Check this thread for updates on Enhanced Syncing

[Misulejoha]

On 11/3/2024 at 4:50 AM, JonathanHuber said:

This is epically bad. I appreciate people putting on a good face and praising Accordance for mere verbal updates (even though the verbal update saying syncing was almost ready for beta is now 5 months old too), but this really isn't praiseworthy. There is no other product that I would accept this from. 

 

To be clear: I want Accordance to succeed, obviously. I have a lot invested in this, and it's good for the Bible software market to have more than 1 successful product pushing things forward. But this is not what succeeding looks like, neither in the product nor in the communication. It's time to deliver. 

 

 

 and

On 11/3/2024 at 12:17 PM, dmwebb6 said:

I agree wholeheartedly.  What other product would we tolerate unfulfilled promises after two years?  I have an email stating that  syncing was expected in Beta this past spring (probably April I was told).  The fact that no one is responding to this thread currently is not encouraging to me.   The updates from management on syncing are not enough.  I don't think we have even received a heartfelt apology for this two year delay.  I have read some excuses about it and the cloud (switching companies, etc.), but not "We messed up big time when we promised these features TWO YEARS AGO.    We are sorry that we did so and here is a partial refund for an update that you purchased under false pretenses."   Unless I have missed such an apology it has not been offered.  An update of some kind would be nice.  

 

I'm curious, what say you @Dr. Nathan Parker?

[Dr. Nathan Parker]

I still don't have an update to share yet. I'm hoping to hear something I can share. As soon as I have something to share, I'll share it right here.

[Sacha]

I don't understand why you are so upset with this. 
So it has been two years. Yes it would have been nice, if things worked out, but it did not. I work in IT and sometimes things are taking longer than expected. Talk about introducing ServiceNow within a large IT organisation. And features are being delayed. That also happens. 
That's life. So you paid 38 bucks. That's about 8 Starbucks cappuccinos in 2 years. That's not a lot. I'm sure you spent money worse (I have). And you still got some new features. 

The software is working (at least for me) and with Nathan we have someone working there that hears us. 
Be patient. That is a virtue. 

Sacha

 

[marco sanchez]

I'm sure their intent was to get it to us sooner, but then wanting to give us a product that is highly reliable becomes the task. I can't imagine the difficulty, trying to keep highly skilled people working and well paid. I bet there are probably several people at Accordance working unto God, with not much pay and probably some even donating their time. I have been with Accordance for over twenty years and like most of us out there I am looking forward to the syncing option too. I think we need to try to think of Oaktree as people doing God's work and pray for the company more often, I'm sure they need it. The frustration is understandable, but I have a feeling they are doing their best. Please help them Lord!

[John Fidel]

Marco, I do not disagree with you at all. However, this was never the way Accordance announced upgrades to their program in the past. In fact here is a quote from Dr J around 2013:

 

"As for announcing such things in advance, I think you know we are allergic to to vaporware, or anything that smells like vaporware. We Mac users have all been burnt by it, on time or another. Call us too conservative, if you like, but we like to announce things only once we have a good idea of of when it will be available to our users."

 

Search the forums for vaporware to find this and several other posts regarding Accordance's position on it.

 

Accordance was adamantly opposed to announcing, forget selling, a product until it was done. I think that is why there is the concern and frustration from customers.

 

There is probably a balance between compassion and concern going forward.

[jmc1982]

On 11/7/2024 at 11:36 PM, Sacha said:

The software is working (at least for me) and with Nathan we have someone working there that hears us.

 

 

I bought the upgrade early for the upgrades to the Mobile app - I don't have a PC or Mac, I have Android.

 

It's not even available to download for me unless I use workarounds, and if I do, I end up with an app that is years behind it's competitors and it's promises.

Edited November 13, 2024 by jmc1982

[Dr. Nathan Parker]

At the time of this writing, I do not have additional updates to share concerning syncing or Accordance Cloud. I wish I did, and if I hear anything else, you will all be the first ones to hear it.

 

I am speaking only as one person and as one employee and not as management, but I want to personally apologize for the amount of time it has taken to deliver syncing and Accordance Cloud. I know both are still the highest priorities to release to you all. Since I am not a programmer, I am not sure of what current technical setbacks might have occurred, but I can't wait to personally put syncing and Accordance Cloud to work in my own Bible study workflow. As a fellow Accordance user, I am as eager to use these features as the rest of us. In the meantime, there will likely be some new module releases around ETS/SBL that have been highly-requested by Accordance users, plus some ETS/SBL conference specials coming up. Thank you all again for the amount of patience and grace you have shown the Accordance team, and thank you for your daily prayers and regular support for us all. We all sincerely appreciate it.

[dmwebb6]

On 11/14/2024 at 7:48 PM, Dr. Nathan Parker said:

I am speaking only as one person and as one employee and not as management, but I want to personally apologize for the amount of time it has taken to deliver syncing and Accordance Cloud.

I appreciate the apology, but part of the problem is that you are the only one we are hearing things from and you can't give us any update on syncing (I understand that you can only pass on what you are told).  This coming Friday will mark 2 YEARS since 14 was released.    We have not heard ANYTHING from the owner in almost two years (we received one post after the terrible Accordance 14 rollout).   If you look at forums for the main competitor then you realize how many people have switched or are considering a switch.  I have been a long term user of both and believe that both have their strengths and weaknesses.    The last update we received from management was July 15.  I understand the hesitancy to give dates but it is too late to not tell us anything.  Accordance 14 was sold with syncing coming and cloud by the end of 2022.   It is time for something from the owner.  

[Dr. Nathan Parker]

@dmwebb6 You offer excellent comments, and hopefully someone (besides me) will share something. 

[dmwebb6]

I have just about decided that this is my last post about this issue and that I'm simply moving on to use a program that will sync reliably.  Apparently Accordance management and the owner are  still unwilling to give an update and respond to concerns.  We are now in Dec 2024 which is more than two years past the release of Accordance 14.  I have compiled a list below of the official  communication that I have received about syncing and the cloud.    I think you can see from the list below why I am frustrated about the issue of syncing especially.  I have emails that were older that I have deleted but this is  the communication that I kept.   I really like Accordance and want it to succeed.  Syncing is a must for me and this delay is beyond acceptable.   It is a headache to try to move my notes etc. between my devices.  Sometimes mobile syncing works and sometimes it doesn't.  This doesn't even touch on the problem of note corruption.    Perhaps this will give management some insight as to why we are skeptical about its release  and the silence is only feeding that skepticism.  PLEASE GIVE US SOMETHING OFFICIAL.  

 

Accordance 14 Official Release Announcement (still on website) - Nov 22, 2022 - “And we’re just getting started! Accordance 14 is officially released, but there are still new features to be added over the next few weeks.”

 

Email - Dec 12, 2022 (almost two years ago) - “We do not know the exact day that it will be released by the programming team. It should be soon.  The new syncing system is being worked on and has been being developed for over a year now. “

 

Email - May 10, 2023 - “We have been waiting for two long years here also. We are also still waiting on the web version of Accordance. We are still being told that both of these features should be ready before too long.”

 

Email  Feb 8, 2024 -  “We are actually getting an update from the programmers and upper management at a meeting on this later today. . They are still saying it will probably be this year. We are well aware that they have been in the works for 4 years now.

 

Message  from Accordance  Feb 15, 2024  -“Keep this under wraps since it's not set in stone yet, but I'm hearing potentially around April to have an early alpha of Cloud (not sure if it'll be a customer beta yet or just internal alpha). Syncing may also become available for beta testing by then, barring nothing else major comes up from Apple or anyone to get in the way of progress on it.”

 

Forum Post - March 6, 2024 -“From what I've heard from programmers, it looks reasonable we could see a beta sometime this Spring.”

 

Forum Post - June 18, 2024 (over five months ago)  - “Current projections show that we are closing in on a beta version of enhanced syncing.”

 

Forum Post June 18, 2024  -“It is  great to hear that syncing is the #1 priority for Accordance. I'm assuming that means that with the full development team working on it, Accordance can commit to a release by the end of the year at the latest? “Accordance response: “I'm doing my best.  Pretty sure it'll be sooner than that.”

[KevinPurcell]

Can you say VAPORWARE!

 

It isn't coming. Please prove me wrong by releasing something. Until then, I assume syncing will never be a part of Accordance apart from Dropbox.

[A. Smith]

On 12/2/2024 at 11:47 AM, dmwebb6 said:

I have just about decided that this is my last post about this issue and that I'm simply moving on to use a program that will sync reliably.  Apparently Accordance management and the owner are  still unwilling to give an update and respond to concerns.  We are now in Dec 2024 which is more than two years past the release of Accordance 14.  I have compiled a list below of the official  communication that I have received about syncing and the cloud.    I think you can see from the list below why I am frustrated about the issue of syncing especially.  I have emails that were older that I have deleted but this is  the communication that I kept.   I really like Accordance and want it to succeed.  Syncing is a must for me and this delay is beyond acceptable.   It is a headache to try to move my notes etc. between my devices.  Sometimes mobile syncing works and sometimes it doesn't.  This doesn't even touch on the problem of note corruption.    Perhaps this will give management some insight as to why we are skeptical about its release  and the silence is only feeding that skepticism.  PLEASE GIVE US SOMETHING OFFICIAL.  

 

Accordance 14 Official Release Announcement (still on website) - Nov 22, 2022 - “And we’re just getting started! Accordance 14 is officially released, but there are still new features to be added over the next few weeks.”

 

Email - Dec 12, 2022 (almost two years ago) - “We do not know the exact day that it will be released by the programming team. It should be soon.  The new syncing system is being worked on and has been being developed for over a year now. “

 

Email - May 10, 2023 - “We have been waiting for two long years here also. We are also still waiting on the web version of Accordance. We are still being told that both of these features should be ready before too long.”

 

Email  Feb 8, 2024 -  “We are actually getting an update from the programmers and upper management at a meeting on this later today. . They are still saying it will probably be this year. We are well aware that they have been in the works for 4 years now.

 

Message  from Accordance  Feb 15, 2024  -“Keep this under wraps since it's not set in stone yet, but I'm hearing potentially around April to have an early alpha of Cloud (not sure if it'll be a customer beta yet or just internal alpha). Syncing may also become available for beta testing by then, barring nothing else major comes up from Apple or anyone to get in the way of progress on it.”

 

Forum Post - March 6, 2024 -“From what I've heard from programmers, it looks reasonable we could see a beta sometime this Spring.”

 

Forum Post - June 18, 2024 (over five months ago)  - “Current projections show that we are closing in on a beta version of enhanced syncing.”

 

Forum Post June 18, 2024  -“It is  great to hear that syncing is the #1 priority for Accordance. I'm assuming that means that with the full development team working on it, Accordance can commit to a release by the end of the year at the latest? “Accordance response: “I'm doing my best.  Pretty sure it'll be sooner than that.”

 

Syncing or not, there is too much I use accordance for that I can't do in the other program, for better and worse. But the vaporware problem (and failure to be honest about it) regarding v14 is beyond disappointing. This is one reason I'm on the forum much less than ever. But I don't want to get into all that again. 

[JohnABarnett]

No words left to say. It's all been said before. 

 

Thankfully, the paid-for promises of God are not contingent. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those that love Him."

[GYDOF1729]

7 hours ago, A. Smith said:

 

Syncing or not, there is too much I use accordance for that I can't do in the other program, for better and worse. But the vaporware problem (and failure to be honest about it) regarding v14 is beyond disappointing. This is one reason I'm on the forum much less than ever. But I don't want to get into all that again. 

A. Smith, What is it that Accordance does that the other program cannot do?

[A. Smith]

5 hours ago, GYDOF1729 said:

A. Smith, What is it that Accordance does that the other program cannot do?

heh. Turns out I was wrong 😑. As I googled what I was thinking of, it turns out I’ve just not learned the other app very well. TBH, I generally dislike the other app and find it cumbersome and distracting. But mostly just not as familiar I suppose…

[Dan Langston]

 

Accordance is easier to use in a moment, it generally opens right up, and with some simple keystrokes you can search, copy as references, and be done.  It doesn't make the fan on my machine come on. I have invested in both, but I can only use Accordance on my phone, tablet or desktop. In the classroom, there is only one alternative.....still...my students who were first semester freshmen when 14 was released will be second semester juniors in 1 month. I literally watched a webinar this week about stacks and was happy??? to be told how to export my stacks to a word document, and was comforted to know that all my info could be uploaded to the other program sermon tool in a flash.

Its fascinating to me that as much as I love Accordance, I'm trying to decide how to manage my info....it indicates to me that Kevin Purcell may be right. 

[A. Smith]

43 minutes ago, Dan Langston said:

 

Accordance is easier to use in a moment, it generally opens right up, and with some simple keystrokes you can search, copy as references, and be done.  It doesn't make the fan on my machine come on. I have invested in both, but I can only use Accordance on my phone, tablet or desktop. In the classroom, there is only one alternative.....still...my students who were first semester freshmen when 14 was released will be second semester juniors in 1 month. I literally watched a webinar this week about stacks and was happy??? to be told how to export my stacks to a word document, and was comforted to know that all my info could be uploaded to the other program sermon tool in a flash.

Its fascinating to me that as much as I love Accordance, I'm trying to decide how to manage my info....it indicates to me that Kevin Purcell may be right. 

Yup. I’m currently transferring all of my notes to the other app. 

[miketisdell]

4 hours ago, A. Smith said:

heh. Turns out I was wrong 😑. As I googled what I was thinking of, it turns out I’ve just not learned the other app very well. TBH, I generally dislike the other app and find it cumbersome and distracting. But mostly just not as familiar I suppose…

 

There are a few things, here are a couple that I use:

1) The equivalent of the [infer] command. 
2) Some of the advanced flexibility of doing [merge] with the LXX-MT DB.

And overall, I do agree with A. Smith i.e. the other is rather cumbersome to use for most original language work. 

[Mike Atnip]

55 minutes ago, miketisdell said:

And overall, I do agree with A. Smith i.e. the other is rather cumbersome to use for most original language work. 

Not to mention the lack of ability to open several workspaces at one time (without manually building them each time).

[GYDOF1729]

2 hours ago, Mike Atnip said:

Not to mention the lack of ability to open several workspaces at one time (without manually building them each time).

Mike, Mike, and A. Smith, Thanks for all your input. There is a learning curve for most software, Accordance, or others.  I use the other one for many language studies such as Bible Studies, Sermon Prep, Lectures, etc, and with no issues.  Initially, there was a learning curve of organizing after switching, but I have not had a single issue once set up.  Sometimes, I don't know how to search, but right-clicking usually points me in the right direction.  If this is not resolved, I will ask on the forums and have an answer within an hour.  I have also set up numerous layouts, and they work flawlessly.  I am working in Deut, 1 Cor, and Hebrews, which are set and ready for quick use.  The downside right now is only being able to open one layout at a time. However, I can float a window and utilize that feature.  

[A. Smith]

4 hours ago, miketisdell said:

And overall, I do agree with A. Smith i.e. the other is rather cumbersome to use for most original language work. 

Right. And this is why I stay with accordance. But we’ll see what happens with my daily workflow as I transfer notes to the other one. Right now I use both but spend 90% of my time in accordance. I’m thinking it may shift more to 50-50 or more as I use notes there and learn the app. We’ll see. 

[A. Smith]

I really do prefer accordance for all the reasons. But the sheer u reliability of notes and highlights (even without syncing) is disastrous and so I’m needing a stable solution NOW. Not some unknown point in the future. 

[dmwebb6]

51 minutes ago, A. Smith said:

I really do prefer accordance for all the reasons. But the sheer u reliability of notes and highlights (even without syncing) is disastrous and so I’m needing a stable solution NOW. Not some unknown point in the future. 

Those are my thoughts as well.  I love the simplicity of Accordance and desperately wanted it to succeed.   However, my notes and highlights have been corrupted so many times that I can't count.  Every time I email tech support I am told that "enhanced syncing" will be out soon.   This has been the response for 4 years now.   I like to use my Ipad when teaching and preaching.  The lack of reliable syncing makes that difficult.    In addition the lack of updates on the Ipad  (not too mention Android) is frustrating.  These things are what have driven me to look for and use an alternative.  The lack of transparency and honesty (I don't know how else to characterize it) may well be the tipping point to me.  The fact that these posts are ignored except for an occasional response by Nathan is telling and unacceptable.  

Edited December 5, 2024 by dmwebb6

[MatthewJames]

The inability to download the Accordance App in the Google Play store is absolutely bonkers.

[GeneC]

On 11/3/2024 at 6:50 AM, JonathanHuber said:

There is no other product that I would accept this from.

 

Along these lines, and with extreme candor, there are very few companies that I wouldn't have already reported to the Federal Trade Commission for false advertising if they provided this same experience and communication.  It's only because they're brothers and sisters in Christ that prevented me.

 

I'm incredibly thankful for Accordance and use it almost every day.  But the Cloud fiasco frustrates me greatly every time I think about it.