This is the Xiphos Bible site. The home page was very appealing as opposed to this one. The homepage made a reference to reporting any misuse of software such as having viruses. I clicked onto downloads to see if they are free or not, but it took me to another website: the open source Sourceforge site.
Previewing the software it looks similar to the Online Bible I also checked. Again it is still not equal to Bibleworks8, but it could easily get the job done. It looks like a good and free way to set parishioners up with online resources. I have noticed in my short time working in the program that it offers several dictionaries and commentaries that could be very beneficial to parishioners. One strength I am finding is that they include the NET translation (for free with limited notes; for a cost to get the full notes version). You can obtain hundreds more modules here (from the Sword Project whose modules work in Xiphos) or here.
After being able to download this, it seems like a great resource. This is a website I will suggest to many people interested in online Bible resources.
As long as it works, this looks like a helpful, reliable, wonderful resource to start with.
(JakeW)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Online Bible
The Online Bible website offered downloads for DOS, Windows 3.1, Palm OS, Macintosh, Pocket PC, and Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7. It was easy to navigate the webpage. They offered different Bible translations, commentaries, dictionaries, educational material such as online Bible study material, updates on news, and an Online Bible Discussion Forum.
After looking through some of the resources available, there doesn’t appear to be anything that might be more advanced than Bibleworks8. However, for parishioners this might be the way to go. You can get quite a bit of functionality with the free version, but you can a full set of modules (including NKJV, Message, ESV) on a DVD for about $40.00.
I also want to note that from the pictures I saw of the online Bible version, it looks similar to a Bible program I bought from Staples before coming to seminary. It was about 7 dollars and offered about 15 different languages including Greek, and about 10 English translations. It also offered a Greek lexicon, and one commentary.
(JakeW)
Note that this is not an online Bible but a Bible software program to download!
After looking through some of the resources available, there doesn’t appear to be anything that might be more advanced than Bibleworks8. However, for parishioners this might be the way to go. You can get quite a bit of functionality with the free version, but you can a full set of modules (including NKJV, Message, ESV) on a DVD for about $40.00.
I also want to note that from the pictures I saw of the online Bible version, it looks similar to a Bible program I bought from Staples before coming to seminary. It was about 7 dollars and offered about 15 different languages including Greek, and about 10 English translations. It also offered a Greek lexicon, and one commentary.
(JakeW)
Note that this is not an online Bible but a Bible software program to download!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
BibleZ for Palm Pre
I started with intentions of downloading OliveTree to my Palm Pre. After 4 hours, multiple failed attempts and coming very close to throwing my Palm Pre through the living room window, I caved, gave up on Olive Tree and went with BibleZ and have not looked back. So brief review of Olive Tree - obviously not user-friendly for download to Palm Pre. BibleZ on the other hand was extremely user-friendly for the download process. It is located in the Pre application catalog. BibleZ is a bible software application specifically made for webOS. BibleZ relies on Zefania XML Bible modules (versions), there are currently 56 modules in different languages available for free download. There is a bookmark feature which is handy to save the spot where you left off, and also a notes section that is easily accessible verse-by-verse. There are no search categories which makes it tough to do any kind of exegetical work. It's also kind of clumsy when trying to move to certain passages. It would be nice if you could just type something like "John 3:16" and it popped up. Overall pretty good - free application that has many modules (versions) to choose from and very easy/user-friendly to download, but lacking in search functionality. I would recommend this application to anyone with a Palm Pre who is especially interested in language versions other then English.
(AaronR)
(AaronR)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Scripture 4 All version 2.1
The Scripture 4 All website provides the free Bible software, Interlinear Scripture Analyzer (ISA). ISA allows a user to look up Scripture and to study the passages in three windows. The interlinear window displays the verse in Greek (New Testament) or Hebrew (Old Testament) and parallels it with word-by-word transliteration and translation. The translation window presents the verse (AV) in the context of the passage. The concordance window displays frequencies of words and their variations by Strong’s Concordance number. Each window interacts with the others. For example, users can search the concordance by selecting the word in the interlinear window.
The language itself is a little confusing at times. The Greek is displayed in Koine script, that is, all capital letters with some of them looking slightly different from ones many beginning Greek students would instantly recognize. The Hebrew letters are written right to left, as is normal, but the words themselves go left to right, the opposite direction from which Hebrew would be read. This is most likely for interlinear agreement.
ISA is a useful program with some helpful displays. However, coming from someone who is not very technologically-minded, the program does require time to learn and understand. The help menu allows a little more understanding of what the various windows and setups can do, and the website also has a “Help” and “Frequently Asked Questions” page. Trial-and-error exploration may be one of the best ways to come to understand this program.
(SarahT)
[Scripture 4 All also offers downloadable PDF files of the Hebrew Interlinear Bible and the Greek Interlinear Bible.]
The language itself is a little confusing at times. The Greek is displayed in Koine script, that is, all capital letters with some of them looking slightly different from ones many beginning Greek students would instantly recognize. The Hebrew letters are written right to left, as is normal, but the words themselves go left to right, the opposite direction from which Hebrew would be read. This is most likely for interlinear agreement.
ISA is a useful program with some helpful displays. However, coming from someone who is not very technologically-minded, the program does require time to learn and understand. The help menu allows a little more understanding of what the various windows and setups can do, and the website also has a “Help” and “Frequently Asked Questions” page. Trial-and-error exploration may be one of the best ways to come to understand this program.
(SarahT)
[Scripture 4 All also offers downloadable PDF files of the Hebrew Interlinear Bible and the Greek Interlinear Bible.]
Blue Letter Bible
The Blue Letter Bible is an online resource that offers a variety of features. Users may search Scripture in English, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, or Spanish. Once a verse has been found, the Blue Letter Bible displays the verse as well as those after it with links to dictionaries, commentaries, concordances, images, maps, and other versions. The site itself is pretty self-explanatory, and first-time users would most likely be able to navigate it without much difficulty. A “Help/FAQ” link may be accessed on the left navigation bar for assistance if needed.
Developed over the past fourteen years, the Blue Letter Bible—run mostly by non-denominational, self-described 'conservative' Christians with backgrounds in ministry and/or education—offers tools for a range of people. For the more tech-savvy, the site provides computer code to link to a user’s site. It also expects to be used as a source and provides ready-made citations for its pages throughout most of the site.
There seemed to be only two things that warrant attention when navigating this site. First, the Greek letter ρ is a little askew, making some words difficult to read at first glance. Second, users must pay attention to which version of the Bible they are searching and remember to check it or change it as the site may revert back to default settings from time to time. Overall, however, the Blue Letter Bible seems to be a useful resource.
(SarahT)
Developed over the past fourteen years, the Blue Letter Bible—run mostly by non-denominational, self-described 'conservative' Christians with backgrounds in ministry and/or education—offers tools for a range of people. For the more tech-savvy, the site provides computer code to link to a user’s site. It also expects to be used as a source and provides ready-made citations for its pages throughout most of the site.
There seemed to be only two things that warrant attention when navigating this site. First, the Greek letter ρ is a little askew, making some words difficult to read at first glance. Second, users must pay attention to which version of the Bible they are searching and remember to check it or change it as the site may revert back to default settings from time to time. Overall, however, the Blue Letter Bible seems to be a useful resource.
(SarahT)
YouVersion
YouVersion is both a program that adds to personal Bible study and an online community that can be place where a person can add their thoughts on a particular bible passage. It is free to use both the program and to gain access to the online community.
The program itself is designed to be an online Bible reader. The program gives the reader access to most of the popular versions such as NET, NIV, KJV, and the Message. (41 versions in 22 languages) The program offers a wide variety of languages, but no Greek or Hebrew. It is possible to view 2 or more versions at the time. The reader is easy to navigate and the font is large and easy to read. The Faith Comes From Hearing program which offers a variety of audio Bibles is integrated into the reader program as well.
The online community is slanted towards mainstream non-denominational American culture. Part of how the online community functions is by joining groups and by following your friends’ comments. So it is possible that a person’s home church could set up a group and comment on the same scripture to form a study. It does not appear that people are taking advantage of the online community and focusing on the personal devotional aspect.
Bible Reading plans are offered by Christian organizations such as Bible Gateway and Blue Letter Bible. It is possible to choose to do these plans and once a reading is finished it automatically crosses it off of the list that corresponds to the plan.
YouVersion offers a mobile program that I downloaded onto my iPod touch. It is basically a Bible reader that is easy to search and read. The Bible Reading Plans are found on the program and they automatically synch up your account on the website once you finished a reading. The online community component is not found on the mobile program.
I would recommend this program to people who are interested in reading or listening to the Bible online. I would only recommend the online community to another person if they know others who are using it. The program does not make it easy to meet new people.
(DanC)
Note that there is support for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Java, and also a Mobile Web version.
The program itself is designed to be an online Bible reader. The program gives the reader access to most of the popular versions such as NET, NIV, KJV, and the Message. (41 versions in 22 languages) The program offers a wide variety of languages, but no Greek or Hebrew. It is possible to view 2 or more versions at the time. The reader is easy to navigate and the font is large and easy to read. The Faith Comes From Hearing program which offers a variety of audio Bibles is integrated into the reader program as well.
The online community is slanted towards mainstream non-denominational American culture. Part of how the online community functions is by joining groups and by following your friends’ comments. So it is possible that a person’s home church could set up a group and comment on the same scripture to form a study. It does not appear that people are taking advantage of the online community and focusing on the personal devotional aspect.
Bible Reading plans are offered by Christian organizations such as Bible Gateway and Blue Letter Bible. It is possible to choose to do these plans and once a reading is finished it automatically crosses it off of the list that corresponds to the plan.
YouVersion offers a mobile program that I downloaded onto my iPod touch. It is basically a Bible reader that is easy to search and read. The Bible Reading Plans are found on the program and they automatically synch up your account on the website once you finished a reading. The online community component is not found on the mobile program.
I would recommend this program to people who are interested in reading or listening to the Bible online. I would only recommend the online community to another person if they know others who are using it. The program does not make it easy to meet new people.
(DanC)
Note that there is support for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Java, and also a Mobile Web version.
LaParola 7.13
La Parola is Italian for The Word, and The Word is what La Parola wishes to display. This is a free Bible software program that is comparable to Bible Works program. In this review I will be making comparisons between the programs because they similar in what they can be used for.
As far as value is concerned La Parola is a free program, so you will not lose money on this deal. Time is also valuable. La Parola did not take much time to download and set up. However, the updates that contained additional Bible Versions and commentaries did take a good bit of time to download. As a person that is familiar with the Bible Works program it took little time and effort to get adjusted to how the program works. The La Parola website, which is linked from the program, offers 3 helpful instructional videos that show what the program is capable of how to perform the actions. I have to believe for the lay person who is not familiar with Bible Works, La Parola is more accessible.
In terms of content La Parola is more geared to the Lay Person who is not interested in learning Greek. La Parola offers a few Greek versions, but it does not offer the resourses that Bible Works has in how to learn and interpret the Greek version. The standard Bible versions that La Parola offers is not that great (no NIV, NET, or RSV). The only popular version that comes standard is the King James Version. It is possible to add more versions from other Bible resources such as E-sword and OSIS. The dictionaries and other resources are few, but functional.
I would recommend this program to the lay person who interested in reading different versions of scripture at the same time and searching for words or phrases.
(DanC)
As far as value is concerned La Parola is a free program, so you will not lose money on this deal. Time is also valuable. La Parola did not take much time to download and set up. However, the updates that contained additional Bible Versions and commentaries did take a good bit of time to download. As a person that is familiar with the Bible Works program it took little time and effort to get adjusted to how the program works. The La Parola website, which is linked from the program, offers 3 helpful instructional videos that show what the program is capable of how to perform the actions. I have to believe for the lay person who is not familiar with Bible Works, La Parola is more accessible.
In terms of content La Parola is more geared to the Lay Person who is not interested in learning Greek. La Parola offers a few Greek versions, but it does not offer the resourses that Bible Works has in how to learn and interpret the Greek version. The standard Bible versions that La Parola offers is not that great (no NIV, NET, or RSV). The only popular version that comes standard is the King James Version. It is possible to add more versions from other Bible resources such as E-sword and OSIS. The dictionaries and other resources are few, but functional.
I would recommend this program to the lay person who interested in reading different versions of scripture at the same time and searching for words or phrases.
(DanC)
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