Posts Tagged technology

The Complete JPS Audio Bible is Finally Here!

Posted by Jillian in Jewish Innovation on March 9, 2010

The JPS Tanakh is considered the authoritative translation of the Jewish Bible and is certainly the most widely read English edition.  That said, we’ve always known we wanted to make our Bible available to everyone, in any format that a person would want to use. Thus came the idea for an audio version and the Jewish Braille Institute (JBI) was the clear partner for collaboration. After 12 months of recording the 2,000 pages of the Tanakh into 60 hours of audio using 13 narrators, the Audio Bible is finally here! Last October we gave readers a sneak peek with our free weekly Torah portion (widget-version below), but now readers have the option to purchase the entire TANAKH, only the Torah, The Five Megilloth and Jonah, or any of the other 36 books of the Bible.

The JPS Tanakh: The Jewish Bible, audio version even makes it easy for you to bring the text wherever you go, and whenever you want. Offered in both MP3 and iTunes download formats you can listen on your iPod or MP3 Player on the road or anywhere on the go.

To celebrate the release of this landmark project, we are offering a special introductory offer – purchase the download of our audio version of the complete JPS Tanakh or Torah and we will send you our Torah eBook FREE of charge!

We could keep going on about how excited we are about this audio Bible, but our Interim Director, Carol Hupping, sums it up best in this recent Q & A session.

Q: How did the Jewish Braille Institute (JBI) and The Jewish Publication Society (JPS) come to partner on the JPS Tanakh: The Jewish Bible, audio version?

A: JPS had wanted an audio version of its Bible for years, but we knew that producing it would be very expensive. We’re talking about 2,000 book pages, about 60 hours of listening time. We had gotten a bid from a commercial audio book producer, but it was much more than we could afford. Then we recalled conversations we’d had with JBI a few years back about publishing a large-print Bible and remembered that they also produced audio books. We asked if they would be interested in collaborating on the project. Indeed they were.

Q: How does this project fit into the new direction JPS is taking?

A: For the last 120 years, JPS has been primarily a publisher of print books. But that’s changing now, because the Internet and handheld devices like smart phones and ebook readers have changed the way people access and use information, and the way many people read books. So, in addition to print, we’re now offering ebooks and also audio, starting with this audio version of the JPS Tanakh, directly through our website and via many other distributors. We want to reach as many people, in as many ways, as possible.

Click here to read the rest of the interview with Carol, as well as a Q & A with JBI President and CEO Ellen Isler and several of the Audio Bible narrators [73K PDF]. Feel free to link to the complete Q&A or to excerpt from it, if you wish.

Also, for more information about the JPS Audio Bible go to http://jewishpub.org/books/audiobible/about-bible.php.

, , , , , , , ,

No Comments

Create Your Own Prayer Service

Posted by Jillian in Jewish Innovation on February 22, 2010

www.flickr.com/photos/rbarenblat

Back when I was a member of BBYO, I was frequently in charge of putting together and leading services. It wasn’t an easy task. When you get a bunch of Jewish teenagers together on the weekend, praying is usually the last thing they want to do. Not only that, but when you’re dealing with Jews from a variety of Jewish educational backgrounds, it can be hard to create a service that everyone is comfortable with. I would make photocopies of common prayers, their English translation, and their transliteration then paste them all together to make one comprehensive prayer packet. We were always trying to spice up services with themes and quotes to make them more fun, only that required more cutting and pasting for each new service.

 Now thanks to BBYO International, there is now a website called Build a Prayer dedicated to creating your own prayer service. There, you can choose which service you would like to plan (Friday Evening, Saturday Morning, Saturday Evening, or Blessing After Meal), which type of service you would like (Traditional, Pluralistic, or Custom), which languages you would like to choose (English, Hebrew, and Transliteration), and which template you want. From there you can select which prayers you want to include and add your own commentary, images, audio, video, etc to personalize your service. With this site, you can now quickly make a custom prayer service for any occasion. It also allows you to browse through services created by other users and to learn more about the purpose for each prayer. For an online tutorial, BBYO has even included this online tutorial:

Don’t be fooled! Just because this site is sponsored by BBYO, doesn’t mean it is just for teens. I encourage you to check it out and play around to create your own personalized and meaningful service!

Let us know in the comments section what other online Jewish educational tools you’ve found helpful.

-Jill

, ,

2 Comments

Delayed E-Book Releases – Smart or Annoying?

Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Publishing on January 5, 2010

No one can deny it. The e-book is here and it’s here to stay. Whether you’re for or against the e-reader doesn’t change the heart of the matter. The question now is how will the publishing industry adapt to the advent of such a new and exciting technology?

Many are concerned that as devices like Kindle, Nook, and the Sony Reader continue to take over the reading world, printed books will cease to exist. A very scary thought.

So, what is the publishing industry to do?

Well, if you’re Simon & Schuster, you’ve already thought of a solution. The question is, is it the right one? In an effort to address new technologies while continuing to sell printed materials, Simon & Schuster has decided to delay the sale of their publications’ e-books, only making them available four months after the initial hardcover release. And, they’re not the only ones, with companies like HarperCollins and Hachette Book Group following suit.

So, is this an ingenious plan or a childish antic?

Some believe that this makes sense. Wait a few months, let the printed version sell, and then release the e-book for those who desperately want it for their electronic devices. That way, everyone wins. As Simon & Schuster spokesman Adam Rothberg states,

We understand that there is an urge with digital media to have it more, faster, now. We’re trying to hit upon a happy medium.

But, some don’t agree. They argue that waiting to release an e-book version doesn’t cater to what the public wants most. Instead, these people believe that publishers are sticking to an antiquated system of scheduled releases (hardcover first, paperback second, etc) that doesn’t fit with the public’s desire. And, after all, aren’t the customers’ needs supposed to be priority #1?

Whether you agree with the publishers’ plan or not, be prepared to wait a little while for the e-book version of some of 2010’s exciting new releases. And remember, it’s not so bad. Reading print books is still an experience all its own!

-Sarah

, , , , , , , , , ,

4 Comments

Easy-to-Keep New Year’s Resolutions!

Posted by Sarah in JPS Books, Publishing, Uncategorized on December 29, 2009

New Year’s – one of those really big flashy holidays where everything glitters. Literally. People sit around with bubbly champagne, crazy hats, and a list of things they plan to do differently in the coming year.

That’s right, the infamous list of New Year’s resolutions. The things each person wants to change, but rarely does. So, maybe it’s time to find some New Year’s resolutions that you can easily accomplish! Need some help? Here are some easy resolutions just for you, from JPS:

1. Read a book that you’d never think to read – Ever get too caught up in the things you know you like and forget about trying something new? The New Year is a perfect time to branch out and read a book that is totally out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s a New York Times bestseller, a used out-of-print novel, or a JPS title , I can guarantee you that the books you may be least likely to read are sometimes the ones that surprise you most. So, take a chance!

2. Comment on a blog – whether you’re a fan or not, blogs are here to stay (woohoo!), so you might as well take part in the action! Bloggers, myself included, love to hear what readers have to say. I mean, after all, it IS an interactive community, meaning we thrive off comments and discussion. Even if you disagree with what’s being said, tell us! It spices up the conversation.

3. Try an e-book – Yes, I know I’ve made it clear that I’m not entirely sold on e-readers and e-books, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see what they’re like! Got an iPod touch? Or a friend with a Kindle? If so, take some time to check out a device, and then let us know what you think! We’re always interested in hearing more about the print vs. e-book debate.

Try out these simple resolutions, and start out the New Year on a high.  Good luck!

-Sarah

, , , , , , ,

No Comments

Audio Bible is now Widgetized!

Posted by Sarah in JPS Books, Jewish Books, Jewish Innovation, Jewish Knowledge on December 8, 2009

Probably one of the greatest parts of the latest revamp of the JPS website has to be the audio Bible. Have you had a chance to check it out? If not, you should definitely take a look.

Or, maybe you’ve experienced the weekly audio portions and have been dying to share it with others! If you’ve been wishing you could put the audio Bible on your site, today is your lucky day!

Why? Because the audio Bible has officially been “widgetized”! Just copy the code below and embed the audio Bible in your site, sharing it with all your browsers.

Here’s what the result will look like:

The best part? It updates itself! Each week, the audio segment will automatically change to reflect the correct Torah portion for the week, making your life that much easier!

Enjoy!

-Sarah

, , , , , ,

1 Comment

The Apple Tablet – Amazing? Or Another Nail in the Coffin?

Posted by Sarah in Publishing, Uncategorized on December 1, 2009

I should start off by being completely honest. I’m a Mac. I’ve only ever owned Apple computers and iPods, and that’s the way I like it. So, as the rumors of the Apple Tablet continue to swirl through the technology realm, one must assume that if true, I will be an immediate fan. The thing is, I’m not so sure. Of everything I’ve read, the Tablet really just seems like a bigger iPod Touch.

apple_tabletWhich makes me wonder. What’s the point?

As an iPod Touch owner, I’m very satisfied with what I have, so why would I switch to something larger?

It seems that the answer lies in the explosion of e-reading devices. Assumedly, Apple is creating a bigger screen to making reading easier. So, now we get to my dilemma. I love Apple, but I’m not sold on e-readers. I like print books – the feel of paper and the idea of holding something tangible. And the battle between print and digital media rages on. Will the Tablet be just another reason for people to shift from print books to e-materials?  Who knows? For now though, no worries.  Apple hasn’t officially announced the Tablet yet, which gives me more time to figure out whether I’ll want one.

One thing’s for sure, it’s bound to be cool.

-Sarah

, , ,

1 Comment

Become Your Own Book Critic

Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Publishing on October 22, 2009

Imagine it. A place where social networking combines with books – creating one of the largest communal book groups in existence. When I heard that such a place existed, I was so excited. What better combination could there be bookstacksfor someone like me, who works with social media and books everyday? My only disappointment is that it took me almost three years to discover this place. So, for all of you out there who have yet to stumble upon this site and hear about it from friends, allow me to invite you into the world of Goodreads!

It all started a week or so ago when a friend of mine insisted that I join. When I asked her what it was all about, she told me about how members can indicate which books they are reading and have read in the past, and then review/rate their selections. The site includes millions of books for readers to rate, and even allows individuals to add books that the site may have missed. How cool is this?! You can make an entirely virtual library and share with other the greatest books you’ve ever read, along with the greatest duds. Delve into this site, and you’ll find books spanning numerous genres, allowing you to experience any type of writing you want!

goodreads

Here’s the best part. You can find JPS books on Goodreads!

Have you been dying for a way to share with people your favorite JPS books? Or, maybe you wish you could’ve reviewed a JPS book, but you had no way of doing so. Well, now you do! Not to mention, we love seeing how the public feels about our books, so take this opportunity to share your opinions with us and the rest of the reading community. And, of course, relish in the chance to connect with others through similar reading interests! There’s nothing more exciting than finding someone who loves the same books you do.

Have fun!

-Sarah

, , , , , , , ,

3 Comments

Is the E-Book Good for the Jews?

Posted by Sarah in Publishing on September 22, 2009

“I read books every day. On the subway, at home and at my local library, where I know the librarians and keep track of the shelves they restock.

logo

Source: http://www.newvoices.org

But my love of books may be going out of style. This year Amazon released the second generation of the Kindle, software that allows readers to access hundreds of books from a handheld digital device. According to Amazon’s website, the Kindle “reads like real paper,” is “lighter than a typical paperback” and can even read text out loud. The Kindle Store sells over 320,000 books and Apple has introduced a Kindle application in the iPhone App Store.

So nu, is it good for the Jews?”

To read the entire article, visit New Voices and see what JPS’s resident social media guru, Alx Block, has to say on the topic.

-Sarah

, , , , ,

1 Comment

The Book of Life Podcast: Why be Social?

Posted by Alx in JPS Books, Jewish Books, Jewish Innovation, Jewish Knowledge on August 20, 2009

Heidi Estrin who produces the Book of Life Podcast has outdone herself. She has put together a four-part series of podcasts called Why be Social? that pretty much sums up Social Media.  The concept was born from a session given at the AJL convention in Chicago by Mark Blevis.  Below is the series in its entirety.  Enjoy!

-Alx

Why Be Social? Part 1, Philosophy

SHOW NOTES:

Why Be Social? To add a Jewish point of view to the social media landscape!

At the Association of Jewish Libraries 2009 convention in Chicago this summer, podcaster Mark Blevis led a session on Social Media that opened the floodgates of people’s curiosity. Convention attendees wanted to learn more about social media: what it is, what it means to participate, and how to get started. As a continuation of that conversation, The Book of Life is offering a series of podcast episodes called “Why Be Social?”

Part 1 in the Why Be Social series considers the philosophical aspects of technology in our lives. The wide-ranging conversation was held during breakfast at the Association of Jewish Libraries 2009 convention, the morning after the social media convention session.

AUDIO:

Click the play button on our traditional flash player to listen to the podcast now:

Or click MP3 File to start your computer’s media player.

EMBED:

If you’d like to place this audio on your own web site, please use this stand-alone player from Entertonement. Click the embed button and copy the code!
Blank

VIDEO:

This very funny video (in Norwegian! but with English subtitles) reminds us of how difficult an unfamiliar technology can seem at first, and how simple it can turn out to be. Thanks to Mark Blevis for the link – he showed this video as an ice-breaker during his social media session at the AJL convention.

CREDITS:

Produced by: Feldman Children’s Library at Congregation B’nai Israel
Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries
Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band
Facebook fan page: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast
Twitter: @bookoflifepod

Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com!

Why Be Social? Part 2, Definitions

SHOW NOTES:

Why Be Social? To add a Jewish point of view to the social media landscape!

At the Association of Jewish Libraries 2009 convention in Chicago this summer, podcaster Mark Blevis led a session on Social Media that opened the floodgates of people’s curiosity. Convention attendees wanted to learn more about social media: what it is, what it means to participate, and how to get started. As a continuation of that conversation, The Book of Life is offering a series of podcast episodes called “Why Be Social?” Click here for Part 1.

This is Why Be Social, Part 2. The morning after the social media session at the convention, I conducted some quick “man on the street” interviews, asking people for their own definitions of blogging and podcasting. Every single person had a good answer!

AUDIO:

Click the play button on our traditional flash player to listen to the podcast now:

Or click MP3 File to start your computer’s media player.

EMBED:

If you’d like to place this audio on your own web site, please use this stand-alone player from Entertonement. Click the embed button and copy the code!
Blank

VIDEO:

Here are two videos from Common Craft that give additional definitions of blogging and podcasting: “Blogs in Plain English” and “Podcasting in Plain English.”


CREDITS:

Produced by: Feldman Children’s Library at Congregation B’nai Israel
Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries
Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band
Facebook fan page: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast
Twitter: @bookoflifepod

Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com!

Why Be Social? Part 3, Suggestions

SHOW NOTES:

Why Be Social? To add a Jewish point of view to the social media landscape!

At the Association of Jewish Libraries 2009 convention in Chicago this summer, podcaster Mark Blevis led a session on Social Media that opened the floodgates of people’s curiosity. Convention attendees wanted to learn more about social media: what it is, what it means to participate, and how to get started. As a continuation of that conversation, The Book of Life is offering a series of podcast episodes called “Why Be Social?” Here’s Part 1 and Part 2.

This is Why Be Social, Part 3. I hope the earlier episodes in this series have gotten you interested checking out some real live blogs and podcasts. There are zillions of blog and podcast websites online, so where do you get started? Here with some suggestions of blogs and podcasts relating to Jewish literature is Alx Block, Online Sales and Marketing Manager for the Jewish Publication Society. Scroll down for links to those suggestions, and to a list of blogs and other social media sites that are read by, and sometimes created by, individual members of the Association of Jewish Libraries. Have fun checking them out!

AUDIO:

Click the play button on our traditional flash player to listen to the podcast now:

Or click MP3 File to start your computer’s media player.

EMBED:

If you’d like to place this audio on your own web site, please use this stand-alone player from Entertonement. Click the embed button and copy the code!
Blank


Here are links to the blogs and podcasts we talk about in this episode (in order discussed):



Social media recommendations by Association of Jewish Libraries members:

Barbara Bibel says: I like Karen Schneider’s blog, “Free Range Librarian.” I also like the blogs that Booklist Online has. I contribute to one of them, “Points of Reference.”

Ezra Chwat suggests: Giluy Milta B’’alma
In this blog, we present primary publications, or announcements of new and interesting findings, in Hebrew manuscripts. Often, significant discoveries are not on the scale of a full-size periodical article, but are nonetheless worthy of knowing about. This department is also a good place to announce preliminary findings, in order to arouse discussion and input of fellow scholars, before the final and complete publication. Your short article, or announcement (subject to the discretion of the editors) will be posted on our blog and will be stored in the blogs retrievable archive, as well as in a hardcopy archive. The archive which will be stored in the stacks of the National Library of Israel, and each accepted post will be allotted a serial number for bibliographic citation (this post is numbered GMB0001). Post your discoveries, findings, and previews in a short article (3 printed pages or less), at giluy.milta@gmail.com.

Marie Cloutier says: I blog about books (Jewish and non-) at www.bostonbibliophile.com. I also blog about crafts at crafthour.blogspot.com, for Temple Israel at tisraelbostonsummerinthecity.blogspot.com (say that 3x fast) and Hello Kitty collecting at hellokittyboston.blogspot.com. I’m active on Twitter (@bostonbibliophl), LibraryThing, Delicious and other applications. I used to listen to a lot of podcasts but have tapered that off substantially and now listen to Book of Life and Books on the Nightstand.

Heidi Estrin (me): I host The Book of Life podcast and blog, and I helped AJL establish its blog and podcast. I also blog for AJL’s South Florida chapter at www.sfajl.org, and occassionally for the Sydney Taylor Book Award at sydneytaylorbookaward.blogspot.com.

I love to listen to these great podcasts:


And a few of the blogs that I read are:

Val Morehouse says: My personal blog called HoopDance [poetry, books, podcasts, etc.] is at www.valmorehouse.com.

Linda Silver is the force behind the Jewish Values Finder database at www.ajljewishvalues.org. She says: I read many political blogs, esp. those having to do with Israel. I read some book-related stuff, such as the (mostly trivial) newsletters from SLJ, Kirkus, and PW that appear among my email messages.

Karen Ulric gave us two whole lists:

Library Blogs
• AssortedStuff
• Gargoyles loose in the library
• Google Librarian Central
• Google Librarian Newsletter Google Group
• Killin’ time being lazy
• Librarians’ Internet Index: New This Week
• Library Garden
• Library of Congress Blog
• Library of Congress: News
• NPR Blogs: As A Matter Of Fact
• People of the Books
• The Shifted Librarian

Literature Blogs
• A Fuse #8 Production
• Brooklyn Arden
• educating alice
• Hennepin County Library – Bookspace Blog
• Judge a Book by its Cover
• Muller In the Middle
• NPR Topics: Books
• Saints and Spinners
• The Longstockings
• Ypulse: Media for the Next Generation

Jane Zande says: Besides The Book of Life and the AJL blog, I regularly read Marie Cloutier’s blog, The Boston Bibliophile. A part of her blog is just for Jewish books:
http://www.bostonbibliophile.com/search/label/jewish%20interest.

CREDITS:

Produced by: Feldman Children’s Library at Congregation B’nai Israel
Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries
Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band
Facebook fan page: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast
Twitter: @bookoflifepod

Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com!

Why Be Social? Part 4, Create-Consume-Contribute

Why be social? To add a Jewish point of view to the social media landscape!

At the Association of Jewish Libraries 2009 convention in Chicago this summer, podcaster Mark Blevis led a session on Social Media that opened the floodgates of people’s curiosity. Convention attendees wanted to learn more about social media: what it is, what it means to participate, and how to get started. As a continuation of that conversation, The Book of Life is offering a series of podcast episodes called “Why Be Social?” Here are the earlier segments: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

This is Why Be Social, Part 4. In this episode, blogger and podcaster Mark Blevis, the one who started this entire conversation, joins Heidi to talk about what it means to participate in life online. Scroll down for links to Mark’s many online projects and for links to some non-Jewish social media sources I want you to know about (you’ll hear why on the show).

AUDIO:

Click the play button on our traditional flash player to listen to the podcast now:

Or click MP3 File to start your computer’s media player.

EMBED:

If you’d like to place this audio on your own web site, please use this stand-alone player from Entertonement. Click the embed button and copy the code!
Blank

RELATED LINKS:

Mark Blevis’s online projects:

Non-Jewish social media sites worth your participation:

CREDITS:

Produced by: Feldman Children’s Library at Congregation B’nai Israel
Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries
Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band
Facebook fan page: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast
Twitter: @bookoflifepod

Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com!

Why Be Social? The Whole Megillah

Our “Why Be Social?” series was posted in four parts. Here, for your convenience, are all four episodes together in a single player.


Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones!

, , , ,

1 Comment

Traditional Book vs. eBook Smackdown: The “Which is More Equal?” Edition

Posted by Naomi in Publishing on August 4, 2009

flashlightcolorRemember the whole hulaballoo about three weeks back, when Amazon.com remotely deleted editions of George Orwell’s Animal Farm and 1984 from the Kindle devices of customer who had already purchased them?  When Amazon discovered that the books had been added to the Kindle store by a company that didn’t actually own the rights to those books, it deleted those editions and automatically refunded the customers.

Ok… that’s understandable.  But they deleted the books after readers had already purchased them.  And without so much as a “heads up” or “please”: readers simply woke up one morning to find the books missing from their Kindles.  And readers didn’t just simply lose their spot on the page.  The New York Times relates:

Justin Gawronski, a 17-year-old from the Detroit area, was reading “1984” on his Kindle for a summer assignment and lost all his notes and annotations when the file vanished. “They didn’t just take a book back, they stole my work,” he said.

Amazon has since apologized for the gaffe, and is looking into revising its systems to avoid a repeat.  Nevertheless, the mini-scandal has raised some 20090717-t3722tnq7c2dqs2sk459g7mgdnfascinating discussions about the ramifications of reading in the digital age.  Brad Stone at the New York Times points out that:

Retailers of physical goods cannot, of course, force their way into a customer’s home to take back a purchase, no matter how bootlegged it turns out to be. Yet Amazon appears to maintain a unique tether to the digital content it sells for the Kindle.

(Unfortunately, some of these problems aren’t unique to books.  Digital products aren’t your everday products.  When you make certain digital purchases, they belong to you… sort of.  Ever heard of DRM?)

David Ulin at the Baltimore Sun sees Amazon.com as a sort of Big Brother figure that has tossed these books down the memory hole.  (Talk about irony.  As Jessika on Middle Raged Punk says, “Poor Orwell.  It’s a good thing he’s not alive to see this.”)  Ulin also sees books as a “collective soul, a memory bank, something bigger than commerce that shouldn’t be merely bought and sold.”  But Amazon.com is the behemoth of the book market, and has an almost complete strangehold on the eBook market.  Does this grant the company, then, the power to alter collective memory at will?  Ulin thinks it does.

kindleHowever, over at NPR, Linda Wertheimer hosts a discussion with a few “eBook converts.”  Despite the potential hiccups that come along with purchasing digital media, they beleive that overall, eBook technology is still a step in the right direction.  Jonathan Gootenberg, a media and technology consultant, explains that

what makes up a book depends upon the content matter, it depends upon the use, and depends upon the individual and how they perceive it… It’s the ability to access the content, the ability to read it wherever I want and the ability to search it. I mean I there’s huge value in being able to find things within books in a much easier fashion than you can in a printed book.

Even Wertheimer is a fan:

Every once in a while I find myself brushing the top right hand corner with my hand like I’m going to turn the page. I’m so into it that it just doesn’t register as different from a book.

What do you think?  Was this a hiccup in an otherwise exciting and promising industry, or a doubleplusungood sign of things to come?

-Naomi

,

6 Comments