Now that the Graduate Research Seminar’s annotated bibliographies are beginning to pile up on my desk I think its about time to update the research wiki. It is still a work in progress, and even needs some new categories (missions, preaching, etc…) and so I am issuing a call for suggestions. Please note that I am looking primarily for reference works. This guide is not intended to be a thorough bibliography of all helpful resources for theological research. Rather, it is primarily a guide to reference materials, so recommend accordingly. Other materials which contain helpful indexes, etc., will also be considered. I need to know:

1. What resources need to be added to bibliographies for existing disciplines? If you can, please provide a brief annotation of why this book is helpful as a reference source, i.e., number and type of indexes, currency, breadth…
2. What other disciplines need to be added to the online guide?
3. What resources need to be added to these other discipline-specific bibliographies?
4. Any other suggestions, recommendations, thoughts, and musings related to the guide.

Please make all recommendations in the comments to this post, or send bibliographies to paul[at]commonplaces.org.

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Research | No Comments »

I’ve made the switch. Have you? This article from Maximum PC may help - it walks you through the process of adding the Linux operating system to your Windows-based computer so that you can boot your computer from either system.

Say goodbye to the dreaded blue screen of death. Say hello to free, open-source Linux. You can do almost everything you want on it. And if you set up a dual-boot system you can also jump back into Windows for those particular applications for which a Linux alternative is not a reality.

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Tech | 2 Comments »

What, they can’t just use the attic? Or rent a POD? According to the BBC:

One of the world’s oldest libraries, at the Vatican, is to close for three years for rebuilding, in an unexpected blow to scholars around the world.

The decision to shut the library was made without warning.

After the library closes for its summer break in mid-July, it will not reopen until September 2010, the Vatican says.

Read the BBC article here. I wonder if this three year lack of access will be the setback to historical and theological research that many fear, or if it will effectually speed the inevitable digitalization of their historic collections (manuscripts, incanabula, etc…). If so, this temporary closure of their collections may have the result of increasing the collections’ accessibility to all of us.

In 2002, PC World reported that the Vatican Library began digitizing 1.6 million volumes “for general perusal” with the help of Hewlett-Packard. I have not seen an update on this project, but perhaps this closure will speed things along.

An incredible library, no doubt.

The Vatican Library
The Vatican Museums
The Vatican Secret Archives
Treasures of the National Library of Vatican City

HT: Clerical Whispers

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Catholicism, Libraries | No Comments »