Sword and JSword is basically the same, the difference is that Sword is impelemented using c/c++ programming language and JSword is implemented using Java programming language.

Both Sword and JSword is just library no GUI at all. They are is a programming library that allows easy access to the underlying book/bibles/modules. So basically many GUI front end are utilizing both library. The GUI is separate project eg:
Sword
- GnomeSword (for Linux/Gnome)
- The Sword (for Windows)
- etc
JSword
- BibleDesktop (Windows, Unix/Linux, Mac OSX)
- Alkitab (Windows, Unix/Linux, Mac OSX)
- etc

Alkitab is run on top of JSword and there is nothing wrong with JSword/Sword, it is a great software and run well. The reason alkitab is created::
- I am more proficient with Java rather than c/c++
- I am trying to modernize the GUI front end (eg: dockable and sliding panel, have plugins supports, etc). However to achieve this. there was some design decision that against BibleDesktop design goal. One of BibleDesktop goal (from the mailing list) is to run on any possible platform and with low spec comp requirement. Due to the low spec comp requirement, some advanced functionality is very hard/could not be implemented. In contrast Alkitab is new project (started april 2008) and trying to achieve modern GUI and require higher spec comp requirement to achieve that design goal. Alkitab require at least java 1.5 o higher, whereas BibleDesktop require java 1.4 or higher.

If you compare it side by side, Alkitab GUI is almost similar to BibleDesktop GUI, although there are also some differences. Because if that GUI is work well and intuitive why change it. I only add things to achieve modern GUI. And to do that a lot of refactoring/rewrite is needed (besides the design goal). So it much more easier to create a new project (Alkitab) rather than extending BibleDesktop. The GUI code is completely a rewrite and implemented differently although the UI look similar.

Note: Alkitab is not competing project with JSword, it is even utilizing JSword as the base. It is only alternative front end (GUI) for JSword BibleDesktop.

Cheers
Kiyut