Jeepster

I am not going to be tough on this first version, at all. I know we all like to complain, but I am really thankful that there is now a Mac version. I know that Rick has always made steady improvements in the iPad and iPhone versions, and I expect he is making improvements the Mac version as we write our complaints. Yes, there are things that we consider need changing. But it is more than worth the wait. 

 

Let me tell you what is good: It's incredibly FAST. It makes the Windows version feel like a horse and buggy, a canoe without a paddle.

 

I know the red button to quit is missing, but a Mac user should also know to quit is as easy as Command-Q. 

 

I might make one request/comment: I think I miss the Tool-Tip hover. Right now you have to click on a Tool-Tip to make the balloon appear. I'd love the option to turn that on or off.

 

I expect those little things will be fixed very soon. I recall that when the iOS versions came out Rick had a very different idea of how people would use them. He thought people would just sit in a chair but the fireplace and use the iPad to read a daily devotion. However, if you have an iPad you will find that after adding every module you have to it, it will become a go-to device for study, note taking (that area needs some upgrading though), and portability.  I stopped using a paper Bible a year ago. Now, every resource I have goes with me everywhere. It is quite amazing. Consider that once you may have had shelves filled with massive volumes, and now they ALL fit in a device you carry everywhere, and they are fully searchable! Seriously awesome.

 

If you don't have a Mac yet, here is your reason to get one. Or at least an iPad.

The file format is the same as for the iPad/iPhone. If you have one of those, you can copy directly from them to the Mac. The directory where the files are kept is hidden: Library\Containers\net.e-sword.e-Sword-X\Data\Library\Application Support\

 

To get there, you must hold Option key down while clicking on the "Go" menu.

 

My first reaction to this is, I am delighted that there is now a Mac version. My second reaction is; I wish there was a way to close some of the windows and only call them up when needed. The interface seems cluttered. Sometimes in studying, I only need a Bible. 

 

But, it is fast!

 

Some day I'd love to see connections to DropBox, or some outside cloud system for saving/sharing notes, studies, etc.

 

Overall, though. Glad to have it. Worth the money. Rick deserves the return for all the work he has put in.

A quick note to say I have used nearly all of the available Bible apps on two different iPads (1 and 3). I was forced to use more than one to study properly as not one of the others offered everything in one package. I had somewhat settled on Olive Tree, but since their modules were very expensive, I only had a one commentary. So, the iPad had the Bible, but no other tool to study. There was a distinct feeling of inadequacy.

I gladly paid the $5 for e-SwordHD the day after it arrived. Since that time I have removed all the other apps and settled entirely on e-SwordHD. It is fast. The popups are clean and useful, and attractive with dropshadows that make it easy to read. The fact that I have currently 14 commentaries, including some I paid for years ago, make e-SwordHD as useful as the full-sized s-Sword. The formatting of comments and dictionary entries is finely polished, with bolded titles and tooltips that work fast.

I was a Pocket e-Sword user for years, and now e-SwordHD has replaced that as the travel companion for true Bible study.

It is all here: Bibles, Commentaries, Dictionaries, Editor, Bible Reading Plans, Devotionals.Very smooth operation. No hestitations. No bugs found. Simple setup with multiple screen adjustments for any reading comfort. No hassles. No out of pocket budget-killing commentaries that are freely available in the desktop version. The modules that are available for cost are the same as the desktop, so when you buy one, you buy them for all.

Now, with the addition of the User Group modules, there is nothing else needed. Let the coding begin.

This is the Bible app the iPad was waiting for. My iPad just increased in value exponentially, for $5.