It had to happen. All computers die. But it’s never good news. And my computer died on Saturday.
Well, it didn’t die so much as suffer from a case of senile dementia. The USB ports stopped working reliably, and that meant my network connection became unreliable, not to mention my printer and backup hard drive.
So the “good news” is that I had an excuse to buy a brand new computer — a Gateway with a quad-chip. Very cool. In theory. But this very fast computer runs some software known as “Windows 7” — also known as “We’ve hidden every control where you can’t find it and made your old software not work at all even though you spent 20 hours working on something called “Compatibility Mode” which really means “make-you-buy-all-new-software mode.””
So my trusty, beloved Windows 95 version of Quickverse is dead, dead, dead. And it has my Greek and Hebrew translations. And lots of notes. And, yes, I know the internet has all this stuff, too, but it’s just not as convenient as a program I’ve used nearly daily for 15 years. So, no, I’m not happy about the transition from Windows XP (a great American program) to Windows 7 (probably designed by godless communists). I mean, my goal in life is not to get a Windows program that looks just like a Mac. If I’d wanted a Mac, I’d’ve bought a Mac. My goal in life is for MY SOFTWARE TO WORK. Oh, well.
So in the mean time, I’ve commented here and there from my iPhone and from my wife’s computer (when I didn’t have its WiFi antenna patched to my old computer in a vain effort to tranfer files by network). Fortunately, I usually post a few days ahead, but unfortunately I usually review and revise posts during the days just before they show up. And I’ve not been able to do that because it took two days to move my files from the old to the new computer. I hope I’ve been halfway coherent. If not, it’s Bill Gates’ fault.
And Windows 7 still has the annoying habits of old Windows — like a timer that says “Download will take 27 years” when it will only take 30 seconds. Or vice versa. Mainly vice versa. Fortunately, the fast new computer makes downloading technical support and updated drivers much easier. How’s that for a silver lining?
So now I’m here and typing once again. And I can run iTunes and a back up routine and Outlook all at once and not even notice, whereas my old computer couldn’t run Solitaire and Notepad at once without jamming for three weeks. So that’s cool.
But I miss QuickVerse.
WAAAHHH!!!!!! RIP, Jay's computer . . . .
dude you had me scared for a second there……
Bummer about QuickVerse> I've used it and generally liked, but I've been using Libronix, and while it is more complicated to some things that QuickVerse could do easily, it can do a lot of things that my version of QuickVerse couldn't begin to do.
I agree that is it nicer having the resources right on the computer. I'm still not sold on the idea of having everything on line.
Blessing on you as you learn your new machine and software.
Jay, with Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, you can run a virtual machine instance of XP via "Windows XP Mode". Since it's essentially XP, maybe you can install QuickVerse in it without the issues you are having. I think you can even drop an application icon from XP Mode onto your Win 7 desktop to launch the app in XP mode in one quick step. There are also other virtualization options, such as VMware.
For more info on XP Mode: http://cot.ag/adRqXG
If you need to upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium to 7 Professional or Ultimate, visit: http://bit.ly/aupgcM for info
A Gateway? Really? Well, it's your money. Not what I'd call the most reputable brand these days, though…and I know something about that sausage factory.
Anyway, there's a decent chance you can downgrade to XP on the new hardware, if you've got an install disk around. Depends on the details, o f course, but enough people still run it that I'd expect video drivers, etc. to be available.
Damon beat me to the punch. You can do it with a virtual machine. I'm running XP under VMWare on several different platforms, and it works great. Basically Windows XP becomes a program you launch under your newer operating system. Then you can install software into Windows XP as needed. Find a good IT person in your congregation and pay him a few bucks to get it working for you.
Jay, time to make the move to Linux! 🙂
get a Mac !!!
… then your software just runs and you can ignore all the techie stuff
Jay…I feel your pain (to borrow a phrase). I kept the same computer for years because I didn't want the hassle of trying to get everything to work on the new one. Finally broke down and got a new one when I changed congregations. Problem is, a lot of the stuff on the old computer belonged to the old congregation and I didn't have the CD's or the license to reinstall it…so I'm making do. But I feel your pain (oops, there I go again). 🙂
Get a mac!! You'll be so happy.
I've owned six Macs: a Plus, a Centris 660AV, a Performa 450, a Performa 6400, a G3 PowerMac (blue and white), and my current G5 iMac. I sold the first two. I still own the last four. They still work.
Apple has changed the Mac's hardward/software architecture three or four times in those 20 years – and I haven't jumped to the newest Intel-processor architecture yet. I've never had difficulty with an upgrade, or getting software upgrades from other providers.
Jay
Someone put a voodoo hex on you.
That's what you guys get for humiliating Texas in the playoffs.
Actually I'm from Kansas.
Good typing and many more great posts on your pony express.
Bob
Can't you get your sons to pool their money and buy their father the latest version of QuickVerse as an early birthday or Christmas present? 🙂
XRay — NOW you're talking! It'd sure beat handkerchiefs or socks.
Damon,
I have Windows Home Premium. I figured, you know, that my computer is at home and "premium" sound like the best — like "premium gas." Oh, well.
You should write the Quick people and say that a major website would praise them for a update.
Larry,
Good idea, but was using the Windows 95 version. It's already been updated several times. I just don't want to have to buy a brand new program when the old version suited my needs so well. Oh, well.
I have got it to work (Quickverse 4.0) in Windows 7 64 bit using XP Mode. I used an old version of it (before ver e with just the basic KJV and ran the setup in compatability to 95 mode. Then I run it as a seperate app in W7. I did not even need to do this with the 32 bit version of windows 7. But I have gotten it to work with both 32 bit and 64 Ultimate. If you need help with this let me know with a follup post and I will help you through it
Mike,
Do share! I'd love to get my old QV back.
QuickVerse (How I got it to run on Windows 7)
In the 32 bit version of windows 7 Quickverse 4 seems to run fine. It is the 64 bit version I had problems with. You will need either Windows 7 Ultimate or professsional to intall XP Mode and I happened to install the update also. After installing it go into XP Mode and install Quickverse version 4 (the 1995 version)
I Used the free executable version that parsons was giving away as a trial. I tried using the deluxe version I have and it did not work. Install it in compatability mode (I used 95 compatability) After install run it to make sure it works in Windows 7. After you have confirmed it works copy the other bible folders and your note files from the delux version to the QVWIN folder and setup the Options/Directories to point to the added Bible folders. Now return to Windows 7 and in the start menu you will see Windows Virtual PCWindows XP Applicationsand the folders to the programs you have installled in XP Mode. Copy the Quickverse shortcut to your desktop and double click. Everything should work fine with all your bible translations in Windows 7 64 bit.
I too use QV4 on Windows 7 Professional. I installed the virtual XP and then the QV4 Deluxe along with the patch for XP. It works great. I just wish I had gotten the unlock yeas ago for the library!
You can still use QuickVerse 4.0 with Windows 7 64 bit and Windows 8 by following the instructions in the document I’ve place on my personal ministry website at: http://www.graceupongrace.us/files.html. Look for: “Instructions for Running QuickVerse 4.0 under 64-bit Environments.”
I use a variety of programs including Logos 5, Bible Companion with Gramcord, Bible Analyzer, e-Sword, the Online Bible, the Word, iLumina, QuickVerse 7.0 & 10.0 all of which have unique valuable aspects–but there’s nothing like QuickVerse 4.0 for copying multiple strings of verses–up to 10 at a time–and for finding quickly that verse just beyond the reach of my own memory… We have favorite hard cover Bibles because we’ve used them so long and are so familiar with their weight, the feel of the leather in hand, where certain verses fall on the page, etc.; in the same way QuickVerse 4.0 is like an old friend. I’ve spent 24 years reading and studying the Bible through its windows and don’t like having to give up on an old friend… There are aspects of Quickverse 4.0 that no other program has every reduplicated. I use Logos 5 for weekly sermon preparation, but don’t like the constant updates and the overwhelming cost with constant costly upgrades. e-Sword has a wonderful user library of seemingly limitless resources but lacks the better Greek Dictionaries. Bible Analyzer has the cheapest modules on the market and has some amazing ways of analyzing the text that no other program has; it’s also the best for using with audio Bibles or the built in speech function. I very much appreciate those who are putting out really excellent programs for free such as e-sword, the Online Bible, Bible Analyzer & the Word. “Freely you received, freely give.”
Grant,
Thanks. I was not familiar with some of those programs.
My inability to run QV forced me to try something else, and I was fortunate to receive a copy of BibleWorks — which is always open as I write. I does everything QV used to do for me and much more.
BibleWorks is not free but is a good value — and runs very, very fast. It does require learning the peculiarities of its interface, but it’s some kind of powerful — and I’ve found that it allows much more precise conclusions than I could reach in QV. BW parses the Greek and Hebrew much more precisely than QV and easily links to cross-references, the Apostolic Fathers, NET Bible translator notes, and the original languages. Particularly useful for my own studies is the ease with which I can search the Septuagint as I study the OT. It’s been a huge blessing to my studies.
Other programs are better for commentaries, dictionaries, and other such resources, but I couldn’t do without BW — and I haven’t looked back to QV 4.0.
I can’t speak to the current version of QV.