[bt-devel] Fwd: Re: SWORD

[Joachim Ansorg]

Hi again, sorr for answering so late.

> It is not necessarily bad, it depends on what the group thinks about
> using the program for purposes other than bible research.  I just wanted
> to make sure this issue was considered.  I suppose if this feature is
> added at some future time bible time could morph into a general research
> tool.

IMHO we support everything Sword supports. I think it's not reasonable to 
scan a book like "Moby Dick" to use it in BibleTime because it's not 
organized by Book-Chapter-Verse.
But if Sword includes GBS (==General Book Support) we will support it. GBS is 
useful to read christian books in the same UI as your read the bibles, 
commentaries etc.
But I'm against using BIbleTime to read novels or similait books because this 
is nothing bible related. 
But do not worry, GBS will take months or years until it's implemented :)

> In case of using bible time with text that are not bible related, the
> primary goal of presenting the scriptures is still possible as the "tip
> of the day" starts the users session with scripture quotation.  That was
> a very good idea.

BTW, could somebody on this list please create a new list?
Since we suport now HTML in the tips (even images) much more is possible.
Volunteers?

> By the way, the fair use clause in the US copyright law is not present
> in all other countries law, and even here it is under attack by some
> commercial interests.  This is important as copyrights registered in the
> US are valid in europe as are european copyrights valid in the US.  The
> rules for enforcement however are the local laws not the law in the
> country of registration.
>
> My understanding is that it would allow the owner of a text to scan it
> to an ascii file, as long as it was for his personal use.  If he
> distributed the ascii file in whole or a large portion thereof (even if
> it was distributed for free) it would be a violation.

I think distributing the text of your own copy is violation because everybody 
could now read the text without buying it.

Thank you Fred for your idwas and answers, I like discussions :)
--Joachim