Creating a desired indexation on my Personal Books

Thiago Samico
Thiago Samico Member Posts: 59 ✭✭
edited November 21 in English Forum

Hi! I'm a new user from Brazil and have just purchased the Diamond package along with Logos 9. 

I am building some personal compendium about a preferred author that I am sure will never show up among Logos releases. I own all his books in an editable format.

The goal is to be able to research every thought he stated about a particular subject, even if it is not expressed plainly. 

I understand that I'll have to provide these "milestones" (I am not sure if this is the case here) one by one through all the Personal Books I am editing. No worries, it is a personal project, and I am willing to invest some time in it!

However, I think it would be perfect to have the roadmaps on how to do it. 

Am I supposed to use "fields"?

In the example below, if someone could provide me with the right inputs, it would be much appreciated.

_______________________________

Example case: 

"What Mr. so-and-so has to say about repentance?"

Let's check... 

(The phrase in one of his books is:)

If one doesn't change his ways, there is no way out of condemnation...

_______________________________

Notice that the word "repentance" is not literally there, but the sense is. 

It would be something like "tags" or "labels" activated via the search function. 

So, how to "connect" an idea with a statement using Personal Books features on Logos? 

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

Tagged:

Comments

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 3,087

    Hi Thiago

    You seem to do great in Portugese and English both!  And I hope you very much enjoy your Logos 9.

    To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what you're hoping for, in your description?

    Historically, the easy way to learn Personal Books, is to go through the Files sub-forum and just review other members personal books.  There's a lot to choose from, and different kinds.

    Files 

    Then, along with that, the Logos Wiki has specific instructions, and tips:

    https://wiki.logos.com/Personal_Books 

    Hopefully, someone else can also make up for my not quite understanding your project.

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    I don't fully understand either, and I am not an expert in personal books. 

    However, here is a link to the wiki: https://wiki.logos.com/Personal_Books 

    You should note that the personal book builder tool is not actively being developed by FL. They thought that users would create and tag material which THEY created themselves. Instead, they found out that most users were importing books by other authors (as you are doing). While your material may not be duplicated by other users, FL found that many users were duplicating work and also importing works which they themselves sell in their store. As a result, the personal book builder tool is currently "as is." (i.e. new functionality is not being added... personal books will not sync with mobile, etc.). 

    If what you want is not in the wiki, other users may have work arounds. The suggestion of the "files forum" is a good one. 

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS | Logs |  Install

  • Thiago Samico
    Thiago Samico Member Posts: 59 ✭✭

    Thank you for your reply and compliment!
    Sorry for not being so clear.

    Briefly, I want to be able to find a topic (a theme or subject) underneath or beyond the written  text within a collection of personal books from a particular author.

    Somehow to be able to tag or label with codes (milestones?),so then when a perform a search within the collection it will  show me not only the plain text results but also the theme “behind”a paragraph,for example, that I previously attached on my docx source file.

  • Thiago Samico
    Thiago Samico Member Posts: 59 ✭✭

    I see… 

    As I mentioned,I am sure these books from my project will never show up at Logos store. They were written by my tutor, like transcriptions from sermons.

    I really believe that the solution for it is already on wiki and/or on some PBB example.

    My request is more for a hint or a light on what specific code or milestone I am looking for (and I still haven’t figured out).

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,132

    I believe the format is: [[Topic:Baptism of Fire]] where the topic must be one already recognized by Logos. However, I haven't tested it to be certain of how spaces are handled -- so I'd test this before tagging many elements.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Dave Hooton
    Dave Hooton MVP Posts: 35,681

    My request is more for a hint or a light on what specific code or milestone I am looking for

    If your PB has a series of articles on different topics then you can use:-

    [[@Headword Repentence]].

    "What Mr. so-and-so has to say about repentance?"

    Let's check... 

    (The phrase in one of his books is:)

    If one doesn't change his ways, there is no way out of condemnation...

    [[@Headword Next topic]]

    .

    Words in bold are the article. The article ends with the next Headword

    Your PB should be of Type = Encyclopedia and you can search for {Headword Repentance} and other topics.

    .

    If that is not the organization you intended then try:-

    {{field-on:Heading}}Repentance

    "What Mr. so-and-so has to say about repentance?"

    Let's check... 

    (The phrase in one of his books is:)

    If one doesn't change his ways, there is no way out of condemnation...

    {{field-off:Heading}}

    where the first line uses a Word Heading style so that Repentance will appear in the TOC of your book.

    You can search for words in the heading e.g.  heading:Repentance

    .

    Dave
    ===

    Windows 11 & Android 13

  • Wolfgang Schneider
    Wolfgang Schneider Member Posts: 676 ✭✭

    Am I supposed to use "fields"?

    In the example below, if someone could provide me with the right inputs, it would be much appreciated.
    _______________________________

    Example case:
    "What Mr. so-and-so has to say about repentance?"

    Let's check... 

    (The phrase in one of his books is:)
    If one doesn't change his ways, there is no way out of condemnation...
    _______________________________

    Notice that the word "repentance" is not literally there, but the sense is.

    So you have a document in which (for example) there are 8 places where the word "repent / repentance / etc." is used in the text. In addition, as in your example above, there are 2 places where that word is not used, but the idea is expressed with some other wording. Now, you would like to add some invisible tag with value e.g. "repentance" to those 2 places, so that when you do a search for "repentance / etc." it should actually show not only the 8 places with the actual word but also the 2 places with the tag in the results?
    It seems like this would involve 2 different types of distinct searches ... e.g. one basic for a word and one for fields? Perhaps you would have to tag all (i.e. the places with the word and those without the word) as the same topic?

    I don't think such is possible. It reminds me of the situation when I open the right click context menu that has a bunch of options on the left side of the drop down menu, but where I have to first select one of those and then can continue e.g. with a search option indicated on the right side. Perhaps someone with more "search" expertise has ideas on how to accomplish what you are attempting to do?

    Wolfgang Schneider

    (BibelCenter)

  • Dave Hooton
    Dave Hooton MVP Posts: 35,681

    So you have a document in which (for example) there are 8 places where the word "repent / repentance / etc." is used in the text. In addition, as in your example above, there are 2 places where that word is not used, but the idea is expressed with some other wording. Now, you would like to add some invisible tag with value e.g. "repentance" to those 2 places, so that when you do a search for "repentance / etc." it should actually show not only the 8 places with the actual word but also the 2 places with the tag in the results?

    If you apply  {{field-on:topic}}repent{{field-off:topic}} to an existing word in the document (including "repentance", "repented") it would be invisible. If you insert it where needed you should indicate it is not part of the original document  e.g. {{field-on:topic}}[repent]{{field-off:topic}}.

    You can then search for   topic:repent  with "Match all word forms" in the panel menu because it will find the variations I stated.

    Your other choice is to label/highlight all such words after compiling the PB e.g. there is a style called "repent" and you can search for that style with {Highlight repent}. Or create a highlight with a label to which you can apply any name/topic and search for that e.g. {Label MyTopic WHERE topic =repent}, {Label MyTopic WHERE topic =baptism}.

    Dave
    ===

    Windows 11 & Android 13

  • Thiago Samico
    Thiago Samico Member Posts: 59 ✭✭

    Thank you all again for all the replies.

    I understood all the suggestions.
    Am I supposed to stick with Logos pre-defined topics and/or fields, or I can create my own?

    For the means of clarification, I reinforce that my final goal is to have a compendium for a specific author from which I can research, using the right filter, not only having plain text results from the query but also results from invisible "markers" (either fields, topics, etc.) that I manually would input when reading.

    Example: I am reading a chapter and a particular paragraph brings the idea that I classify as "tithing" even if it doesn't use the word. Fine! I would "input" a certain code into the phrase or paragraph that would not be visible but would show up when I search for "tithing" with the author PBB collection.

    Thanks in advance!

  • NB.Mick
    NB.Mick MVP Posts: 15,870

    my final goal is to have a compendium for a specific author from which I can research, using the right filter, not only having plain text results from the query but also results from invisible "markers" (either fields, topics, etc.) that I manually would input when reading.

    I think your explanation clearly suggests not using topics or other fields that would be applied in the PB source, but labels that you apply over time to the compiled Logos book. 

    Have joy in the Lord! Smile

  • Wolfgang Schneider
    Wolfgang Schneider Member Posts: 676 ✭✭

    For the means of clarification, I reinforce that my final goal is to have a compendium for a specific author from which I can research, using the right filter, not only having plain text results from the query but also results from invisible "markers" (either fields, topics, etc.) that I manually would input when reading.

    Example: I am reading a chapter and a particular paragraph brings the idea that I classify as "tithing" even if it doesn't use the word. Fine! I would "input" a certain code into the phrase or paragraph that would not be visible but would show up when I search for "tithing" with the author PBB collection.

    "... that I would manually input while reading"?  I am slightly confused by your statement.  I thought we were talking about tagging a source file for a PB, which would happen prior to creating the book, but not "while reading" a finished book.

    So then, this "compendium for a specific author" is a compiled Logos book you made via Personal Books tool?  Now, when you read in this PB resource, you want to add/input "a marker" ? You do not want to add markers when you create the book but while you read the finished book?

    In that case, we are not talking about inserting tags into the source text, but about "marking" a word or expression in a resource, for which process something like the textmarker / highlighting tool or visual filters might provide a way to a solution, because you then can search for such "markers" and find the places where you have a word with such marker in that book.

    Not sure, if I now understood what you are trying to do ... but perhaps it is closer to what I thought before ...

    Wolfgang Schneider

    (BibelCenter)

  • Thiago Samico
    Thiago Samico Member Posts: 59 ✭✭

    As NB.Mick  and Wolfgang stated, I understand it is possible to use labels and markers "over" the PB, and they will work as desired.

    However, let me explain the situation.

    In our Ministry, we have tutors. They are elders that have taught and established our baselines regarding doctrine and beliefs.
    These tutors have written a lot of material, and we have free access to these documents.
    These teachings have been integrated within time, but sometimes we don't easily find the proper reference with a literal quote and things like these.
    Being a member of the doctrinal coordination, I decided to create a project to promote a legacy that can be easily researched.
    I purchased Logos 9 Diamond Package when I discovered the searching tools and indexation. Of course, I use Bible tools and Logos 9 in general, but the project is something dear to me.
    Using these labels and markers on Logos Interface will do the thing, but how can I share these indexations with the other members of the board (they also own Logos)?
    That's why I thought that if I could plant these "breadcrumbs" into the DOCX sources, anyone that would import them into Logos would be able to have the same tools available.

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    Using these labels and markers on Logos Interface will do the thing, but how can I share these indexations with the other members of the board (they also own Logos)?

    Note documents can be shared with other users. I am not an expert in this area (I don't share my notes nor want others shared notes), so someone else will have to explain. It is my understanding, however, that if you bundle all of these notes into the note document, you can share it with a Faithlife group. Anyone in that group will have access. 

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS | Logs |  Install

  • Beloved Amodeo
    Beloved Amodeo Member Posts: 4,181 ✭✭✭

    Using these labels and markers on Logos Interface will do the thing, but how can I share these indexations with the other members of the board (they also own Logos)?

    Note documents can be shared with other users. I am not an expert in this area (I don't share my notes nor want others shared notes), so someone else will have to explain. It is my understanding, however, that if you bundle all of these notes into the note document, you can share it with a Faithlife group. Anyone in that group will have access. 

    JT, I think you misunderstand his aim...

    Briefly, I want to be able to find a topic (a theme or subject) underneath or beyond the written  text within a collection of personal books from a particular author.

    Somehow to be able to tag or label with codes (milestones?),so then when a perform a search within the collection it will  show me not only the plain text results but also the theme “behind”a paragraph,for example, that I previously attached on my docx source file.

    If I interpret his desires correctly, he wants a searchable document, therefore PBs that he will tag, so that he and his audience can later find the topics contained in the source document. He may correct me where I misinterpret his intent.

    Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man.

    International Standard Version. (2011). (Lk 2:52). Yorba Linda, CA: ISV Foundation.

    MacBook Pro MacOS Sequoia 15.1 1TB SSD 

  • Wolfgang Schneider
    Wolfgang Schneider Member Posts: 676 ✭✭

    Using these labels and markers on Logos Interface will do the thing, but how can I share these indexations with the other members of the board (they also own Logos)?
    That's why I thought that if I could plant these "breadcrumbs" into the DOCX sources, anyone that would import them into Logos would be able to have the same tools available.

    As far as I understand, this type of tagging in the docx source file may not be available in PB; such functions in regular fully tagged Logos resources work via datasets. 

    However, perhaps someone more experienced with highlighting, textmarkers, visual filters, or notes files might have an idea, seeing that notes or visual filters, etc. can also be shared with others who then can install them in their Logos package and use them together with a PB created from the  docx file you can share with others.

    A different idea would be to compile the information contained in the writings of your tutors into a type of "Dictionary" or "Encyclopedia", that is, arrange the text passages pertaining to a certain topic under that topic headword (cp. https://wiki.logos.com/Building_a_Dictionary_PB) in a new docx file which is then converted into a PB.

    Wolfgang Schneider

    (BibelCenter)

  • Dave Hooton
    Dave Hooton MVP Posts: 35,681

    A different idea would be to compile the information contained in the writings of your tutors into a type of "Dictionary" or "Encyclopedia", that is, arrange the text passages pertaining to a certain topic under that topic headword (cp. https://wiki.logos.com/Building_a_Dictionary_PB) in a new docx file which is then converted into a PB.

    This would work well because you can use an L4 link to reference topics in the PB's of those writings.

    Dave
    ===

    Windows 11 & Android 13

  • Wolfgang Schneider
    Wolfgang Schneider Member Posts: 676 ✭✭

    Hi Dave,

    This would work well because you can use an L4 link to reference topics in the PB's of those writings.

    Linking to PBs is limited since PBs are automatically assigned some "cryptic" identifiers at the time they are first compiled on the particular computer. Any L4 links from one PB to other PBs would have to be inserted only after the PB to which one wants to link already exists in the library on that computer.  One could not insert a link in a docx source file "ahead of time" because the L4 link could only then be copied, and also because it would be different for each user who compiles the docx file(s) into PBs on their computer.  
    Or am I overlooking something?  Or is there a different way of determining a L4 link of which I am not aware?

    It seems that your earlier suggestions with using headwords and/or fields markup in connection with organizing the information from the different authors' documents into one docx to be compiled as "Encyclopedia" type PB is the better solution ...

    Wolfgang Schneider

    (BibelCenter)

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    JT, I think you misunderstand his aim...

    My post was a follow up to Mick's post and then Thiago's response. 

    my final goal is to have a compendium for a specific author from which I can research, using the right filter, not only having plain text results from the query but also results from invisible "markers" (either fields, topics, etc.) that I manually would input when reading.

    I think your explanation clearly suggests not using topics or other fields that would be applied in the PB source, but labels that you apply over time to the compiled Logos book. 

    Using these labels and markers on Logos Interface will do the thing, but how can I share these indexations with the other members of the board (they also own Logos)?

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS | Logs |  Install

  • Thiago Samico
    Thiago Samico Member Posts: 59 ✭✭

    Hi Dave,

    This would work well because you can use an L4 link to reference topics in the PB's of those writings.

    Linking to PBs is limited since PBs are automatically assigned some "cryptic" identifiers at the time they are first compiled on the particular computer. Any L4 links from one PB to other PBs would have to be inserted only after the PB to which one wants to link already exists in the library on that computer. One could not insert a link in a docx source file "ahead of time" because the L4 link could only then be copied, and also because it would be different for each user who compiles the docx file(s) into PBs on their computer.  
    Or am I overlooking something? Or is there a different way of determining a L4 link of which I am not aware?

    It seems that your earlier suggestions with using headwords and/or fields markup in connection with organizing the information from the different authors' documents into one docx to be compiled as "Encyclopedia" type PB is the better solution ...

    Yes! Exactly! 

    L4 links, as far as I understand, are given based on the compiled PB. 

    So, its usage is limited to that instance of the PB in my local library. 

    Being so, it would be impossible to make this "linked compendium" from .docx sources. 

    If I interpret his desires correctly, he wants a searchable document, therefore PBs that he will tag, so that he and his audience can later find the topics contained in the source document. He may correct me where I misinterpret his intent.

    Perfect! 

    Like: "Hey folks, I am sending all DOCX from our tutors already tagged to Logos. Just import them to your Logos Software and you are ready to search and research on topics, themes, etc."

  • Wolfgang Schneider
    Wolfgang Schneider Member Posts: 676 ✭✭

    Being so, it would be impossible to make this "linked compendium" from .docx sources.

    With only one docx file for the PB, you can make links even via Word to a location within the same docx file. 

    Also, if you use more than one docx file to compile the PB, (such as a separate docx file for each chapter in a book), you can use @headword to point and link to a location in a different docx file. This will work because the docx files are compiled into the same PB.

    For example, a link from one docx file to a location in another docx file:
    In docx #1 a passage could be: "This topic is dealt with in [[Section 2  >> Headword:Topic xyz]]
    In docx #2 you then use: [[@Headword:Topic xyz]]Topic xyz (which could be formatted as a Word Heading style if appropriate.

    Dave pointed that out to me in another thread (https://community.logos.com/forums/p/205478/1195497.aspx#1195497)

    I hope this helps.

    Wolfgang Schneider

    (BibelCenter)

  • Beloved Amodeo
    Beloved Amodeo Member Posts: 4,181 ✭✭✭

    If I interpret his desires correctly, he wants a searchable document, therefore PBs that he will tag, so that he and his audience can later find the topics contained in the source document. He may correct me where I misinterpret his intent.

    Perfect! 

    Like: "Hey folks, I am sending all DOCX from our tutors already tagged to Logos. Just import them to your Logos Software and you are ready to search and research on topics, themes, etc."

    Thiago, please don't mistake my having grasped your desired approach for approval. Actually, I agree with Wolfgang and Dave that your best method for accomplishing your aim is to compile an encyclopedia and utilize L4 links to your source document. This will not preclude you from sharing your documents as PBs and because you are using L4 links you will not require internet to utilize your work.

    Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man.

    International Standard Version. (2011). (Lk 2:52). Yorba Linda, CA: ISV Foundation.

    MacBook Pro MacOS Sequoia 15.1 1TB SSD 

  • Dave Hooton
    Dave Hooton MVP Posts: 35,681

    Like: "Hey folks, I am sending all DOCX from our tutors already tagged to Logos. Just import them to your Logos Software and you are ready to search and research on topics, themes, etc."

    And I agree that this is the only feasible approach. So you need to make best use of suggestions made above:

    • your docx files can be compiled into one or more PB's
      • a PB can use multiple docx files
      • you need to make this decision for your users
    • use Faithlife fields like heading, topic
      • you can't create your own  -  but you shouldn't use too many, either.
      • it may not be possible for all field words to come from existing text if you want to limit the vocabulary for searching.
      • don't be afraid to insert headings (more natural than inserting words into text)
    • use Faithlife Headword milestones where appropriate (depends on the organization of the docx)
    • use Word hyperlinks for an internal popup or "go to" (same docx file)
    • use L4 links for an external popup or "go to" where the resource is available to all users.

    Dave
    ===

    Windows 11 & Android 13