Logos Research Systems’ The Anchor Bible Dictionary CD‐ROM takes one of the standard print reference sources in Biblical studies and marries it with hypertext technology to create a powerful computer product. It is a good purchase for any academic library with a religion or theology program or any public library with patrons that have an interest in Biblical research. The CD‐ROM’s $360 price is the same as the paper edition. If libraries don’t have the paper edition but they do have a computer station that can be dedicated to the CD‐ROM, the enhanced capabilities of the computer system make the purchase decision an easy one. On the other hand, if a library has just purchased the paper edition, it must evaluate whether the hypertext capabilities are worth the price.
The material covered in The Anchor Bible Dictionary CD‐ROM is unchanged from the 1992 paper version. The Logos Library System, version 2.1, that runs the Anchor Bible Dictionary is the same system that Logos uses to run all of its Bible study tools software. It comes with copies of the New Revised Standard Version and the King James Version of the Bible already loaded onto the CD‐ROM. Customers can add books by either purchasing more CD‐ROMs or unlocking the books contained on the CD‐ROM over the Internet.
Almost every English language version of the Bible is available. In addition, Greek, Hebrew, and Spanish language Bibles are available to add to the system. Primary historical books, such as The Works of Josephus, can be added. Another critical reference source, The Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land, can also be added. These sources will run from a unified software searching system. Hebrew and Greek language tutorials, grammar, and dictionary are also available. The flexibility to create lessons will be of interest to seminary students.
The Logos Library System allows the user to annotate and bookmark text. While this would not be particularly useful in a library setting, it would be of interest to scholars who could afford their own copies. Logos Library System will work with either Windows 3.1 or Windows 95. The computer must be an IBM compatible, 386 or better; and it must be running DOS 3.3 or later. It must have a minimum of 8 MB RAM, although 12 MB is recommended. The hard disk must have 15 MB of space available. It will work with a 2x CD‐ROM drive, but a 4x is recommended. It also requires a VGA graphics card and monitor.
The software needed to run the product is included on the CD‐ROM. It does need to be copied onto the hard drive, however. The setup program starts automatically in Windows 95 once the button to install Logos is clicked. In Windows 3.1, setup is found under the “file” menu by selecting “run.” One drawback is that Logos usually requires two steps to open a file or print when one should do. The double‐click convention of Windows seldom opens a file. The user must remember to “right click” to get to the menu that provides most of the choices. This will be natural for most Windows 95 users, but may not be intuitive for those still using Windows 3.1. For those who can devote the time and resources to use all of the potential of The Anchor Bible Dictionary CD‐ROM along with its Logos Library System, it is a recommended purchase.
