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There was some confusion over the downloadable Bible text, commentary, dictionary, and other modules for the MacSword Bible software I reviewed here Friday. Reader Albert Carvalho wrote to say:
Not hardly. It's true that on the CrossFire Sword module download pages, there is no mention of the Mac, and I should have made it clearer that the modules to download for MacSword are the "raw" Linux/Unix versions. As I noted to Mr. Carvalho, the operating system core underlying Mac OS X is a Unix variant, as is Linux. Ergo: the Unix/Linux Sword modules should work fine with OS X. I've now downloaded several different Bible texts, and they work great. I contacted MacSword defvelopment team leader Will Thimbleby, who supplied some supplemental information on module management in MacSword:
"I just read your review of MacSword, thanks for being so favourable and also pointing out BibleViewer which I hadn't heard of before. As for searching I agree it is treacle slow, this is mostly due to the new KJV module you'll find other modules like the RSV and WEB are much faster. Customisation of the find window is also on my to-do list.
"Hope this helps -Will"
Unfortunately, Albert Carvalho was still having problems:
I wondered if there might possibly be a 10.2.8 issue, but apparently not. Mr. Carvalho booted his flat panel iMac on 2nd partition w/10.2.5. Same results. The culprit eventually turned out to be.... Stuffit Expander 8.0. Mr. Carvalho writes:
"NOTE: Unable to open windows in another module after selecting one. it'll only let you checkout one module at a time. no comparisions. bummer..." So that explains it. Yes, a parallel version comparison would be useful. I have a Parallel New Testament with the KJV, The Amplified Bible, The Living Bible, and the RSV in parallel columns, which is helpful for Boble study. A software version would be great. Speaking of Mac Bible software, Christian Mac User's Group (CMUG) editor and Mac Bible Software developer David Lang has posted a thoroughgoing reader survey of the various applications available, including MacSword. Lang notes that among survey respondents were:
"Despite this multiplicity of backgrounds and perspectives, all of the respondents had several things in common. First, they were all serious Mac users: outspoken, opinionated, and fiercely loyal to their platform of choice. Second, they were all serious about wanting to use their Macs to study the Bible. Most were not content merely to look up verses and perform an occasional word search: they wanted multiple translations, Greek and Hebrew tools, maps, multimedia, and an interface as easy to use as Apple's iApps.
"Perhaps the most surprising thing the survey respondents had in common was their choice of operating system. No less than 84% of those who filled out the survey were either already using OS X, or planning to migrate to it in the near future. Considering the fact that Apple estimates only about 20% of Mac users have made the jump to OS X, this is an astounding number....
"Whatever the reasons, it's clear that OS X was the overwhelming choice of operating system among those who responded to our survey.
"Another striking thing about all these OS X users was how absolutely sold out they were to the new operating system. Almost to a man, they turned up their noses at the idea of having to launch the Classic environment, and many of them were fiercely critical of any program which deviated from Aqua interface guidelines. It appears that once people make the jump to OS X, they don't want to have to look back to the "old" Mac operating system. The irony of this phenomenon is that until recently, they had been just as zealous for that operating system which now they want nothing to do with. Clearly, OS X rules, and the demands of OS X users must be taken seriously by developers."
Of the programs in this list, only the first five are currently being developed for the Mac. The rest are platform independent or non-Mac solutions, as well as legacy Mac applications which are no longer being developed.
You can check out the CMUG Bible software survey here:
Panther support From Wilfred P Nelson I got to play with 10.3 (Pre-release) on a 1.6 G5 today at Fry's in Renton, WA today. Expose is really really NICE as well as the new finder. Having the screen corners activated to implement Expose is really helpful and the program is very responsive. This program alone will be a SIGNIFICANT productivity enhancement. As for speed improvements in the Finder I would subjectively say there are some notable improvements when launching applications. The Finder is much more useful. I also got to use a new dual 2.0 G5 running 10.2.X and that is a VERY responsive machine and is much like OS 9 and 8.6 on 500 Mhz and higher upgraded machines. One thing I have noticed on various machines at the local Apple stores and at other locations selling Apple Computers is that sometime the OS response times are rather slow compared to my Pismo 900Mhz. I think the machines are in need of "maintenance" including periodic restarts to provide the best experience. Many of the stores have also turn on as much of the graphics as they can which reduces OS response time. On that note I use Shadow Killer to turn off some of the graphics which greatly enhances launch and screen redraw times; so much so that they are subjectively comparable to the 1.25, 1.6 machines. Of course you lose some of the cool enhancements but I will take more speed any day.
Hi Wilfred;
Thanks for the report. Sounds exciting. I can hardly wait.
I keep the Finder color level at "Thousands," but haven't done much other speed tewaking. I really must try ShadowKiller.
Charles
From Maurice Black Dear Charles, Browsing the OS X 10.3 system requirements, I see that Panther will not support computers with processor upgrade cards, or systems without built-in USB. You can review the full list of supported systems here: http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/requirements.html
Wallstreet PowerBooks and beige G3 desktops are not supported.
Given Apple's claims about enhanced speed in 10.3, I assumed it would run faster on my 233Mhz Wallstreet than does Jaguar, but now I find myself unable to upgrade. I assume those Wallstreet owners who invested in processor upgrade cards are in similar positions. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Apple's decision to orphan this hardware.
Best wishes,
Hi Maurice;
I will have quite a bit to say about the termination of official OS X support for the WallStreet in The Road Warrior on our sister site MacOpinion this week.
Provisionally, I guess this was inevitable, although as a WallStreet fan, I'm sorry to see it happen so soon. However, you're probably not irrevokably locked out of Panther. Ryan Rempel's XPostFacto installer hack to the rescue!
Ryan notes that:
AccelerateYour Mac has an interesting commentary on these issues, noting, among other things, that:
The implications will become clearer over the next few weeks. I will say this provisionally: If Panther really did block CPU upgrade support, it would be an extraordinarily collossal customer relations blunder, even for Apple.
Charles
The OS X Odyssey archives may be accessed here: Note: Letters to Moore's Mailbag may or may not be published at the editor's discretion. Correspondents' email addresses will NOT be published unless the correspondent specifically requests publication. Letters may be edited for length and/or context. Opinions expressed in postings to Moore's MailBag are those of the respective correspondents and not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Editor and/or Applelinks management. If you would prefer that your message not appear in Moore's Mailbag, we would still like to hear from you. Just clearly mark your message "NOT FOR PUBLICATION," and it will not be published. CM
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