Biblos.com presents a fairly common interface to the internet, which should be of reasonable comfort to members unfamiliar with the program. The menu bars it uses, and the 12 English Bibles it encompasses, will certainly provide the basics needed for people to move beyond bare bones Bible study. A nice feature if you have a multilingual congregation is the inclusion of many foreign language Bibles, including multiple choices in a number of these languages.
I especially enjoyed finding the online mobile version (Online Mobile Bible), for which it claims the only requirement is Internet access. A quick try proved it works with my Samsung Blackjack 2, and the features extend beyond a simple electronic copy of the Bible (in the 12 English variants); it also has 3 commentaries and cross reference features. It works with PDA’s and computers, so you could use this on a computer’s larger screen if you’re having difficulty reading the phone’s screen.
There is a wealth of ways to interpret and/or approach a Bible text using the Bible study Tools option. While not extensive, it provides 25 different methods to get into the text and expand your knowledge, from parallel gospels to interwoven text (Hebrew or Greek). It has a feature for searching on a story, date, person, place, or topic, so it you are one who doesn’t like to memorize the minutiae, you could easily use this feature to take you from the general to the specific.
(JimG)
Showing posts with label mobile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mobile. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
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
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.
OliveTree BibleReader (Palm OS with NET Bible)
OliveTree BibleReader
Noting that the NET version was a free download, I bravely ventured into downloading it without reviewing much of the Olive Tree information. I was pleased to find the download of both Reader (for my Palm Centro; Palm-Pre also supported) and Bible went smoothly.
The operation of the software, is intuitive and friendly. The Centro has a small screen, but the bible is easy to navigate and the text is crisp and easy to read. Verse finder is fast and easy to follow. The notes function works nicely, though it would be terrific if one could tap a note and have the verse come up. There is a “verse history” function that I also find helpful both as reminder of where I’ve been and as a speedier way to toggle between passages without having to flip through book, chapter, verse. (Notes function is for making notes and does not include NetBible notes.)
I’ve performed just one “search” on the word grace. A period of about 15 seconds resulted in 118 hits (same as BibleWorks) within the OT and NT corpus. Pretty good for a phone. The results are listed in the bottom of what has now turned to a split screen. Scrolling through them is quick enough. With 118 hits , however, it would be helpful to have a pop-up “Book” window to guide the user through what books they are coming upon. I recommend this software, and I am happy for the ability to have a readable pocket Bible with me at all times. There is an abundance of other free and for-sale resources that can be added.
(BrianC)
>>> Note BibleReader support for the following platforms:
Noting that the NET version was a free download, I bravely ventured into downloading it without reviewing much of the Olive Tree information. I was pleased to find the download of both Reader (for my Palm Centro; Palm-Pre also supported) and Bible went smoothly.
The operation of the software, is intuitive and friendly. The Centro has a small screen, but the bible is easy to navigate and the text is crisp and easy to read. Verse finder is fast and easy to follow. The notes function works nicely, though it would be terrific if one could tap a note and have the verse come up. There is a “verse history” function that I also find helpful both as reminder of where I’ve been and as a speedier way to toggle between passages without having to flip through book, chapter, verse. (Notes function is for making notes and does not include NetBible notes.)
I’ve performed just one “search” on the word grace. A period of about 15 seconds resulted in 118 hits (same as BibleWorks) within the OT and NT corpus. Pretty good for a phone. The results are listed in the bottom of what has now turned to a split screen. Scrolling through them is quick enough. With 118 hits , however, it would be helpful to have a pop-up “Book” window to guide the user through what books they are coming upon. I recommend this software, and I am happy for the ability to have a readable pocket Bible with me at all times. There is an abundance of other free and for-sale resources that can be added.
(BrianC)
>>> Note BibleReader support for the following platforms:
- BibleReader for iPhone
- BibleReader for Android
- BibleReader for BlackBerry
- BibleReader for Palm OS
- BibleReader for Pocket PC
- BibleReader for Smartphone
- BibleReader for Symbian 60 v1.0
- BibleReader for Symbian 60 v2.0
- BibleReader for Symbian 60 v3.0
- BibleReader for Symbian 60 v5.0
- BibleReader for Symbian 80
- BibleReader for Symbian UIQ 2.x
- BibleReader for Symbian UIQ 3.x
- BibleReader for iPod
- BibleReader for Java Cell Phones
- BibleReader for WAP Cell Phones
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Bible Gateway
The Bible Gateway is a website that can be used for reading and researching scripture online for free, no membership or registration required site I was impressed with the wide range of available Bible versions and translations.
The site was easy to navigate and I could see myself recommending this site to members of a congregation as place where a layperson could do some basic Bible study work without being intimidated with the process. The home page opens with a Quick Search box with clear directions to Enter the Bible passage (e.g. John 3:16), keyword (e.g. Jesus, prophet, etc.) or topic (e.g. salvation) you want to find. You can easily choose your version of the bible as well on this page.
The site offers a Verse of the Day that is posted under the Quick Search. Depending on the version of the bible chosen you can click through to an audible reading of the chapter and verse of the day.
There are some limited commentaries linked to the site as well for some basic exegesis work. The two commentaries found on the site are IVP New Testament Commentaries from InterVarsity Press and Matthew’s Henry Concise Commentary on the Bible. These commentaries are not too insightful, but do offer some commentary research that can be easily read by those who are interested in doing some biblical research beyond just reading the scriptures.
Bible Gateway offers other features such as a Verse of the Day widget that could be added to a personal website and a Bible Reading Plans, which offer five different reading plans developed by Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore.
The Bible Gateway was first started in 1993 by Nick Hengeveld while attending Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI). In 1995 Nick became the first webmaster at Gospel.com. He continues to run the Bible Gateway and adds new translations, languages, and functionality to the site.
There is also a Mobile BibleGateway.
The site was easy to navigate and I could see myself recommending this site to members of a congregation as place where a layperson could do some basic Bible study work without being intimidated with the process. The home page opens with a Quick Search box with clear directions to Enter the Bible passage (e.g. John 3:16), keyword (e.g. Jesus, prophet, etc.) or topic (e.g. salvation) you want to find. You can easily choose your version of the bible as well on this page.
The site offers a Verse of the Day that is posted under the Quick Search. Depending on the version of the bible chosen you can click through to an audible reading of the chapter and verse of the day.
There are some limited commentaries linked to the site as well for some basic exegesis work. The two commentaries found on the site are IVP New Testament Commentaries from InterVarsity Press and Matthew’s Henry Concise Commentary on the Bible. These commentaries are not too insightful, but do offer some commentary research that can be easily read by those who are interested in doing some biblical research beyond just reading the scriptures.
Bible Gateway offers other features such as a Verse of the Day widget that could be added to a personal website and a Bible Reading Plans, which offer five different reading plans developed by Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore.
The Bible Gateway was first started in 1993 by Nick Hengeveld while attending Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI). In 1995 Nick became the first webmaster at Gospel.com. He continues to run the Bible Gateway and adds new translations, languages, and functionality to the site.
There is also a Mobile BibleGateway.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)