PocketBible for Windows Released

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.laridian.com/pc/default.asp?ref=apwzwtzws">http://www.laridian.com/pc/default.asp?ref=apwzwtzws</a><br /><br /><i>"PocketBible works so you don't have to. Most of the Bible software available today seems like, well, a lot of work. Wouldn't you rather spend your time learning about God than learning how to use software? Our #1 goal with PocketBible was to make it "easy to use." From the moment you open the program, you'll find it does everything you want to do with a Bible software program—without the learning curve."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2007/20070826-pbwindows.gif" /><br /><br />Laridian has released their desktop version of PocketBible for Windows. The sync component isn't there yet, but that is coming. They felt the product overall was good enough to release as is and the sync conduit could follow. I've been playing with it for several months and as a PocketBible user for my PDA, I feel right at home. I is especially handy that all of your PocketBible 3.0 "LBK" files work with it. True to Laridian's heritage, this version for Windows is portable. They have made it where you can install it to your PC, but you could also completely install it, and your books, to a USB key and run it from any Windows PC you want without leaving any footprints behind or requiring installation on the host PC. It is $29.99, which includes no books. However, almost every book in your Laridian account will be available for download for the Windows version at no extra charge, or just use your LBK files if they are fairly recent and work with PocketBible 3 for the Pocket PC.<br /><br />It requires 8MB of space to install on your PC or a USB key, plus however much space you need for extra books. And if you haven't been to Laridian's home page lately, they have <a href="http://www.laridian.com/ce/?ref=apwzwtzws">released some other commentaries</a> during the month of August, and for you iPhone users, well, a version for you is on the way too!

[j0dan]

Why is the desktop version so pricy? Especially when it appears to do considerably less than free software such as e-Sword.

Reminds me of shopping at Christian bookstores. Thankfully I can get most of it from Amazon now.

[paschott]

I'll admit to mixed feelings on this. I like Laridian and really appreciate that they aren't forcing us to pay for the books we've bought again. However, without the desktop -> mobile syncing of notes, I may hold off. That's probably one of the key selling points. Entering notes into my PDA is painful and formatting them is even worse (WYSIWYG for the HTML would help somewhat). Being able to do that on my PC and, even better, not lose my notes so easily if I flash my device would be helpful. As an existing customer, it helps to get a discount.

In relation to the above post:
I don't know what the cost is compared to other commercial apps - I just don't do price comparisons that often. I know that most of the more modern translations are under copyright and thus should not be distributed for free without explicit permission from the copyright owner. That translates into some cost for getting an electronic copy. Usually as an existing/registered customer, there are discounts for new releases. This usually brings the cost down to within the same price range as a new paper book.
I do know that a big selling point is the upcoming sync between PC and PDA. I know that in v3, getting notes into the PDA has been difficult and backing them up is somewhat tricky. If I can type notes into my PC version and translate them over to my PDA, that's a time saver and can be useful for Lessons, classes, etc.


Of course, with all that said, I'm just not sure about this purchase right now. I'll have to check it out a little more thoroughly to see if it really fits my needs @ the moment. Still, it does look like a decent first release for PC from Laridian.

-Pete

[Ed Hansberry]

I'll admit to mixed feelings on this. I like Laridian and really appreciate that they aren't forcing us to pay for the books we've bought again. However, without the desktop -> mobile syncing of notes, I may hold off. That's probably one of the key selling points. Entering notes into my PDA is painful and formatting them is even worse (WYSIWYG for the HTML would help somewhat). Being able to do that on my PC and, even better, not lose my notes so easily if I flash my device would be helpful. As an existing customer, it helps to get a discount.

on the sync, yeah, that is when it really will rock. They just decided the client was good enough to release and the sync module would follow up soon at no charge.

[emuelle1]

Ed, do you have a link for the demo? The site says there is a 30 day trial, but I can't find a link. I prefer Pocket E-sword, but the ability to sync notes would be a major selling point for me. When I upgraded my laptop to Vista, my E-sword notes somehow became a protected file and so could not be accessed. I have 4 to 5 years of Bible notes tied up in there, and E-sword notes can only effectively be copied out one at a time. I've been wanting to get out from under E-sword on the desktop for years, but nothing else does what it does as well.

[Ed Hansberry]

Ed, do you have a link for the demo? The site says there is a 30 day trial, but I can't find a link.
No, and I can't find the link anywhere. I suggest you contact them. They either forgot to put it up, or it is just not in a place you and I can find.

I prefer Pocket E-sword, but the ability to sync notes would be a major selling point for me. When I upgraded my laptop to Vista, my E-sword notes somehow became a protected file and so could not be accessed. I have 4 to 5 years of Bible notes tied up in there, and E-sword notes can only effectively be copied out one at a time. I've been wanting to get out from under E-sword on the desktop for years, but nothing else does what it does as well.

I bet eSword put stuff in your Program Files folder. You could move it, but I recommend you uninstall it, remove the eSword folder then start over with a fresh install. Make a backup of any config files (might need to contact them for where they are.)

Once Vista installs it and you can see where it puts the new config files, including your notes, (probably something like c:\users\yourname\AppData\Local\VirtualStore ) you can then put your notes there and restart it.

Vista is a real pain when it comes to finding where it is putting your stuff. Then, to make matters worse, you have some programmers that really mess things up. I have a folder called \AppData\LocalAudible that has a single JPG from Audible in it. Why in the world they would create such a folder is beyond me.