Yi Jing - Book of Changes app updated for iPad

[mrlegowatch]

Hi,

I have updated the Yi Jing - Book of Changes app for the iPad. Here is a partial screen shot:

http://www.flatearthstudio.com/Apps/News/Entries/2010/11/17_Yi_Jing_for_iPad_Arrives_files/shapeimage_1.png

The app has 3 key characteristics:

* a question oracle
* an integrated journal
* multiple book translations

In addition to supporting manual hexagram entry, a 3-coin oracle, and "quick" (one-tap), we've added a 4-coin oracle and a yarrow stalk oracle. The yarrow stalk oracle shows you how to perform the actual yarrow stalk divination—it's not just a click-once thing.

The integrated journal supports editing questions with notes, sorting by topic, hexagram or date, a search feature, and access to a growing number of book translations. The journal separates out the present, changing lines and future (or context) hexagram readings. In addition, you can access the four component trigrams, and related hexagrams (opposite, inverse, reverse, and mutual/nuclear).

In addition to a handful of translations included with the app (including Richter's pinyin/gloss and Carol K. Anthony's "A Guide to the I Ching"), we now have in-app purchase options, "I Ching Workbook" by R.L. Wing, and "The I Ching or Book of Changes" by Richard Wilhelm and Cary F. Baynes (US and Canada only, a publishing restriction), and the complete "I Ging das Buch der Wandlungen" by Richard Wilhelm in German. It's really easy to switch between translations while viewing the journal.

The app is also localized in 8 languages: English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and of course, Chinese (both traditional and modern).

More info can be found on my web site here:

http://www.flatearthstudio.com/Apps/Apps.html

I'm working on adding some new book translations, which are coming soon.

Let me know what you think of it, and if there's anything I should add or improve.

- Brian

[sparhawk]

I have it! Coolest app for Yijing out there. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Great job.

[hilary]

Very neat! Apple-philes periodically ask me about Yijing software, and I've never had a clue what to suggest before.

For people with ordinary, cheap Windows machines - I just made a blog post that somehow hasn't found its way over here to the forum like they usually do: I Ching Journal software (http://onlineclarity.co.uk/answers/2010/12/05/i-ching-journal-software/).

[vakos]

This is a great app. I use it all the time there is an urgent question on the go.

Thanks and keep updating!

[heylise]

On Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQhpHLM2lgU)
Seems great!!

[wlloydw]

Brian, I enjoy the ability to compare translations side by side in your program. With the addition of Wilhelm and Wing recently and others coming soon, this is a bookshelf of tools in one portable format. I am waiting for iPad 2 to have a larger format screen (currently using iPhone).

The ability to input the results of my coin toss manually keeps me connected to process, though in a rush I could select from several options: 3 or 4 coin, yarrow, or auto generated.

Having a single place to store questions and journal entries that allow me to reference later with all the different translations and commentaries is valuable.

Your software creates a portal to the Wisdom of Yi.

I look forward to the addition of others in the future. (H. Barrett, B. Hatcher, S. Dening, S. Karcher, N. Richmond, and A. Haung would all be valuable additions).

Your program allows a person to carry an entire bookshelf of resources. Great for those who travel like myself. Thank you. Highly recommended.

[hilary]

I've just sent off another email to my publisher about getting the book into electronic format. Fingers crossed that this time they'll actually reply - and thank you for being interested, that should help my case!

[fyreflye]

but I don't have an extra $500+ for an iPad, especially since I don't need one. How about adapting this to a plain old Mac OS X? I'd buy that one.

[ginnie]

I look forward to the addition of others in the future. (H. Barrett, B. Hatcher, S. Dening, S. Karcher, N. Richmond, and A. Haung would all be valuable additions).

Please mrlegowatch one day add the 'old-timers' J. Blofeld and J. Legge. And what about G. Whincup and T. Cleary?

I don't have an iPad, but the concept behind your handy app appeals to me tremendously.

[vakos]

I would love to see Karcher on iPhone!

[mrlegowatch]

We have just released an update that includes the book "The I Ching: the book to turn to for Wisdom and Guidance" by Michael Hurn with Claire Hurn, and "I Ching: Navigating Change", a new work by Stephen Karcher, both for additional purchase. We are working on incorporating Bradford Hatcher's book, and we have recently reached an agreement with Hilary's publisher for her new book, so we expect to have those ready in a future update. We are still in negotiation with Inner Traditions for Alfred Huang's work, and I'm hopeful we will be able to reach an agreement. That's all I have for updates at this time (there's more than this, but this is what can be shared).

As a long-time Mac developer, a Mac version is likely to happen at some point, but we are also actively working to extend Yi Jing's reach to other platforms. Thank you for your encouragement!

[hilary]

You know, if anything were going to persuade me that I 'need' an Iphone...

(Also - hooray! re-agreement with Arcturus.)

[vakos]

We have just released an update that includes the book "I Ching: Navigating Change", a new work by Stephen Karcher

And what is this new book by Karcher? I could not find any description of it on the internet. Is this a new edition of the Total Iching?

Would like to see the list of contents before paying up $9.00.

[hilary]

I'm curious about that, too. (Though I'm working on justifying the original £600 or whatever of expenditure rather than $9 ;) )

[mrlegowatch]

Navigating Change is a new text that has evolved out of Stephen's teaching workshops in the past year, and it is loosely based on several of his works. This new text is not yet in print. Here are a few details he shared:

"I've done a lot of new work in a format much like How to Use the I Ching. In trying this material out in a 3 day teaching workshop, I found that people wanted and gravitated to what is called the Myths for Change in Total I Ching. So I also produced a condensed version in the Story of the Time, for each Navigating Change hexagram."

To see some of the content in more detail, I have provided screen shots here:

http://www.flatearthstudio.com/Apps/Navigating_Change_Gallery.html

[alan_sp]

As a long-time Mac developer, a Mac version is likely to happen at some point, but we are also actively working to extend Yi Jing's reach to other platforms. Thank you for your encouragement!

Do you plan to make your program for Windows too?

If I choose iPhone, I'll buy it, but I'm more inclined to Android and Windows. But your program looks really good.

[vakos]

Couldn't resist and purchased the program the same day I asked the question on this board.

My experience with this translation has been most satisfying. Essentially, it is a condensed version of Karcher's Total I Ching. I find the app very useful to compare the interpretations from Karcher to Wilhelm and then to R.L.Wing(when I get completely stuck).

One pleasant and useful addition is the divination method called Circle of the Protectors. I use it when I need only one moving line for an answer.

Once Hilary's book is in the app's library, I will be the happiest Yi camper around!

[cguleff]

I unexpectedly joined the increasing number of "iPhone" users when my son and daughter-in-law included me as family member on their AT&T plan. Suddenly, I became aware of the joy of phone apps. One of my first apps was the Yi Jing app, and was I ever delighted -- everything I had always wished for -- a portable Yi Jing library, journal, and a choice of methods to generate hexagrams -- all in one place! It includes all the features I need to do readings for myself and others -- wherever I am. (I always used to agonize over which paperbound translation to carry with me.) Now I have several translations with me at all times. I'm delighted that additional translations are available, with others in the works. This is GREAT!!!

[mrlegowatch]

Well, Yi Jing is not that great, but I appreciate the kudos, it's why I'm putting so much effort into it, and I want to keep improving it.

As for an Android version, it's coming, slowly, but I can't yet gauge when. As for Windows and, more up our alley, Windows Phone 7, both are a possibility, but these are not yet in the cards. In time, likely, but in the meantime, those darned Apple iOS devices are what we are delighted to work with.

[spotlessmind]

Your hard work is appreciated. Keep it up! This is a great app in every way. If it could somehow sync with the cloud as a backup, all issues of every kind would be resolved because I would then no longer have to feel insecure about losing all my notes if the iPad crashes. So glad you are doing this work. What a contribution!

[ginnie]

Haven't purchased an iPad so far, but this app would be the reason to go for it.

Have serious reservations, though, about having my journal pages online. Is nobody concerned about Internet security? Gee, I have a growing concern about that ... Maybe I'm overly concerned?

What would Yi notes look like to a hacker? Hopefully some kind of esoteric mathematics?

I am a great fan of John Blofeld's I Ching and hope someday you might consider including it. I have found the Blofeld to be the most useful I Ching of all, overall, since I usually have many decisions to make of a practical nature. The Blofeld is concise and 'to the point.' Of course, when I have a spiritual question or another type of question entirely, I might reach for Karcher, Huang, or any one of many other great translations and interpretations, including the R.L. Wing, which really is a great all-purpose standby.

It's wonderful that you've been able to include so many resources. Congratulations on all your outstanding work!

[mrlegowatch]

The Yi Jing journal is currently stored in a private location on the device. The journal can also be password-protected, so if you let someone borrow your device, they can't just access the journal if you don't want them to do so. If we were to add iCloud sync support as spotlessmind suggests, it would be in a private cloud location on Apple's servers, unless you were to specifically make it available to others over the web. It's not perfect, but these hopefully do a decent job of protecting your journal from strangers.

[sparhawk]

Well done!

Last month, the Southborough company announced a software update to its Yi Jing app for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch that includes a new book translation, “I Ching: Walking Your Path, Creating Your Future” by Hilary Barrett, for an additional in-app purchase. (http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/business/technology/x560072577/Success-translates-for-Southborough-s-Flat-Earth-Studio#axzz1ffSmq78X)
“This beautiful, practical ‘I Ching’ for divination pays homage to the original text while supporting the modern user with lucid explanations and guidelines for interpreting the oracle,” states the book’s publisher, Arcturus. (http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/business/technology/x560072577/Success-translates-for-Southborough-s-Flat-Earth-Studio#axzz1ffSmq78X)

[answeredquestions]

...I am hoping Brian makes this app Mac friendly. I don't have an iPhone or iPad or anything like that, but am in serious need of Journaling my readings. Does anyone know of a Journaling Software that is Mac friendly? Justin's software is sadly not.

...and I am not ready for Boot Camp.

[hilary]

Funnily enough, Justin just emailed me this morning and mentioned he'd been asked this. Maybe he will get round to it... I have no idea how easy/otherwise it is to recreate software for the Mac.

Elsewhere:
http://www.ginkgosoftware.com/changes/

(Haven't tried that, but it says it has some search/sort functionality for its journal. Not sure whether it allows you to write journal entries for each reading, or just notes on hexagrams, though. Anyone bought it, or tried the demo?)

And I've been contacted by another programmer who has some Yijing software in the pipeline that will be Mac- and Windows-compatible. Watch this space...

[chingching]

I just got a hand me down ipad yesterday... apps are very addictive, this one will be well used though!

[answeredquestions]

:D I would like an iPad someday.. :)

[answeredquestions]

Good news for the Mac people out there.. I asked Brian if he will be making an app for Macs users:

"Yes, I am working on a Mac version of the app, which will contain all of the features in the iPhone and iPad versions. I expect to have it ready most likely towards the end of summer"

[chingching]

This app is so much fun!!!!!!!!! and so well designed, except I wish that instead of the slider to go to different pages you could turn the page like in kindle or other apps. Also I wouldn't say the relating hex is the future but it does organise the screen well to categorise it thus.

What is F Kegan's Flux Tome Names? Anyone know?

edited to add: also there is a small typo in F Kegan's 54, first line the word the is missing its 't'

[chingching]

:D I would like an iPad someday.. :)

It better than you'd think... i actually think i've fallen in love ( ;) )

[mrlegowatch]

Ginkgo Software's Changes is one of the better desktop apps, and it was one of my inspirations when I was working on the initial version of of Yi Jing. Changes includes the translation by RL Wing, and supports categories, searching and sorting.

I'd like to know who my future competitors are (competition is good for everyone, right?), so any information would be helpful to me (hint hint), but I'm OK with just doing what I'm doing. I'm fairly open about my plans, and I've already said (as noted above) that I'm aiming for a Mac version out by the end of summer. It's not hard (for me), just takes time.

As for the slider not going to the next page in a page-swiping-like fashion, yes, ugh. Will happen one day. As for changing the term from "Future" to "Relating", duly noted, future settings preference coming.

My understanding of F Kegan's Flux Tome Names is that they are from a translation that was published once in the past and would have been published again, until he passed away last year. Sadly I don't know more about that. Re: 54, I fixed the typo for the next update.

Oh, and yes, the new iPad is pretty sweet.

[hilary]

I'd like to know who my future competitors are (competition is good for everyone, right?), so any information would be helpful to me (hint hint)...

Well... you know about Justin and can download the trial of his. The other programmer emailed me to say he's working on a Yijing journal program for both Win and Mac, with a list of proposed features, which I'm guessing it would probably be bad manners for me to share at this stage ;) . I will make sure everyone knows when it's launched!

[alan_sp]

@hilary

Maybe if you could make one sticky thread where in first post are listed all I Ching applications, with links to manufacturers, or threads on your forum?

In that way we all could find them easily and comment on them here (in corresponding threads, of course).