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!
Showing posts with label mac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mac. Show all posts
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
MacSword 2.1
MacSword is a free program for creating a library of Bible study resources; Bibles, commentaries, etc.
The first thing I will note is the daunting disclaimer which caused me to go forward with great trepidation. So far, I have not been attacked by terrorists or as far as I know, the CIA.
This is not a user friendly program. It does not have an attractive interface and the instructions leave a great deal to be desired, but it is free as are most modules. I was prepared to give MacSword a solid thumbs down in the midst of my initial frustrations.
I have downloaded the NETBible (Free NetNotes are available). It is easy to navigate book and chapter. I initially could not search for a selection of more than one verse. A search on Luke 15: 12-20, must be formatted thus, Luke 15:12-20. Navigating through MacSword is largely trial and error.
One function I did figure out quite readily is the parallels function. Within this program, the user may parallel as many Bible versions and commentaries as will fit on the screen.
I will note that the Greek translation I have downloaded (OT-LXX/NT Tischendorf), does not translate or parse.
I believe with more work in this program I’d find many reasons to recommend it for some. For me, with MacSwords poor interface and lack of features, it is worth saving the money until you can afford Accordance (or simply use online resources). (BrianC)
The first thing I will note is the daunting disclaimer which caused me to go forward with great trepidation. So far, I have not been attacked by terrorists or as far as I know, the CIA.
This is not a user friendly program. It does not have an attractive interface and the instructions leave a great deal to be desired, but it is free as are most modules. I was prepared to give MacSword a solid thumbs down in the midst of my initial frustrations.
I have downloaded the NETBible (Free NetNotes are available). It is easy to navigate book and chapter. I initially could not search for a selection of more than one verse. A search on Luke 15: 12-20, must be formatted thus, Luke 15:12-20. Navigating through MacSword is largely trial and error.
One function I did figure out quite readily is the parallels function. Within this program, the user may parallel as many Bible versions and commentaries as will fit on the screen.
I will note that the Greek translation I have downloaded (OT-LXX/NT Tischendorf), does not translate or parse.
I believe with more work in this program I’d find many reasons to recommend it for some. For me, with MacSwords poor interface and lack of features, it is worth saving the money until you can afford Accordance (or simply use online resources). (BrianC)
Cross Word 3.5
Cross Word correctly claims that it is easy to use, but that is partly because it offers very little. The download was extremely slow. It is free, although the program can be downloaded at cost in a faster format. The paid version also has a sound function that can only be previewed in the free version. Since the program is tied to an individual machine, it can be used regardless of internet access. CrossWord uses three function buttons, forward and backward chapter buttons, and a search window. The “Book” button allows you to choose an Old or New Testament book or to select a translation. Only two translations are available with the free version; the display will allow you to view the King James Version and the World English Bible with the 1917 edition Scofield reference notes and a column for personal notes. Another button recalls the search history, and the third allows the creation of bookmarks by category. Both the KJV and WEB texts are linked to the Strongs numbered definitions; however, not all words in the translation are linked which may be confusing to those not already familiar with the languages. The search window allows a slow English word search that is displayed in an additional column; statistics on the words are not available. Overall, CrossWord is limited by its translations and references. It’s strongest feature is the user’s ability to link personal study notes to each verse and the program’s compatibility with Windows, Mac, and, to a limited extent, Linux. (TraciMB)
Crosswire: MacSword and Xiphos
Crosswire has a number of free online Bible study packages available. Since I have a Mac, I first decided to look at MacSword. I was able to download it fine, but there were no bibles, commentaries, etc. installed; I had to do this manually and it was not very intuitive. After playing around with this unsuccessfully for several days I decided to go a different route. So, my initial review of the MacSword is they have work to do...
The second program I looked at was also a Crosswire product, called Xiphos. This is a Windows-based program which I downloaded using my Vmware product (Used to run Windows-based products on a Mac). After downloading, a window opened indicating that I needed to select the different modules. There were several modules, including Bibles, Commentaries, Languages, translations, and maps. If you allowed your cursor to hover over the item, there was a description of what it was, unfortunately, I have not found that this carries over into the program. Once all of the modules are loaded, the program runs relatively well. There are four different panels that you can customize. I have them set up into Bible, commentary, a bible dictionary, and a notes area. within the Bible area, you can look at parallel versions for easy comparison. The search capability is very good; you can define the boundaries (books, testaments, etc.) search by Bible or Commentary, search by multiple words, exact phrases, or expressions, you can also match the case and decide whether or not to use the bounds, no scope, or the bounds of the previous search.
You can insert your own bookmarks, create your personal area for notes, change the view, save a session to return later, and see daily devotions. This program will even read aloud in case you have a question as to how something should be pronounced.
For a free program I am impressed by the scope of what this offers. The two issues I need to work out are the Hebrew font, and remembering what each of the abbreviations stands for with the Bibles and Commentaries. I would recommend this program.
The second program I looked at was also a Crosswire product, called Xiphos. This is a Windows-based program which I downloaded using my Vmware product (Used to run Windows-based products on a Mac). After downloading, a window opened indicating that I needed to select the different modules. There were several modules, including Bibles, Commentaries, Languages, translations, and maps. If you allowed your cursor to hover over the item, there was a description of what it was, unfortunately, I have not found that this carries over into the program. Once all of the modules are loaded, the program runs relatively well. There are four different panels that you can customize. I have them set up into Bible, commentary, a bible dictionary, and a notes area. within the Bible area, you can look at parallel versions for easy comparison. The search capability is very good; you can define the boundaries (books, testaments, etc.) search by Bible or Commentary, search by multiple words, exact phrases, or expressions, you can also match the case and decide whether or not to use the bounds, no scope, or the bounds of the previous search.
You can insert your own bookmarks, create your personal area for notes, change the view, save a session to return later, and see daily devotions. This program will even read aloud in case you have a question as to how something should be pronounced.
For a free program I am impressed by the scope of what this offers. The two issues I need to work out are the Hebrew font, and remembering what each of the abbreviations stands for with the Bibles and Commentaries. I would recommend this program.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Bible Explorer 4.0
For my Bible software review I looked at and began to get use to using Bible Explorer 4.0. This program in its basic form is a free download, and the free software was impressive in its function and amount of free documents included in the way of Bibles, Commentaries, Cross References, Devotionals, Study Tools and other items included in the library. Additional “books” are available for purchase on-line to be added on to the library and some additional research would be needed on those to give a good review of the possible library one could build, so you do not get everything for free!
The browser window within the program allows for multiple windows to be viewed at the same time. I found four documents to be viewed at a time on the screen about the most manageable, but while fooling around I was able to have 10 windows opened at once. So you could have multiple Bible translations, commentaries and the built in word processing program all on the screen at once. The Bible translations and commentaries are synced automatically (it can be toggled off) so as you scroll one version the other windows continue to scroll as well which I found to be nice when comparing three versions at once. I liked being able to view Greek and English translation simultaneously and I will continue to fool around with this while doing some exegesis work in the coming months to get a real feel of things.
There is also discussion groups connected to Bible Explorer as well. The free version does not included access to the groups, but with purchases of additional downloads you are granted access. According to many reviews on cnet.com these discussion groups might be something to avoid. I was not able to view the discussion group, but since the group is connected to the software publisher this does raise a potential concern. Overall I found the software a nice addition to my seminary tool box.
The browser window within the program allows for multiple windows to be viewed at the same time. I found four documents to be viewed at a time on the screen about the most manageable, but while fooling around I was able to have 10 windows opened at once. So you could have multiple Bible translations, commentaries and the built in word processing program all on the screen at once. The Bible translations and commentaries are synced automatically (it can be toggled off) so as you scroll one version the other windows continue to scroll as well which I found to be nice when comparing three versions at once. I liked being able to view Greek and English translation simultaneously and I will continue to fool around with this while doing some exegesis work in the coming months to get a real feel of things.
There is also discussion groups connected to Bible Explorer as well. The free version does not included access to the groups, but with purchases of additional downloads you are granted access. According to many reviews on cnet.com these discussion groups might be something to avoid. I was not able to view the discussion group, but since the group is connected to the software publisher this does raise a potential concern. Overall I found the software a nice addition to my seminary tool box.
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