Rom
Puritan Board Junior
UPDATE (10/13/14) - Added popovers for Scripture Links by Popular Request
Since many of you have asked for it, I added Scripture popup boxes. It is click based, not hover based since touch devices don't do hover. It isn't fully completed, but is already a huge improvement. You click the link inside of the Popover to take you to the verse in the Bible reading page. You can dismiss the popover by clicking back on the link, and it doesn't pull you out of the resource you're in.
UPDATE (10/13/14) - Added the Compendium of the Heidelberg Catechism.
UPDATE (10/12/14) - Added the Heidelberg Catechism.
Dear Saints of the Puritanboard,
As some of you may know, I have a passion for Reformed Theology, and I also have a passion for programming.
I've had a side project that I've worked on, in various forms over the last year or so. It first started as a Windows 8 app, but then I started to think it might be best as a Web App for its initial release. You can therefore run it on PCs, Macs, Linux machines, Tablets, and Smartphones. Anything that supports modern Html.
This web app is called Charis, and it is free! You can access the web app here: Charis. Here is a screenshot in case your device doesn't support it yet:
I've always loved that I have had access to the Reformed Creeds and Confessions online. It is wonderful having them. But I didn't like the way most sites laid out their content, and I also didn't like the fact that I didn't have a good way of searching or indexing through them. So, I started to mull the idea of working on a web application that would bring the best of something like Logos' library features, in a free-to-use web application.
Today, marks the first Alpha release. It is far from complete.
Unlike most sites which serve content like this, Charis doesn't merely serve static content. Rather, all of the content is stored in Charis formatted "books", digital files that are then converted into Html for page viewing. What this means is that I am building topical indices, and cross references between all these documents, so that we can create a rich database of everything. All of the Scripture links, etc. are "smart" links in that it knows precisely where that reference goes, and it will be used in the making of the overarching topical database that will eventually power it. Lots of exciting things in the future for this web app - I am very excited about the foundational work that has gone into this thing. Even the Scripture references are parsed out by computer and massaged by hand. The smarter my parser gets, the more quickly I can integrate new documents into this system, and automate it all. I imagine the folks at Logos do something very similar for preparing to publish works. But these will be freely available to all, as these are works that have their copyright expired (if they ever had such a thing).
Some Goals:
Where the app is today, is far from its potential - though, perhaps you can see where I am headed.
Here are some screen shots of it in its current state as seen on an iPad. I have tested it on phones and PCs. Modern browsers will probably be best, I haven't tested it on ancient browsers, particularly old versions of Internet Explorer.
It is undoubtedly still buggy, it is Alpha software, keep that in mind. When it cannot find a reference, it will probably give you a blank page for now. Lots of polish and wrap up tasks to do. It is an app, but runs on the web server - so treat it like early preview software for now. Give me feedback as you have it. New resources will be going up as I get the time. I wanted to get some initial feedback from the saints on the Puritanboard just to see what you guys and gals thought. Hope this is a help for those who are studying the Doctrines of Grace.
Since many of you have asked for it, I added Scripture popup boxes. It is click based, not hover based since touch devices don't do hover. It isn't fully completed, but is already a huge improvement. You click the link inside of the Popover to take you to the verse in the Bible reading page. You can dismiss the popover by clicking back on the link, and it doesn't pull you out of the resource you're in.
UPDATE (10/13/14) - Added the Compendium of the Heidelberg Catechism.
UPDATE (10/12/14) - Added the Heidelberg Catechism.
Dear Saints of the Puritanboard,
As some of you may know, I have a passion for Reformed Theology, and I also have a passion for programming.
I've had a side project that I've worked on, in various forms over the last year or so. It first started as a Windows 8 app, but then I started to think it might be best as a Web App for its initial release. You can therefore run it on PCs, Macs, Linux machines, Tablets, and Smartphones. Anything that supports modern Html.
This web app is called Charis, and it is free! You can access the web app here: Charis. Here is a screenshot in case your device doesn't support it yet:
I've always loved that I have had access to the Reformed Creeds and Confessions online. It is wonderful having them. But I didn't like the way most sites laid out their content, and I also didn't like the fact that I didn't have a good way of searching or indexing through them. So, I started to mull the idea of working on a web application that would bring the best of something like Logos' library features, in a free-to-use web application.
Today, marks the first Alpha release. It is far from complete.
Unlike most sites which serve content like this, Charis doesn't merely serve static content. Rather, all of the content is stored in Charis formatted "books", digital files that are then converted into Html for page viewing. What this means is that I am building topical indices, and cross references between all these documents, so that we can create a rich database of everything. All of the Scripture links, etc. are "smart" links in that it knows precisely where that reference goes, and it will be used in the making of the overarching topical database that will eventually power it. Lots of exciting things in the future for this web app - I am very excited about the foundational work that has gone into this thing. Even the Scripture references are parsed out by computer and massaged by hand. The smarter my parser gets, the more quickly I can integrate new documents into this system, and automate it all. I imagine the folks at Logos do something very similar for preparing to publish works. But these will be freely available to all, as these are works that have their copyright expired (if they ever had such a thing).
Some Goals:
- Make it minimalistic, without clutter, ads, and annoying pop-ups, and make it easy to view.
- Have it look beautiful and adapt dynamically to a variety of devices. It scales from phones to PCs.
- Make it easy to use from a workflow perspective. Hence the always accessible reference entry box.
- Allow it to fit a good instruction, doctrine workflow. Once Charis accounts come online, you will be able to add family members and track their progress in catechism instruction (this functionality will be useful for my own Sabbath School instruction at Church)
- It is particularly Reformed. No general evangelical resources here. It is focused for the Reformed.
Where the app is today, is far from its potential - though, perhaps you can see where I am headed.
Here are some screen shots of it in its current state as seen on an iPad. I have tested it on phones and PCs. Modern browsers will probably be best, I haven't tested it on ancient browsers, particularly old versions of Internet Explorer.
It is undoubtedly still buggy, it is Alpha software, keep that in mind. When it cannot find a reference, it will probably give you a blank page for now. Lots of polish and wrap up tasks to do. It is an app, but runs on the web server - so treat it like early preview software for now. Give me feedback as you have it. New resources will be going up as I get the time. I wanted to get some initial feedback from the saints on the Puritanboard just to see what you guys and gals thought. Hope this is a help for those who are studying the Doctrines of Grace.
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. I think it might be a chicken and egg problem. They want to make sure that your application has enough reach to be worthy of their time. We'll see what happens, if the Lord's People are encouraged in the use of this app.
