More About Bibles in Church
Was just sent note of of a post at the ESV Blog where they mentioned the increasing ability to either access online Bibles or stored Bibles on one's PDA or other mobile device.
One of the problems though, something that myself and the person that sent this note agree on is that while the software is there for us to have Bibles on our mobile devices, the software is not yet at the point of being able to completly replace the paper experience. Whether that is because of seeing more on a page, or the ability to annotate verses the way that mimics how we think (rather than how programs think we think), software still has a way to go.
That being said, in some recent conversation with the folks at eBible, they did mention that some updates are coming down the pipe for their mobile version, and so I wonder if thoughts such as these will be taken into consideration by them or other Bible software makers.
posted via Mo:Blog
Was just sent note of of a post at the ESV Blog where they mentioned the increasing ability to either access online Bibles or stored Bibles on one's PDA or other mobile device.
One of the problems though, something that myself and the person that sent this note agree on is that while the software is there for us to have Bibles on our mobile devices, the software is not yet at the point of being able to completly replace the paper experience. Whether that is because of seeing more on a page, or the ability to annotate verses the way that mimics how we think (rather than how programs think we think), software still has a way to go.
That being said, in some recent conversation with the folks at eBible, they did mention that some updates are coming down the pipe for their mobile version, and so I wonder if thoughts such as these will be taken into consideration by them or other Bible software makers.
posted via Mo:Blog
posted by Antoine @ 3/21/2007 12:22:00 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I guess my question would be, why does electronic have to "replace" paper, as if they were in competition? It's not a paper vs. electronic world out there. There are some things that Electronic excels at, and others that paper excels at. I often have both my paper Bible out, and Bible+ on my Palm. On my Palm, I have the benefit of quickly accessing passages, the ability to have two languages at once--English and Polish--or two in one language, or even a commentary. Also, I can quickly look up the original language roots. With my Paper Bible, however, I often find it easier to flip back and forth between two passages, as well as the visual cues for finding verses on a page once I get to a passage. For instance, in my Study through John, I knew where ch. 15 begins on the page, and can quickly find it. Plus, as you mentioned, the larger "real estate" makes quick scanning much easier than on the Palm. Add to it, the benefit of "scratching" notes in the margins--something I doubt electronic will ever excel at, and paper's timeless benefits remain--not to downplay the benefits of electronic either!
I think that, as the electronic medium for reading "matures" one side effect will be that it will both find, and be comfortable in its position, and not "feel a need" to assert itself in our lives. Of course, by that I mean that we users will learn where electronic excels, and paper excels, and paper will regain some of its lost status. I believe we are already seeing this in the "return to paper planner movement" exemplified in the "hipster pda" (3x5 index cards held together by a binder clip, ring or gum band) crowd. Some call it a lash back against digital personal assistants, but I think it's more what I suggested above--electronic finding its "comfort zone" in the world. This is a good thing, and I also suspect that, now that this self-leveling is occuring, electronic will now be able to slowly mature and fill an ever larger role, but never truly replacing paper.**
-Jon
**Strangely enough, it turns out that in places that have tried to create a "paperless" office, have found themselves swamped in more paper than ever, as everybody prints out documents that were electronic... rather weird, but true.
Personally, I use an electronic Bible for church and Bible studies. I don't miss a paper at all in those situations. However, I found that I prefer paper Bibles and devotionals during my quite times. I think the main reason is that I get too distracted during quite times with technology and lose focus on God.
I see what you mean there John. There is a balance that can be had between paper and electronic devices. That should be sought out individually as we have different needs.
I guess that it is that I let my want for seemless electronics get in the way of seeing that balance at times. Granted, for all but a few items, I (personally) have gone paperless. Its easier and harder at the same time. Maturing software will most definitely help there.
"Strangely enough, it turns out that in places that have tried to create a "paperless" office, have found themselves swamped in more paper than ever, as everybody prints out documents that were electronic... rather weird, but true."
This is true, and a lot of that was because of poor planning and implementation. Not just the too hard push of electronics.
http://forum.brighthand.com/showthread.php?t=236332&highlight=at+a+crossroads
Sorry, A....hope you can make that link work. It's a link to a thread I began over at Brighthand a while ago that I think might help this discussion about replacing paper with plastic as it were.
db :)
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