Logos Pro Trial Evaluation

I've arrived at the end of my 30-day Logos Pro trial. I will not be continuing with the subscription for now.

Here's why:

Smart search: This is probably the most compelling new feature that I've seen. I really like smart search. And I like the summarize tool integration with the search results. Problem is that this feature alone is not enough to get me to upgrade. I'm pretty good with precise search that I can usually find what I need quickly enough and, as for summaries, well...a little cut and paste into chat GPT and I can get that as well.
Sermon Builder AI Tools: I'm on the record in these forums saying that I have really, really tried to make the sermon builder/manager work for me. However, I've finally come to realize that it's built like a multi-tool that will get lots of jobs done, just not very efficiently or to the highest quality. I'm just not going to use them. Period. And since the AI Illustration/Application tools are built into the Sermon Builder, then I'm not going to use those either. BUT, even if these AI tools were unhitched from the Sermon Builder, I probably still wouldn't use them. Frankly, ChatGPT is just better and more versatile when it comes to generating those kinds of ideas and content.
Insights Panel: By far my least favorite new feature. I like to work in custom layouts. Most of the time I have my Bible open as a panel that takes up about 1/3 of the screen. Therefore, the insights panel is practically unusable because it is so narrow when I open it. I think it is also redundant once you take the time to learn how to use/customize Passage Guides.
Expanded Library: While the extra resources that come with the Pro subscription are okay, for those of us who already have invested in building a good library, they are unnecessary. I can see their value for a beginning user, but--and here's where I'm still scratching my head over the marketing--this subscription is called Logos PRO. So is Logos Pro for "pros" or "beginners"? What type of pro? A veteran and experienced Logos software user? A full-time church worker (pastor, seminary student, professor, etc.)? A knowledgeable layman? Who are all these features for?

In conclusion, I just don't think that Logos Pro is really aimed at experienced users of the software (like me). It's clearly meant to enhance the experience of someone who is relatively new to Logos and who, perhaps, doesn't have a versatile enough library to take full advantage of some of the more powerful tools that Logos has. If this is the target customer going forward, then I am okay with that. A rising tide lifts all boats. I just won't be among those paying the $10/month slip fee.

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Fabian

In conclusion, I just don't think that Logos Pro is really aimed at experienced users of the software (like me). It's clearly meant to enhance the experience of someone who is relatively new to Logos and who, perhaps, doesn't have a versatile enough library to take full advantage of some of the more powerful tools that Logos has. If this is the target customer going forward, then I am okay with that. A rising tide lifts all boats. I just won't be among those paying the $10/month slip fee.

Thanks. This was my thoughts as well.
In the forefront I've been told the new Sermon Builder AI Tools, should outperform the old WordSearch Sermon Builder (or how it was called). But now no one of the users praised the new AI over the older one.

Dave Hooton

In conclusion, I just don't think that Logos Pro is really aimed at experienced users of the software (like me).

From reading your comments, I can understand your conclusion.

I suffer similarly with Sermon Builder and Insights is not a tool I would use.

Anderson Abreu

I've arrived at the end of my 30-day Logos Pro trial. I will not be continuing with the subscription for now. [...] In conclusion, I just don't think that Logos Pro is really aimed at experienced users of the software (like me). It's clearly meant to enhance the experience of someone who is relatively new to Logos and who, perhaps, doesn't have a versatile enough library to take full advantage of some of the more powerful tools that Logos has.

Your considerations were very good, I can really agree with almost all of your insights. My trial period ends on the 7th and I should try it out for another month.

[quote]

I'm pretty good with precise search that I can usually find what I need quickly enough...

I've also mastered enough search operators to be able to find what I need. On the other hand, when I need a simple definition or to find general information quickly, I've found intelligent search to be very effective and it really helps me in these everyday cases. However, I will continue to use precise search to get the more accurate information I need.

[quote]

Most of the time I have my Bible open as a panel that takes up about 1/3 of the screen. Therefore, the insights panel is practically unusable because it is so narrow when I open it.

That's an important detail! It made me wonder if it wouldn't be better for the insight panel to be available in that side panel (I don't know what the technical name given by Logos is) where we normally open the "Information" and "Power Lookup" panels etc. I think it would serve a wider range of users. In fact, this made me wonder if it wouldn't be better if all these tools that are coming to the "side panel" were together with the "Information" tab. "Power Lookup" etc. Because what you say about the bible applies to anything we use the sidebar for, like the auto-translator. Having to open a panel for each translated book takes up space. It's something Faithlife could look into improving.

[quote]

And I like the summarize tool integration with the search results. Problem is that this feature alone is not enough to get me to upgrade.

What I've liked and used the most is the summary tool. As I read another user comment on the forum, it's useful to have a summary and know if it's worth reading a part of a book, for example, the pericope of a commentary. That's how I've been using summarization the most. HOWEVER, it clearly needs improvement so that we can select and summarize only that part of the text instead of predetermined sets, because in many cases it tells us that the passage is too long to be summarized.

[quote]

However, I've finally come to realize that it's built like a multi-tool that will get lots of jobs done, just not very efficiently or to the highest quality.

I've tested the new AI tools in the sermon builder a few times. And I've given up trying it out both because I don't like the manager itself and its very limited text formatting, and because what little I've tried of the illustrations and questions sounded very weak and superficial. Having to use this to "improve" is extra work. So I don't think it's really going to be very useful to me any more than the sermon builder itself. Faithlife needs to give the sermon builder a very thorough polish if I'm to stop using my own template built in old Microsoft Word over my 18 years as a preacher. The sermon manager is one of the many tools that, once created, is forgotten at the bottom of Faithlife's drawer, which only digs it out to add more and more items, but without improving the simple matter of formatting the text. I know I'm being harsh!

[quote]

Frankly, ChatGPT is just better and more versatile when it comes to generating those kinds of ideas and content.

With the limitations we've seen in the AI used in Logos, I have my doubts as to whether they've chosen the most improved service option on the market. And really, having to pay extra for what isn't even the best available is a serious thing to consider.

[quote]

Expanded Library: While the extra resources that come with the Pro subscription are okay, for those of us who already have invested in building a good library, they are unnecessary.

I completely agree. Even though Faithlife says it has taken this into account when setting the subscription price, it only seems useful to those with a very small library. I'd prefer a cheaper subscription with just the AI tools and no extra books.

Or maybe I could have Kindle Unlimited-type access where I can choose the books I want to use when I need to.

The summary of all this is that the new tools are promising, but need to be better developed and polished. And here comes a chronic problem I've seen: many tools and the software engine itself receive little attention and refinement once released. Perhaps this is precisely because Faithlife doesn't charge for updates and offers the software itself "free". I'd rather pay to have constant improvement and refinement of the software engine (as I do by subscribing to Microsoft Office 365) than not see an evolution in what is the basics of the basics.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1293888#Comment_1293888

Anderson, you have great points. But (!) I would add:

- The primary risk is not Faithlife dieing. It's an impatient owner (demanded ROI), or subsequent owners. This year is an excellent demonstration. The future is as the owners wish.

- Your art software example is an excellent point. Faithlife's Achilles Heel is its self-limiting legasy of complexity. It's strength is its large inter-connected library. I see opportunity, buying up a current struggling Bible app with a decent library, and taking 'Logos' to its future ... intuitive, fun, spiritual, and worth showing all your friends.

Anderson Abreu

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1293896#Comment_1293896

It's an impatient owner (demanded ROI), or subsequent owners. This year is an excellent demonstration. The future is as the owners wish. [...] I see opportunity, buying up a current struggling Bible app with a decent library, and taking 'Logos' to its future ... intuitive, fun, spiritual, and worth showing all your friends.

As far as I'm concerned, I've invested a lot in Logos and Verbum. And I'm willing to pay for improvements as I said, regardless of whether it's a subscription or buying updates, as long as there are real improvements and not just throwing more and more tools in an "unfinished" way. I get paid in Brazilian Reals and buy in Dollars, which is a pain. But I've built up a library of over 7,000 books today. Certainly small compared to many Americans. And I want to keep investing despite the financial limitations of a Brazilian.