How to Become an Expert Bible Software User: Theotek Podcast #043

Do you want to become an expert in your favorite Bible software program? We'll give you suggestions on how to do that ranging from tutorials, help files and training sessions.I just returned from a WORDseach Bible training conference a few days before this podcast. So it got me thinking, how can people become experts?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=389B_SGgIP4 The best options for training includes:

• Use the help files or menu item that comes in the program
• Go to the company's website to find tutorials, tips and training tools
• Attend a training conference like I did with WORDsearch
• Get help from friends
• Use the software and familiarize yourself with the user-interface

Those are just a few suggestions. Rick Mansfield, our team member and part of Accordance Bible Software, wrote a helpful blog post at the company's website.

What Microsoft, Google and Apple Can Do for the Church: Theotek Podcast #042

With Microsoft, Google and Apple all releasing new hardware and software, we talked about what they can do to help the church.We've already discussed the Apple hardware and software announcements for this Fall. We chatted about Google's goodies too. Now it's Microsoft's turn. But more importantly for us, what can these three companies and their technology do to help the church do the Great Commission? This week's episode covered this question. Watch it here or listen below.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-RQg4A-4aQThe new stuff from Microsoft includes a new Surface Pro 4 tablet with the Surface Pen and Surface Type Cover updated with better keyboard and trackpad. There's also the new Surface Book, a 2-in-1 notebook/tablet with high-end specs and a high-end price.At the end we each recommend our choice for the most interesting or exciting of the new Apple, Google and Microsoft devices.

WORDsearch 11 Ships With New Design and Features

There's a new WORDsearch update. WORDsearch 11 comes with a new user interface, an updated library feature, better note card feature for research and some better speed in indexing resources. Add multi-monitor support and the old Lesson Maker that WORDsearch forgot they owned. It's now integrated into WORDsearch.The Theotek Podcast team got a look from Rick Milone of WORDsearch. He's one of their official trainers as well as a user. He showed off some of the new features.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rygB5tK3OXwI brewed me some tea (with fenugreek 50% extract - it's my favorite new combo) and made my podcast. Here's my review of WORDsearch 11 written before our podcast. Look for it in Ministry Tech Magazine next  month.

User Interface of WORDsearch 11

Open WORDsearch 11 and it displays the Home page. Older versions included a smaller version of this, but this time it takes over the full screen. Notice the list of links along the left and list of specials or deals in their store along the right labelled "Latest News." All the "news" seems to focus on books I can buy. Too bad they don't follow other programs and actually offer some real content besides just sales items. This would get me to actually look at this instead of ignore it on my way to opening my library or picking up where I last left off in my studies.Along the bottom of the Home page we get a bunch of links. These take the user to their apps for iOS, Android and the only myWSB. That's one of if not the best online Bible study site available today, especially for WORDsearch customers with a large library that they can use the online version without paying extra, as some programs do.The other set of links at the bottom of the page takes me to WORDsearch social networking accounts. These include:

• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Google+

Move on to the Study and Library pages or tabs to get some real work done. Clicking library shows a grid of books I own in my library. WORDsearch 11 will offer to download your books the first time you click a title to open it from the Library. This takes a long time for people with large libraries like mine.We get an option to list our books or show them in this default grid format.  There's also a search box to easily find books by title. Users with user-created content like User Books, Verse Lists or Documents can find them by clicking the items in upper left corner list. As always the categories of books shows up on the left side.The WORDsearch 11 Study window looks the same as it did before while getting an updated set of toolbar buttons. Gone is the Library panel that we used to open along the left edge of the Window. that makes it a little less intuitive for new users to open their books. Use one of the dropdown boxes on the toolbar to open books.The toolbar includes buttons for the following:

• Open - opens the Open Book dialog box where the user can search for books and a list of search results shows up. Double-click to open the book or highlight and click OK.
• Search - brings up the Search dialog box which includes advanced boolean search functions. Users can limit searches to certain books or just Bibles.
• Results - brings up the Search Results dialog box showing the last search. Users can manipulate the results to get a cleaner look at what they want to find.
• Verses - opens a kind of research assistant tool that finds your verse in various books in your library. The tool lets the user decide wich books to look in like commentaries, dictionaries, illustration books and any other book in the library.
• Topics - a topical Bible browser that finds content in your library based on topics like grace or cross, etc.
• Cross-Refs - lists cross references for a given passage.
• Notes - opens your own notes browser.
• IVS - Instant Verse Study tool that goes out and gets content in your library about a given passage.
• Verse List - create verse lists.
• Word Proc - opens the word processor so you can create documents like Bible studies or sermons inside WORDsearch 11.
• NoteStack - a note card research tool. See more on this below or in the Theotek Podcast above.
• Back/Forward - moves back and forth in the history of places you've visited in WORDeearch.
• Opening books from
  • Bibles
  • Parallel
  • Commentary
  • Lesson Maker - the great lesson creation tool owned by WORDsearch and not updated in years till now
• Morph - morphological explorer research tool for language study.
• Arrange - quickly arranges open books in either horizontal or vertical alignment.
• Desktop - works with the Desktop tool that lets users create window arrangements that make quickly switching between study layouts.
• smallgroup - a link to LifeWay's smallgroup.com an online small group bible study subscription service.

 

What's New in WORDsearch 11

Users of older versions of WORDsearch will see that the old Resource Pane along the left no longer shows up. It's gone, replaced by the Library tab. If you know the title of a book you want to open, then click on the Open button and start typing the title into the dialog box. You can also open books from the Bible and Commentary buttons. The Library tab shows every book installed.Users of multiple monitors can take use of the new multi-monitor support. Put a Bible and a notes window on one monitor and a commentary or language study tools on the other. Arrange things however you prefer. Save them in a predefined Desktop to quickly open it up.

Lesson Maker is Back

WORDsearch owns a great lesson creation tool called Lesson Maker that many of us loved. It was the first WORDsearch product I bought long ago. The tool quickly creates a lesson using questions in a database of tools.The Lesson Maker tool shows up as a button on the toolbar. Open it up and create a quick lesson. This isn't a replacement for doing careful study, but it can rescue you in an emergency. Here are the ways I've used Lesson Maker.

• Throw together a quick lesson when you don't have time due to a busy schedule or a last-minute emergency.
• Create lessons for a last-minute fill-in who takes your place when you're sick or get called away.
• Study hard to teach a lesson and use Lesson Maker to supplement the Bible study

Digital Note Cards in Note Stack

Remember the old note cards that your English teacher taught you to collect while writing a research paper? WORDsearch 11 offers a tool called Note Stacks. there's a button on the toolbar to open the Note Stacks dialog box. Create a stack around a topic, a sermon passage or a book of the bible. Whatever you're teaching, preaching or just studying can become a Note Stack.Now, while studying in commentaries, language studies, Christian Living books or any place in WORDsearch 11, you can select text and right-click. Choose Create a Note from selected text. The Notestacks box opens with the text already entered into the note. Give it a title, add it to a category from the drop down box, and edit other parts of the dialog box. Then hit Save.

WORDsearch 11 Cost and Value

Users can upgrade to WORDsearch 11 for only $40 for the Windows version or for the Mac version. It's not the most significant update, but if you can afford it, then go get it. The new user interface makes for easier Bible study. The look of the update isn't as modern looking as some programs, but that's a minor complaint. I'm glad I got the update.Mac users can get access to their WORDsearch library on Mac and it works exactly like the Windows version, but on top of emulation software. It's not a native Mac app written for OS X. However, if you don't mind the emulation, it works fine.The few readers who are using the beta version of OS X El Capitan should wait till WORDsearch makes an El Capitan version available. It's not compatible as of yet, but will work soon. OS X 10.10 Yosemite users won't have this issue.

Google and Apple - Fight! Theotek Podcast #041

We discuss the new Google and Apple offerings after they announced their new hardware at their fall events. Apple released the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus as well as iPad Pro, a new iPad that competes with the Surface Pro 3 or now the Surface Pro 4.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EznJOU5Tii8Google announced their new goodies also, including a Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P smartphones. Learn more about them from our team in this week's Theotek Podcast.

WORDsearch 11 Update Demo: Theotek Podcast #040

We were fortunate enough to have Rick Milone from WORDsearch to show off their latest update. WORDsearch 11 came out last week with some awesome new features. Rick showed them off and then talked about what sets WORDsearch apart from other programs.After talking about WORDsearch we also delved into iOS 9 and the new ad blocking feature that lest third-party ad blockers stop content from littering your Safari pages.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rygB5tK3OXwWatch the video above from YouTube or listen to the audio version below. Also look out for my review in Ministry Tech Magazine's October issue and here on KevinPurcell.org coming soon.

Apple iPad Pro, iPhone and TV: Theotek Podcast #039

Apple showed off their new iPad Pro, a nearly 13-inch iPad with support for Apple Pencil and a keyboard cover they call a Smart Cover. In addition, we learned about the WatchOS 2.0, Apple iPhone 6S and 6S Plus as well as the updated Apple TV that runs games and apps.The Theotek crew unpacked all the news and gave our opinions of each new product. We also talked a little about how this impacts Bible and church tech users.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wqx3MEwD5gGive the Theotek Podcast #039 a listen below or watch the video above.

iPad Sermon Preperation: Tools Apps and Tips

Ever thought about doing a little iPad sermon prep?A lot of preachers carry around an iPad or some other tablet these days for checking email, surfing the web, playing games, streaming video or taking notes. Many of us also use them for simple Bible study on the go. However, can a preacher study and prepare an entire sermon or Bible study using no other device than an iPad? In other words, from start to finish, ignore their laptop or desktop computer and commit entirely to iPad sermon prep?If you've ever been tempted to retire the laptop and get out of the office, this is for you. Let's look at the following:

• Tools needed to use an iPad or other tablet for reading, studying and preaching the Word of God
• Apps that will help the preacher study, organize and then write their sermon/Bible study
• Tips for doing all of this well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFdN4bjcnQASo grab your iPad and read on...

Accessories Needed for iPad Sermon Preparation

First, grab a Bluetooth keyboard if you're serious about iPad sermon preparation. Some people may want to use their iPad's software keyboard, but typing on a screen doesn't work as well as typing on a physical keyboard. Connect your keyboard to the iPad using Bluetooth. It's simpler and easier than trying to connect one using USB. Also, the battery on my iPad doesn't run out that fast and I never turn Bluetooth off.You can choose from three styles of keyboards.

• Keyboard case integrated with your iPad case.
• Full-size case that the user carries along with their iPad.
• Small, foldable or roll up keyboard.

Each comes with strengths and weaknesses. According to Gear For Gaming, the case approach gives us an all-in-one package to carry around. However, the user's still holding the keyboard when they're not using the case. We've got a recommendation that fixes this problem.Using a full-size keyboard gives the user a better typing experience. We've got two recommendations that feel great while typing and let the user hook up to three different devices. That lets you type on a tablet and a phone and then put it on the desk at home and use the same keyboard with your desktop. We'll explain how this works later.Taking along a full-sized keyboard means less convenience and portability. It's too many things to carry. A laptop with a keyboard attached might work better. Still, read on because we've got a couple of suggestions that are still very portable.The final option is smaller than a full-sized keyboard. These are small foldable keyboards that often fit in your pocket. They are hard to type on quickly.First, look for a Bluetooth keyboard and second decide which of three styles you think you'd prefer. The best keyboard cases come from Logitech because they're thin and light. They usually feel great while typing.Logitech just released the Logitech Blok case. It looks a lot like Microsoft Surface Pro 3 with its kickstand back. The keyboard fits on the tablet along with the snug and thin case. When it's time to type open it up and even detach it so the screen's not too close. This also means you can remove it while using your iPad as a tablet only.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcEuKDRJalIPeople who prefer a full-sized keyboard should look at the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard ($69) and get a carrying case for it or get one that will hold both the iPad and the keyboard.Logitech also makes a great nearly full-sized keyboard. It's the Logitech Easy-Swtich Bluetooth Keyboard, model K811 for $100. It connects to 3 devices. It has a selector switch for Android, iOS and Windows. However, it also connects to an Apple computer and comes with an Apple keyboard configuration with the COMMAND and OPTION keys and shortcuts for iPad.A third keyboard option also fits the "full-sized" mold. The Microsoft Universal Mobile Bluetooth keyboard is my favorite of the bunch because it's small and less expensive than the three of the above options at only $79.95. It comes with its only carrying box and unfolds when we're ready to type on it. It also connects to multiple devices at once.Since I hate the tiny fold up keyboards and the roll up keyboards, I don't have a recommendation. You can find these usually for $20-$50 at Amazon or your local office/electronics store.My friend Antoine Wright of Mobile Ministry Magazine and a co-host of Theotek Podcast would scream at these suggestions. He'd wonder why not forget the keyboard and just use a stylus. Draw and write notes. And I agree with him.A few great options let you do fine-tipped drawing and handwriting. The larger tipped stylus that most people use are terrible. I hate them and never use one. But these feel more like writing with a real pen.

• Just Mobile Alupen Digitial
• Adonit Jot Dash
• Bamboo Fine Line 2
• Fifty-three Pencil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuhIg72nI2k

Apps that Help Preachers Study and Write Sermons

Get a good Bible study app. That's obvious, but remember that not all Bible apps do the same task. I always prefer full Bible study apps over the simple Bible readers. The best Bible apps on the iPad don't necessarily do the best job of supporting advanced Bible study.Logos Bible from Faithlife goes toe-to-toe with Olive Tree's Bible Study as two of the most popular Bible study apps for advanced research. A few other great contenders include...

• Laridian's PocketBible
• Accordance Mobile Bible
• WORDsearch Bible

Each of these coms with strengths and weaknesses. The best option usually depends on what the preacher uses on the computer. Logos users should use the Logos apps. Olive Tree users should get their app. You get the idea. However, try downloading all of these. Each offers a free version and you may get some good content. That's especially true if your desktop application doesn't offer a good iPad app, like Bibleworks or PC Study Bible.In addition to Bible study apps, look for a good word processing app and maybe a presentation app. Do you use Microsoft Office on a computer? Then give their iPad apps a try. To get the full experience the user will need an Office 365 subscription. Office 365 costs between $60 and $100 per year or less if you shop around.Apple makes Pages and Google offers Google Docs. Each comes with strengths and weaknesses, so try them out and see what you like.Some people prefer one of the many note taking or mind mapping apps for taking notes on an iPad while studying their Bible app. Also, do forget that some of the above Bible apps have great notes features that you can write in instead of using a separate app.Here's a list of great note taking apps.

• Evernote - ubiquitous note taking and syncing app.
• Apple's update Notes app offers more features in iOS 9
• iA Writer - be sure to get the cheaper of the two. The $20 version doesn't add enough to make it worth twice the price. It handles mark down, something my friend Wes Allen, a fellow Theotek co-host, will love.

Don't forget hand writing or digital inking as a writing tool. There's a bunch of great apps that let the user write. Here's a list of my favorites.

• Notability
• Metamoji Note
• Penultimate
• Paper by FiftyThree
• Apple's new Notes app also does handwriting and drawing now. Scroll down on the page in the previous link to see what's coming.

Some people prefer using a mind-mapping tool. I don't use one, so I'm not a great source for the best options. My friend Rick Mansfield (from Accordance and my co-host on Theotek Podcast) told me about a post about mind-mapping for sermon prep.See more about mind mapping in the tips below.

Tips for Using an iPad while Preaching or Teaching the Message

Once you have a good keyboard and/or stylus, your preferred Bible study app, a good word processing too, handwriting app, or mind-mapping tool, here are some tips for effectively doing Bible study and writing on the iPad.

1. Learn to multitask. Apple gives iPad users two ways to switch between apps. Use double tap or the swiping gestures to go back and forth between apps. In iOS 9 on iPad Air and iPad Air 2 users can dock a second app by swiping in from the right side of the screen.
2. Write in the Bible app's notes feature if you want side-by-side user environment. I mentioned this above. This might not be the best way to write your preaching notes so when finished copy and paste the notes to a word processor for formatting.
3. Copy and Paste Bible text or quotes from the app to the word processor. To preach or teach from an iPad get in the habit of copying the text of the Bible into the word processor so there's no need to deal with turning pages in a physical Bible.
4. Use Mind Mapping apps for a different approach to sermon or Bible study notes. Mind Mapping refers to using visual organization of ideas. Get an awesome stylus to draw a circle on the screen of your inking app. Then write your Big Idea in the center. If you don't know what a "Big Idea" is, then stop what you're doing and read Biblical Preaching by Haddon Robinson. If you still don't understand, then get The Big Idea of Biblical Preaching by Keith Wilhite and Scott Gibson. If you still don't understand then go back to your seminary or Bible college and ask for your tuition money back.
5. Sources for Illustrations. There's a wealth of great content online for teaching and preaching, from online Bible study sites to news sites that offer useful illustrations. Use Wayne McDill's tool for finding illustrations from 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching. Avoid the canned sermon illustrations books and sites that become out of date soon after they're published. Also, look at PreachingToday.com for som great up-to-date illustration material.
6. Remember visuals. People learn better when we combine at least senses in the teaching or preaching experience. So look for ways to include the sense of sight, smell, touch and even taste while teaching or preaching. Take note of them when you think about your sermon's Big Idea and concepts. In ascending order of effectiveness from the least effective to the most effective senses for memory are hearing, seeing, touching, tasting and smelling. If someone hears you preach and sees an image, they will remember what you say longer. Add one of the other three and they may never forget it.
7. Use a presentation tool. The iPad offers a great collection of presentation tools from Keynote and PowerPoint to Prezi or Haiku Deck. Go here to see a great list of alternatives to Keynote and PowerPoint.

Accordance Masters: Theotek Podcast #037

Accordance users or beginning Accordance users will love this edition of the Theotek Podcast - Master Accordance 11: Theotek Podcast #037. This came because my Ministry Tech Magazine article of a similar name came out this past week. Check out the article and read it while watching the YouTube video below. We also have a couple of bonus tips mixed into the podcast.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnPrLG_JrtEYou can get a free subscription to Ministry Tech Magazine by signing up at MinistryTech.com. This used to be Christian Computing Magazine.At the top of the podcast I shared my first impressions review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. If you're interested in the smartwatch, check out the great coverage at GottaBeMobile.

Kevin Surrenders to the Apple Watch: Theotek Podcast #036

After stating on more than one occasion that I'd never get an Apple Watch, guess what I did? I got an Apple Watch. It was under some unusual circumstances and I still don't think it's worth the $400 ($350 for the smaller version) price tag Apple put on it. This cost will also run up the price of other Smartwatches, which I don't like. Find out what I think by watching or listening to episode 36 of the Theotek Podcast below.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNqsMoOIrQcThe other things we discussed include Logos 6.5, which recently came out. Wes recommended Scapple, a nice mind mapping program. It's not really mind mapping, but that's the closest description to what Scapple does.In a bit of congnitive dissonence I also upgraded to a Google Nexus 6 smartphone. I talk a little about that decision as well. Finally, we chat about Church website SEO based on an article from Church Tech Today.

Backup Strategies: Theotek Podcast #035

Our team discusses backup strategies. What do you do to back up your data so that you can quickly recover from a messed up hard drive, a failure of your phone, loss or theft? Listen to hear our plans for backing up our mobile devices and computers.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDjN_6sOFmw

Theotek Podcast #034: Windows 9, I Mean Windows 10

Windows 10 finally launched with a few upgrade hiccups, but it's mostly a nice update to the Windows operating system. We talk in this week's Theotek Podcast #034: Windows 9, I Mean Windows 10 about some of the things we really like and don't like about the Windows 10 operating system and the update.Windows 10 is easy to get. Just download the ISO or update media creation tool from Microsoft. The other option means waiting for Microsoft to offer it to you, if you reserved a copy using the little white Windows logo that pops up in the Windows 7 and Windows 8 system tray.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1liTZrVn34

Upgrading to Windows 10

The upgrade goes smoothly for most people, but as always, backup your important data. I recommend doing that and then restoring your computer to factory spec using the recovery tool in Windows 8 or using your computer manufacturer's recovery system if you're running Windows 7. This will help you get a better Windows 10 experience. After restoring to Windows 8 or Windows 7 factory spec, then update all the drivers using Windows Update. Finally, after all that, run the update you downloaded using the link above.OneDrive users will find a strange change from Windows 8. In Windows 8, OneDrive would put links to all of your files that aren't installed locally. In other words, when a user set up OneDrive in Windows 8, they didn't have to download all their files, but the folder looked like they did. Some of the files would only be placeholders so you knew what files your OneDrive stash contained online even if they didn't reside on the hard drive. Click on a placeholder and Microsoft would download the file and then open it.This placeholder method worked great on computers with limited storage. Users knew what they have online, but the file didn't eat up precious space on a low-end computer or tablet with only 16 or 32GB of local storage, like the HP Stream 13 I own. However, in Windows 10 doesn't work this way. They removed the placeholders in Windows 10 and only shows the files actually residing on the local hard drive. Some people prefer it this way but many of us like having the placeholders. Microsoft plans to restore the feature in an upcoming update.

Theotek Podcast

We record the Theotek Podcast every Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. using Google Hangouts. Follow me on Google hangouts to get notified when we go live. You can watch it after the fact on YouTube or via iTunes. Podcast app users can also listen by searching for Theotek in the app. Get all the links to the audio on Theotek.com.

Theotek Podcast #033: Semper Paratus and Stuff

Church websites and their social media presence can have a positive or negative impact on the church. The Theotek Podcast #033 dealt with this subject.Our team included Rick Mansfield of Thislamp.com and Antoine Wright from the Mobile Ministry Magazine and me, columnist with Ministry Tech Magazine (formerly Christian Computing Magazine). Hopefully this was the last week without Wes Allen, the tech director for the American Baptist Church of New Jersey.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TieOUtsn1voIn the first segment of the Theotek Podcast we talked about the problems with church websites, using my church's woefully ignored website highpeakchurch.com as a bad example of letting a site flounder with little fresh content. We discussed tips for not letting that happen. Then we looked at the subject of social media and how it can help put a fresh face on the church's online presence. And finally, don't count out email newsletters. They can still give churches a useful way to communicate with the congregation.We also talked about our 5 Commandments for Online Communication, which we discussed during our 15th episode.You'll find the Theotek Podcast on my YouTube channel. Please go their and subscribe. The audio version gets uploaded and you can listen using the player below or by subscribing to it on iTunes or Stitcher Radio, which also distributes it to almost all the major podcasting apps on mobile devices. Get the links on our the Theotek page of this website.

Theotek Podcast #032: Extending an Olive Tree

This week Olive Tree released its latest version for Windows bringing with it the ability to display the latest book files and we got a preview on this week's Theotek Podcast.Before, the Windows program used the old Palm Book format. They updated iOS, Mac and Android. The Windows code finally got that update and the company released it on July 20, 2015. We got an exclusive first look at Olive Tree Bible+ 6.0 for Windows as LaRosa Johnson, from Olive Tree and one of our regular guests, talked about it at the beginning of our show - Theotek Podcast #032: Extending an Olive Tree.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOi5i7I-8NsWe also talked about Bible software in general on multiple platforms and the state of software user interface. Finally, we discussed a few new toys that I recently picked up like the Samsung Galaxy Gear S smartwatch that Antoine's been using for some time as his sole phone.

Improvements in Olive Tree Bible for Windows

To learn more about Olive Tree Bible+ 6.0 for Windows head over to the company's blog where they discuss all the new features.The most significant thing users will notice is the new user-interface. It's cleaning and more modern looking and matches the other platforms. They flattened the icons and gave it a color scheme that matches their new branding since Harper Collins bought the company.The basic look and functionality didn't change that much. It still shows the tree of available library books on the left, the Bible takes up the center and user can still find the powerful Resource Guide along the right. The toolbar still shows quick links to features used most.The new book display format lets the company format books so that things like tables will look better. Bible links inside the table show up as hyperlinks instead of a table that's really an image. The student can interact with table content. Text flows around tables and images better as well.Olive Tree Bible+ 6.0 for Windows performs faster too. The new book format makes scrolling quicker. The Resource Guide will show up in the right hand window faster.New books will now become available on the Windows platform as they show up on Mac, iOS and Android since all four platforms use the same book display format.

Theotek Podcast

As always we record the Theotek Podcast every Friday morning via Google Hangouts. Follow me on Google+ to get the notice when we go live. Or subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch it after the fact. We also publish the audio version here, on iTunes and Stitcher Radio. Find the links on our Theotek Page.

5 Ways Accordance Mobile 2 is Vastly Improved

Accordance Bible Software released a new version of their mobile app awhile back. It includes a bunch of great new features that make it vastly improved over the earlier versions, which I never really used much due to the sub par quality. However, these new features entice me to open Accordance Mobile more than ever before. Here's the 5 ways that Accordance Mobile 2 is vastly improved over the earlier version.Here's Accordance's own video highlighting the update.https://vimeo.com/122677075

Quickly Link and Unlink Parallel Panes in Accordance Mobile

It seems strange, but Accordance didn't handle unlinking of window panes well until version 2. Now the app includes a button on the toolbar that quickly links or unlink the two open window panes.Open two window panes as normal. Then tap on the link button to either link them or unlink them. When the user unlink the two, the second pane will not scroll along with the first. This makes it easier to deal with commentaries where a person wants to read an entry from a previous passage without moving the Bible text to the earlier verse.

Download All Option in Library Manager

When installing books in Accordance Mobile 2, there's now a download all button that makes it easy to quickly install the entire Accordance Mobile library. Before we had to select each book and then download them.Other mobile Bible apps need this feature. I've begged one app developer to add this feature since the iPad first came out.

Text Display Improvements

Accordance rewrote their text display engine for a more attractive and complex set of features. Now users can change the fonts and color of text. The font button opens a dialog box with the following customization:

• Display brightness slider
• Font larger/smaller buttons
• Day and Night Theme selector
• Font selection
• Font color
• Background color
• Link to full display settings in the app

Awesome New Notes Features in Accordance Mobile

Accordance really improved the notes features in Accordance Mobile. For example, users can now format their notes with things like font, font size, the color and format of the font (bold, italics, underlining). Users can also copy their notes and share them with others via iOS share sheets. Define words in notes and search for selected text in notes. Accordance Mobile 2 now lets users change the background color of their notes as well.

iPhone 6 Plus Capability

The iPhone 6 Plus lets people use apps in landscape mode thanks to the large 6.5-inch screen with high-resolution retina display. Accordance uses all that screen real estate to show more content in a side-by-side parallel pane view.

Notifications Section Today Screen Shortcut to Accordance Mobile

Thanks to the notifications section in iOS, Accordance Mobile can put a shortcut to the app in the Today section. Slide down from the top of the screen and tap on the Edit button at the bottom of the Today section. You'll see a list of available Today section widgets. Tap the plus icon next to any one of them, including Accordance Mobile. This puts the widget in the list at the top of this screen. Rearrange the order of the notifications Today section widgets by dragging on the handle that looks like three horizontal lines to the right of the item.In the above screenshot I've only got on link. However, all recently opened resources will show up. It could list many more than the one book like mine does above.

Expanded Action Menu

Now when a user selects text in a book or Bible text, a new expanded action menu appears above the selected text with new features.

• Copy
• Highlight
• Clear
• Share
• Search
• Amplify
• Define
• Note
• Bookmark

The Search and Amplify features won't show up on the action bar that appears above selected text when there's a Bible with Strong's tags opened, like the ESV, HCSB or KJV. In that case a box opens up (called the Instant Details) below the word with a definition from Strong's and two hyperlinks with Search and Amplify there instead.

Better and More Highlight Options

In addition to the traditional color highlighting of text, Accordance Mobile 2 adds highlight symbols. Tap the symbols tab that shows up in the highlighting dialog box and choose a symbol. That symbol will show up below the text of the verse selected when the use added the highlight.There's also a Recents tab which shows the user's recent highlight symbols or styles. Also, uses can add other highlight styles and choose them by tapping the Highlights title.

2 More Free Resources

Who doesn't love free stuff. Accordance Mobile 2 will include 2 more free resources.Accordance added the Dr. J's Bible Study Methods tool, which teaches people who to study the Bible using Dr. J's methods in Accordance. He's the guy in the video above. Use this as a tutorial for Accordance like a quick start guide to studying the Bible with the program's powerful features. They also added Bill Mounce's Biblical Training course. There's 17 of them available free.Get more info at Accordance and download the app from the App Store.

Theotek Podcast #031: Heard It, Lived It, Reddit

This week on the Theotek Podcast we talked about the recent controversy over a Reddit person getting fire. What can we learn about how to talk about staff and volunteer conflict management from this story.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3qCYIV4ANMThis past week Microsoft also released a new version of Microsoft Office for Mac 2016. Rick and I shared a little about our first impressions of the app.You can listen below or watch it above. Check out our Podcast page for more info on where to listen or watch live.  

Theotek Podcast #030: Herodian Drone

Accordance Bible Software just released a cool new resource that looks like a drone flew over Israel during ancient times and gives users an aerial view. It also shows some 3D constructions of things like Herod's temple. We got an exclusive first look on the Theotek Podcast.I was away in a hotel and had to drop out early, which ended up kicking the show off the air about 30 minutes after we started, so this is a shorter episode.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBd_Alz3gPkFor those interested in getting Virtual Bible for Accordance, head over to Accordance Bible Software and buy it now for $29.90 until July 13. So hurry up!If you want to listen, you can do so below.