Sword Source Code Help

Download Source Code

The Source Code for the Sword can be downloaded from:

ftp://ftp.crosswire.org/pub/sword/source/

A working Win32 binary can be downloaded from:

ftp://ftp.crosswire.org/pub/sword/frontend/win32/

The Sword Developer's Corner is located at:

http://www.crosswire.org/development/

• SWORD API Primer

Other Sword Based Software

BibleTime Bible software for Linux/Unix and KDE

Purpose Statement for The Open Software Model

In short, this open project is an effort to create an ever expanding software package for research and study of God and His Word. The Open Software Model is the basis of development, maximizing the rapid growth and features of this package. This is not a project that has been started 'from scratch', but instead seeks to leverage from the previous work of others. Many efforts have already been made in the likes of the collection and digitization of sources and determination of features beneficial for such a tool. All types of Biblical texts and helps, along with a system independent engine to retrieve such, plus a variety of front ends to bring this to as many users as possible, are the elements that this group desire-- and are committed-- to fuse together by the blessings of God for the creation of a study aide that will be wielded solely by the Holy Spirit to convey God's truths to all who implement the efforts of this project.

What's an Open Software Project?

• Open Software Projects have been an effective way to develop quality software for many years.
  • "The system that makes this cooperative effort possible is called the GNU General Public License (GPL)... A piece of software that is declared by its author to be under the GPL is said to be copylefted, as opposed to copyrighted. Whenever a copylefted product is distributed, its source code must be available as well, so that any user of the product can alter it, recompile it, and reconfigure it ad infinitum. But any changes, fixes, or upgrades that are made to that source code must be placed back in the original product, with the source code of the new contribution. Thus the product continues to improve without being held by a single individual or company. Further, any individual or company can package and sell products that are under GPL, but they must still make the source code to the product available. Anyone who buys the product is free to recopy, alter, or redistribute the product as well, so long as the GPL is followed."

For some time, there has been made freely available a Bible software package, The Online Bible, written in Canada and once a primary distribution of an organization named Bible Foundation. This software has many useful features, and more useful texts, that have been adapted for use by this utility. The project, however, is very closed, and thus has not advanced at a pleasing pace. Many affiliated with Bible Foundation have expressed an interest in an open project that would allow the endowment of any and all programmers wishing to contribute to such.

With God's blessing, this project will incorporate the talents of all developers wishing to contribute their skills in the development of a software utility that will enable all people to come to a fuller understanding of God's word and will. This project will leverage on the efforts that have already been rendered by the authors of The Online Bible package in the collection of texts / sources and in the discovery and refinement of the features that users desire. This homepage will be the pivot point for publishing development designs, communications, task lists and associated group leaders and contributors along with open tasks needing developers, code in progress, and finished releases. Mass distribution capabilities of larger FTP sites will be sought for general public circulation.

So Who's Leading This Project?

• There are many modularized components of this project, each with their own group leader/s. Each leader is free to take the direction that they see fit to accomplish the goals of the concurred design, being held accountable only to fellow developers, users, and of course God ;) (that should put a sense of responsibility in all of you! :) Startup efforts and this homepage are organized by Scribe, who may happen to be a group leader of a few of the core components, but should in no way be seen (or wishes to be seen) as the overall manager/owner of this project. This is a collaboration of the masses-- many parts of a body working together for a common purpose (wow, what an analogy :)!

Now, may the love of God fill you with all wisdom, peace, perseverance, talent, and a desire to serve Him, as you contribute or make use of these contributions of the Body of Christ.

Open Software Models

For more information on various "open software models" or "free software", (free as in freedom, not just gratis), see the following web sites:

GNU Project - Free Software Foundation - Categories of Free and Non-Free Software
GNU Project - Free Software Foundation - What is the Copyleft?
GNU Project - Free Software Foundation - GNU General Public License
GNU Project - Free Software Foundation - GNU Library General Public License
opensource.org - The Open Source Definition
mozilla.org - netscape public license and Netscape Public License FAQ
Debian - A Social Contract and bsd license
perl.com - Artistic License
Troll Tech - The Q Public License

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