Initial thoughts

Go take a look at the Glo Bible from Zondervan. It just came out. Yes, it is only available for Windows at the moment. They are also supposed to be making it mobile next year. I've never used it--and I'm not a huge fan of most of the stuff Zondervan puts out--but it looks pretty sweet.

As for creating a software, I'm not sure if one person could do it all. Granted, I know nothing about creating anything technological--heck, I spend half of my time with middle schoolers boys who haven't even discovered deodorant yet--but what about archaeology, geography, history, theology? You would need someone who knows the Bible forwards and backwards who can link the Old and New Testaments.

Or would it be open-source? And, if so, who would be responsible for checking to make sure the data is accurate (do you have any idea how many theories there are about where the Garden is or what Revelation is all about?). But I do think it would be great if you could have one program that was currently being updated, so that you didn't have to buy something new every few years just to keep up with current trends and discoveries.

This is might be getting a little ahead of things, but I think you would need to charge something in order to maintain things. What if you had a basic version that everyone could use, but then something for 'members only'? Like maybe extra maps, commentary, or the ability to create a study plan?

Bible Software

(after a long absence)... helloooo

C_lates. Remember that crazy idea we had for Bible software a few years ago? And remember how we discovered that other people were already doing it? Yeah.. about that...

While reading this morning, I had the same desire for the same software. So I went looking. It's still not there. Nobody is making the software that I want to use. After working with online software and usability for the last few years, I'm pretty dissatisfied with my options. Here's a couple thoughts I had. Let me know what you think?

Sure, there is very powerful Bible software now. Here are the main issues I have.

1. They simply are not usable. They are built around features, and not usability. Sure, I can do "anything", but the reality is, I can do nothing. There are tons of capabilities, but the software is designed in a way that makes it hard to use (and therefore, I don't use it).
   
2. Platform. The whole idea that I have to buy your software, and then I can only use it in one place (and probably only on windows) is so antiquated. I want to be able to use this wherever and whenever. I currently have 3 computers. I want all my stuff to be accessible from any of them. Plus, what about when I go on vacation? or out of town?
   
3. Price. I'm still REALLY bugged by this one. My idea is to build software that really allows people to experience the Bible in a way they never have before. If that is the case, then this is a life transforming tool. Charging someone $60 (or in some cases $4,600) to be able to access this information is a HUGE barrier to the gospel message. Plus, they are asking me to commit to something before I even get a chance to really use it. That time investment is another barrier.
   
4. Flow. This is how I work. I sit down to read a passage. About 10 minutes later I realize that the passage I read just raised about 25 questions. Where is Caesarea? How far is it from Galilee? Where is that in modern day Israel? Is it IN modern day Israel? How long did it take to walk between the two? Wait, is that the same place that King David...? Thing is, I ignored all those questions because I couldn't easily get the answers. Current software has so many features, that it makes it impossible to actually explore the questions I have, and maintain a normal reading flow.
   

So there are a few issues I have. Here is my one possible solution. It's crazy... maybe? I would like to raise money to cover the cost of developing and designing a FREE online software that is incredibly intuitive to use, and yet very powerful. It would probably take about a year. Maybe more. At the end though, we are able to provide a similar product (but better) as what is being offered now, and it will be available online, to anyone in the world, for free.

I know there are a lot of Bible software type things out there. Do you guys know of any that would meet these requirements? I haven't seen them, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

Thoughts?