[sword-devel] Question about backwards compatibility and search index download-ability, especially in relation to low-cost, low-power computers (such as might be in developing countries?)

[TS]

Hi,

      To put it simply, I was wondering what is Crosswire's or perhaps 
Troy's position on backwards compatibility. I thought that the desired 
goal, if possible, was for Sword to be able to run on as many devices as 
possible. However, recently I've seen in mailing list postings or emails 
that perhaps I was mistaken? It's also occurred to me that perhaps my 
impression is with regards to the Sword engine only and that this does 
not include front-end backwards compatibility? So, I'd appreciate some 
clarity on the matter.
      In specific, I'm asking this question because in the past, I know 
that organizations have made projects to create simple, low-cost 
computers (such as OLPC). I know that the first gen OLPC was made around 
the same time as the first iPhone and had roughly similar specs (if I'm 
interpreting the specs correctly). It was the size of a small laptop, 
but did not have enough processing power to play videos. This type of 
computer was created for developing countries. So, if computers such as 
these exist enough, then it also seems to me that they may have problems 
generating search indexes the same way that the first iPhone did. 
Therefore, I'm wondering if perhaps there is still a good reason for the 
search indexes to be downloadable?
      On the other hand, David's post back in Feb. 16,2019, titled 
"[sword-devel] ParaTExt Lite (Android OS)", contained a link to an 
article about the development of ParaText Lite. This article seemed to 
suggest that smartphones have penetrated even the most remote of places. 
So, it makes me wonder if the situation of people (such as those in 
developing countries) being stuck with old computers is perhaps not very 
large? I guess I don't know either way, but since nobody here (I think?) 
has brought it up and it would possibly be impacted by search indexes 
download-ability, this all seems like something worthwhile to ask/talk 
about.
      (Btw, it seems to me that Android would probably be the dominant 
smartphone OS. I don't want to derail this post explaining "why", so it 
may be sufficient enough to mention that ParaText Lite was only made for 
Android OS.)
     (Also, the current gen laptop of OLPC does have enough power, I 
think. I would also imagine that the current Raspberry Pi computers have 
enough power as well.)

-TS

-- 
- Timothy