Seriously? Advertisements in my L10 Workspace!

Wayne Clarke · 2023-10-19T08:50:06+00:00

There was an error rendering this rich post.

I appreciate that on my L10 (Windows Desktop App) Home Page I receive advertised/unadvertised specials, new book releases, birthday coupons, and so much more. And I can choose to turn on/off as I deem appropriate. But NOW I am getting advertisements in my Workspace! Seriously? Why? My workspace should be MY workspace!

Logos, you have the opportunity to inform me of specials or upcoming events on my Home Page, on your various websites, and through email and social media channels. That I now have to turn off/close/decline advertisements in my Workspace...I think that is terribly invasive "improvement"!

Here is an example of what I am referring to with an advertisement for the new series of webinars at the top of the L10 workspace. (Especially annoying, considering I have already registered for the entire series of webinars!)

Find more posts tagged with

Bug

Desktop App

Comments

DMB

Well, your screenshot kind of demonstrates 'seriously'.

For many years (Logosian ages), that was a 'red-line' they wouldn't cross. Then they began inching their way, tippy-toeing into the Home Page. Then, delivering unowned book search matches. And now, I guess, peoples' Bible study. Probably rationalizing 'take your Bible study to the next level!!'.

I'm not so concerned with the literalness of that (ignoring its mindlessness). Rather the staff (and I guess the leadership) that is now comfortable with mixing commercialism and Bible study. Sort of a desperation.

And the NT certainly had its validating example ... Paul placed tent adverts in his epistles (3 sizes, if I remember correctly). Jesus was offering free resurrection promos. (If this sounds gross, it's meant to illustrate the issue).

Wayne Clarke

Yep, taking us to the "next level" of Bible Study...I like that!

And a few minutes ago I was prompted to "refresh" the Logos web app. And guess what? Now the same webinar advertisement is showing up in my workspace on the web app...expecting me to close / respond to the message. Well, at least they are consistent! (Or, should I say persistent?)

Mark Barnes (Logos)

Wayne, I've checked with the team and this banner was sent to a limited number of academic users to help them get the most out of their Research Subscription or Custom Library. Academic Institutions we partner with have encouraged us to better support their students with training, and this banner is part of a drive to do that. We're very conscious that users don't want to be interrupted with ads, and we're trying very hard to only show messages here when they're genuinely valuable to you.

You can close the message by clicking the close button in the top right corner. If you do, that banner won't come back.

Rosie Perera

We're very conscious that users don't want to be interrupted with ads, and we're trying very hard to only show messages here when they're genuinely valuable to you.

Mark, Logos should not ever deem that some product or offer or training mentioned in a banner ad is "genuinely valuable" to a person who is in the midst of studying the Bible. Never. Such a service might be "genuinely valuable" to a user but there are plenty of other ways to inform them of it, through the Home Page or email. Do not ever push ads at people while they are studying the Bible. I guarantee you, no Logos user will be glad for that interruption. You will earn ill will among longtime loyal users and new users alike.

You need to push back at the institutions you partner with to tell them you will not be doing this anymore.

Wayne Clarke

Rosie...I wholeheartedly agree!!

Mark...thanks for the update. But the resolution for me is somewhat disconcerting. Suddenly the webinar advertisements on both the web app and my L10 Desktop (Windows) "magically" disappeared. I did NOT click the "x" to close the banner in the web app (Google Chrome) or on my L10 Windows installation. The banners have simply disappeared. For the Desktop App, maybe it was the result of the normal "synchronization" process--but I'll be frank...that is somewhat disconcerting that after posting about the issue, the issue "magically" goes away. (I guess I should be grateful that Logos saved me from having to perform two mouse clicks! [:P] And now I will never know what was at the other end of the link in the advertisement. [;)])

Mark Barnes (Logos)

Mark, Logos should not ever deem that some product or offer or training mentioned in a banner ad is "genuinely valuable" to a person who is in the midst of studying the Bible.

I agree, and these banners should not interrupt study. That was something I insisted on. Therefore, they're timed only to appear when the user has finished their study, or hasn't yet started their study.

MJ. Smith

We're very conscious that users don't want to be interrupted with ads, and we're trying very hard to only show messages here when they're genuinely valuable to you.

This sentence contains theology with which I vehemently disagree - the concept that any message (other than getting someone out of a burning building or line of fire or building being demolish) is more valuable/important than conversing with God through the Holy Scripture is theologically absurd in my tradition.

Therefore, they're timed only to appear when the user has finished their study, or hasn't yet started their study.

In my tradition, there is no way for the system to determine this ... Bible study often begins with preparation before turning the computer on and with contemplation and prayer of the scripture that can interrupt the computer portion for hours.

DMB

This thread is getting worse by the hour. First, it's not accidental. Not marketing staff run amok. It's even been thought out. And finally there's an egg-timer for Bible study. What happened when Bob left?

Rosie Perera

Mark, Logos should not ever deem that some product or offer or training mentioned in a banner ad is "genuinely valuable" to a person who is in the midst of studying the Bible.

I agree, and these banners should not interrupt study. That was something I insisted on. Therefore, they're timed only to appear when the user has finished their study, or hasn't yet started their study.

The idea that a person can only be studying the Bible when they are actively clicking on things in the software is ludicrous. Opening the app to a layout where the Bible is visible and sitting there for 30 minutes could constitute Bible study. They could be reading on the screen and rereading again, praying, doing Lectio Divina, etc. Logos has no idea when a person starts or ends their Bible Study if they have the app open and it's not on the Home Page which is known as a place where people will be bombarded with advertising. Unless people have specifically opted IN to receive banner ads elsewhere in the app, I strongly denounce putting advertising banners up in the main part of the app.

It is sad to see how quickly someone who on the "outside" as an MVP was an advocate for what users want get sucked into the Logos machine once they get hired. I know you mean well. I'm glad to see you insisted that these banners should not interrupt study, but I think you need to rethink what constitutes study and go back to the powers that be on this one. This is very disheartening.

David Wanat

Mark, Logos should not ever deem that some product or offer or training mentioned in a banner ad is "genuinely valuable" to a person who is in the midst of studying the Bible.

I agree, and these banners should not interrupt study. That was something I insisted on. Therefore, they're timed only to appear when the user has finished their study, or hasn't yet started their study.

I don’t buy this as a valid argument. They should not show up at all on the workspace.

“finished their study” should be “when they close their workspace.”

”hasn’t started their study“ should be “before they open their workspace.”

John Fidel

Mark, Logos should not ever deem that some product or offer or training mentioned in a banner ad is "genuinely valuable" to a person who is in the midst of studying the Bible.

I agree, and these banners should not interrupt study. That was something I insisted on. Therefore, they're timed only to appear when the user has finished their study, or hasn't yet started their study.

Mark I agree with Rosie, you are going to do more harm than good with this type of marketing. No banners in the layouts please.

Bill Klear

I am now getting a banner at the top of my L10 workspace advertising 30% off until Feb. 28! I close it immediately every time it pops up, and it keeps coming back.

This is absolutely unacceptable.

scooter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1359375#Comment_1359375

I have only had it once. A few more times + it will be like the mosquito I can't eliminate.

Dave Hooton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1359375#Comment_1359375

Have you turned off "Show Banners" in Program Settings?

EastTN

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1359375#Comment_1359375

It's beyond frustrating.

Aaron Hamilton

The intention is that any banner which appears in the workspace should not return after one has closed it by clicking x in the upper-right corner. If the same banner reappears after being closed once, it should be reported as a bug.

Mark Barnes (Logos)

I am now getting a banner at the top of my L10 workspace advertising 30% off until Feb. 28! I close it immediately every time it pops up, and it keeps coming back.
This is absolutely unacceptable.

We do not intend for banners to pop back up after you have closed them. It looks like that bug only affects a few users, but I've asked our engineers to fix it ASAP.