Friday, October 23, 2009

2009-10-23 Links File Update Released

The 2009-10-23 Links file update has been released. Those of you who are on the list to receive email updates have been sent an email with directions on how to obtain this updated file. If you have not received this email update and would like to, email me about receiving the update and getting added to the mailing list, providing information such as what group or congregation you’re with, who referred you to this site, etc.


If you haven’t already done so, I recommend that you read the included directions.html file before proceeding to use the Links file. Besides including instructions and examples on how to use the Links file, the directions.html file also discusses the redistribution of the Links file.


The Links file is used by downloading its zip file from the web page linked to in the email, extracting it with the supplied password, saving it to a drive, and opening it in a modern web browser like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Opera. After you open it, you may want to bookmark it or add it to your Favorites for easy retrieval later on.


New and updated resources are listed under the *** NEW *** and *** UPDATED *** index headings.


The *** NEW *** resources this time around are:

  • Basic Theo. Expressions (Chinese + Yale Cant. Rom. + English)
    • This material consists of lists of theo. expressions as they have been found to be rendered in the Chinese publications.
    • The files available here were previously available from the Publications (Cantonese) page, but have now been given their own dedicated web page.

  • Byki Theo. Chinese Data Files
    • Byki uses flashcards, audio, and computer tracking of one’s progress to help one quickly build one’s vocabulary. For more information concerning Byki, click here.

  • Helpful Files (Mandarin)
    • Generally useful files for those learning Chinese for the Mandarin field, e.g. flashcards, files about measure words, numbers, how to write Chinese characters, etc.
    • Many of the files here were moved from the Other Publications (Mandarin) page, which this page replaces, while other files are new.

  • Referenced Theo. Expressions (Chinese + Pinyin + English)
    • This material consists of lists of theo. expressions as they have been found to be rendered in the Chinese publications.
    • So far, only a Mandarin pinyin version is available. This version, dated Oct. 21, 2009, is intended to replace the Basic Theo. Expressions files, which were last updated way back in Jan. 2002 and which contain expressions that are now out of date.

  • Songbook—Romanised Material
    • This material complements the Chinese songbook by adding romanisation.
    • Mandarin pinyin, Cantonese Sidney Lau, and Cantonese Yale versions of the current Sing Praises songbook are available. These files were previously available from the Publications (Mandarin) and the Publications (Cantonese) pages.
    • Regarding the new songbook that will be used starting at the beginning of 2010, if you are in the Mandarin field and need a pinyin new songbook, be sure to order the official pinyin new songbook. For those who have not received their pinyin new songboks yet, or who are learning Cantonese, romanised material for songs listed in Watchtower magazines and kms for meetings in 2010 will be posted on this page as it becomes available.

The *** UPDATED *** resources this time around are:

  • 3lines.org

  • Chinese Links File

  • “God’s Love” Book (Chinese + Cantonese Rom. + English)

  • “God’s Love” Book (Chinese + Pinyin + English)

  • Links News

  • Mandarin Public Talks Audio & Video

  • McBeaths in Trinidad

  • Oriental Language Studies

  • Publications (Cantonese)
    • This has been moved and redesigned.

  • Publications (Mandarin)
    • This has been moved and redesigned.

  • tiandi.info

The following resources are no longer listed in the Links file:

  • CWPS Home Page
    • CWPS has been withdrawn by its creator and replaced with the commercial program ChinaScribe. He explains why here.

  • Other Publications (Mandarin)
    • This has been replaced by the Helpful Files (Mandarin) page mentioned above.

In addition to the above-mentioned items, several other more minor changes, updates, and refinements were also made compared to the previous version of the Links file, dated 2009-07-05. So don’t hesitate to avail yourself of the current version, dated 2009-10-23.