Considering getting Accordance but I have some questions

[Yawassot]

Hello everyone, I've got a number of questions for you:

 

1. Are there absolutely no differences in features between the paid versions besides the size of the library that comes with it? If so, this really ought to be advertised front and center as a major selling point for people on a budget. It's certainly the biggest reason I'm leaning towards Accordance over a certain other piece of software.

 

2. I've heard conflicting reports on how well Accordance presents itself as an e-reader, what are your opinions on it?

 

3. How committed is OakTree to increasing the number of available modules in the store? How seriously do they take user suggestions for additions to the store?

 

4. How hard is it to look up words in the original languages for Bibles without Strongs tags in Accordance?

 

5. Are there any modules on the cheaper side that you guys would strongly suggest? I see that the Matthew Henry condensed commentary is free, are there other free modules in the store?

 

Lastly, a suggestion: there are a number of resources modules in the Accordance store which are only available in packages. This combined with the somewhat limited library options makes it notably more difficult to find what I want within my budget. Seeing as budgetary reasons are the biggest reason I and a number of others will likely choose Accordance over Logos it might be a smart idea to try and separate those out.

[Joel Brown]

Hi Yawassot, and thanks for considering Accordance!  I won't reply to every question, as I'd rather the rest of the community help represent the impressions they have on Accordance and OakTree as a company.  That said, a few things I do want to reply to:

 

1. Yes, this is correct, there is no feature to pay for.  All you pay for is additional content to add to your Library.  Either you add this Library to the (free) Lite Accordance, or you purchase one of the collections, including the cheapest 'Starter' collection, to get the full featured Accordance, and then add to your Library from there.  Of course, you can always start with the Lite Accordance + some modules, then add a collection in the future, always retaining every purchased book.

 

4. I'm not sure what you mean - you wish to look at an untagged text, like the Message, and connect it to the original languages, even in the absence of any Strong's or G/K numbers?  In this case, they can easily be viewed side by side and aligned on a verse by verse basis, but since there is no information to represent that English Word 1 matches Hebrew or Greek word 3, I'm not sure what else you are looking to do.  Can you clarify a bit?

[ukfraser]

2, i used zondervan bible study and upgraded to pradis for windows back in the 90s. I moved to mac and got accordance and it was an eye opener on what bible software should be. I then got an ipad and its always by my side and i know android is behind the ios interface but its moving forward but for me its important to have access to my modules on phone tablet and laptop and desktop.  I did get a few resources in kindle but eventually duplicated them in accordance as the tagging makes them so much easier to use, especially on the ipad. For me its a very good ereader with a powerful interface both on mobile and full os devices. 

 

As users we are never satisfied and always want more but the software is regularly updated with free upgrades and then major paid upgrades every couple of years though most modules still work on previous versions. But you will see that developers are very active on this forum and lots of features have been added that were requested. There is a features requested thread.
 

3. if you scan down the modules requested thread you will see what has been requested and hopefully see when we get them added. Certainly my library has grown in a totally different direction from where i expected when i first started. I can also confirm that modules i have requested have been added (as well as features i have requested to the product).

 

5. check out the announcement thread and you will get a flavour of the number of offers we get.  Its hard to make specific recommendations as it depends on what you are interested in but if budget is particularly tight, i would look at the specialist starters but i would make a list of your must have resources and see what sets they occur in as well as the possibility of getting them as stand alone. Also when you create an account you get a number of free resources with the free mobile apps. 

 

while i hesitate to disagree with joel, i would say that there are a few specialist features in the paid for programme that have been disabled on the lite Version. This is documented here. 
https://www.accordancebible.com/lite-limitations/

 

but as joel said,  whatever you buy, you then get all the features and there are no other hidden costs. Just concentrate on the modules you want and enjoy them on all your devices. 
 

after 10 years, i have no regrets in buying this and it has really enhanced my bible study. And this forum is also very useful and helpful.

Edited December 1, 2020 by ukfraser

[Joel Brown]

ukfraser, you are totally correct - there definitely is a feature difference between the Lite and Full versions.  My point was, past that initial distinction, all features are included whether you buy the $59 Starter or $2,999 English Master.  Thanks for clarifying it!

[MattChristianOT]

To weigh in a bit- Accordance is tops for Original Language study in Classical Hebrew, Dead Sea Scrolls Hebrew, and Koine Greek. The searches, syntax module, and hyper links to lexicons/dictionaries, as well as search ability are great. I will argue that as an "E-Reader," the other major software group (usually called the "L" word here) are geared for that, they are essentially a digital library with hyperlinked entries and such. If you are looking to get your hands dirty in the biblical text, I would invest in Accordance. If you are looking to have a massive library full of monographs and commentaries with some textual interface, Accordance can do that too so invest here. If you just want lots of books you may never open and more books, and hey, more books in a more "e-Reader" friendly format, the other guys might be up your alley. To be transparent, I own both formats. I use the other guys to support my need for "cheaper" Brill publications and some newer grammars and such, but Accordance is my go to textual research and exegetical platform. The parallel texts work much better, I feel the interface is better for exegetical work, and the mobile versions work better too (in my opinion). Hope this helps!

[JonathanHuber]

These are all good questions. 

 

1. You're correct, every paid version of Accordance includes the full feature set. 

 

2. I use Accordance on an iPad nearly every day. It works great for me as a reader, but it's also capable of some pretty powerful searches as well.

 

3. Oaktree is always adding new resources. They don't have as many books as L, but their library includes the resources you'd expect to find (the standard lexicons, dictionaries, commentaries, etc). They do have some exclusives as well. 

 

4. Strongs or G/K numbers are what identify the original language words behind the translations, so I'm not sure what you're trying to do without them. Like Joel mentioned, you can display them side by side even if there's no tagging, but the most common translations are available with tagging. And if you're working directly with the original languages, Accordance is just awesome. 

 

5. I think the best value, judged by how much a resource costs vs how regularly I use it, might be the IVP Bible Background Commentaries. 

[c. stirling bartholomew]

Once you pay for a package you get full up Accordance. Possible exceptions to this are somewhat rare, like importing TLG modules. Something no one does anymore. 

 

Take a close look at the blue. green and gold packages. You don't need redundancy in lexicons and dictionaries. Get a package with the standard reference works. That is all you need. Become a student somewhere and get the academic discount. 

 

Multiplication of redundant original language texts is pointless. Multiplication of translations is pointless. 

 

Working with tagged texts of BHS, Qumran, LXX and GNT is what Accodance is all about. You get these with any serious package. Searching tagged texts in Accord is what made it famous. 

Edited December 1, 2020 by c. stirling bartholomew

[R. Mansfield]

...importing TLG modules. Something no one does anymore. 

 

Says you! I do it all the time!

 

And TLG import is included with the Starter Collection and above. You don't have to have a more advanced Collection to get access to it.

 

I have roughly 125 TLG files imported into Accordance (more than I can fit into the attached screenshot) and I add new ones now and then. 

 

[c. stirling bartholomew]

Says you! I do it all the time!

 

And TLG import is included with the Starter Collection and above. You don't have to have a more advanced Collection to get access to it.

 

I have roughly 125 TLG files imported into Accordance (more than I can fit into the attached screenshot) and I add new ones now and then. 

 

Screen Shot 2020-12-01 at 11.19.49 AM.png

 

Thanks for the correction. I havn't been paying attention. 

[Λύχνις Δαν]

Man ! I missed this one too. Will have to give that a try.

 

Thx

D

[R. Mansfield]

Man ! I missed this one too. Will have to give that a try.

 

Note: To import TLG files, you must have access to one of the old TLG CDs from the 1990s. 

[Λύχνις Δαν]

Note: To import TLG files, you must have access to one of the old TLG CDs from the 1990s. 

I was wondering if there was a gotcha - thanks for the clarification

Thx

D

[R. Mansfield]

I was wondering if there was a gotcha - thanks for the clarification

 

Often they can still be found in the collections of seminary libraries.

[Λύχνις Δαν]

Often they can still be found in the collections of seminary libraries.

Not sure where that would leave one re licensing though.

Anyhow, no worries, I can still use it online - for now I have plenty to read - and Beatrix Potter in Koine on the way.

 

Thx

D