A P.S. To the TNIV Open Letter: Electronic Editions
Another opportunity for Zondervan and IBS to make an impact is in electronic versions. On the Windows platform, the four major bible software programs appear to be Logos, Bibleworks, e-Sword, and Pradis.
For Logos, most packages of the software (Bible Study Library, Leader's Library, Scholar's Library, Silver Library, Gold Library) include the NIV. However, the TNIV is an extra $40.
For Bibleworks, the NIV is included but the TNIV is not available.
For e-Sword, neither the NIV nor the TNIV is officially available, however, other competing translations (such as the ESV) are included for free.
For Pradis, a library sold by Zondervan, the NIV is included in virtually every package, but the TNIV is not included in every package.
It would be wonderful if Zondervan and the IBS could work with electronic publishers to make the TNIV available on an attractive basis to those who use electronic packages. Even if this is not possible, perhaps Zondervan and IBS could work with electronic publishers to remove comments that suggest that Zondervan recommends AGAINST the TNIV: for example, the comment on Logos's page that says
"We understand, as does the publisher, that the TNIV is a particularly controversial Bible translation." (emphasis added)
http://www.logos.com/products/details/2429
Incidentally, I sent an email to Logos over the weekend suggesting they remove the disclaimer found at the link above. In my opinion it is a double standard because the TNIV is no more controversial than the NRSV, NLT, Message, or NCV which Logos also sells, and no such disclaimer appears with these products. Others reading this may be interested to voice your concern about this double standard to Logos as well.
Zondervan would do well to ensure that the TNIV is on par with the NIV in Bible software offerings--especially in the ones that they publish. By neglecting the TNIV in Pradis packages, Zondervan continues to send mixed signals regarding its support for the TNIV.
On a positive note, on the Mac side of things, the TNIV seems to get better placement. It is part of the Zondervan Essential Bible Study Suite for Macintosh, (glad to know it's considered essential). It is also part of the Zondervan Personal Growth Bible Study Suite for Macintosh (and the NIV is not!). Both of these collections run in Accordance. Zondervan controls the content of these packages, not Oak Tree Software, the makers of Accordance. The TNIV Bible with notes is also available as a separate individual Accordance module for $30.