Another Bible Software Rant
I'd like to keep these things to a minimum, but in speaking with a brother about the possiblities of a hybrid Bible application (for smartphones, Internet Tablets, and laptops alike), it hit me that there was something that was already present that just kinda made me feel incensed about the whole thing.
Bible software/websites are made for those that have access to them, not necessarly those that need them.
For example, one would think that YouVersion would be a really nice piece of web-based software to use on a smartphone or Internet Tablet. But its not; the site doesn't reformat itself for use on those types of mobile devices. Despite the higher proliferation of mobile phones, much of what is out there is geared towards those in the Body who are more affluent and have more powerful equipment.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that everything needs to be broken down to the user of a 10 year old Nokia 3555. But when developing software that is supposed to enable and encourage reading, studying, and discipliship, is anyone taking into account those that don't even have access to the latest and greatest hardware to do so.
I wanted to jump into using YouVersion on the N800 a few days ago and used the tablet to sign up. But no matter what zoom levels I used, the site was just unusable on such a device. I know I'm not the least of these, but shouldn't revolutionary Bible software/services be a bit more than AJAX and Web 2.0-isms? Shouldn't it be accessible? Shouldn't it allow us to interact with the Word in ways that we hadn't before?
Bible software/websites are made for those that have access to them, not necessarly those that need them.
For example, one would think that YouVersion would be a really nice piece of web-based software to use on a smartphone or Internet Tablet. But its not; the site doesn't reformat itself for use on those types of mobile devices. Despite the higher proliferation of mobile phones, much of what is out there is geared towards those in the Body who are more affluent and have more powerful equipment.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that everything needs to be broken down to the user of a 10 year old Nokia 3555. But when developing software that is supposed to enable and encourage reading, studying, and discipliship, is anyone taking into account those that don't even have access to the latest and greatest hardware to do so.
I wanted to jump into using YouVersion on the N800 a few days ago and used the tablet to sign up. But no matter what zoom levels I used, the site was just unusable on such a device. I know I'm not the least of these, but shouldn't revolutionary Bible software/services be a bit more than AJAX and Web 2.0-isms? Shouldn't it be accessible? Shouldn't it allow us to interact with the Word in ways that we hadn't before?
Labels: Bible, internet tablet, N800, software, tech
posted by Antoine @ 1/12/2008 10:00:00 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Begging your pardon, but smart phones _are_ the domain of the affluent, not visa versa. In my part of the world (Poland), your average Joe has a super-basic cell phone, or at best, a feature phone with camera, some Java, and that's about it--and many/most of those are what came in a pre-pay kit, or with the contract. People just can't afford the fancy smart phones. They _can_ and do afford, however, older, or cheaper PCs, typically desktops, rather than laptops. And the cheapest can do the Ajax/Web 2.0 stuff quite capably.
The fact that you have multiple portable stuff just shows how affluent American society truly is. But as of now, portable still costs more, and gives you less than the desktop. Sheesh, I can't afford a decent smart phone/Treo. I use an ancient Tungsten T, Newton, and now-8-yr-old Apple Powerbook G3 (Pismo). Most of my friends--if they even _have_ a computer are running Windows computers only a few years newer. Some are running Windows 98,even.
So, again, no matter how you slice it, smart phones are the pervue of the rich--count yourself blessed. But think about it. They are too small, and underpowered to replace the desktop for the average user, so they become a second or even third device, which means affluence. I know lots of people who have plain, dumb phones, and no computer, but I don't know anybody with a smart phone, who also doesn't have one or two computers. This is here, in Poland. I can bet that this holds true pretty much everywhere one goes. Funny, but life is like that....
-Jon
Sometimes, I just beg for those foot-in-mouth moments, don't I...
Maybe smartphone were not the best of examples, but your examples do fit (much better) towards software and services that should enable, not just feed those who've already have enough.
Outside of one java-based bible that I know, I don't know any means that one who just as a mobile can go into the Word electronically. I am not saying that what's out here now shouldn't be done, only that shouldn't this more accessible than what it is?
I guess my frame of reference is just not honed enough towards things as they are. Which in my case puts me at a loss as to how I could be a voice of anything, when I too am propigating the problem.
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