What does the MicroBible contain?
9 Bible Versions: 
American Standard, Darby Bible, International Standard Version NT, King James Version, MicroBible, Morris Literal Translation and Strong's #, Transliterated Bible: Pronounceable, Transliterated Bible: Unaccented, and Webster's Bible.  “The bible versions are automatically linked and shown on one easy to read screen in true parallel format instead of multiple hard to use windows.” 

Commentaries & Dictionaries: 
Easton Book Synopsis, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, Morris Introduction to Bible Books

Word Studies Linked to Strong's Numbers: 
Strong’s Greek Dictionaries, Strong’s Hebrew Dictionaries, Strong's #'s Linked to Morris Literal Translation and Word Studies

Concordances, References & History: 
Bamford & Easton's Bible Dictionaries, Edersheim's Life and Times of Jesus, Edersheim's The Temple, Hitchcock's Bible Names, Wetzel's Bible Chronology 

Topical Studies: 
Nave's Topical Bible for each Bible version, Torrey's Topical Textbook ? 

The Install
The system requirements were simple:  (1)  Windows 95 and above, (2) 5 MB RAM, and (3) 5 MB Hard Drive (550 MB if you load the program’s files to the hard drive).  The installation for the MicroBible was smooth; however,  the games and trivia that came with the program had to be installed on at-a-time.  It would have been more efficient if the selection capability for the different program items were incorporated from the initial install menu.  Another item they could have added to the selection capability is a choice of running the program from the CD-ROM or installing the files to the hard drive.  The MicroBible runs by default from the CD-ROM, which seems a little strange in this day of 100+ GB hard drives.  The program didn’t have “readme” file to guide the install but once I ran “SETUP” then printed and read the “manual,” I found the “#23.  Hard Drive Installation (Elective).”  The manual is short, only about eight pages and is easy to follow but not very detailed.  One thing “different” from other programs I’ve tested was the prompt to do a SCANDISK first, to ensure no errors were on the disk before installing the program.  It is a good idea, I’ve just never seen a program stop to try to ensure you’ve done it.  Trying SCANDISK is also the first thing listed in the manual under “Technical Support.” So run SCANDISK.

The screen. 
The screen is divided into several areas: 

1. The Bibles Window [left side] – displays 
• the books of the bible, 
• the chapter numbers and 
• the verses with the verse numbers, 
2. References Window [right side] – displays any references and notes used or the parallel bible verses so you can view several simultaneously, 
3. The Bible Library Toolbox [bottom] – gives shortcut access to various functions.  

The menu.  
The menu across the top, which cannot be moved, has some “standard” menu items like HELP and some specifically for this program.  I’ll explain the menu items left-to-right.  Bible - you can select the bible you wish to use.  Reference - chooses the reference from among those provide as well as your reference bible.  Dictionaries - opens a dictionary in a NEW window for you to look up words and phrases.  BL-Notes - allows you to create or edit notes to use with your studies.  Search - lets you search for one or many words in one book or all of them.  View - let’s you turn off your Toolbox, set bookmarks, and change the font appearance in the window.  If you need LARGE PRINT then this is a convenient feature.  More - gives you more references, clipart, and maps.  It is from the “More” menu that you would select “Copy Files to Hard Drive” if that is what you desired.  You would also use this menu to UNLOCK additional library books once you paid for them.  Help- is self-explanatory and is also where you can access the tutorial.  Print - again, self-explanatory and allows printing of program information.  Web - gives you the link to the Bible Library Website.  Unlock - takes you through the process to unlock (OPEN) additional books for an additional fee.  

How can you purchase the MicroBible?  
You can buy the Bible Library Series directly from their Web site at only $19.95 for the Micro Bible.  I called the two major Christian bookstores in town: Family Christian and The Scripture Stall, and neither carried the Bible Library Series.  The “Ultra” costs $39.95, the “Mega” costs $79.95, and the “Maxima” will run $99.95.  You can also call them at 1-800-729-9500.  You can order via mail at:  Ellis Enterprises, Inc., 4205 McAuley Blvd. #385, Oklahoma City, OK 73120.  A fax would go to: (405) 751-5168.

Tech Support?  
As for their tech support, their Website was not very informative.  The HELP menu was okay but had no index, so if you can’t find the right link, you’ll be lost.  The links they provide do seem to have enough details for most users.  You can call (405) 749-0273 and pay for the immediate information or submit a “form” via e-mail and wait.  I tried to call on a holiday and got the answering service and was told they would not be in until the next work day.

The scoop?  
There weren’t any real problems using the program and it was fairly user friendly.  I’m very familiar with QuickVerse and prefer its capability to customize more even though it has the “multiple hard to use windows” that MicroBible touts as a negative.  The bible verses are printed one line each so it doesn’t wrap around if you cut and paste for a research paper.  The clipart is all black and white – boo!  The bible maps are okay but do not allow you to enlarge the view to full screen.  The BIBLE BASEBALL game can be a fun and educational game and is very much like the board game, which I have.  The Christian Concentration game is also interesting and even a little more challenging in that you must match the tiles and complete bible verses.  The Trivia Puzzle game has you answering questions and guessing what the puzzle is as you put pieces together – one for each correct answer. 

Overall, if you are at a beginning level and want a relatively simple program then MicroBible might be for you.  For more advanced studies you would want to invest in one of the more comprehensive programs, although you may not be able to customize the program as much as you would with some other programs.  I still prefer QuickVerse.

Company History?  
From their Website I found the following “history” information about the company.  Newsweek calls our founder, John W. Ellis, M.D., the "pioneer of CD-ROM Bible study."  In November 1988, at COMDEX, Las Vegas, Dr. Ellis was one of four keynote speakers on the future of CD-ROM sales.  He has been featured on several radio and television programs.  Numerous press articles have been written about the company and The Bible Library in Popular Science, Omni, Newsweek, Christianity Today, Christian Computing, and many others.  

 In June 1988, Ellis Enterprises, Inc. introduced the first electronic compilation of multiple Bibles and reference texts, The Bible Library CD-ROMTM, Version 1.0.  The disc contained 29 works with nine Bibles and 21 References. Another historic first in Bible study and translation occurred when Ellis Enterprises commissioned Stanley Morris, Th.D., International Bible Translators, Inc. to prepare new Bible translations linking Strong's Numbers to the Hebrew and Greek texts thus allowing lay persons to easily study the Bible in the original languages!  

The Bible LibraryM Version 1.0, received the Christian Computing Magazine's 1994 Reader's Choice Award for Best CD-ROM Collection.  The disc sold worldwide through BestBuy, DAK, Radio Shack, SAM’S, SONY, SoftWare Toolworks, TigerSoft, etc.   IBM and Ellis Enterprises, Inc. jointly produced The New Bible Library from 1993 to1995.  The Bible LibraryM, Version 3.0, introduced in May 1998, had spectacular sales with 200,000 units sold in the 1998 Christmas season alone. The disc contained 14 Bibles plus over 50 references and maps and 1,000 clip art images. It was available in both secular and religious channels and in high volume discount stores such as Wal-Mart, BestBuy, Target, etc.  The Bible Library, Version 4.0, May 1999, available in the Deluxe and Special edition, has improved software with more helps, 14 Bibles, over 90 reference works, maps and over 1,000 Bible and Church clip art images.  The Bible Library has enjoyed great response from the buying public, leading Bible software sales since 1998. To continue offering the best Bible software with the most Bible and references for the money, for 2002 Ellis Enterprises introduces a new line of products. The Bible Library series includes the Ellis Ultra Bible Library, Ellis Mega Bible LibraryM, Ellis Maxima Bible Library and Micro Bible Library

Ellis Christian ClipArt CD-ROM, introduced 1996, contains more than 1,000 images of Old and New Testament Bible stories and church activities.