Have you gone digital yet? No, I’m not talking about the converter box for your old analog television. (Although I think I heard something about a $40 coupon.) Have you gone digital with your devotions? I’m presently split at about 50 / 50. Initially it can be a struggle to make the transition from printed books to digital editions. I love books, so I sometimes feel like I’m betraying all of my printed editions when I read digital. Hopefully I’ll be able to work though that. 
Here are a few of the advantages I’ve discovered by striving to go digital with my devotions:
1. Efficiency – I save a lot of time using the computer over using multiple printed books. It’s reasonably easy to consult dictionaries, commentaries, maps,etc. with a few mouse clicks.
2. Portability – I tend to have a laptop with me when I’m at work, home, or traveling. In that case I have access to my study resources wherever I go.
3. Expertise – As I continue to use my electronic Bible study tools (BibleWorks 8, LOGOS), I’m becoming more adept at using all of the features. This continues to improve the quality of the reading and research I do with these valuable tools.
If you have access to electronic Bible study tools, I’d encourage to spend a week going digital with your devotions. Good luck!
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I have definitely gone digital. Every morning commute consists of me staring at my mobile on the bus for half an hour. The fact that it is always with me is probably the biggest factor.
This whole post is anathema to me. Back in 2001, when I was packing my library for storage, a wearied friend who had offered to help said to me, “Isn’t it great that in just a few years all these books will be reduced to a few CDs?” My stony silence and expression of horror must have startled my well-meaning friend, who sheepishly asked, “Did… did I say something wrong?”
Esteban, I can relate to your feelings on this one. It has taken me quite some time to get used to the idea. I may have been aided by the fact that I’m a computer geek at heart.
Dwayne, if I rode the bus, I’d probably do that as well. Ryan Burns (Going To Seminary, LOGOS Bible Software) has mentioned using LOGOS Bible Software during his bus commute as well.
I gradually made the switch last year. I read through my Literary Study Bible, and used the extra links on the ESV blog to get RSS, iCal, etc (ESV Blog, ESV Reading Plans). I found that I read more and more on a screen.
This year, my brothers and I are reading through the same plan (same as ESVSB). I keep a notepad document open to record my thoughts. I will often come back to that note and add some thoughts from other study, conversations.
Tech used: Laptop, iPod Touch
I’ve only “gone ditial” because I’ve been forced to. That is, when you’re planning on living overseas, having a 4000 volume library just isn’t very do-able. I don’t even know what I’m going to do with the 600 or so physical books that I own.
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