Welcome to Bible Software Review!

Since early February 2004, this site has been trying to bring you all kinds of information about the ever-growing Bible software scene. The stated long-term goal has always been that of building a comprehensive repository of tips, news, articles, and reviews of different Bible software products.

Almost two and a half years later, I have felt it necessary to make a good number of under-the-hood changes in order to take BSR one step further. You will notice its new look right away, but behind the interface there are a number of enhanced functionalities and new sections. I hope you like it, but, most of all, I very much hope you find it useful. Thanks for your support and help in making this website a must stop for the many users (and would-be users) of Bible software around the world.

As usual, I invite you to check out my weblog frequently. It is the easiest and fastest way to keep up-to-date as to what is going on. But now there are also other means to interact with other users and send your feedback. Be sure to check out the new forum.

But you may ask yourself, "Why yet another website?" True. There are a good number of user groups, email lists, webs, etc. available already. However, Bible Software Review wants to fill a gap. What we are really after is integration; that is, we want to offer an overview of what is available, bringing together information that is usually only found in a piecemeal fashion.

But we are also interested, above anything else, in the practical application of Bible software. We must constantly remind ourselves of the fact that these wonderful and powerful computer tools are only means to a greater end. Their whole purpose is to enhance our understanding of the Scriptures and help us study and interpret them.

I love the oft-quoted words, stated long before the computer age, "Apply thyself wholly to the text. Apply the text wholly to thyself" (Bengel).

I am certainly not a computer scientist by trade. Far from it! But my years of experience in the Bible software industry as a translator, beta tester, content developer and consultant have helped me get an appreciation of what these applications can do to boost our performance as general users, pastors, teachers, scholars, and so on.

Both my training and interests lie in the area of Biblical Studies and Exegesis. Therefore, I am really passionate about the prospect of seeing more and more people make a thoughtful use of Bible software in order to exegete Scripture correctly and pass on its message and life to others in different contexts (from market place to classroom).

Well, enough said for the time being! This is my proposal. Now it is your turn. I will try to offer lots of content, gathered over the years (some of which made it into my book "A Practical Guide to Bible Software" - only available in Spanish at this time, sorry!), in the hopes that you will find it both interesting and worthwhile.

These are just a few of the things you can do if you want to help:

→ Link to this page from your own website or weblog and encourage others to do the same.

→ Click on the different banners if you are interested in buying a particular Bible software product. This way you will be supporting this site. To maintain Bible Software Review costs quite a bit of money!

→ Donate using the PayPal Donate button, or fill this form if you want to place a paid advertisement on BSR.

→ Send in your suggestions and criticisms. I usually reply to emails within twenty-four hours. My time zone is CET (Central European Time).

→ Let me know if you have written, or are thinking about writing, a review of a Bible software package that you would like to see posted here.

→ Point me to other online or printed information related to Bible software. Chances are that many of the links or references will be appearing here shortly, but I may have easily overlooked some good resources. Remember that we are trying to serve a wide usership, so issues of general interest will get more attention.

→ Be creative! The suggestions above are only a starting point...

Please note...

If you are a Bible software developer and would like to have your product reviewed here at Bible Software Review, email me and we can talk about it.

If you are a pastor, rabbi, priest, missionary, teacher or professor, and would like to share your own personal experience of how Bible software has helped you enhance your ministry, then by all means let me hear from you!

If you work for a publishing company, and would like to consider the possibility of printing and marketing an English remake (fully updated and revised) of my Spanish book on Bible software, or even some other similar projects in the area of computer-assisted Biblical research and exegesis, please get in touch.

Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation. I have a full-time job, so please bear with me if updates are not as frequent as we would all like, particularly at this early stage. I can assure you that, God willing, most links will be fully functional soon! Again, my weblog is a good way to keep y'all updated. I intend to write on the Bible Software Review Weblog pretty much on a daily basis.

So, take your sit, relax and enjoy the wonderful world of Bible software!

Yours,

Rubén Gómez