Comments
Actually you Could if:
1. there was a published 'specification' for each bible programs layout of that type of resource.
2. people stopped paying for 'exclusive to [ Insert Bible Program Name Here ] books.
So as users of bible software what can we do?
1. put a pertition on each bible software forum we participate in.
2. vote to support it.
3. dont purchase any books until that particular bible software allows the 'basic' conversion of the books for use in other bible software. (with the basic ability to read / navigate).
Any one interested in participating?
Personally I am open to participating in this. As I dont believe the Bible software industry ( book publishers included ) have the right to force us to repurchase the exact same product for use on a different bible program. Infact this should be illegal.
regards.
1. there was a published 'specification' for each bible programs layout of that type of resource.
There is not, nor will there be, ever.
1. put a pertition on each bible software forum we participate in.
Start over at the Accordance or WordSearch forums and see how far you get. [:D]
3. dont purchase any books until that particular bible software allows the 'basic' conversion of the books
The publishers that license copyrighted works to different software companies will not allow them to do this. The software companies fear the courts and irate publishers more than they fear a boycott from consumers. In other words, it is illegal for publishers to violate copyright laws.
As I dont believe the Bible software industry ( book publishers included ) have the right to force us to repurchase
What you believe is not half as important as what reality is.... Your stance is about as silly as requiring General Motors to sell car parts that will work on Fords and Chryslers. You would end up with an International pickup truck. They don't make them anymore.
With about 10,000 books and the world's best Bible software (Logos 5 Portfolio+) why would I want to run inferior brands?
Logos 7 Collectors Edition
1. there was a published 'specification' for each bible programs layout of that type of resource.There is not, nor will there be, ever.
Your point doesn't make sense. Are you trying to infer your authority on stating that it is literally impossible?
EDIT: if you are thinking that i mean 'proprietary' extra features. then no that's not what I mean. (I know and agree that this is proprietary to each bible software company). As I said to Mick, only the basic content that is common to all bible software is needed - the bare minimum for viewing and navigation. If you point out the fine points of this, I answer, it is still easily possible none-the-less :-)
1. put a pertition on each bible software forum we participate in.Start over at the Accordance or WordSearch forums and see how far you get.
:-) I did here: http://forum.theword.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4057&hilit=open+standard
3. dont purchase any books until that particular bible software allows the 'basic' conversion of the booksThe publishers that license copyrighted works to different software companies will not allow them to do this. The software companies fear the courts and irate publishers more than they fear a boycott from consumers. In other words, it is illegal for publishers to violate copyright laws.
please refer to my comments in the word forum above.
As I dont believe the Bible software industry ( book publishers included ) have the right to force us to repurchaseWhat you believe is not half as important as what reality is.... Your stance is about as silly as requiring General Motors to sell car parts that will work on Fords and Chryslers. You would end up with an International pickup truck. They don't make them anymore.
again please refer to my comments in the word forum above.
With about 10,000 books and the world's best Bible software (Logos 5 Portfolio+) why would I want to run inferior brands?
:-) why have more than one OS ? or office application, or Word document type?
Why? Because people are creative, competitive, and it promotes even more bible study inventions and innovation. Pushing the boundaries and possibilities of what can be done in this sector.
Why? Because God didn't give the Bible to Logos exclusively, and didn't say that they are the only ones to make a living off of creating bible software products.
:-)
In good spirit
Luigi.
if you are thinking that i mean 'proprietary' extra features. then no that's not what I mean.
I did indeed think you were referring to proprietary features. Logos (and the other publishers) has/have unpublished standards and will keep them close to the vest. The only chance I see of Logos ever publishing them is if Logos went bankrupt and the software was orphaned. Maybe, just maybe, would Logos then publish their "trade secrets."
the bare minimum for viewing and navigation.
Are you aware of Faithlife? Biblia.com? The many Logos apps for hand-helds?
My average price per book in Logos is under $5 per book. I can access my library on my home desktop, church office desktop, laptop, netbook, iPad, Android, and any computer through Biblia.com. I really can't see what else I would need outside of a couple books exclusive to WordSearch (Complete Biblical Library, The Portable Seminary.) I am afraid you are carrying a banner from the 1990's.
Logos 7 Collectors Edition
WOW The responses im getting are typical of the average yogi bear.
To the rest of the readers: IT IS PEOPLE LIKE THAT WHO KEEP THE MASSES BLINDED TO SIMPLE, HONEST, AND REASONABLE SOLUTIONS TO THE BUY ONE RESOURCE ONCE ISSUE.
LISTEN. READ THIS SLOOWLY.
1. you purchase the book in AN OPEN STANDARD electronic format WITH COPY PROTECTION.
2. you can read & navigate in any BSW (bible software)
3. EACH BSW CAN THEN CHARGE A SMALLER PROPRIETARY FEATURE SET FOR THIS RESOURCE.
some of you guys are really naive - and know very little when it comes to solving an issue in a fair manner.
As I dont believe the Bible software industry ( book publishers included ) have the right to force us to repurchase the exact same product for use on a different bible program.
Your idea is a good one - and it already has been tested in the last century http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STEP_Library . Some bible software still include STEP-readers. However, it seems the industry has gone over this.
Technically it should be easy to read STEP-format text sources, but the only tool that I found some time ago requires the installation of a defunct, last-century release version of Ruby or another exotic programming language. But the issue is not the ability to read it: I know of no publisher that releases books in STEP format and the major bible software makers don't support it and are surely contractually bound to not allow full export of copyrighted resources into a free format.
Based on perception, the reason may be greed - or the search for viable business models that allow production of ressources for the foreseeable future. Basically we're paying the massive amount of Logos features with increased prices for the resources. In your world, people would buy the books at the lowest-price seller and bible software makers would charge licence fees. I think the publishers killed this idea because of fears that if such an open format doesn't include strong DRM enforced by every party, people will not pay anything at all for the resources.
3. dont purchase any books until that particular bible software allows the 'basic' conversion of the books for use in other bible software. (with the basic ability to read / navigate).
Actually you're hurting yourself. And I don't think there's one bible software that allows such unlimited export and runs with non-PD resources.
Have joy in the Lord! 
As I dont believe the Bible software industry ( book publishers included ) have the right to force us to repurchase the exact same product for use on a different bible program. Infact this should be illegal.
They own the Copyrights: they can do what ever they please. Also the copyright statements on most of the STEP format files I have [some 700 files] limit the use of those files to the bible software program that they were bought with [not just any STEP reader but theirs only]. And that company recently "updated" its format to somethings else [that is they dumped the STEP format - most likely just so that we are forced to use their software to read the new files]
Why does Logos not have some publishers books? Most likely because Logos allows use everywhere and the publishers want their fee on each device.
If as of April 1, 2013 no book sold unless they included an e-copy that allowed it to be used everywhere then they all would very soon provide an every where e-copy.
But as most people only want it on the one device that they own and are not thinking about using it on some other device the only people that will stop buying will be us and we are too few. Our non buying will not be noticed - the e-copy would never be produced.
Good idea - it just might work - in the next life - no greed, no money - just eternal love
I wonder if Logos would be interested in giving some kind of deal to quit using another program and give a HUGE discount on the books in the other program since you already own a "license" to use them.
I wonder if Logos would be interested in giving some kind of deal to quit using another program and give a HUGE discount on the books in the other program since you already own a "license" to use them.
The above is an Interesting thought.
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Regarding STEP
I didn't mention it for similar reasons like you mentioned. It was abandoned by most for reasons other than copyright management of the individual books. (ie copyright issues of the STEP format (it was not free support), inability to solve various issues on the level of coverage of 'features' of the format - and separation of those from proprietary additions. Or similar.
No you cannot. The books are in different formats.
Pastor, North Park Baptist Church
Bridgeport, CT USA
Thanks. I was afraid of this.