The new Logos

Thomas Myers
Thomas Myers Member Posts: 110 ✭✭

I have had Logos since the floppy disk days; I now have Logos 10. Can anyone give me five good reasons to upgrade to the new Logos version?

Comments

  • Aaron Hamilton
    Aaron Hamilton Member, MVP Posts: 1,518
    1. Low cost for one month, so cancel after a month if you don't like/need it.
    2. Smart search is pretty awesome, particularly the new Smart Bible Search.
    3. It's fun to get updates every 6 weeks.
    4. You get a discount on all resources purchased through logos.com.
    5. You get access to a selection of Mobile Ed courses that rotate quarterly.

    In my view, the first reason may be the most significant. There's not much to lose in giving it a try for a month to see if it's beneficial for you.

  • Thomas Myers
    Thomas Myers Member Posts: 110 ✭✭

    Thanks, Aaron, that is helpful!

  • Jeff Rodrigues
    Jeff Rodrigues Member Posts: 65 ✭✭✭

    I too am a Logos 10 owner and too am a non-subscriber. In light of you owning Logos 10, it comes down to whether you want the following (what is offered is one thing, but you want may be something else)…

    1. Do you want A.I.-based tools?
    2. Do you buy enough books on a regular basis so that you would want a 5 percent discount in purchased books to justify the cost of a subscription?
    3. Do you want access to courses that have been selected by Faithlife that they will rotate on a regular basis?
    4. Do you want to purchase any of the 2025 bundled libraries (a subscription is required to purchase this, which is still beyond me why Faithlife made this change)?
    5. Do you want a library of rented books that have been selected by Faithlife (whether or not you already own any of them)?
    6. Do you want future features in Logos that aren't known in advance, thus that you won't know in advance as to whether or not you'll want those features (features that non-subscribers cannot obtain)?

    Again, what is offered is one thing, but what you want may be something else. If your answer is "no" to each of these things, then you don't need a subscription.

  • EastTN
    EastTN Member Posts: 1,484 ✭✭✭

    There's also the intangible issue of how you feel about taking on subscriptions.

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 14,225 ✭✭✭✭

    I would say #2 is the cat's meow. Forget the rest. It just plugs into modern Christianity like … well a great sermon on Sunday morning!

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • Francis
    Francis Member Posts: 3,887 ✭✭✭
    edited February 28

    I am a subscriber though I don't like subscriptions. Here is my two cents which mostly adds more detail to what has already been mentioned:

    1. AI smart search is a very useful step forward in Bible software. It searches against the Logos catalogue (All Search), your library (Book search) or the Bible (Bible Smart Search) and is therefore much more controlled and reliable than using web-based AI for biblical research. In some ways, it is a better way to search topics than the topical datasets. You can use natural language. The ability of the AI to provide a synopsis is often the fastest way to get specific information you need. Sources are indicated, so you can safely check that the synopsis is correct. I think that this is really good. For my part, I do not otherwise have a positive view of other uses of AI in Logos and I simply do not use those other tools nor recommend them. AI smart search is good though.
    2. Ability to purchase libraries. You have no choice now: if you want to benefit from the deep discounts you can have by purchasing Logos libraries, you are required to subscribe. At present, it is possible to subscribe temporarily to make such purchases (permanently owned books). If you are happy with your library or to purchase individual books or smaller collections, then this won't matter to you. If you are looking to expand from time to time, this is still the most affordable way to do it.
    3. New features. With Logos 10 and if you have the full feature set, you have a very good arsenal of tools already, so it may or may not matter to you to get new tools as they are developed as well as enhancements to existing tools. Program updates are still provided to non-subscribers.

    The other "perks" are minor considerations as far as I am concerned but may matter more to you.

  • Aaron Hamilton
    Aaron Hamilton Member, MVP Posts: 1,518

    Did I just hear you say you found the cat's meow? 😯

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 54,812

    @Jeff Rodrigues

    Do you want to purchase any of the 2025 bundled libraries (a subscription is required to purchase this, which is still beyond me why Faithlife made this change)?

    Just a factual reminder, this was not a change but rather a long standing requirement that became more visible.

    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."

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 14,225 ✭✭✭✭

    Ok, ok. So, I understated the significance of the new Smart Bible Search (SBS). How about 'the cat's pajamas'?!

    I personally don't have any need for it. But sitting through umpteen sermons from my Dad. And umpteen Bible class sessions, what SBS delivers seems well beyond anyone's imagination as to (1) average folks' questions and concerns, and (2) delivering to those concerns.

    I'm still having to digest its significance. It seems to me, having delivered the surprising verses, the 'next' piece is, how do you fit that into a 'cogent understanding'. In other words, more than just 'verses'. While not slipping into dogma (or indeed, maybe slipping into desired dogma, who knows)?

    I wonder if this keeps Mark up at nights. It would me.

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • Jeff Rodrigues
    Jeff Rodrigues Member Posts: 65 ✭✭✭

    Prior to the subscriptions that became active last October, you didn't have to subscribe to anything relating to Logos to purchase a bronze, silver or gold bundled library (prior to October of last year, I've purchased various bundled libraries previously without being subscribed to anything offered relating to Logos), unlike now in the case of the 2025 libraries in which you must have a subscription to either the Premium, Pro or Max subscriptions in order to be able to purchase a 2025 library.

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 14,225 ✭✭✭✭
    edited February 28

    Quoting MJ didn't work.

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 14,225 ✭✭✭✭

    Tried again. MJ's got some sort of spell on the forum.

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 14,225 ✭✭✭✭
    edited February 28

    OK. Enough is enough. No quoting MJ.

    BTW whatever happened to the delete-post thing?

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • Aaron Hamilton
    Aaron Hamilton Member, MVP Posts: 1,518
    edited February 28

    This is true. However, the direct comparison is not "having a subscription," but rather "paying for features." Previously, one was required to pay for features via purchase in order to buy the newest libraries. Now, one is required to pay for features via subscription in order to buy the newest libraries.

    This is admittedly oversimplified, as some have had subscriptions for a long time. But the point is that even before "The New Era," one had to pay for features in one way or another to purchase the newest libraries.

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 14,225 ✭✭✭✭

    They had to buy the surprise toy, in order to get the carameled popcorn.

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • Jeff Rodrigues
    Jeff Rodrigues Member Posts: 65 ✭✭✭

    The prior bundled library offerings worked completely different. Prior to the switch to Premium, Pro and Max subscriptions last October, various features were included in the prior bronze, silver and gold bundled library offerings, so you didn't have to already have purchased features previously in order to be able to purchase any of the earlier bronze, silver and gold library offerings. Here's an example..

  • Aaron Hamilton
    Aaron Hamilton Member, MVP Posts: 1,518

    Likely a solid comparison for many. But many of those toys proved to be quite rewarding.

  • Jeff Rodrigues
    Jeff Rodrigues Member Posts: 65 ✭✭✭

    But back to Thomas Myers' question so that this doesn't go down a further tangent…

  • Aaron Hamilton
    Aaron Hamilton Member, MVP Posts: 1,518
    edited February 28

    I'm not entirely understanding, but fyi, you can still purchase many libraries without a subscription. The only libraries that you need a subscription for are the 2025 libraries. You can find the rest of the base libraries here.

  • Jeff Rodrigues
    Jeff Rodrigues Member Posts: 65 ✭✭✭

    And that's the problem with 2025 libraries. To buy any of them, you must have a subscription. That didn't sit well with me as a 25+ year user of Logos who purchased many of their other libraries previously, and I'd have to think that I'm not the only long-time user of Logos with the same opinion. I'm not switching to a subscription, not even temporarily, just to buy a 2025 library.

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 54,812

    When Mark Barnes announced this he explained that it was not a change in policy but a continuation of prior policy. I am too lazy to spend the time searching for his post. You can easily search for it yourself. Unfortunately, for reasons unrelated to these forum, I was reminded today of a professor of philosophy who was irate when a student said "I feel" rather than "I think" … in today's mood I'm less interested in opinions than facts.

    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."

  • Josh
    Josh Member Posts: 7 ✭✭

    Logos offers a FREE 30-day trial. Try it out and see if it's worth it for you - Logos Subscription Free Trial

  • xnman
    xnman Member Posts: 2,905 ✭✭✭
    edited March 1

    My 5 reasons to update are…..

    1. Smart Search
    2. Smart Search
    3. Smart Search
    4. Smart Search
    5. Smart Search.

    My reason for saying these 5 are: What good is information if you can't find it? Logos Smart Search has finally evolved into a tool that opens up your library, or your bible, to you.

    Oh, and # 6. would be the Logos mobile app. When Logos bought out WordSearch, Logos mobile app was one thing that sold me on ditching WordSearch. I guess, you might say, I am a fan! 😎

    @Jeff Rodrigues — Try this…. look up what it would cost you to update Logos say every two years and then compare that to the cost of say the "Pro" subscription. It might surprise you.

    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!

  • Jeff Rodrigues
    Jeff Rodrigues Member Posts: 65 ✭✭✭
    edited March 1

    I'm not subscribing. And the matter of factoring in the cost of a 2 year subscription compared to the cost of a prior software update doesn't matter to me because with prior software updates, you knew precisely everything you were getting and paying for then and there. I'm not paying for a 2 year subscription, not knowing in advance what all features will eventually be added on, and thus not knowing if I'll want them. Absolutely no way. And I don't want the current offerings of a subscription either. No way. It worked out that I purchased a Logos 10 full feature upgrade back in October 2022, I own the features I have, I'm very happy with the features I have (including performing searches without A.I.), and I'm not subscribing. And if Faithlife should lose my business because of not offering 2025 libraries to non-subscribers, then that's the way it is.

  • John
    John Member Posts: 711 ✭✭✭

    @DMB

    BTW whatever happened to the delete-post thing?

    That would be a great feature. But it would probably be subscription only 😂

  • xnman
    xnman Member Posts: 2,905 ✭✭✭

    No problem Jeff. Got a friend that drives a Ram diesel truck, I drive a Ford diesel truck. I tell him all the time the reason they make Fords is to pull the Rams when they won't go. LOL. But I do believe Logos has the flexibility to accomodate different people that like to run it differently. Enjoy! 😎

    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!

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 14,225 ✭✭✭✭

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 14,225 ✭✭✭✭

    Let's not forget Shove it or Leave it!

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • Kevin Houghtaling
    Kevin Houghtaling Member Posts: 114 ✭✭✭

    @Thomas Myers This conversation has taken a few turns. If you read enough in this forum you will find those that hate the move to subscriptions, those that love it, and some moderation in between. I would say get the feee trial, perhaps go monthly for a few months and go through all of features you don’t have now. Then decide what best works for your situation. I frankly like some of the new stuff like smart search and Bible search. I think these are great tools. Insights has grown on me as well. The fact book has become a one stop resource at times. There has been a lot of thought placed in these new and more developed features. There are other things that I say, oh that’s nice and never open them again. I guess it is the same with L10. I am not a hater of subscriptions but as I reach retirement I have to consider, is this subscription worth it to me. I value the Word of God. Whatever makes it more understandable or gives me greater insight is a value to me. If I have more tools to grow in faith and share the Gospel then that’s worth it. Only you can determine if the new Logos benefits you in these ways.

  • xnman
    xnman Member Posts: 2,905 ✭✭✭

    C'mon guys! all this putting down Fords is making me depressive! LOL

    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!

  • Julian Ramirez
    Julian Ramirez Member Posts: 5

    I wouldn't get the subscription, save your money. The new software application is not user friendly like it used to be.

    Just sharing my honest opinion. I have a galaxy s 10 with 1 TB. And it the Bible application freezes to frequently. I have asked for help and response, well I'm still waiting. God Bless everyone, and thank you for your patience.

  • NetworkGeek
    NetworkGeek Member Posts: 3,737 ✭✭✭

    Fine Outstanding Reliable Design

  • xnman
    xnman Member Posts: 2,905 ✭✭✭

    @NetworkGeek - I agree!

    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!

  • ASUNDER
    ASUNDER Member Posts: 242 ✭✭✭
    1. Because you've been a loyal customer since the beginning, why stop now.
    2. Because the AI integration + Factbook solves one of the biggest challenges to study: finding things, and grouping things in one place efficiently.
    3. Because the phone sync makes your Bible app mobile. It isn't stuck in your own home; it follows you wherever you go. Just as many take a self defense weapon with them or other EDC, you have God's word with you in your pocket.
    4. To support this company. When my trial version is done I will be overpaying for the max subscription, knowing that I won't be using all of the features all the time. I'm fine with that. This is not some secular outfit; these are Christians. You know they will handle your money better than others. Instead of giving to some random foreign country that you have no proof of how your money was actually spent, in this case you know it's going to an American Christian assembly.
    5. To support the Bible. This is the computer age, so Bible apps is our highest tech, just as mankind uses guns instead of swords now. Having the same purpose but guns are more efficient. Likewise, this being the best Bible platform on Earth, when we collectively financially support this platform we are keeping it alive and well. So downstream from our support, it ends up placing this software in the hands of others, who are made better because of it, and then better servants of the gospel of peace. It is a ripple effect that is possible because of the existing customers.

    "You are either the man going down the well or the one holding the rope for him."
    - Pastor Washer

  • RJ
    RJ Member Posts: 103 ✭✭✭
    edited March 2

    Well, most unfortunately, your point number 4 is incorrect, @ASUNDER. There was a long discussion about the private equity outfit that now owns the company, and @1Cor10 31 did some digging around and found it wasn't Christian. I'll try and find the thread so you can read up about it all.

    EDIT

    I think it started on page 6 or 7 maybe?

  • Derrick Gibson
    Derrick Gibson Unconfirmed, Member Posts: 1

    Remembering back to the 2000's, when I bought a bronze package for school. It feels like there is a ton of more information available and new to me now. I just subscribed within the last month and I'm exited about it. The prices are high everywhere and for everything. I agree with the post that says the first 30 days are free and then you must pay thereafter. You can get a lot done in 30 days of exploring Logos. Support is much better these days as compared to the early days. Plus, finding information seems more intuitive now.

    I sent an email and after 2 days of no response I called them up. They had the problem fixed within 5 minutes. So far I am very satisfied with my subscription. I would never have enough money to pay for a $1000 to $3,000 library and upwards. $240 a year does not seem like a high price to me for the information that you get.

    And don't forget about the monthly free book they offer. I have not investigated it yet but I'm sure there are payment plans for just about every resource available.

    I love God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, and learning more and more about them. That's my 0.01 cent of thought on this subject. I hope it helps the author of this thread.

  • ASUNDER
    ASUNDER Member Posts: 242 ✭✭✭

    I see that.
    Who is this investor and how much do they own?

  • RJ
    RJ Member Posts: 103 ✭✭✭

    https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1312391#Comment_1312391