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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
about LITURGY PLUS
This page last updated 07/02/08.
Q. Does LITURGY PLUS work under Windows Vista?
A. LITURGY PLUS (L+ for short) was developed with its extensive
commentaries displayed via the Windows Help system. Liturgy Plus will run
under Vista, but Vista does not include the traditional Windows Help system.
That system is a separate download, which is available from Microsoft.
The help system can be downloaded at the following page: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6ebcfad9-d3f5-4365-8070-334cd175d4bb&DisplayLang=en
There are other links on Microsoft's download page that contain more
information.
Q. How does the LITURGY PLUS site license work?
A. LITURGY PLUS is intended to be used by a team of people as much
as by a single individual at a single workstation. Since L+ comes with
a parish site license, it can be installed on several machines, one for
each member of the parish liturgy team, for example. There is no additional
cost for extra people using the software as long as they are in the same
parish. If only one person in the parish installs and uses L+, that would
make it somewhat more expensive than something like a mass-market package
of clip art, for example, but still somewhat less costly than something
like a new word processor, which is a program of more comparable technological
sophistication, but we can all see where more people would need to use
a word processor program than would have reason to use something like L+.
A broader, larger market for something should make it more reasonably priced,
or, conversely, a narrower, smaller market for something usually requires
that it have a higher price.
Q. What would our whole parish worship team do with something like
L+ on each of their machines?
A. Well, for one thing, L+ contains a wealth of commentaries on
each season, and on each feast within each season. Each member of the team
could get into the program and page through the commentaries prior to a
team meeting, printing out any relevent document excerpts or any specific
suggestions to take to the meeting. Environment ideas, music suggestions,
history and background of the celebration, spirituality commentaries, homily
ideas, and much more.
L+ can also be used to review the lectionary readings and, at least
as long as multiple translations of the lectionary are approved for use,
to select a preferred translation for the celebration. Similarly, the various
prayer options can be quickly reviewed and compared on the screen, with
a preferred option selected. L+ permits each user to outline a complete
script for the service being planned. Theoretically, each team member could
prepare and print out such a script to bring to a planning meeting.
One of the chief values of the software is that it provides expert references.
The scripture readings are all from approved translations (three translations
are offered for most of the readings, and some have more than one set of
options). Since the program prevents users from modifying the prayers or
readings, the user can always count on having an accurate starting point
for planning celebrations.
Another feature of the program is that it offers several options for
the Prayer of the Faithful. Here, L+ encourages users to compose and save
their own versions, which L+ will keep around until/unless the program
gets re-installed. It also saves all the celebration script decisions as
well. This could come in quite handy as an annual reference to what was
selected in the past.
Q. Shouldn't we be able to simply renew a license to use the program
each year? Why do we essentially have to buy the program again?
A. There IS a special upgrade price for anyone who has purchased
the previous cycle of L+. But our goal is to make the next time around
so much more useful to parish team members that you will want to renew.
And keep in mind, you do get a parish site license when you buy L+ which
means you can install as many copies as you wish throughout your parish,
and which makes it a lot less costly per user than the price might indicate.
Q. What has been added to the last few editions that I should know about?
A. Cycle B in 1996-97 introduced the Windows interface and other
enhancements to the commentaries. Cycle C in 1997-98 introduced the RCIA
rites integrated with the rest of the feasts. The 1999 Cycle A/B/C version
integrates all three cycles of the lectionary into a single program (the
bishops committee had a change of heart), and also upgrades from the RSV
lectionary to the NRSV, while maintaining the NAB and JB versions. The
cycle A/B/C version also comes on a CD, and offers users the ability to
install to a hard drive or run from the CD. Version 3.2 (Advent 2000) introduces
a rich text version of the NAB lectionary for cycles A and C, and a capability
to customize script files for printout. It also moves to a true Windows
95 version of the program, which will also run on Windows 98, Windows NT,
and Windows 2000.
We hope to be able to continue to add this kind of increase in value
in each future release.
Q. Can I get a demo?
A. The new version comes as a demo, and the $20 service charge is
applicable to your purchase. As a demo, it only offers Advent from cycle
A, but lets you see the kinds of options the full program offers. You can
download
it free of charge and install it.
Q.Why isn't there a thick manual to accompany L+? How can we find out how
to install the program, and then to use it?
A. It can be comforting to hold a 400 page manual in your hands,
especially during the installation process, but L+ installs automatically
(as long as you have compatible equipment). The L+ program was created
as a kind of alternative to a stack of thick books, and we hope we have
developed a fairly intuitive user interface, so that once you get the idea
of what it can do, it is pretty natural to get around in it. There is an
extensive help feature, and a tutorial "tour" that will help users get
acquainted with it.
Q. I have a feature I would like to see in a future version of L+. What
do I do to add it to the development list?
A. Now you're talking! Send any and all suggestions, criticisms,
comments, and wish-list items via e-mail to  .
They will get every consideration, although we cannot promise immediate
implementation of every suggestion, of course. When you send us an idea,
please let us know how to contact you, in case we need more information
from you about your suggestion.
Q. My question isn't answered here. Where do I turn, now?
A. Submit your question using our feedback
form and we will send you an answer via e-mail right away.
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