Difference between digital and printed format

Hello, I'm only now taking baby steps in reading the Bible (I only have the basic version) and I want to look more closely at systematic theology.

I am conflicted as to whether or not I should choose the digital format for an appropriate book.

My thoughts are:

The concentration is different to reading a printed copy, as I will only have one section at a time and not (for example) a US letter page in front of me. Scrolling interrupts the reading flow and concentration. I have read in various articles that general text comprehension is poorer when reading eBooks.
As this is a book of more than a thousand pages, I cannot assess whether this will have a negative impact on my general reading style and ability to concentrate (due to a reduced concentration rate).
On the other hand, this is not a novel, but a study book which I will only read bit by bit and it offers an enormous advantage to be able to open up biblical passages immediately. But isn't there also a danger that you will skim over the text more superficially and more quickly and no longer let the text sink in (even if this is perhaps not the most appropriate formulation for a study book like this)? Have you noticed such tendencies? It seems like a different way of reading to me.

By the way: If it wasn't such a large work that also costs a bit more, I probably wouldn't think so much about it

Thank you for your answers and best regards!

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DMB

I don't have a good answer.

Obviously digital offers almost unbelievable connectivity. It's light (subway, doctors office), and like the mustard plant, it grows quickly (purchases). Then, notes, searches, and linking.

But reading ... thinking ... listening to an author. My solution is the Kindle Scribe. I jot down notes, draw little diagrams. Frowns and smiley faces. I like to interact! Let it sink in.

Graham Criddle

I am conflicted as to whether or not I should choose the digital format for an appropriate book.

I remember reading through a long systematic theology type book many years ago - quite some time before I started using Logos. It was an enjoyable experience and I learned a lot but I wouldn't do it again.

Since then I have read through many detailed theological books in Logos and found the reading experience really suits me. I like the use of ease; the ability to highlight, take notes and search; I like the ability to read the same book on different devices; and - as you mention - I like the easy way of looking up Bible references, following foonotes etc that Logos provides.

The concentration is different to reading a printed copy, as I will only have one section at a time and not (for example) a US letter page in front of me.

If this becomes an issue, you can set the size of the panel holding the book to the size / layout you want

Scrolling interrupts the reading flow and concentration.

You can set books in Logos to scroll or to operate in paged view - depending on which you prefer.

But isn't there also a danger that you will skim over the text more superficially and more quickly and no longer let the text sink in (even if this is perhaps not the most appropriate formulation for a study book like this)? Have you noticed such tendencies? It seems like a different way of reading to me.

I haven't experienced this - but it is a long time since I read a physical theology book end-to-end!

MJ. Smith

I am conflicted as to whether or not I should choose the digital format for an appropriate book.

I am old-school. I rarely read an eBook - I read portions or skim for specific information. Why? Because I can read a paper book more quickly with less disruption of my eyes slipping onto the wrong line. Furthermore, I have years of experience remembering where on a page, certain information is found. However, it important to note that these are all personal habits based on when I learned to read, when I read voraciously, when I study from lexts ... I would expect that my grandchildren would reverse my experience. On the flip side, reference books I always go eBook - access and linkage is so much easier.

Dave Hooton

Hello, I'm only now taking baby steps in reading the Bible (I only have the basic version) and I want to look more closely at systematic theology.

I eventually found that the tools available to a Bible Study (Interlinears, lexicons, commentaries) were quickly and more conveniently accessible in the Logos app (i.e. digital). Systematic/Dogmatic Theology is not part of my study or reading, but I won't ignore a Search that finds answers in those types of books!

You can be flexible with Reading if you have printed copies, but I have no problem with the digital format as my "page" is sufficiently large.

Sean

The concentration is different to reading a printed copy, as I will only have one section at a time and not (for example) a US letter page in front of me. Scrolling interrupts the reading flow and concentration. I have read in various articles that general text comprehension is poorer when reading eBooks.
As this is a book of more than a thousand pages, I cannot assess whether this will have a negative impact on my general reading style and ability to concentrate (due to a reduced concentration rate).
On the other hand, this is not a novel, but a study book which I will only read bit by bit and it offers an enormous advantage to be able to open up biblical passages immediately. But isn't there also a danger that you will skim over the text more superficially and more quickly and no longer let the text sink in (even if this is perhaps not the most appropriate formulation for a study book like this)? Have you noticed such tendencies? It seems like a different way of reading to me.

Hi. I am a systematic theologian. I use ebooks almost exclusively now (and Logos almost exclusively for that) and have done so for quite a number of years. I will have to say: your concerns are not unfounded. It is much easier to zone out and not take in what you're reading when you're on a screen. However, I find using Logos is much easier for taking notes and also for looking up Bible references. If you're reading a paper book, you're not nearly as likely to look up all the references in a dense section full of them. That is a significant aid to study.

If you're looking at an expensive theology book and wondering which format to buy: I'd suggest first reading a cheaper (or free) smaller book in Logos and see how it goes for you.

I will also say this: most students do not truly grasp systematic theology in the first read-through. (I include myself in this group.) It requires repeated exposure to the concepts and the means by which theologians express themselves. So expect to have to re-read the text--or move on to another one after completing the first.

Either way, God bless you in your study of theology. It can be very very rewarding intellectually as well as spiritually as the two come together to bring you closer to God.

1Cor10 31

I like the use of ease; the ability to highlight, take notes and search...I like the easy way of looking up Bible references, following foonotes etc that Logos provides.

I moved from physical to digial books a few years back when I was in my early 50's. For an old dog, that was a big change and I couldn't be happier. Why? For all the reasons given by Graham above.

I've read tons of systematic theology books, but on specific topics. Sometime back, I was digging into Wisdom of God. The ability to read about Wisdom of God in one book, and then effortlessly jump to the same topic in a second book, a third book and so on is priceless. There is no way I am doing this with physical books. Same benefit as you through a topic in Encyclopedias.

But isn't there also a danger that you will skim over the text more superficially and more quickly and no longer let the text sink in (even if this is perhaps not the most appropriate formulation for a study book like this)? Have you noticed such tendencies? It seems like a different way of reading to me.

I would say that the problem is the opposite with digital. If there is a term that you encounter as you read digitially, it is easy to research more by following embedded links (or do a quick search to get these links). Thus, you are more apt to go down these bunny trails and do more research and not less research.

Obviously digital offers almost unbelievable connectivity. It's light (subway, doctors office), and like the mustard plant, it grows quickly (purchases). Then, notes, searches, and linking.

I take Notes a lot. There is so much Notes on the margins of my print books, but I can't figure out which book and where within that book I took down Notes. Those with poor memory stand to benefit by taking Notes digitally. You can search to locate them. If you attach Tags diligently, it makes it easier to track down the specific Note.

Ability to read anywhere is a huge bonus. I can also take Notes while walking and reading. I take the train to work and that's another 30x2 = 60 extra minutes of reading as I walk/train.

Overall, for me, there's no turning back, no turning back! As someone said, give digital a whirl for a few days and see for yourself the pros and cons.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1292899#Comment_1292899

I take Notes a lot. There is so much Notes on the margins of my print books, but I can't figure out which book and where within that book I took down Notes. Those with poor memory stand to benefit by taking Notes digitally. You can search to locate them. If you attach Tags diligently, it makes it easier to track down the specific Note.

Well, you're right. And my own Bible software has over a hundred thousand notes. And I have utiliities for visually giving them perspective as well as search etc. But my handwritten notes are meant as an instant in time. I see it very similar to Bible class and a teacher says something that just clicks. And it remains.

1Cor10 31

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1292904#Comment_1292904

1Cor10 31">
I take Notes a lot. There is so much Notes on the margins of my print books, but I can't figure out which book and where within that book I took down Notes. Those with poor memory stand to benefit by taking Notes digitally. You can search to locate them. If you attach Tags diligently, it makes it easier to track down the specific Note.

Well, you're right. And my own Bible software has over a hundred thousand notes. And I have utiliities for visually giving them perspective as well as search etc. But my handwritten notes are meant as an instant in time. I see it very similar to Bible class and a teacher says something that just clicks. And it remains.

I would love to know more about this: "I have utiliities for visually giving them perspective".

I can see what you mean when you talk about the value of handwritten notes because it has effectively a timestamp on it. Can you still maintain the value by transferring the handwritten notes to Logos Notes, but putting an actual timestamp to it. Could my suggestion be thought of having the best of both worlds. I too have lots of handwritten notes from Bible study classes and sermons, but I haven't yet figured out how to quickly transfer these notes to Logos Notes.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1293051#Comment_1293051

I would love to know more about this: "I have utiliities for visually giving them perspective".

Most of my note visualizations use the textual analysis in the software itself as the visual base (eg est dating, author pattern, semantic alternative likelihood, theology base, etc). Notes themselves have more limited analysis ... my re-writes, tags and so forth. In other words, Logos isn't yet that far (analytical base, and notes display) for comparison.

But one thing I don't know if Logos does, is automated note creation (analyzing note content, to reproduce more notes elsewhere).

Regarding handwritten notes, Scribe has text conversion with Send. But I never tried it. The notes stay with the book (for me).

Justin Gatlin

A little bit tangential, but the Logos mobile app has a tool called reference scanner. If you use it to take a picture of a page, it will look all of the Scripture references up for you and put them in a passage list you can look through on your phone or your computer.

On the other hand, this is not a novel, but a study book which I will only read bit by bit and it offers an enormous advantage to be able to open up biblical passages immediately.

1Cor10 31

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1293079#Comment_1293079

Thanks DMB. I have been using Tags extensively and that has definitely helped me.

I couldn't locate Scribe software you mention. My handwriting is so messy I wonder any software can make sense out of it. No easy way out for me.

Thank you.

Yasmin Stephen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1293677#Comment_1293677

I couldn't locate Scribe software you mention.

I think she's referring to the Kindle Scribe, which is a device for both reading and writing.

Yasmin Stephen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1293093#Comment_1293093

A little bit tangential, but the Logos mobile app has a tool called reference scanner. If you use it to take a picture of a page, it will look all of the Scripture references up for you and put them in a passage list you can look through on your phone or your computer.

I love the reference scanner and use it for print and Kindle books but I learned something new and cool about it yesterday - it can recognize my handwriting! Yesterday, I was listening to an audiobook where the author gave a list of Scripture passages to support his point. I wrote them down on an index card, pulled up the reference scanner, pointed my phone at the card, pressed "Scan" and, voilà, the correct text for each passage appeared like magic 😁