![[Parsons bible icon]](../../../graphics/r00132i1.gif)
The following review is based on the installation and use of the program "Fred's Way" without ever opening the documentation. When I'm done, I'll go back and critique the documentation.
INSTALLATION: Very straight forward. The instructions on the CD called for installa tion using the START|RUN method. I used the Windows 95 START|SETTINGS|ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS method. Screen instructions were clear and concise. The program may be run from the CDROM or from the hard disk drive. You may choose which modules (if any other than the program kernel) are on the hard disk and which (if any) remain on the CDROM. I used a full harddisk installation which consumed a little more than 80 megabytes but makes the program run faster (probably not necessary unless you are a seminary student or minister). During installation I encountered the only glitch in the program and it didn't matter. Early in the installation the program tells you which directories it is putting various parts of the program. At the very conclusion of the installation it tells you to remember those destinations so you can insert that information in a preferences table. However, when I ran the program, all the information was already in place.
STARTUP: Upon initial startup, you will be asked to enter a product registration code. The code is supposedly on your registration card; however, no such card was in my package (maybe due to this copy being an evaluation copy). The screen which asks for this registration code also provides a tollfree number for product registration. The wait on the line was less than five minutes; the customer representative quickly provided me with the necessary information. Then, as a good salesperson, she pitched me for some additional Parson's Technology software. Later, as I entered a different module of the program, the registration code window came up again. A second call (less than three minutes) got the same results. This turned out to be one of the most pleasant requests for technical/customer support I have ever experienced but very typical of Intuit's approach to business.
OPERATION: As with any new program, it takes a little time to figure out how it works. This program is amazingly easy to get into and operate almost INTUITive one might say. The menu icons will display their function if you leave the cursor on them for about one second. The search engine is very efficient being able to find your requested reference in any of the Bible versions almost instantaneously. I even threw it an impossible curve grossly misspelling one man's name as Abendigo (correct is Abednego): When it couldn't find the word, it offered me a word list to see if I could find the correct spelling. When I did, it listed all fourteen references.
Along with the Bible versions is a PC Bible Atlas for Windows. This atlas has a large number of maps of various areas at various times. Each map can be manipulated graphically to relocate names on the page and add additional text and graphic images to tailor the map to the user's needs. Simple!
The program includes several key subelements of any serious Biblestudy program: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, Nave's Topical Bible, Strong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries and the Holman Multimedia Bible Dictionary. NOTE: (Another call to technical support.) The dictionary icon doesn't work intentionally. It is used by people upgrading from a previous version who had an older version of the dictionary.
PRINTING: At least one Bible reference program does not allow printing directly from the program so I tested this feature thoroughly. You can print identified text from any of the included versions of the Bible and other sections of the program along with maps to any Windowssupported printer. The output format had a number of options (include the verse reference before or after the scripture, don't include it at all, etc.). I liked that. But since the program is compliant with the normal Windows interface, I could also cleanly copy the text to a word processor and manipulate it at will.
OVERALL SYNOPSIS: This program is extremely well prepared. The screens are clean and easy to read. Maps are easy to read and use. Customizing the program (colors for highlighting, etc.) is a simple process. Installation and startup were a breeze. Printing using the Windows or Windows 95 printers yielded expected results.
I wish all programs could meet up to this standard.
Now . . . On to the DOCUMENTATION: The documentation provided with this evaluation package consisted of three thin, but well prepared books: User's Guide for QuickVerse 4.0 for Windows, User's Guide for QuickVerse Library, and User's Guide for PC Bible Atlas for Windows. Each provides a relatively clear description of the features and operation of each segment of the program. I would recommend about a 20minute scan of each before you start using the program to give you an appreciation of its capabilities. Then, remember where you put them if you do want to do something a little beyond normal.
Highly Recommend!