Center for New Testament Textual Studies’ New Testament Critical Apparatus

Stephen Miller
Stephen Miller Member Posts: 431 ✭✭
edited November 21 in English Forum

The resource Center for New Testament Textual Studies’ New Testament Critical Apparatus was published 10 years ago.

Now an update has been published.

Should I be charged full price for the update if I own the earlier edition?

I also wonder why the latest edition is based on the United Bible Societies The Greek New Testament (3rd ed. corr., 1983) (UBS3).

Stephen

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Comments

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,133

    Normally yes, just as in paper books new editions cost the normal price. 

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Stephen Miller
    Stephen Miller Member Posts: 431 ✭✭

    It seems that this new edition doesn't come in paper. New updates will come as downloads. I assume at no cost.

    So if I don't pay (again) I will not be able to receive the updates.

    I wonder how much cheaper a digital book should be if there is no paper edition?

    Just a thought.

    Stephen

  • Mike Binks
    Mike Binks MVP Posts: 7,433

    I wonder how much cheaper a digital book should be if there is no paper edition?

    Just a thought.

    If one wants just the text then it should be relatively cheap - just the cost that the 'Center for New Testament Textual Studies' (CNTTS) charge Faithlife plus a few dollars handling costs.

    However a quick look at the CNTTS website shows that their prices are not inconsiderable.

    The blurb for the product in Logos says...

    'This current 2021 release is a major upgrade in that new MSS have been included, corrections have been made to numerous readings and variant divisions, and new coding has been added both to enhance the information for the user and to enable some advanced uses of the database, with some of those uses being present in the update and others on the near-term horizon for implementation. Beyond this major update of the Apparatus, an advantage of this electronic format is that additions and improvements can carried out on a continual basis, with some already being planned with the inclusion of more witnesses. The result is a product that continually improves in both quality and comprehensiveness.'

    Presuming one actually wants all the tagging etc that is usually applied to a Logos product then there is that cost to be spread amongst the purchasers. I imagine that the customer base for this product will be relatively small so the share of the cost that each purchaser needs to bear will be quite large.

    Like you

    'I wonder how much cheaper a digital book should be if there is no paper edition?'

    and think perhaps the answer is not how much cheaper but how much more expensive.

    tootle pip

    Mike

    How to get logs and post them.(now tagging post-apocalyptic fiction as current affairs) Latest Logos, MacOS, iOS and iPadOS

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 3,087

    I imagine that the customer base for this product will be relatively small so the share of the cost that each purchaser needs to bear will be quite large.

    Ah come on.  Everyone truly needs a CNTTS ... who can even remember the abbreviation?  I just say 'New Orleans' ... it's easier.  

    But as a 'major upgrade', a separate resource has been FL policy for many moons.  I don't think they're picking on New Orleans.  Comes with a side of Tabasco.

    I hope FL isn't counting CNTTS as their annual OL resource.