Bible Software Choices on Mac or Linux

My last post has forced me to get a little more serious about looking for good Bible software. Bible software is the one major item that is missing for Linux. When one responds with the answer, “Why not use GnomeSword?”, I answer that they are not ready for serious study. They also have errors in the Strong’s dictionary. It is for casual reading only. I think that is all most do with Bible software other wise they would never give the above answer.

There are two and really three choices for Mac. So for OSX things are looking pretty good. For someone like me who is tired of Windows problems and enjoys Linux I may have to switch to the Mac to be able to do any real study.

To the end of improving the possibilities on Linux I contacted a couple of Bible software companies to let them know about the need. E-Sword is going toward on-line and has no intention of writing new versions. The author suggested running Parallels or Boot Camp on the Mac with no suggestion for Linux. This is a very bad answer.

The last thing a Mac or Linux user or fan wants to hear is that the solution is to spend $300 on a copy of Windows. This is not a solution so E-Sword is out of the picture. On-line usage does not facilitate serious study and is unusable except for those with very good broadband connections. I have reasonable DSL and the online version was lagged and hard to use. It reminded me of some satellite connections where you type three letters and wait for the screen to show them ten seconds later.

A simple search will show you QuickVerse, Accordance and now Logos. MacSword is the same as GnomeSword. The Logos solution is to let you download a file that makes their Windows version work on the Mac. It is not in beta yet, but apparently works. I still have QuickVerse 4 for Windows so I am used to that one and the price seems more reasonable than Accordance so far.

I do not use commentaries and do not need 25 different translations. What I really want is an easy way to see what the Hebrew and Greek really say. My experience so far has been that there is unity in the truth between the Hebrew and Greek that one does not find in the English. So various dictionaries and resources like Englishman’s are really very helpful.

This is where Logos suggested their Original Languages Library edition. Looking down the chart I have to agree. I did not see Englishman’s listed, but Logos says that it is integrated into the software. The price is rather steep for what I am used to, but when I called I was told that I could get a better price on the phone. The Logos solution may be the path I try. I do plan to investigate Accordance for a similar solution and will report on how things work when I give one of them a try.

Tim

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