Software | Nerdlets

Add the Westminster Seminary Library to your Browser Search Bar

Books, Research Tools, Software 70 Responses »

Jan 222009

As a follow-up to my Westminster Bookstore Search Plugin I have created a similar plugin for the Westminster Seminary Library, which works in both Firefox and IE7. So now you can search Westminster Seminary’s library right from your browser, and since the site natively supports Zotero, this makes research all that much easier.

Add the Westminster Library to your search bar

Installing

The same instructions for installing the Westminster Bookstore plugin apply here as well. For Firefox and IE, while viewing this post just click on the search engine toolbar in your browser and select “Add the Westminster Library.” For Google Chrome go here and click on “Westminster Library,” which should open a dialog box. Leave everything as is, unless you want to change to the keyword to something simpler (like “wl”), which will allow you to just type the keyword in the URL bar, then tab, then your search. The plugin is also available directly from the Westminster Library site.

Updates

Consider this the official page of this little plugin. Updates will be posted here, so you may want to bookmark this post. Please post any comments, suggestions, or problems in the comments section and I will respond as soon as possible.

If you want to make this search feature even more powerful, follow this guide. There is also a Ubiquity command available.

As a side note, the plugin supports advanced boolean syntax. Typing “stott romans” into your search will return all results with both “stott” and “romans” that occur in any field. By contrast, “a:(stott) romans” will search for any books whose author is “stott” and also have the word “romans” in any other field. Similar results will occur with t:(“title”) or s:(“subject”). For more syntax suggestions, just search the Westminster Library Catalog and pay attention to how it formats your queries.

Update: This plugin is now official. In addition to accessing it here, it is now available from the Westminster Library Catalog.

What Blogging Platforms do Churches Use?

Software, Webapps and Websites No Responses »

Jan 202009

ChurchCrunch has compiled a list of blogging platforms used by the top 60 church blogs. WordPress Wins (of course), but the results are interesting.

Even More Greek Advice

Biblical Greek, Software 3 Responses »

Jan 192009

How many times have you learned Greek? There is something enormously discouraging about spending all that time taking a year’s worth of Greek only to forget it in the course of a summer. Con Campbell has been instructing us how to avoid the forgetfullness that sets in as soon as Greek is over (start here). His latest post contains some wise advice regarding the use of Greek Bible software:

Be slow to move that cursor. The risk of using software is that you can short-cut the learning process, just as you will with an interlinear (see my second post). You need to struggle to remember words and grammar, rather than just get a quick answer (By the way, this need only apply to your ‘Greek reading time’, not every time you use the software). So, if you’re disciplined, go ahead and use the software for your Greek reading. But if you can’t be trusted not to cheat, then close your laptop, and get out a paper Greek New Testament. If you can find one.

Getting More Use out of Firefox’s Search Bar

How to, Software 43 Responses »

Jan 162009

So you’ve installed a bunch of new searches for Firefox, like this one for the Westminster Bookstore, but don’t want to always be switching back and forth between Google and your other favorite searches. Well there is an easy way to automatically switch between searches: Firefox Keywords.

Setting things up is easy. First drop down your search bar dialog (just like you do to install new searches). Click on “Manage Search Engines.” A new dialog pops up. Select the search that you would like to be able to access more quickly, then click “Edit Keyword.” Type in something short and memorable. I typed “wts” for the Westminster Bookstore search and “g” for Google. You can add keywords to as many search engines as you want, they just have to be unique.

Now you’re all set. To activate your desired search, based on these keywords, go to your address bar (that big long bar you type web addresses into). Alt+D is the default shortcut for easily accessing your address bar. Now type in your keyword, space, and your query. Hit return, and watch Firefox do the rest! Neat!

Publish your Zotero Collections Online

Software, Webapps and Websites No Responses »

Jan 152009

Ever wanted to turn you Zotero database, or a portion thereof, into a web page? I have. It would come in very handy for publishing bibliographies for class or even a simple blog post. Well now you can, with a pretty simple plugin called Zotz. Check it out, and don’t miss the screencast.

Using Zotero for Web-page Annotation and Highlighting

Software No Responses »

Jan 132009

In addition to a whole host of great features, you can use Zotero to annotate Web pages that you have saved as snapshots.

Now you can annotate you favorite web pages

Zotero allows you to take a snapshot of any web page for later viewing. If I then view that snapshot (all the files for which are stored on your hard drive, and therefore are in principle modifiable), a little toolbar pops up. The options are primitive, but helpful. I can highlight text or add little sticky-style notes to the page. The toolbar pops up for stored PDFs as well, but the functionality does not seem to work here yet–just web pages for now. Perhaps later releases will add PDF support.

You can download Zotero Sync preview here. Though this is the version I recommend, be careful, it is still pre-Beta. If you want the stable release, go here.

If you have not yet set up Zotero, follow this guide.

Update: Apparently this functionality has been available for awhile now, and I just failed to notice. Ooops. This post has been modified to take that into account.

Bibleworks 8 Available

Software No Responses »

Jan 122009

Bibleworks 8 is now available at the Westminster Bookstore.

For a helpful analysis of what’s new in Bibleworks 8, check out this series of posts.

View All Your Documents on your iPhone

Software No Responses »

Jan 062009

I don’t have an iPhone, but if I did this would be a likely first download. I love access to my documents…

Desperate Times: Reinstalling Windows

Software No Responses »

Dec 192008

One of the real difficulties with Windows (at least versions prior to Vista) is the reinstall problem. After about 2 years or so your computer starts getting too slugish to be productive, and no amount of tweaking, defragmenting, or otherwise coaxing your computer to behave normally seems to help. Or perhaps something else has gone wrong. The bottom line: you need/want to start afresh, but are worried that you might loose something important in the process.

A Great Guide

Well, you’re right to be worried. Installing Windows is not a problem-free procedure. But there are steps you can take to make things easier and safer. Follow this guide for maximum security and minimum headache.

How to Backup your files (which you should be doing anyway)

One thing the guide does not mention (because it assumes you know to do this) is backing up your documents. You should already have a backup of your important files (Pictures, Music, Movies, regular documents, and program files such as your emails or Zotero database, etc.), so hopefully this step is pretty easy—just make sure that this backup is in a location that is not about to be erased when you reinstall Windows (the reinstallation will wipe your c:/ drive).

If you don’t already have a backup of these files, shame on you. You should. Really you should have 2 backup sets: one on an external hard drive, and one remote (that is, in an encrypted server somewhere far far away). As far as the remote backup set is concerned, Mozy Home and Carbonite are both great unlimited-space automated-backup solutions ($5 /month). Windows SkyDrive gives you 25 gb of free space (though you have to manage your files manually). And Dropbox provides 2 gb of free space and has a lot of great features like syncing across multiple computers.

Sync Google Calendar with Desktop Applications

Software, Webapps and Websites No Responses »

Dec 152008

Google Calendar now syncs with Apple’s iCal, Mozilla’s Sunbird, or Thunderbird (with the Lightning extension) without any additional plugins or even all that much work. Follow these instructions.

Google Calendar with one of these applications provides the perfect online/offline solution to scheduling. Individuals and organizations alike can benifit from this.