Is there a place for Information on the Tools in Logos? Specifically...

Okay, so I just learned how to do something REALLY COOL in Explorer, (Thank You Fr. Roza! http://community.logos.com/forums/t/130857.aspx?PageIndex=2) but then that got me thinking about how would I know to GO to Explorer for that search versus using Factbook.

I think that for me, my greatest challenges with Logos is SEARCHING my resources, in some way or another. So, here's what I would like to know. Has anyone ever made a list that says something along the lines of

This is what Explorer (or any other tool) is

This is what Explorer does

These are Examples of times you would use explorer (and when/why you would use it instead of Factbook (or any other tool).

Honestly, three years into Logos and I think aside from using the guides, I have very little understanding of the other tools and when I would use them versus other tools.

For example, even though I just learned probably the best thing I've learned all year by using the Explorer tool, I think I have used the Explorer tool maybe 5 times, EVER, and have no clue why I would use that over other tools.

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Dave Hooton

Your Logos Help (or Verbum Help) resource is probaly the best for this:

the TOC shows you the contents of the Guides, Documents and Tools menus i.e. available features
you can look up articles/entries by typing in its Find box.

It doesn't compare tools or guides but usually answers the question "What is it for?" in addition to describing what it does.

Cynthia in Florida

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/851457#Comment_851457

Hello Dave: Thanks for your reply.[:D]

I'm curious, though, if there's anything out there that says WHY I would choose one tool over another?

Edited to add:

So as suggested, I went to the help section, clicked on tools, and clicked on Explorer and there's a very little bit of information, and it basically tells me

Explorer

Explorer retrieves a variety of interesting data on the current Bible passage, and can be added to a link set to follow along with your reading to provide additional information.

1. Click on Tools | Explorer.

2. Type a passage or pericope in the Reference box and press Enter, or first choose a pericope and passage from the suggested matches displayed as you type.

3. Click on a People, Places, or Things link to open Factbook.

4. Click on a Media link to open the items mentioned in step 3 above, or an image from 1000 Bible Images or similar resource, or a map from the Logos Deluxe Map Set.

5. Click on a My Content link to open a document you previously created, or a custom guide.

6. Click on a Cross Reference link to open your preferred Bible to a related passage.

7. Click on a Commentaries link to open a commentary to the passage.

Logos Help (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016).

Honestly, this is worthless to me. Especially in light of what I learned earlier. All this tells me is that I can use it to get to OTHER tools. It in no way shows me the power in it, that I can export lists or use it to search or anything like I learned earlier is possible. There's no examples and no discussion on why I wouldn't just go and use Factbook or Guides.

I get it...I'm not too bright when it comes to this stuff, but it seems to me that I can't be the only one expecting more of an explanation than what is in the help section.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/851474#Comment_851474

I get it...I'm not too bright when it comes to this stuff, but it seems to me that I can't be the only one expecting more of an explanation than what is in the help section.

Cynthia, I both agree and disagree with you. I would like to see a bit more precision in Help as to precisely what the content represents. But as for how to use it, as I have discovered writing the tips of the day, the answer is to diffuse. What is a brilliant insight to one person for one person is obfuscating garbble-de-gook to another. Why? because we have be taught such different ways to find such different information that we lack a common language for what we want to find and what is a valid way to find it.

Cynthia in Florida

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/851483#Comment_851483

I get it...I'm not too bright when it comes to this stuff, but it seems to me that I can't be the only one expecting more of an explanation than what is in the help section.

Cynthia, I both agree and disagree with you. I would like to see a bit more precision in Help as to precisely what the content represents. But as for how to use it, as I have discovered writing the tips of the day, the answer is to diffuse. What is a brilliant insight to one person for one person is obfuscating garbble-de-gook to another. Why? because we have be taught such different ways to find such different information that we lack a common language for what we want to find and what is a valid way to find it.

Hello MJ:

That's very true that people learn differently. But would't it help to say...

This is what Explore IS

This is what Explorer DOES

These are instances when you would use Explorer and this is why you would use Explorer INSTEAD of...

From what I can tell per the help, all Explorer does is send me to other tools, but apparently you can do much more with it. I'm using Explorer as an example. For instance, I STILL don't know (other than what I just learned today), why I would choose Explorer over Factbook.

Some of it is clear, just from the title, such as Atlas, but some is not. For instance, Power Look Up. When would I choose Power Look Up over Explorer over Factbook? There has GOT to be something out there that tells the user more specifically when to use these tools over other tools and what they are REALLY good for over the other tools. I can't think that Explorer and Power Look Up and Factbook ALL do the same thing (even if they can all get me the same information, ultimately).

Maybe I'm not explaining myself well here...

James Taylor

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/851485#Comment_851485

would't it help to say...

This is what Explore IS

This is what Explorer DOES

These are instances when you would use Explorer and this is why you would use Explorer INSTEAD of...

Thats why I appreciate MJ's tips so much, because they often include as many different ways as possible to achieve a certain result, and then the users can see the pros/cons of each method and choose which is best for them (since there's certainly a subjective element in there). And not only is one method maybe not "Best" for all users, but one method may be "Best" for certain instances, but not all.

Cynthia in Florida

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/851491#Comment_851491

would't it help to say...

This is what Explore IS

This is what Explorer DOES

These are instances when you would use Explorer and this is why you would use Explorer INSTEAD of...

Thats why I appreciate MJ's tips so much, because they often include as many different ways as possible to achieve a certain result, and then the users can see the pros/cons of each method and choose which is best for them (since there's certainly a subjective element in there). And not only is one method maybe not "Best" for all users, but one method may be "Best" for certain instances, but not all.

Very true! I LOVE those tips...I seek them out and save them to my favorites.

I'm guessing then that there is NOT a resource like the one I'm looking for. A shame. I sure could use it!

James Taylor

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/851494#Comment_851494

a resource like the one I'm looking for

The closest thing to that would be actually training videos like MP Seminars or Learnlogos.com. They both show why they use certain tools in certain cituations with examples. John's webinars are free when they're live and under 10 bucks later. You will probably get alot of what you're looking for there. If you want more comprehensive, his training for 7 isn't out yet but 6 is and probably discounted now.

Cynthia in Florida

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/851497#Comment_851497

Thanks James!

BTW..Love the name! [:D] Years ago I won a singing contest in a duo with my brother, singing "Fire and Rain."

Cynthia in Florida

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/851497#Comment_851497

a resource like the one I'm looking for

The closest thing to that would be actually training videos like MP Seminars or Learnlogos.com. They both show why they use certain tools in certain cituations with examples. John's webinars are free when they're live and under 10 bucks later. You will probably get alot of what you're looking for there. If you want more comprehensive, his training for 7 isn't out yet but 6 is and probably discounted now.

SOOOOO..... I had never heard of Learnlogos.com. Decided to take the plunge and buy the Logos 7 download package (which is on a beta/pre-sale right now as the videos roll out). Listened to the first 7 videos last night. WOW! Fantastic stuff, and perfect for someone like me. I learned a lot already. Thanks for the suggestion.

Matt Hamrick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/851600#Comment_851600

Learnlogos.com is a great place to learn to master the software. Another place to check out is the Logos Pro webpage. You also should check out John's live webinars and they are free.

Cynthia in Florida

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/851608#Comment_851608

Learnlogos.com is a great place to learn to master the software. Another place to check out is the Logos Pro webpage. You also should check out John's live webinars and they are free.

Hello Matt: Thank you!

Yes, I signed up for the life webinar in October. I went to the Logos Pro webpage and have watched many of them. I find learnlogos to have more of the SPECIFIC little things I was looking for.