Workflow problems, going from Libronix to version 5

I'm having some problems figuring out how to use version 5 in a way that would be nearly as efficient as how I have used Libronix for years. I thought I should explain my workflow, and see if anyone has any advice. It seems like what I do is different than many, in that I essentially always work right from a Biblical text that I choose, and the majority of the time I only need basic language information. I almost never insert a topic, or a passage, and do a search. Here's what I do in Libronix:

First, my default workspace was/is three Bible versions open (NAS, ESV, and NIV), with the NAS on the left (my primary Bible), and everything else on the right, one pane behind the other. I also have a commentary open by default. Then, I would also open either the Greek or Hebrew text, depending on the passage I'm studying. All these are linked together. By the way, this was easy to duplicate in Version 5.

As I read through the passage, I will write down notes, questions, etc. I will read the passage once in the NAS, write some notes and questions, and then begin working in the Greek or Hebrew. During this process, I will frequently double click on a variety of Greek or Hebrew words. I have set up Keylinks, so this will open up 3 or 4 lexicons and dictionaries (depending on whether it is Greek or Hebrew). When I want more, I'll go to further language tools. After this step, I will reference the other two translations (ESV, NIV), commentaries, further translations if any words require it, etc.

So far, here are the problems I'm having doing this in version 5. In Libronix, I could open the Greek or Hebrew, right from the text, by right-clicking, and "navigate to associated word." Good for a quick reference, or for bringing up the original language when I'm at the place in my study. This isn't a huge deal, but was faster than manually opening the Greek or Hebrew text.

My most significant problem is, keylinks no longer exist, and I can't find an easy way to access several "go to" original language tools in one motion. I do know that I can search my whole library. However, this is completely impractical to search my entire library and weed through results on, say 20 words in a passage I'm studying. It would massively increase my workload. On the other hand, I could open my "go to" resources, and copy/paste every word in that I want to access into those resources. However, this is annoyingly slow and inefficient, compared to Libronix. There should be a way to do this.

I do know that some of these things related to my workflow would be easier if I used the Reverse interlinear feature. The problem with this is, I didn't ever add the Reverse Interlinear to my collection. I never needed it with the way I used Libronix, and now it appears that Logos has gotten rid of the features that I regularly used, partly because they expect me to do some of this work in/with the reverse interlinear. And now, I'm afraid I would have to spend hundreds on a new package, or spend hundreds on the "crossgrade" just to be able to keep doing some semblance of what I have been doing all along, with the supposedly inferior Libronix engine.

These are my major issues so far. Any ideas on how I can work around these things, or maybe I've missed something simple and version 5 CAN be made to do these things?

Thanks again for the input, ahead of time.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Mark Smith

Al,

There is a big difference in how these two programs function, so some adaptation is needed.

You can double left click on a word and it will open a dictionary or lexicon (depending on the language of the text). To get the one you want to open you use the prioritize function in Library. There is a good wiki article on this as on most L5 functions: https://wiki.logos.com/Table_of_Contents__

Once you prioritize your lexicons/dictionaries, you can use the right and left arrows on the resource toolbar (or use the parallel resource sets drop-down) to move to the next prioritized resource. This isn't identical to L3 keylinking but gets you the (somewhat) equivalent result, just one resource at a time. There are some other work-arounds, such as creating a custom Bible Word Study guide with only the Lemma section showing. Using the right click options and the lemma selected, executing the custom Bible Word Study will show the links to your top lexicons together.

BTW: Others have refused to abandon Libronix. That's up to you. I made the adjustments and don't regret it.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/703597#Comment_703597

I'm one of the refusers, that Mark refers to. And Libronix's keylinking is one of its most ingenious tricks. Granted, I'm often tinkering with it.

I run both Libronix and Logos6. I've never liked Mark's mentioned work-around (though it's good). My solution is just to stack my lexicons over on the side of the layout. Logos4-6 doesn't slow down, with the many being open as long as they're in tabs. I keep the languages top to bottom (hebrew, greek, etc) and then time/type going across. They're always where I expect them ... a click away. No surprises.

Al Het

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/703597#Comment_703597

Once you prioritize your lexicons/dictionaries, you can use the right and left arrows on the resource toolbar (or use the parallel resource sets drop-down) to move to the next prioritized resource. This isn't identical to L3 keylinking but gets you the (somewhat) equivalent result, just one resource at a time. There are some other work-arounds, such as creating a custom Bible Word Study guide with only the Lemma section showing. Using the right click options and the lemma selected, executing the custom Bible Word Study will show the links to your top lexicons together.

Thanks Mark. I'll try these options out. They look a bit more cumbersome than what Libronix did natively, but that is what it is.

BTW: Others have refused to abandon Libronix. That's up to you. I made the adjustments and don't regret it.

Yeah, I'd be one of those hangers-oners to Libronix, if I could easily do that. I see some nice improvements in L5, but not nearly enough yet to make me think it would be worth changing. A new computer has forced me to switch. I like new technology, but I have had a really good, functional system for my Bible Study process.

Thanks for the help.

Al Het

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/703609#Comment_703609

I'm one of the refusers, that Mark refers to.

I would be too, Denise, if Windows 7 wasn't making that really difficult.

I'll give your method a try. I'm assuming that you need to paste each word your looking at into each Lexicon, each time?

Thanks for the input.

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/703643#Comment_703643

One of the key things to notice about Denise's approach is - I think - that she has her lexicons linked.

So double-clicking on a word will cause her highest prioritised relevant lexicon to move to where that word is defined - and this will take the other lexicons with it. So you end up with all of them being open at the right place.

If I am wrong about this I expect she will correct me but just thought this was worth clarifying

Al Het

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/703647#Comment_703647

One of the key things to notice about Denise's approach is - I think - that she has her lexicons linked.

Ahhhh, very good. I can see in the picture is that they are all linked. That's pretty novel. So, set the highest priority lexicon, link another couple to it, and they should also search for the Greek or Hebrew Lemma that the first lexicon searches? That would be helpful.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/703662#Comment_703662

Yes, Graham surmised correctly ... they're all linked. A single link (e.g. 'A') is all that's needed for all the lexicons, no matter the language. The approach also benefits from how I prioritize the lexicons; I don't put them in popularity-sequence, but rather least likely for a lexeme to be found (e.g. putting TLOT ahead of HALOT). That way I know quickly when there's some depth, or if any aren't players.

Going back to Libronix, I run Windows7/64, which normally would be the death knell for Libronix (I call her 'Libby'). But she runs in a virtual window using an XP system that came with my Windows7/Pro in. There's also other virtual-window choices well regarded on the internet to do the same (Dave Hooten on the forum is the expert). I took a screen-shot below. If you notice, it's effectively running XP but as a window within Windows7 (alt-tab, etc).

I run both, since they speak to varying needs. I like the fonts on Libby so I do most of my reading on Libby (which is where the keylinking comes in handy). I use Logos6 for research ... when there's a question, L6 can find if anywhere in my library, there's a good source (at which point I alt-tab back to Libby ... ha).

But just reading your workflow, I'd surmise Logos5 or 6 would quickly meet your needs, once you get used to it.

Al Het

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/703680#Comment_703680

But she runs in a virtual window using an XP system that came with my Windows7/Pro in.

Yeah, I've considered setting up a virtual window install. But then I'd still have to deal with installing Explorer 8, and even after all that, the posts on this forum seem to indicate that it is still no guarantee to work.

Thanks for the help. So far, I'm not loving this method, but it may well be the best option I have. I'm trying hard not to see this forced "upgrade" as a practical downgrade for me. I don't mind the process of learning new software and methods, but it just appears that this will either be somewhat less good for how I use it, or far less good, for how I use it.

Add to that the crazy cost to just add the interlinear function, and I'm pretty frustrated with Logos right now.