A Better Go Box

Beloved Amodeo
Beloved Amodeo Member Posts: 4,181 ✭✭✭
edited November 21 in English Forum

As I've stated elsewhere the Go Box has become central to the function of Logos. At its best its fast and useful. At its worse it wastes time and is confusing. I want this thread to be the workshop where we exchange likes and dislikes about the Go Box. A place where we discuss and develop ideas that will improve the Go Box.

I want FL to see that this is a priority that they must deal with now. A serious issue that merits the apportioning of their manpower to changing. I've posted a FeedBear

https://feedback.faithlife.com/boards/logos-desktop-app/posts/alterations-and-additions-to-the-go-box 

and have discussed changes that I think are broadly desirable. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I don't know whether the idea I have for the in your face presence of Factbook in the functioning of the Go Box has been proposed already, for one I like Factbook. I think a serviceable solution is to have a button in settings that you toggle on or off if you want Factbook features or not.

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 

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  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 3,087

    At its best its fast and useful. At its worse it wastes time and is confusing. I want this thread to be the workshop where we exchange likes and dislikes about the Go Box. A place where we discuss and develop ideas that will improve the Go Box.

    Just discussing (and not diverting), but the tailorable menu line would solve much of the various issues. The Go box is a complete waste for me. Also the Factbook. I think I've used the GB 2 or 3 times in 13 years? Mainly for Logos's top-secret commands (that it then wants to search for).  Plus the GB confuses the search box below.  All that freed up real estate for more buttons ... yes!  You could even allow TWO GBs ... one for FB, one for search.

    Now, that's just me.

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

    The Go box is a complete waste for me.
    If I interpret your comment correctly, you're in favor of dissolving GB altogether. And in its place installing a "tailorable menu line." This view has its merits, however, I think it overlooks the utility it provides in opening resources rapidly from GB and other such functions. And as I said, I like FB as it curates information that I find useful for both general and specific topics. Thank you, Denise for your viewpoint as FL can also make a tailorable menu line (I think you mean in Search, right?).

    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 

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 3,087

    Oh, no, Beloved. I'm just saying the tailorable menu line (it's been suggested by Kaya (spelling?), in Feedback) might start out with a Go box. The default install. But users can remove it, put in a Search box, put in more buttons, etc. The Tools menu is already similar ... you can customize it for your own Bible study habits.

    Now, my intention is not to divert from your idea. I already pointed out, the UI is confused, and the FB menu choices are incorrect.  I just think Kaya's (spelling?) idea would also solve the GB issue too. Two birds.

  • xnman
    xnman Member Posts: 2,782 ✭✭✭

    Beloved...  is there not already a trend... that FL tries to accommodate the users and because the users are asking more and more and more.... that there is a thought that Logos will become so "powerful" that no one can use it except the people that designed it?

    I'm a thinking "all things in moderation"...  and when we run out of "moderation" then we get into the "make work interruptus" where the "more" interferes with the simple task of trying to get something done. 

    I'm all for improving things...  but I think "improving things" needs to be done in moderation also. 

    Whatcha think?

    xn = Christan  man=man -- Acts 11:26 "....and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch".

    Barney Fife is my hero! He only uses an abacus with 14 rows!

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

    Beloved...  is there not already a trend... that FL tries to accommodate the users and because the users are asking more and more and more.... that there is a thought that Logos will become so "powerful" that no one can use it except the people that designed it?

    I'm a thinking "all things in moderation"...  and when we run out of "moderation" then we get into the "make work interruptus" where the "more" interferes with the simple task of trying to get something done. 

    I'm all for improving things...  but I think "improving things" needs to be done in moderation also. 

    Whatcha think?

    xnman you know I'm a fan, so nothing offensive. I think of FL as being like a German or Japanese automaker they even beat them to the punch by offering features for an annual fee. The big difference is that the customer has direct influence over "some" of the decisions that are made. 

    We had no input on the product they made available for purchase we just voted with our pocketbooks by purchasing that product and their timetables for new rollouts. Some versions were popular and others were bitterly rejected.

    The customer is always hoping for the ideal product and this ain't gonna happen, in my view. So we must stay vigilant and be as vocal and insistent as possible and advocate for the things we find most important. Hoping that the producer will yield and concentrate on delivering the very best product they are able to deliver.

    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 

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

    Oh, no, Beloved. I'm just saying the tailorable menu line (it's been suggested by Kaya (spelling?), in Feedback) might start out with a Go box. The default install. But users can remove it, put in a Search box, put in more buttons, etc. The Tools menu is already similar ... you can customize it for your own Bible study habits.

    Now, my intention is not to divert from your idea. I already pointed out, the UI is confused, and the FB menu choices are incorrect.  I just think Kaya's (spelling?) idea would also solve the GB issue too. Two birds.

    Is this the comment to which you refer? If so I don't see it fixing any flaw in GB rather it seeks to hide the offending feature.

    https://community.logos.com/forums/p/207988/1211047.aspx#1211047 

    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 

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

    I'm a thinking "all things in moderation"

    I'll be happy if we ever get to the point where Logos has moderate capabilities in textual analysis and mildly moderate capabilities in scripture interpretation through the arts . . .

    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."

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

    rather it seeks to hide the offending feature.

    While I still struggle with the concept of an "offending feature" driving design as the number of people who take offense towards software is so small. The majority of people who drive software change (a) correctly identify the problem, (b) know how to work within the system design, and (c) can explain how a change in the design will make the system faster, more reliable, more intuitive, more consistent, serve an additional market . . .

    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."

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

    the number of people who take offense towards software is so small
    Do you use TikTok? I don't and if it appeared on my Logos I would seek to hide it, ignore it or complain bitterly that it be removed. But, I belabor the point.

    MJ, what I'm after is a better implementation of a feature which has become a centerpiece on our Logos, let's talk about that.

    What can the user offer the developers in the way of direction to have GB serve rather than annoy our needs? 

    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 

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

    What can the user offer the developers in the way of direction to have GB serve rather than annoy our needs? 

    You are an example of precisely the feedback that a developer can and will listen to. You understood how the design was intended to work, identified specific changes that would allow you to use it more efficiently. 

    Do you use TikTok? I don't and if it appeared on my Logos I would seek to hide it, ignore it or complain bitterly that it be removed. But, I belabor the point.

    I would assume it met the needs of some group of users and simply ignore it. I save "complain bitterly" to the loss of functionality or an implementation that shows they didn't bother to figure out how to feature should work for those who use it (think liturgical dates for both the loss and ignorance).

    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."

  • xnman
    xnman Member Posts: 2,782 ✭✭✭

    The customer is always hoping for the ideal product and this ain't gonna happen, in my view. So we must stay vigilant and be as vocal and insistent as possible and advocate for the things we find most important. Hoping that the producer will yield and concentrate on delivering the very best product they are able to deliver.

    On that my friend, I whole heartily agree!  I say it a different way....  Be persistent... Never give up! The Bible teaches this principle.....

       “And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. - Luke 11:5–8.

    xn = Christan  man=man -- Acts 11:26 "....and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch".

    Barney Fife is my hero! He only uses an abacus with 14 rows!

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

    The customer is always hoping for the ideal product and this ain't gonna happen, in my view. So we must stay vigilant and be as vocal and insistent as possible and advocate for the things we find most important. Hoping that the producer will yield and concentrate on delivering the very best product they are able to deliver.

    On that my friend, I whole heartily agree!  I say it a different way....  Be persistent... Never give up! The Bible teaches this principle.....

       “And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. - Luke 11:5–8.

    Preach!

    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 

  • SineNomine
    SineNomine Member Posts: 7,043

    is there not already a trend... that FL tries to accommodate the users and because the users are asking more and more and more.... that there is a thought that Logos will become so "powerful" that no one can use it except the people that designed it?

    Sometimes, over the years, Faithlife has very successfully made things (that were not new) easier to use, even while making them powerful.

    The example that comes to mind immediately for me is the Passage Guide, which has existed more or less forever. Not too long ago, they changed how titles are displayed for commentaries that come up in it, while also allowing us to sort our commentaries by Era, Denomination, etc. (More recently, the commentary naming change was also implemented on mobile.) The Commentaries section of the PG is now more powerful than it used to be... and it's also easier to use. I can now tell more easily which commentary is in front of me, and I can now sort my commentaries usefully by ways other than priority, easily allowing me to identify and consult commentaries that I do not have highly prioritized but that have a trait that is useful to me on a particular occasion, e.g., on certain passages, I might want to better understand the Lutheran perspective, or see what Reformation era commentators thought. And if a user doesn't want to sort commentaries or finds those extra sort options too intimidating to learn/try, well, the PG's current way of handling Commentary titles will still make that person's use of the PG a better experience.

    One might also say that the store function of the Library pane (which I had forgotten about for a long time until just now) has also made Logos/Verbum more powerful, even while making it easier for users both to buy things and to find things they might want to buy.

    “The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one thinks about reforming himself.” St. Peter of Alcántara

  • xnman
    xnman Member Posts: 2,782 ✭✭✭

    I'll be happy if we ever get to the point where Logos has moderate capabilities in textual analysis and mildly moderate capabilities in scripture interpretation through the arts . . .

    if "I'll be happy if" = satisfied....   then I say....  Nah...  not gonna happen!  [8-|]

    xn = Christan  man=man -- Acts 11:26 "....and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch".

    Barney Fife is my hero! He only uses an abacus with 14 rows!