I must confess I’m not into the habit of checking where visitors come from on a regular basis. However, I just did today, only to find out that David A. Black has mentioned this little corner of cyberspace in his blog. I liked the little teaser he posted, which goes like this (sorry, I couldn’t spot any permanent link):

Not all Bible software is created equal. You can review the latest cybernetic Scripture helps here.

Incidentally, I have read quite a few of his books – some authored and some edited by him -, while still others are on my waiting list (which, I hasten to add, is a rather long one!). Anyway, I’m glad he referred to my site, and I’m also happy I came across his site.

I could have chosen a .com domain, but preferred to use .org instead. I wanted to make sure everybody understands that this is not a commercial site. I am not sponsored by publicity or supported by any Bible software company. And while it is true that I am part of the industry, due to my involvement in different projects, BSR is a truly independent site. I pay for all the expenses (quite a few, actually!), and make no profit whatsoever from this activity. Remember, then, that all the opinions expressed here belong to the different authors who voice them, and should never be taken as official statements from any company in particular. This is the way I started off, and that’s how it’s going to stay for the foreseeable future. I truly believe this is in the best interests of everybody.

The move to the new server and domain is almost finished. I’m sorry for the inconveniences this may cause, but in the long run it will be better for all of us. Meanwhile, I would appreciate it if you could update your links, your aggregator subscription or whatever.

Bible Software Review and its weblog will be moving to a new server and domain over the next couple of days or so (maybe less!). Your support since we first started, back in February, and the exciting stuff that’s coming, have led me to make this decision. The new server will be more reliable, and BSR will have its own domain.

Please update your bookmarks and links! The current site and blog will NOT be updated after this post, and will eventually be unreachable in a matter of days. Feel free to publicize these changes by whatever means you deem appropriate. Thank you!

New website: www.bsreview.org

New weblog: www.bsreview.org/blog/

Email address for matters related to the site: webmaster -[at]- bsreview -[dot]- org

Hope to see you all there!

David Lang has written an insightful piece on the dichotomy between “business” and “ministry” in Bible software development. Interestingly enough, he is not the first developer to bring this subject up in recent months (see here). This, in itself, is a good sign, IMO.

David mentions some of the strengths and weaknesses of either model or approach, and my first reaction is always the same: anything that includes the word “Bible” in it is bound to be more than just business. I tend to look at this issue more in terms of striking the right balance than as a real “dichotomy.” To think that “Bible” cannot possibly be associated with the term “business” gives rise to a good number of isconceptions. As he puts it:

To be frank, I’ve seen the ministry label used to justify everything from shoddy workmanship to cut-throat competition to copyright infringement to failure to pay royalties to poor user support to practices which I think border on being deceptive. Thus, it’s not always so easy to conclude that “business” equals bad while “ministry” equals good.

The article also deals with the price of Bible software and the subjective perception of “affordability.”

Finally, there is also one thing I can personally relate to, and that is what the author calls “the challenge of self-definition.” Often times I am asked the question “Why are you not in ministry?” (read pastoral/teaching ministry) and “What do you do for a living instead?” In my experience, I have a much harder time trying to answer the first question, because it is based on a false premise. My answer is simply that I still am in ministry. Ministry of a different sort, but ministry after all!