Suggested Layout for NT Study

I am interested in
studying the NT, with particular emphasis on the Pastoral Epistles.

My favorite Bibles are:
NRSV, NAS, NAB, ISV, ESV and D-R (top left tile), while my favorite commentaries
are: Harpers, Collegeville, New and JFB (bottom left tile).

My favorite Greek
Bibles are: NA27 Gramcord, with and without McReynolds (top right tile)

Other resources in my
layout are: ESV, B. Newman, Swanson (Greek), Louw-Nida, EDNT, BAGD, NBD, Anchor
YBD and Chambers Oxford Eng. Dict. (bottom right tile)

I tried to enclose my preferred
Layout (I am still trying not to call
it a workspace), without success

Would
Anyone like to comment and suggest modifications/improvements to the layout and also tell me how to include my layout in this post, as printscreen failed?

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Comments

Jerry M

One thing I did recently was create a visual filter which highlighted, with a different solid color, the abbreviated names of the synoptic gospels in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge so that the parallel passages would be easier to spot. You could do the same with the pastoral epistles, so that their cross references would be easily noticed as you read/study the N.T. Of course any kind of collection for the pastoral epistles would be helpful in the citation or search tools.

Jerry M

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166576#Comment_166576

There are several suggested layouts on the wiki page on tutorials. ( never did this before so I don't know if the link took )

Logos 4 Video Tutorials

Noel Fitzpatrick

Jerry M,

Thanks for your elegant and constructive ideas.

Rich DeRuiter

I am interested in
studying the NT, with particular emphasis on the Pastoral Epistles.

My favorite Bibles are:
NRSV, NAS, NAB, ISV, ESV and D-R (top left tile), while my favorite commentaries
are: Harpers, Collegeville, New and JFB (bottom left tile).

My favorite Greek
Bibles are: NA27 Gramcord, with and without McReynolds (top right tile)

Other resources in my
layout are: ESV, B. Newman, Swanson (Greek), Louw-Nida, EDNT, BAGD, NBD, Anchor
YBD and Chambers Oxford Eng. Dict. (bottom right tile)

I tried to enclose my preferred
Layout (I am still trying not to call
it a workspace), without success

Would
Anyone like to comment and suggest modifications/improvements to the layout and also tell me how to include my layout in this post, as printscreen failed?

I have a wide-screen monitor (2 actually) and prefer a three column layout: original language resources, guides and my note files on the left, English Bibles in the middle (usually 3), and commentaries on the right. I open other resources as I need them (lexicons, e.g.), and generally close them after reading the article I was looking up. Other things I'll open ad hoc, and then close them when I'm done (Text Comparison, Highlighting, etc.).

I prefer full columns with tabs, because It gives me more room to read the content. Others prefer multiple windows to see more resources at once. To each his/her own.

Noel Fitzpatrick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166593#Comment_166593

Richard,

Thanks for your post.

I looked you up and I see about your activities in http://community.logos.com/members/2148/default.aspx

Richard
DeRuiter has not done anything recently.

How did
you manage that?

But seriously…

I accept
your view about three columns. I
sometimes float windows (tiles) for clarity.

But at present
I am trying to get used to Logos4, having used Logos3 for some time, and before
that Series X, since 2005.

Essentially
I use four tiles, each having tabs, for English Bibles, Greek Bibles,
commentaries and lexicons etc.

Jerry M

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166617#Comment_166617

I have enjoyed being able to watch the tutorial videos and learning from the wiki. Several times, though, I have though it would be great to have a blog category devoted just to hints on how to use the software that different ones have picked up along the way. Has anyone else thought this?

Pam Larson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166617#Comment_166617

Essentially I use four tiles, each having tabs, for English Bibles, Greek Bibles, commentaries and lexicons etc.

I have something similar, except that in the 4th tile I add a separate copy of my preferred Bible, and set it as the target for any links. That way if I click on a link in a commentary, it doesn't mess up the Bible I'm studying from. It's also useful when you're trying to compare a NT quotation to the OT original.

Since I have a wide screen, I also have a 3rd column for Power Lookup, highlighting, searches, etc.

Simon’s Brother

I am interested in
studying the NT, with particular emphasis on the Pastoral Epistles.

My favorite Bibles are:
NRSV, NAS, NAB, ISV, ESV and D-R (top left tile), while my favorite commentaries
are: Harpers, Collegeville, New and JFB (bottom left tile).

My favorite Greek
Bibles are: NA27 Gramcord, with and without McReynolds (top right tile)

Other resources in my
layout are: ESV, B. Newman, Swanson (Greek), Louw-Nida, EDNT, BAGD, NBD, Anchor
YBD and Chambers Oxford Eng. Dict. (bottom right tile)

I tried to enclose my preferred
Layout (I am still trying not to call
it a workspace), without success

Would
Anyone like to comment and suggest modifications/improvements to the layout and also tell me how to include my layout in this post, as printscreen failed?

Hi Noel,

This is what I am settled on at the moment for my main layout.

Of course along the way as I get into a study there will be lots of tinkering. If I am studying gospels rather than having dictionary of paul and his letter then I will have appropriate dictionary in its place. I use floating panel on second window when I want to look at things like text comparison, passage analysis or visualizations i.e. syntax graphs, and I may sometimes move my notes there or a specific resource, particular say an atlas where I want to look at a map.

Simon’s Brother

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166576#Comment_166576

One thing I did recently was create a visual filter which highlighted, with a different solid color, the abbreviated names of the synoptic gospels in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge so that the parallel passages would be easier to spot. You could do the same with the pastoral epistles, so that their cross references would be easily noticed as you read/study the N.T. Of course any kind of collection for the pastoral epistles would be helpful in the citation or search tools.

I like this idea Jerry, once could have multiple filters set up one say for gospels, one for Paul's epistles etc, whatever works for you and turn them on/off as required.

Noel Fitzpatrick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166665#Comment_166665

Pam,

thanks for your new ideas.

I have my commentaries in my bottom left tile and when I click on a Bible reference in appears in all my Bibles, as I have them all linked. My preferred one appears in the top left tile.

This seems to work for me.

Noel Fitzpatrick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166671#Comment_166671

Andrew,

Your ideas seem great.

But is your screen not a bit complicated?

Simon’s Brother

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166765#Comment_166765

Andrew,

Your ideas seem great.

But is your screen not a bit complicated?

I've never thought of it as complicated. because I've added everything there for a purpose and tried to give it the screen space that reflects its importance/function within the overall study. I guess that is the beauty of layouts you can create what meets your needs and adapt them over time for a specific situation. I have the Passage Guide and Exegetical Guide tabbed together since I'm only going to be ever looking at one of them at time. I want the focus of my layout to be the bible text hence the Greek text is central and given the biggest shop front, and supported both by ESV and NET translations, both visible at the same time. If I wanted to do more extensive text comparison then I would open up text comparison tool in a floating window. Notes start of tucked behind the Greek text as my first focus in on reading the text, if I find myself at point in my study where I'm taking lots of notes then they can always be opened in a floating window on the second monitor. Passage guide itself is cut down to a few customized sections. If I want use Word Study Guide I would move that into a floating window on second monitor. Right hand side gives me Power lookup so I have quick access to the footnotes etc of current resource, Cited by for Net Notes which often contain helpful textual notes, which I can view by using pop-up on most occasions without having to open that resource. I also have access their to a couple of topical chain resources. Info window is readily available so if I click on a word I can get quick access to both the lemma pronunciation and definition from a lexicon. Tucked in behind power lookup is AYBD and a specialist dictionary for gleaning further information on a specific topic, but I am not going to need constant access to these so typically power lookup will be the tab on top. Also room a space in there to have open commentaries selected from the passage guide, in the layout shown it is USB Handbook. Any other tools I want like passage analysis etc can be open in floating window on second screen and closed when no longer required without upsetting the main layout. So while on first looks it is busy, everything has its place and is linked where appropriate.

Noel Fitzpatrick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166767#Comment_166767

Andrew,

many thanks for your encouraging post.

Reding it makes me apprecoiate how serious and thorough you are in studying the Word of God.

I am retired from academic work now, but my biological clock still sees September as the start of the year. So I am preparing to get down to work. I will try to use part of your scheme.

Rich DeRuiter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166617#Comment_166617

I looked you up and I see about your activities in http://community.logos.com/members/2148/default.aspx

Richard
DeRuiter has not done anything recently.

How did
you manage that?

I'm not sure. I think it has to do with my forum settings. But since there is no documentation on what the settings on this forum do, I'm not sure which one is responsible.

Of course being a pastor, I only do something once a week anyway. [;)]

Noel Fitzpatrick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166894#Comment_166894

Richard,

Well you did manage to write over 2000 posts here!

TCBlack

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/166894#Comment_166894

I looked you up and I see about your activities in http://community.logos.com/members/2148/default.aspx

Richard
DeRuiter has not done anything recently.

How did
you manage that?

I'm not sure. I think it has to do with my forum settings. But since there is no documentation on what the settings on this forum do, I'm not sure which one is responsible.

Of course being a pastor, I only do something once a week anyway.

Go to edit your profile >> Click Site Options >> Scroll to the bottom of the page and look for "Activity Message Configuration" Check the boxes that will get reported in your activity section of your bio.

Allen Browne

Noel, if you are interested in seeing how others use the tools in Logos, Mark Barnes video series illustrates the layouts he uses for sermon preparation:
Video series on preparing a sermon

I don't use the same layout Mark does, but I did find it informative. Like Richard DeRuiter, I find full-height columns easier to read. But I still learned some useful techniques from seeing how Mark studies.

Rosie Perera

and also tell me how to include my layout in this post, as printscreen failed

There are various ways to take screenshots discussed on http://wiki.logos.com/Screenshot. If pressing the PrintScreen key did not copy the screen image to the clipboard for you, try Ctrl+PrintScreen.

Noel Fitzpatrick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/167028#Comment_167028

Rosie,

many thanks for your hel[pful reply.

I appreciate the expert and courteous way you reply to my queries.

Your help and that of all in Logos is appreciated.

Regards,

Noel.

Scott Warren

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/167064#Comment_167064

When this was posted a week ago I got all excited because we were going to get a whole bunch of screenshots from the power users showing how they set up for study. So far Andrew is the only one I've seen.

Come on experienced Logos users, help us newbies out.It really is a tremendous help to see how some one that understands the software sets up their screen for use. When I see one like Andrews or the two on the mac forum http://community.logos.com/forums/t/545.aspx it helps me think of trying things I had thought of like leaving the information bar but moving it to the lower right corner two wide (very helpful) or the mac guys and using notes on my read through of the text. This is simple stuff but helpful because I had not thought of it.

Please more screenshots from advanced users.

Allen Browne

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/168336#Comment_168336

This is probably too simple to post, but here goes:

That's the laptop screen: Bibles left, books/commentaries on the right, with the mini-windows stacked at the extreme right.

This works for me, because I like to see a whole column of context to what I'm reading. One version at a time is okay, though I do use the Greek and Hebrew alongside the English text (as you can see by the tabs on the right.) Similarly, one commentary at at time is okay.

MS Word is on my second monitor, which is rotated to portrait so it shows about 1.25 pages at a time. I find this works well for preparing lectures/messages.

Nothing exciting. Just productive.

TCBlack

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/168336#Comment_168336

Please more screenshots from advanced users.

Here's my Current Layout for Luke Studies...

I have three monitors on the left and the right are 2@22" widescreens and my laptop in the middle.

What you're seeing are (from extreme left to right)

My Wordprocessor (openoffice.org) With my current sermon in it's final editing stages.
Word study(ies)
Lexicon's, Search result graphs.
Copy Bible verses dialog on the bottom of screen 1
Center Screen...
My passage guides, exegetical guides and some searches.
Greek Bibles across the top, English Bibles on the bottom
Commentaries and other related exegetical aids.
Right Screen...
Text comparisons, Passage analysis, Various search windows etc.
Biblical people (+places and things)

The left and right windows come and go and flex and change as the study progresses - watching me study is probably a bit like watching a bomb go off. I use a few other resources not pictured.

Note the popup showing in the center screen bottom, it's Firefox opened to the forums. [:D]

Jerry M

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/168367#Comment_168367

It seems some use a definite series of layouts for sermon/teaching preparation and for others their layout evolves as they move through the process. I am semi-retired and teach part-time, so for me having Logos platinum is like a kid let loose in a candy store. So while I have a series of layouts, I generally use some version of the following unless I am using a word processor or limited to just a laptop. I use a laptop and a 22" inch monitor and usually use four full columns, although on this screen shot I am using study notes on the lower half of one column.

Pam Larson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/168336#Comment_168336

Please more screenshots from advanced users.

Here's my current one - 5 panels with a total of 49 resources presently included (I'm using a widescreen laptop):

When working with commentaries I like to keep a large panel open on the right for Power Lookup so I can see all the notes and Bible references. Other tools & guides hide behind it, as well as BDAG. I keep a small Information panel open at the bottom, sometimes in the middle and sometimes on the right. The commentaries plus other resources I've found using My Passage Guide are in the large middle panel. The upper left panel has Bibles (English and Greek) linked together and set at the NT passage that I'm studying. It also has a Synopsis and all the various Greek textual and background commentaries. The bottom left has Bibles (English, Hebrew, LXX) linked together and targeted to whatever OT cross-reference comes up in the NT passage. It also has background resources commentaries might cite like Pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls, Mishnah, Josephus etc.

Scott Warren

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/168451#Comment_168451

Thanks to everyone who has posted screenshots of their layouts, it is truly helpful.

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/168515#Comment_168515

Lots of great ideas here! I've added a link to this thread on the wiki Tips from the Forum page under Layout Questions (which is also linked in from the Layouts page on the wiki).