Old ways for linking texts in the digital reading environment: The case of the Thompson Chain Reference Bible
Date
2012
Authors
Nelson, Brent
Bath, Jon
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Digital Humanities Quarterly
Abstract
This paper will briefly survey the historical development of linking systems in the Christian Bible, from their theological foundations to their formation in the architecture of the printed book. It will then examine the apogee of intra-Biblical linking systems in the Thompson Chain Reference Bible, particularly its chain-referencing system for thematic linking between texts. Finally, it will use this mature print technology to consider the state of the hyperlink in current Web-interfaces. It will show that while in many ways modern attempts at a dynamic hyperlink surpass this elaborate linking system in functionality, in a few key functions this old print technology out-performs what is commonly and readily available in current Web-browsers. In pursing this comparative analysis we aim to demonstrate the importance of understanding the organization and navigational structure of the codex in designing digital reading environments that will meet and surpass the affordances of print.
Description
Keywords
Electronic Textual Cultures Lab (ETCL), Implementing New Knowledge Environments (INKE)
Citation
Nelson, B., & Bath, J. (2012). Old ways for linking texts in the digital reading environment: The case of the Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Digital Humanities Quarterly, 6(2).