, “posts and podcasts relevant to the study of things ancient using things very modern.”
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.
Please do send us your suggestions so that we can make this site as useful as possible for everyone. @bbib already sent a great one via twitter:
@Targuman @sacredtechs @xkv8r Here’s one. How can Bible software help non-experts evaluate translations as never before? Long term effects?
What is your suggestion?
My QR code!
Not terribly useful given that it will direct you to this site, but kind of cool:
Make your own at QR-Code Generator. Now, for those wondering what this is for, if you have a smart phone there is a free app out there with which you can take a picture of this image and it will redirect you to this website…or give you all my contact info (if I had set it up for that). This has made me think that wouldn’t it be great if SBL put this on their name badges? At PSU when just had an IT conference where we had these on our badges. My brother now has them on his new business cards, makes it easy to get his contact info right into your electronic address book. Here is some basic contact info about me:
Sente Review: Bibliographic software for the Mac & iPad
I am getting (finally) deeper into my research project on Targum Ruth and needing to organize my bibliography and research PDFs. Now while you all know that I am no luddite I will tell you that database software and bibliographic software in particular is my kryptonite. My brain simply locks up when I try and understand how they work and what is going on. Fortunately I have a very patient and hard-working grad assistant who has helped me through this process.
My PSU colleague Chris Long has written about his “Evolving Digital Research Ecosystem” and has long encourage me to consider Zotero and Mendeley. However, see above. Mendeley in particular strikes me as overwrought. Both, however have the benefit of being free. Clearly what I needed to do was to prioritize my needs and consider the options. Like Chris I wanted to close the circle on my digital research process (see my earlier post regarding using the iPad for research) and I think I have found the solution, albeit not a free one.
Criteria for a solution:
- Available on both Mac and iPad
- Store both bibliographic information and associated files (images, PDFs, etc.)
- Allow annotation of PDFs
- Synchronize between Mac and iPad
- Integrate with Nisus Writer Pro, my word processor of choice
More news on the Logos Bible Dictionary
Again, this was forwarded to me by my grad assistant. You may recall the earlier discussion about Logos’ intent to create a new, electronically published Bible dictionary and the questions raised regarding editorial oversight and exploitation of graduate students. The final details have come in.
Thanks for contacting me. Here’s a bit more about the online Bible dictionary:
This Bible dictionary is intended to fill the niche between popular-level and academic resources by providing in-depth articles free from the scholarly jargon that would be confusing for a reader who does not have a background in Biblical Studies. The articles should give an in-depth look at current scholarship in each area, but in a non-technical language. We are looking for writers to contribute articles of about 1000 words in length. We’re offering compensation in Logos Bible Software products. Currently, the final date of submission is January 31st, 2011.
Below my email signature is a list of 1000 word topics that still need entries written. If you are able to write 10 entries for us before the end of January, you’ll earn $200.00 in Logos software products. If you can take on five entries, that will earn you $100.00 in software.
Please let me know if any of these pique your interest.
Sincerely,
What do you think? How many of you graduate students feel this is a fair deal? Are any concerns you had regarding editorial control addressed? Do we need this? (And the related question, doesn’t wikipedia already fill this niche?)
