Bible Software - Open Source or Propietary?

What type of Bible Software do you use?


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jandrusk

Puritan Board Sophomore
Just wanted to see how many PB folks out there are using Open Source Bible software such as Xiphos or OpenLP or propietary software such as Logos. By Open Source I mean software that is provided without a financial cost.
 
Using both the Olive Tree app (free portions) and also bought BibleWorks back in 2008 (remains sufficient for my purposes).
 
I use Bibledesktop for Mac. (Open source)

I used to use e-sword when I was tied down to a PC desktop.
 
Old version of e-sword with various Greek and Hebrew Bibles that you can't get anymore.

I should add e-sword is free but not open source.
 
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Accepting your definition of "open source" to mean "free,"

I have a number of proprietary packages: Logos, Quickverse, Wordsearch, Biblesoft, and Glo.
I also use e-Sword, Open Bible, and theWord. With all of the third party producers of FREE modules for e-Sword and theWord, my library of the first is now 2,867 and the second comes in at 2,784. Viva la FREE!!!
 
I just downloaded BibleDesktop after seeing the name from Pastor Klein. I already like it a lot more than Eloquent, the garbage Mac version of e-Sword. Apparently BibleDesktop uses SWORD modules too, so I'm wondering if I can download various SWORD modules on the net and if they work irrespective of whether the OS is a Mac or Windows. Any thoughts?
 
I was loaned a copy of Wordsearch 9, so this will be my first time using a Bible program. The prices seem expensive but I don't know. I prefer not using programs. Nothing beats cracking open books.
 
I use Bibleworks on Wine/Mac. However I'm surprised that no one has mentioned The Word which is free (Don't know if its Opensource), it is VERY good. It is only for PC but on Wine emulator on Mac it does some things much better than Bibleworks - like copying and pasting Hebrew for a start. Also it is one of the few free packages that has pointed Greek and Hebrew texts.
 
Sv: Bible Software - Open Source or Propietary?

I use Logos and Olive tree. I use them both on mac and android.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3
 
I just downloaded BibleDesktop after seeing the name from Pastor Klein. I already like it a lot more than Eloquent, the garbage Mac version of e-Sword. Apparently BibleDesktop uses SWORD modules too, so I'm wondering if I can download various SWORD modules on the net and if they work irrespective of whether the OS is a Mac or Windows. Any thoughts?

I never thought Eloquent was that bad, but I do agree that BibleDesktop is much better. The modules should work regardless of your OS.
 
I use Bibleworks on Wine/Mac. However I'm surprised that no one has mentioned The Word which is free (Don't know if its Opensource), it is VERY good. It is only for PC but on Wine emulator on Mac it does some things much better than Bibleworks - like copying and pasting Hebrew for a start. Also it is one of the few free packages that has pointed Greek and Hebrew texts.

I had never heard of it before now, but I'll give it a try.
 
I just downloaded BibleDesktop after seeing the name from Pastor Klein. I already like it a lot more than Eloquent, the garbage Mac version of e-Sword. Apparently BibleDesktop uses SWORD modules too, so I'm wondering if I can download various SWORD modules on the net and if they work irrespective of whether the OS is a Mac or Windows. Any thoughts?
It should work as the modules are pretty much in plain text. I have actually accessed them directly using a text editor and the only markup they have are a few HTML type tags.
 
I use Xiphos for the following reasons:

1. It has a plethora of modules available in various categories (bibles, commentaries, devotions, maps).

2. I can use home grown modules that I may find edifying.

3. I can write my own modules using a variety of methods should I desire to.

4. Source code is provided, which is important to me as I'm a decent coder, which opens the door to more development.

5. It's got a good IRC channel that I can consult when needed.

6. Last, but not least it's FREE!
 
Just wanted to see how many PB folks out there are using Open Source Bible software such as Xiphos or OpenLP or proprietary software such as Logos. By Open Source I mean software that is provided without a financial cost.

Actually Open Source means that the computer program source code is publically available. Normally the open source license agreement includes a requirement that any changes that one makes is also to be openly shared. There are a number of proprietary Bible programs that are available for free with public domain Bible versions and the option to purchase works that are still in copyright. Olive Tree is an example of this.

When the iPhone first came out there was an effort in The Sword Project to produce an Open Source Bible program for the iPhone. The effort quickly died when it was realized that following the open source license agreement would violate the Apple development license agreement.
 
I just downloaded BibleDesktop after seeing the name from Pastor Klein. I already like it a lot more than Eloquent, the garbage Mac version of e-Sword. Apparently BibleDesktop uses SWORD modules too, so I'm wondering if I can download various SWORD modules on the net and if they work irrespective of whether the OS is a Mac or Windows. Any thoughts?

I don't know much about modules because I prefer to use my Kindle for as much supplementary material as possible.
 
I just downloaded BibleDesktop after seeing the name from Pastor Klein. I already like it a lot more than Eloquent, the garbage Mac version of e-Sword. Apparently BibleDesktop uses SWORD modules too, so I'm wondering if I can download various SWORD modules on the net and if they work irrespective of whether the OS is a Mac or Windows. Any thoughts?

I don't know much about modules because I prefer to use my Kindle for as much supplementary material as possible.

You could view modules like a book that are viewable within the bible software application.
 
Just wanted to see how many PB folks out there are using Open Source Bible software such as Xiphos or OpenLP or proprietary software such as Logos. By Open Source I mean software that is provided without a financial cost.

Actually Open Source means that the computer program source code is publically available. Normally the open source license agreement includes a requirement that any changes that one makes is also to be openly shared. There are a number of proprietary Bible programs that are available for free with public domain Bible versions and the option to purchase works that are still in copyright. Olive Tree is an example of this.

When the iPhone first came out there was an effort in The Sword Project to produce an Open Source Bible program for the iPhone. The effort quickly died when it was realized that following the open source license agreement would violate the Apple development license agreement.

Which is why I refuse to use Apple or Microsoft programs outside of work where I"m required to.
 
I like the simplicity of the Olive Tree App. I downloaded the ESV, the KJV, and the Westminster Leningrad Codex (because it was free and I'm only just beginning to learn a little bit of Hebrew) and it is very nice for Bible Study. I haven't bothered to get the App on my current MacBook because it will be replaced by a MacBook Air after it has fought the good fight of four years of college and I don't want to spend the money to upgrade to the newest version of OSX. If you use Olive Tree for desktop notes will it sync the notes to iPad and backup notes online?

Also, another reason I love Olive Tree are the free books. I'm currently reading All of Grace by Spurgeon and have The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Burroughs lined up and both were free on Olive Tree.
 
I primarily use Logos, now version 5. I have BibleWorks 7 and WordSearch, but nothing works for me like Logos. I also have e-Sword, but e-Sword is not free if you venture much outside of free domain resources. It is, though, quite good.

I've spent a good bit of money with Logos, primarily for copyrighted resources that typically were less expensive than their paper counterparts. I've gotten quite a few free and inexpensive books. And then, too, some things are quite expensive. I bought the NICOT/NT set on sale for $1K. Not cheap, but a good price.
 
There are many web-based Bible study programs, including Greek and Hebrew Bibles and resources. I use these rather than downloading software, free or otherwise.
 
Firebible is a Firefox add-on that allows you to access the Sword library right from your browser.

OK, I bit. I thought I might try this. Immediately recognized that it simply isn't the way I do things. Now I can't get rid of it. Any suggestions? Using MacBook with OS 10.7.5.
 
Firebible is a Firefox add-on that allows you to access the Sword library right from your browser.

OK, I bit. I thought I might try this. Immediately recognized that it simply isn't the way I do things. Now I can't get rid of it. Any suggestions? Using MacBook with OS 10.7.5.
Can't you go to Add-Ons in Firefox and remove it? I know you can easily on a PC, but don't know what Buddhist contortions you need to go through to change anything on a Mac.
 
Can't you go to Add-Ons in Firefox and remove it? I know you can easily on a PC, but don't know what Buddhist contortions you need to go through to change anything on a Mac.

I knew I could count on you, Fred. All it took was one Samadhi.
 
Accepting your definition of "open source" to mean "free,"

Offered in the same spirit:

For freebies: I have e-Sword, Wordsearch and Glo (freebies from my days working a second job in Christian bookstore), Libronix (a $5 gift from my wife, so it counts as free!), and the freebiblesoftware.com version of Quickverse.

For paid: I purchased a $5 add-on for Libronix, so it does double-duty; and I was surprised with a Puritan Hard Drive last year by a generous family in our congregation. On my old computer from seminary days, I have a copy of PC Study Bible; my father-in-law gave me one of his licenses.

E-sword and the Puritan Hard Drive are my favorites. Libronix has never really appealed to me. But I'm old-school; I still write my sermons longhand on yellow legal pads before typing them up, and I much prefer a physical book to an electronic one.
 
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