Peter Kirby

This web site has the original Coptic and Greek, multiple translations, parallel passages, scholarly quotes, and visitor comments on each saying of the Gospel of Thomas.

http://www.gospelthomas.com/

A bit on the technology: the web site was built using PHP scripts to access a MySQL database. When a web page is equested from the server, a 404 error is captured and the URL is sent off to a handler cript, which queries the MySQL database for data on that saying and serves up the relevant page.

What this means: The pages aren't static. So, visitor comments can be added to the pages automatically. More importantly, the whole database can be searched for a query string, and the relevant portions of each page displayed on the results page, with a link to the matching page. You will definitely want to check out the Search feature--it's very handy.

I am dying to hear what you have to say about this web site!

best,
Peter Kirby

Vinnie

I'll give that a "Woot!"

Very nice. Another valuable resource compliments of PK. Thanks.

Vinnie

Toto

Great site. Are you going to do the same with other ancient writings?

My only quibble - why are you soliciting donations to the (theistic, homophobic) Salvation Army on your site? There are secular charities that do good work for any issue you care about.

Vinnie

Not to sidetrack from the original point of this thread but how did you come to believe the salvation army was homophobic? Theistic I knew as its an evangelical Christian organization but I've never seen anything from them on homosexuality. Though I concede that most evangelicals I know are anti-homosexual and you might in fact be correct but I know of nothing from the SA on homosexuality. The SA has a statement of faith on their site and it says absolutely nothing about homosexuality.

Personally, if the SA is actually using the money to supply people with their basic needs then I wouldn't care about whether they were secular or not. If the SA uses thier donations to vocalize their stance against homosexuality (something I am against) I would never donate to them them. If they didn't use the money for that purpose and used it to help people then their private view that homosexualiuty is sinful has nothing to do with this. I see no reason to purposefully not donate though them because of this unless they are vocal about their anti-homosexuality sentiments. My basic point is that in the end, assuming the money goes where its supposed to, the important thing is that people donate, not where they donate.

Vinnie

Peter Kirby

Hi Toto,

After spending three days straight getting this thing done, I am exhausted. My next web project will not be the same. But I may do something similar for another document or set of documents in the distant future. Or I more likely will help someone else with the technology end of doing something similar for their favorite writers. Part of the reason that I chose Thomas is that I know that enough people are looking for Thomas information -- it is the most popular web page on Early Christian Writings after the index.

As for charities, I chose the Salvation Army because it is recognizable (people are more likely to donate), because it is efficient (more of the donation goes to the needy), and because it is everywhere (they help people in Orange County and South Africa). But I am willing to hear suggestions on other charities.

best,
Peter Kirby

Toto

Backroom Deal between Bush Administration and SA

{That article was from 2001 - GWBush signed the executive order doing precisely that just recently.}

Salvation Army's anti-gay partiners

Toto

Peter - are you at least getting a lot of college credit for this?

Peter Kirby

Toto, I had no idea that money from the Salvation Army was spent lobbying for discrimination. If that is true, that is very sad.

Does anyone have anything against the United Way? I am open to suggestions here.

I will already have more than enough college credits for taking my general education, computer science, and elective courses. But I will be sure to note my web sites if I ever apply for grad school.

best,
Peter Kirby

Toto

Peter - I would think a lot of grad schools in history or religious studies would want to recruit you.

I am not a big fan of the United Way. They take an ideological stance against government programs, which coincides with the neo-conservative position that government can do nothing right. But I think their position on discrimination is decent and they have cleaned up their act after the recent scandal involving overpaid executives.

luvluv

Man I am really humbled to know that Peter is just in college. I thought the guy was in his 40's or 50's. I am also suspicious that Thomas Metcalf is only in college. How you guys got this smart this fast I'll never know. I do envy your education.