T-NET International    Discipling Disciplemakers     January  2003

Introducing Dr. DIMM

(Editors Note: Dr. DIMM the Cyber Saints Clergyman is a pseudonym for a pastor who will be sharing occasional tips for Christian power users.  All we can say about him is that even if you might not want him on your staff or as your pastor, he does know a lot about computers!  Then again he might be your pastor, who knows?)

Before some of you people start feeling really righteous about tossing computers into a bonfire just because so many users abuse them, I need to tell you two things. First, did you know that you can download a free commentary in the brand new Libronix Bible software format? There are several books, including a commentary on James, available in the old Logos format from Auckland, New Zealand and Ages Software has periodic downloads of classic commentaries in their format.  Second, computers don't burn very well, so why not put them to a better use?

First, we begin with the most powerful.  If you haven't tried Libronix software (the latest from Logos) you are in for a surprise.  Logos used to be known for being long on power and short on tempers. So much so, that some bought it and never used it . . . except to be able to say "Yeah, I got that" at pastors' conferences. No longer.  The new version is simple enough that you can be ready to impress your friends (or parishioners/students) after only five minutes of working with the program.

Hampton Keathley (I love that name!) is a software publisher, as well as the creator of http://www.bible.org/, which is teaming with Biblical Studies Materials, as well as being the home of the Net Bible (which you can also download for free).  Hampton has written a commentary on the Minor Prophets which he offers free of charge to help you see how easy it is to download other products he'd really like to sell you.  I don't have much money to spend, but I figured I've got good will power, so I downloaded this and it looks like Hampton's done a real nice job.  Here is the link that will take you to the free book (see below about getting the viewer). http://www.galaxie.com/store/category.asp?CategoryID=16&ParentID=0  (As always, if clicking on a link doesn't take you there, you can cut and paste it into your Internet Browser's address bar.)  I also ended up buying Hampton's Journals CD (so I guess my will power could be better), but that CD is really a huge collection of theology and commentary.

You need the Libronix program to view your free book, but if you have a lot of time, or a fast connection, you can download it from Logos and give it a try.  http://www.logos.com/products/update/libronix.asp

Have you seen any of the Lord of the Rings movies?  Then maybe you, like me, are hoping one of your parishioners decides to have their wedding in New Zealand and wants to fly you out to perform the ceremony.  Well, just take a trip on the web to http://www.logos.co.nz/.  The scenery won't be as spectacular, but you can download a free commentary on James, complete with an earlier version of Logos Bible Study Software.  You'll find "Free Books" under "Specials" on their main menu.  They also have several other free book downloads, some of which are available from the US Logos site as well http://www.logos.com/ebooks/free.asp. The commentary on James looks like it might well be worth looking at. (FYI, older Logos books are upwardly compatible with Libronix.)

Can you have too many commentaries on Revelation?  Maybe, if you are compulsive about reading them all cover-to-cover, but if you want another on your shelf or your hard drive for when you decide you want to refresh your memory on the mark of the beast, well here is one you can download from Ages Software.  It's a classic too!  The Apocalypse  by Joseph Augustus Seiss.    http://www.ageslibrary.com/seiss_apoc.html.

Well, that's it for my allotted space.  If they invite me back . . . maybe next time I can point you to some public domain collections you may or may not know about. 

Back to First Page