Review of
Bible Navigator Software, Holman Christian Standard Edition
By Derek
Gentle
Updated December 6, 2003
LifeWay has begun selling their new Bible software together with their new translation, the Holman Christian Standard Bible (price: $14.95 on sale at LifeWay stores or on the LifeWay site). I bought the software for the new translation. Aware that our Sunday School literature is going to use the Holman, I have been looking it over. I have liked it and plan to move to the translation when it comes out in the spring of 2004. I will buy a leather bound copy and preach from it.
The HCSB is available online at Crosswalk’s Bible Study Tools section (in the New Testament only) and on LifeWay’s Online Bible Library (both Testaments). However, when clipping and pasting from the LifeWay site, you paste in the footnotes along with the verses, even using “Paste Special” to paste it without formatting. You have to go back and delete the footnotes, being careful not to delete any of the verse. I got tired of that, so I was really ready to buy the software, feeling the translation alone was worth the 30 bucks to me.
Made by WordSearch
Bible Navigator is made in conjunction with WordSearch, who also make LessonMaker. They have merged with Ephiphany Software, makers of the Bible Explorer software. As you can see by looking at their introduction to the Bible Explorer, Bible Navigator is a special edition of that program. In fact, if you want to see what Bible Navigator looks like, you can click on that link for a tutorial/tour.
Installation
Installation went easy enough. After installation, it connected online and updated itself. No problems installing my desktop or my laptop. In subsequent uses of the application, as you open the program, it checks for updates. It has already downloaded one update; that went smoothly too.
End-User License Agreement
The End-User License Agreement (EULA) for the software allows for one user and two machines. Thus, if a pastor loads it on his desktop at home and on his laptop he takes to the church office, he is OK. Or, if he loads it on his office desktop and his desktop at home, he is OK. It would not be OK to give the CD to his Minister of Music to load the program on his computer, as that would involve two users. This is wonderfully fair and, to my mind, n strong selling point.
Starter Set
This is a starter set that comes with two translations: The Holman Christian Standard Bible and the King James Version. You also get Experiencing God Day by Day devotionals by Henry Blackaby, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary and a few other resources. If you register your software, several additional items are unlocked, the best known being Nave’s Topical Bible. At the end of this article, I have included a list of everything included with my registered copy. There are other resources you have 30 days to sample and evaluate. Whenever you open the program, a pop-up window tells you how many days are left. I have listed these items below also. You can tell which ones are evaluation offers, as they show on the menu in red. The one’s you can keep are in black.
The Interface
After our youth minister installed the program on our minister of music's computer (great minister of music, but not a computer guy), he came by my office and remarked on how simple it was to use. The interface is colorful and it is easy to figure out which icon to click. Everything seems to be placed in a convenient and logical place. All the translations and other resources are shown on the left side of the screen, the way the Logos Bible software used to work. Passages have good layout with paragraph headings and a good mixture of bold lettering for chapter and verse numbers. It text reads clearly and is easy on the eyes. There are handy toggle switches; for example, a Verse-by-Verse or Paragraph View toggle switch is right over the passage. There is one to show or hide the Strong’s Concordance numbers (if available for the translation you have open). You can toggle and show cross references in a small window on the right side of the screen or your own notes in a window below. The verse you are on has a finger pointing at it; that sure beats trying to find a thin cursor.
When holding your cursor over a cross-reference in the reference works, a small pop-up window will show the verse(s) (in the translation you designate), without you having to click on it.
Searching
You can search any or all translations and resources for words or a Strong’s number. There is a good selection of advance search options. When you search for a word in the Bible, you get a neatly arranged list of the verses... the verse reference to the left, followed by the paragraph heading, and then the verse. If you click on the verse, you see it in the context of its passage. Though I could print it, the one thing I couldn’t do was copy and paste the verse list as a list.
Copy and Paste
When I pasted a verse into MS Word, it looked like this:
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Gen 1:1 (HCSB)
I appreciated the fact that they didn’t stick me each time with a long footnote with all the copyright information.
Integrated with the Internet
A few years back, before the web became the big thing, I was a subscriber to SBCNet, a Special Interest Group (or Forum) on CompuServe. There were message boards to discuss various subject areas and there were “Libraries” with files of sermons and articles you could download. Similar features are built into this software… very neatly integrated. There are seven categories for discussion. They include: Apologetics, Christian Living, Information from the Publisher, Ministry & Teaching, Prayer and Meditation, Product Help & Feedback, Bible Study, and Technology. Each of these has sub-categories, for example, Discipleship & Small Groups is under Ministry & Teaching. Click on Community and you get a list of sermons and articles you can view or download. These are organized into six categories, similar to the seven discussion group categories. Since the Bible Navigator has a built-in word processor there is a universal format for users to share files and information. And they arranged a convenient folder on the left side of the screen to save and organize the material you download.
Built-In Word Processor
Speaking of the built-in word processor, it isn’t just your basic text editor. It formats in HTML and has a good number of formatting features for font selection, indention, color, alignment, etc. You can save and share your notes in it in the Discussion forum or post them in the Community library (those who choose to view, but not download, these files view them in their web browser. If you copy and paste out of the built-in word processor into Word, the cross references will be shown as links - click on the link, the computer will open the browser and show the passage online. Again, the library window on the left has a handy folder to help organize your materials.
Language Tools
There are several excellent language helps available with a range of offerings designed for those who haven't had Greek or Hebrew to resources for those who have. They have taken providing good language tools very seriously. However, they are all add-ons. They include Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament, The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Word Pictures in the New Testament by Southern Baptist scholar A. T. Robertson, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Strong’s Concordance and Strong’s Greek-Hebrew Dictionary, and the New American Standard Greek-Hebrew Concordance and the New American Standard Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. As you study a word in one of these tools, there are cross-references to the other resources. This is done with excellence! However, you can look these over in the 30-day evaluation period; after that you will have to pay for each of them as an add-on. The New American Standard Bundle includes the 1977 and 1995 editions of that translation and the concordance and dictionaries; it costs $39.95 (a good value for all it includes). The Strong’s material costs $24.95, but itegrates Strong's defiitions, Thayer's Greek Lexicon, and Brown, Driver, & Briggs Hebrew defintions.
Theology Section
One weakness is the Theology section, offering as their only book on doctrine, Charles Finney’s Systematic Theology (Finney's book is an add-on). At first, I was kind of surprised that LifeWay hadn't contributed a book on doctrine by a Baptist. Confession wise, there is the Westminster Confession, and Spurgeon's catechism, but not the Baptist Faith and Message. Then, I realized the folks putting the Bible Navigator together haven't finished "baptizing" the Bible Explorer program and are just getting started introducing Baptist materials. So it is a bit early to complain. But, this is an area in which LifeWay needs to contribute. Southern Baptists James P. Boyce and J.L. Dagg both have Christian doctrine books in the public domain; in fact, they are both available online now. Though not a LifeWay product, Millard Erickson's, Introducing Christian Doctrine would be also a great addition.
Add-Ons
You can add books and translations by going to VIEW then ADD-ON BOOKS. You will be shown a list of available resources with the prices by category. Click on the name of the resource and you will see a description of the product. I like the fact that you can order resources individually; you don’t have to spend $150 to buy “Module 2” with a suite of resources with six things you don’t want to get the two resources you do want. This is much better!
However, the Bible Navigator also offer bundles, with multiple resources at reduced prices. They are offering more of these all the time. There is currently an "Ultra Value Bundle" for $199.95 which will unlock everything that comes in the 30-day evaluation period. I bought this bundle. Again, installation went very smoothly. At first I was concerned that I didn't have a page to print out my receipt, but it was e-mailed to the address in my form. When I clicked on ABOUT (under HELP), under the name of the program, it read Special Academic Edition. This is the same package given, in the fall, to seminary students at the six Southern Baptist Seminaries.
Pricing
The starter set, as I call it, is a really good deal. To make it fully operative with the built-in study options, you will need to buy and add the New American Standard bundle, the Strong's material, and Thompson's Topics. I say that because there are icons to click on for these resources integrated into the program.
My only complaint about the software is that, in some cases, they are charging the same price for electronic formatting as one could purchase the book in hard copy. When all they are selling is a download from their server, their costs are significantly lower. Especially disappointing to me is that they charge so much for some materials in the public domain. I am a long-time user of the Online Bible. I have always appreciated the fact that they see their work as a ministry and give away everything they can. Accordingly, they have a good number of translations, commentaries, and resources one can download at no cost at The Online Bible Software Site.
The New American Commentaries are a good example of the great strength and slight weakness of Bible Navigator. This is a modern commentary set, under copyright, and would not be available with free programs like the Online Bible. Many Bible programs have devotional commentaries, but not enough commentary help to assist the user with technical questions. Sometimes, there is not the type material needed by a seminary student, for example, in researching a passage for an assignment. So these are an excellent resource. The commentaries are offered at $24.95 each (they generally cover one to three books of the Bible). However, you can buy these commentaries in hard copy from Christian Discount Books for $21.95. (as of 11-20-2003) My take on this is that $25 is too much to charge. I realize what they are selling is the information, but they seem to be able to accept less for the information in hard copy (after the expense of paper and printing) than for the electronic format. Once the electronic formatting is done, it’s all profit after that. Do I hear $15? Having pointed this out, I want to be quick to add that some of the other resources are offered at bargain prices.
Below is a chart to show you comparisons and give you an idea of the difference in price. Some items are a better deal with the Bible Navigator than hardback.
|
Resource |
Bible Navigator |
Online Bible |
In Hardcopy from CDB |
|
American Standard Version |
$9.95 |
FREE |
|
|
Bible in Basic English |
$9.95 |
FREE |
|
|
New Living Translation |
$29.95 |
$5.00 |
|
|
New Revised Standard |
$29.95 |
$5.00 |
|
|
New International Version |
$29.95 |
$20.00 |
|
|
New King James Version |
$29.95 |
$5.00 |
|
|
Young’s Literal Translation |
$9.95 |
FREE |
|
|
International Standard Bible Dictionary |
$49.95 |
FREE |
|
|
Thompson’s Chain Reference Topics |
$24.95 |
FREE |
|
|
Scofield Bible Notes |
$19.95 |
FREE |
|
|
Jamieson, Faucett, & Brown Commentary |
$39.95 |
FREE |
3
volumes $39.99 |
|
Matthew Henry Unabridged |
$39.95 |
FREE |
|
|
Strong’s Concordance & Dictionary |
$24.95 |
Free, but doesn't include Thayer's and BDB |
|
|
A.T. Robertson: Word Pictures in the New Testament |
$39.95 |
FREE |
|
|
Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament |
$49.95 |
Not
Available |
Hardcover
set $59.95 |
|
Barclay’s Daily Study Bible |
$79.95 |
Not
Available |
17
Volumes $139.99 |
|
Vincent’s Word Studies |
$39.95 |
Not
Available |
4
Volumes $24.95 |
|
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament
Words |
$29.95 |
Not
Available |
$24.95 |
CDB
prices current as of November 20, 2003.
Editions of Strong’s material, International Standard Bible Dictionary, and Thompson’s Chain Reference material may not be the same. The Online Bible material is the older, public domain material.
Overall
Overall, I think the program is great. The price for the starter software, with what you get with it, is excellent. The discussion and library features are really well-done. It is as user-friendly as Bible software could get. It has a nice look and the layout is well conceived. They are including excellent resources and, as they continue to add more resources, it will do nothing but get better. With the merger of Epiphany Software and WordSearch - and with LifeWay's resources, this should grow into a goldmine of study tools. Expect to find resources for this program that will be available for no other Bible software. In the short time I have had the program, they have rolled out new resources for sale. Even feeling that some of the add-ons are a little too pricey, I still recommend it. Personally, I will continue using Online Bible for the materials I already have on it. Between the two, I will have a powerful set of study tools.
An online look at the features of the program is available at http://www.broadmanholman.com/navigator/
Pulpit Helps review of Bible Explorer 3 and more quotes from reviews on the Ephiany Software site.
LIST OF RESOURCES THAT COME WITH PURCHASE PRICE (after registration)
Bibles
Holman Christian Standard
King James Version
Commentaries
Matthew Henry Concise
Devotionals
Bible Reading Planner
Experiencing God Day by Day
My Utmost for His Highest
Dictionaries
Easton’s Illustrated Dictionary
History and Culture
Fox’s Book of Martyrs
Literature
None
Maps & Atlases
12 Maps
Photographs & Art
Dore’s Woodcuts
Photos of Israel
Study Helps
None
Study Notes
None
Theology
None
Topics
Nave’s Topics
Word Studies
None
LIST OF EVALUATION RESOURCES
(Note, there are several items available for purchase and download that are not included with the evaluation materials)
Bibles
American Standard Version
Bible in Basic English
New American Standard (1977)
New American Standard (1995)
New English Translation
New International Version
New King James Version
New Living Translation
Living Bible
The Message
Young’s Literal Translation
Commentaries
Adam Clarke’s Commentary
Barclay’s Daily Bible Study (NT)
Barne’s Notes on the New Testament
J. Vernon McGhee’s Thru the Bible
Matthew Henry Unabridged
Wesley’s Commentary
Devotionals
Faith’s Checkbook
Morning and Evening
Dictionaries
Hitchcock’s Dictionary of the Bible
Homan Bible Dictionary
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
History and Culture
Complete Works of Josephus
Edersheim’s Life & Times of Jesus the Messiah
Manners and Customs of Bible Lands
Literature
Necessity of Prayer
Paradise Lost
Paradise Regained
Pilgrim’s Progress
Possibilities of Prayer
Power through Prayer
The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life
The Imitation of Christ
Maps & Atlases
None
Photographs & Art
None
Study Helps
Genealogies
Study Notes
Life Application Bible Notes
New English Translation Notes
Scofield’s Study Notes
Theology
Finney’s Systematic Theology
Topics
Laws of the Bible
Life of Jesus
New Topical Textbook
Prophesies Fulfilled by Jesus
Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible Topics
Word Studies
New American Standard Greek-Hebrew Concordance
New American Standard Greek-Hebrew Dictionary
Strong’s Concordance
Strong’s Greek-Hebrew Dictionary
Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament
Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
Word Pictures in the New Testament (A.T. Robertson)
Free Resources for Christian Living, Thinking, & Preaching
Bible Study Tools Section, Baptist Start Page