Important update to Virtual-QuickFrame

Work on adding the auto-population references needed for the ESV version of the Bible is done thanks to the hard work of a bunch of our 2006-2007 alumni. The ability to use more than one version, a new color scheme, and the ability to auto-populate the ESV have now all been added to the current version of Virtual-QuickFrame. It is available for free download from the Downloads page.

{:> Tom

QuickFrame updated – ESV Bible Added

Due to the recent acquisition by Thomas Nelson Publishers of the NRSV bible and the subsequent unavailability of pew bibles in this version, it has become necessary to upgrade the QuickFrame program to allow for the usage of more than one translation. This was always planned but was made into a high priority by recent events. I am currently trying to get volunteers to work on paragraph refs for the ESV. But if you need a different version in your location please contact me and I will help you get started in adding your desired translation.

Volunteers needed (SBS alumni??):

Although the coding is done – in order for the auto-population feature to work verse references and verse counts for every paragraph in the bible are going to need to be entered in. This is a very simple but highly repetitive job that I just can’t seem to correctly automate, so it has to be done the old fashioned way – by hand. Remember this is a free project if you have benefited by it in the past consider helping future students in this way.

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Work resumes on StudyWorx

After a long hiatus (teaching and coding don’t always mix) work has resumed on StudyWorx. The goals of the StudyWorx project are quite a bit more ambitious that those of QuickFrame. Where QuickFrame is basically a tool to help SBS students save time on the more tedious aspects of the course. StudyWorx is designed to be a full fledged online inductive bible study tool. Capable of forming the backbone for both online schools and conventional classroom settings.

Revised Feature list:

  • Students and Staff will be organized into “schools”
    • Each school will have:
      • It’s own grading system
      • Assignment specifications
      • And full online capabilities for completing, printing, and grading the assignments.
      • It can also be used as a simple chart framing program in the same way that QuickFrame is currently used
  • Every effort will be made to make the work flow as smooth and simple as possible.
  • Hopefully I will have a working prototype by fall (2007) and a release sometime in 2008.

If anyone has experience as a PHP or better yet Symfony programmer please feel free to contact me to help with this project.

{:> Tom Possin

StudyWorx Child of QuickFrame

As work progresses on the next generation of QuickFrame I realized that I would need a new name since the new version will do far more than simply create chart frames and title lists.

StudyWorx is the name I am tentatively considering since it is going to be a comprehensive tool for the Inductive study of the Bible. Essentially, my goal is to create an entire school environment. This includes the ability to complete all assignments in StudyWorx if desired (creating frames will still be possible), grading, staff/student communications, and printing to pdf for the final product. Essentially I want to provide an infrastructure for schools to sign up and run their entire school from StudyWorx. I also want to be able to run an open, full featured, Online, school for anyone that wants to study the Bible Inductively.

If you think StudyWorx is a particularly good or bad name, or if you have a better idea, please comment on this article below, or write me a quick note here.

Using Unbuntu Christian Edition – a Review

The last time I saw this distribution discussed it degenerated quickly into a flame war that had nothing to do with the merits of the distribution. Recently I saw that there was an update to the distribution. I had a bit of time so I thought I would take it for a spin and see what it was actually like. While this review is brief I hope to cover the major features that differentiate this distribution from Ubuntu its parent distribution and rate its overall usefulness.

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Work begins on the next QuickFrame

After a long break in new coding I have finally begun work on the next generation of QuickFrame. This will not be a bug fix release but a complete redesign of the program from the ground up. For those of you that understand web application jargon this version will be fully object oriented (more flexible and easier to maintain and add on to) with Web2.0 and AJAX features as well (Think Google apps).

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Why Free and Open Source Software is important to a global organization

“Everybody uses Word, why use anything else it just causes trouble”.

This sentiment is very common today and is often repeated in one form or another as a justification to use Microsoft Products exclusively.

To be fair there are organizations where this may in fact be the path of least resistance and in some cases may even be the right answer.

However…

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