From: Phil.Scovell@p0.f810.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Phil Scovell)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Online Bible
Date: 20 Jan 93 21:55:31 GMT
Reply-To: Phil.Scovell@p0.f810.n104.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/810.0 - Electronic Library, Denver CO
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26347

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

    The latest version of the Online Bible is now 6.0 and is
greatly enhanced over earlier versions.  It also takes up nearly
14 megs of disk space compared to the 8 megs of earlier releases.
YOu can, however, still use the stand alone version which will
occupy just 7 or 8 megs.  In fact, if you prefer not to install
the lexicon Greek and Hebrew Strong concordance modules, just
running the Bible text part of the program itself, you can
probably get away with a lot less.  Such an installation, however,
would greatly reduce the programs effectiveness.

     Add-on programs include topical studies, a complete Treasure
of Bible studies, and the complete Scofield reference notes.  All
these studies are keyed to individual passages of Scripture and
pop up by the press of a key.  The topical studies, for example,
are indexed and you can call up any individual topic you wish.
You can likewise add to any or all of these notes.

     For those who are really into study, additional add-on
programs include the complete Hebrew and Greek languages.  In
other words, you can display a particular Bible verse in one
window and the literal language in which it was written in the
other for direct comparisons.

     Something else this version has, and the one before, is the
ability to operate as a RAM resident utility.  This means you can
be typing in your word processor and pop open a window and
transfer Scripture text right into where you are typing.

     Translations currently available are the King James and the
Darby version or the King James and The Revised Standard Version.
These are all in the public domain.  If you wish the New
International Version, it is copyrighted but is available from the
author of the program for a fee.  Other English copyrighted
translations are likewise now available for a fee.  The Spanish
translation is also in the public domain but many other languages
are now available from the author and there's quite a list of
foreign languages from which to choose.

     The manual is in ascii format or a print version can be
purchased as well.  An older version of the Online Bible manual in
Braille is also available though this latest release has been
rewritten.  The older Braille manual, however, offers most of the
basic operating features of the program and the online help built
into the program should make up the difference if you are not into
reading electronic manuals.  There is a very easy-to-use menu
driven utility which allows you to read the manual outside the
Bible program itself.

     The installation    program has been streamlined and is much
easier to use than the older installation version.  It is likewise
fairly speech friendly though not all aspects of the install
program will talk.  Most of it, does however.

     Though the Online Bible uses a pair of windows to display its
information, and though the windows do not speak automatically,
most screen reading programs can be made to speak when the window
changes or you can set windows whereby hot keys can be employed to
speak the contents of the given window.  There are a couple of
optional switches which the user can employ when booting the
program to remove some of the troublesome graphics and to force
the program to be more speech friendly by voice synthesized users.
There is likewise documentation in the manual relative to those
using voice synthesizers.

     I offer a cassette tape which will walk you through the
installation procedure and will then discuss a number of the
features and how to operate the basic program.  The tape is free.

     The program takes 17 720K disks if you want the add-on
studies and topic programs.  If you prefer to use high density
disks in each of the 5.25 or 3.5 inch format, you can thus
calculate the number of disks it would take by comparing it to the
17 disks needed in the 720K format.  In other words, about half
that many for 3.5 inch high density disks or twice that number for
low density 5.25 inch 360K floppies.

     For more information, you can reach me at 303-936-2188 or
mail pre formatted disks to 840 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver,
Colorado  80226 and include postage for return mail if you don't
wish to employ Free Matter For The Blind.  You can likewise
netmail me at the node address in the origin line below.  Though
it would take over two hours at 9600 baud, I do offer it both for
download and via file request.

     One more thing.  I'm not a sales person for the program; I'm
just a user.  This is a completely public domain program unless
you order from one of several ordering sights around the globe.
In that case they respectfully request a donation for their costs.
For example, if you wish the program in the King James and New
International versions, it runs about 65 in U. S. currency.  Other
translations and foreign versions run about the same.  The
program is otherwise free if downloaded or obtained from a friend
by sharing the disks except for those translations which are
copyrighted such as the NIV.  Not bad for probably the most
sophisticated and most comprehensive Bible program available to
day.  And you thought all them there Christians were out to get
your money.---

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