Newbie - Is anyone happy with L4 for the Mac?

First i have a mac bp 2009, 4gb 2.53mhz

I have been reading many of these posts.. and was really discouraged to find all the unhappy folks with L4 running slow or crashing on their mac. I have looked into the Accordance, watched some of the vids and training material.. and even downloaded the trial.. but it seems harder to use Vs the L4? So i was about to invest in L4 Bible Study Library LE package. But after reading these posts.. I'm ready to chuck this idea.

So my question is for the folks with the mac system issues.. is that with any L4 or could it have to do with the level of Logos you are using.. Ie Bible Study LE Vs Scholar's Library: Platinum? Or should i run as far from Logos as i can.

Hope this made sense.. thanks for any replies.

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rog

1st rule of thumb: It's easier for people to complain than to praise. [:P]

2nd rule of thumb: Forums primarily draw people who are looking to answers for a specific problem.

Finally, I troll thru this forum to see what's happening with the product. I love L4 Mac! I'm a convert from Windoze and I have a friend who has both accordance and L4 - loves Logos much better.

It works great and they are constantly upgrading and improving. So, my advice - jump in, it's well worth it.

rog

John Fidel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205732#Comment_205732

I also love L4 Mac. I find in almost all areas it is equal with L4 Win. The exceptions are quickly closing as well with the latest beta. There are some Mac users that are having some issues and Logos is working with them to determine how to fix the issues specific to these users. Some may have expectations of the program that are not met.

You have a 30 day return policy, so you can always try the program and see if it meets your needs. You should review the videos regarding installation and setup so you know what to expect regarding download times, indexing and initial set up like this one here. It is on the Win platform, but still a really good place to start.

http://vimeo.com/16398719

I hope this helps you decide.

Tammy Weasler

Rodney,

I to looked at Accordance but decided to go with Logos. I have been using L4 for Mac since the early Alpha stages and I really like the software. I am not what some would consider a power user but I do use it in my personal bible studies as well as doing research for sermon prep. I fell I've only scratched the surface on what Logos can do and am learning new things about it all the time. While you can do in-depth language research with it, it is also helps with basic searching for word meanings and other references. Logos was well worth the investment for me.

You have to remember that this is just the second time Logos has made software for Mac. The first one was stopped early on as they went to version 4 to bring windows and Mac versions parity. The Mac version is almost identical to the windows version. This is still early in the official release and the software keeps getting better. I haven't really had any issues. Some people complain about speed and doing searches but you have to realize how many resources are being searched. I have over 1300 resources in my library and I wouldn't want to search trough that manually. You also have to consider when doing searches the more specific you are the better the results. Is Logos perfect? No, but it is a tremendous resources. Maybe it will be perfect one day return instantaneous searches and be perfect, but now software will do that. Until Christ returns and then I don't we will really care computers

In a nut shell. I find Logos to be a great investment for me. I also have an iPhone and with the free app I have access to many of the resources even when I'm out and about, like sitting at the Dentist I can following my reading plan or do a little word study. Plus you always have the 30 days to get a refund and the Logos people are great about helping customers.

God Bless

Stephen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205738#Comment_205738

Sorry, I was logged into my wife's Logos account didn't realize[:P]

Levi Durfey

So my question is for the folks with the mac system issues.. is that with any L4 or could it have to do with the level of Logos you are using.. Ie Bible Study LE Vs Scholar's Library: Platinum?.

No, it wouldn't matter what level you buy, because the levels have to do mainly with the resources (books, lexicons, etc.) that you get. There are a few features that are reserved for higher levels, but the underlying engine is the same for all levels.

I am very happy with the L4 for Mac. Yes, I have a crash once in awhile (let's say, once every couple days), but for the most part it has been stable for me (I am running the latest Beta).

It wouldn't hurt to try it because, as John mentioned, you do get a 30 day refund window. If you hop in at the level you were thinking, you'd be able to upgrade easily later (although there is a sale on right now).

Grace be to you, and Merry Christmas.

Orville J Erickson

I have used Logos on Windows for many years in its various forms (from the Libronix Digital Library on...) and A few months ago added a 2010 MBP to my computers. I am running the current L4 stable release on MBP and I have not experienced any of the issues I have read about in the forums here. It is not quite as snappy as my Windows version, but when you consider how large an index Logos searches whenever you query almost anything, no one should expect instantaneous results. And the Windows version also takes time when doing any sort of query, so do not get misled into thinking that the Windows version is the hare and the Mac version is the turtle - that at least has not been my experience at all.

Also, the Logos Dev team should be commended because there are constant updates and bug fixes being released to address many of the real issues user are having - few software companies I know of have their actual developers responding to forum posts. So even when something is not as speedy as I would like or a feature has not made it from Windows version to the Mac version, I remember how hard these folks are working to get so many things done and STILL answer user issues and I figure the software is great now and in 12 months will be amazing.

A third thing and then I am off to eat some tasty Christmas ham... A lot of people's computers have been in service for many years and all computers (Mac's, Windows, even Linux boxes) get "gunked up" with files ,old programs, etc over time. It is possible one of the reasons my experience has been so good is that Logos was the third thing I installed on my MBP after installing Office 2011 and Mozilla Firefox (sorry but cannot stand Safari) the same day I bought the computer. That is something in your favor if you Mac is not too old. And I run it in 64 bit mode (you can find out about that in the Apple forums) and I believe that helps.

Merry Christmas and may you glorify your Lord in 2011!

Orville

Jason Alligood

Rodney,

I have been with Logos since my Windows days and continued to use them into my transition into Mac. Started with Logos 1 for Mac and then upgraded when they started developing Logos 4 (then next stage after 1, they sequenced Logos 4 to match the Windows side of things). I believe I jumped in around alpha 4. I have been pleased with the progress and look forward to what the folks at Logos have for us in the near future (4.2 in already in beta!). I have (and other have on my behalf) invested lots of money into the product. I cannot see Logos letting down their Mac customers, when so much is riding on their name. They are a company to be trusted.

That said, my experience has not always been stellar, but over and over again, the guys on the dev team provide answers and work hard to produce a workable and enjoyable product. I am at the latest stable version and find things very agreeable to my study schedule. Things like Exegetical Guides have never flown, even on the windows side. If you have a large collection, it is going to take some time for the computer (no matter how powerful) to gather all that information and put it in it's right place.

I use Logos for sermon prep, Bible Study and seminary work. I work on a early 2009 MacBook, 2.0 Ghz , 4gb ram, Snow Leopard.

I say go for it! You have 30 days, what have you got to lose?

Jason

Chris Hulshof

Rodney,

I have a 2010 MBP (2.66 GHZ, Core i7, 4GB). I am a recent Mac Convert - early 2010. I have used L4 on both Windows and Mac platforms. I was hesitant to jump in because when I purchased my MBP L4 was only in Beta. However, as I trolled around the forums and I found folks who were using it as I would and took the plunge in the Spring. I have not regretted it. L4 has been everything I need it to be as a Pastor who preaches everyday Sunday. The Mac version has been every bit as useable and stable as the one I had on my last PC. I have not experienced the kind of speed or usability problems that others have listed in this forum (knock on wood). L4 loads fast and is responsive. I have not created any custom guides nor have I had to tweak L4 for better performance. The only thing I have encountered is the loading in a small window and I need to be expanded it. That is a very minor annoyance. So much so I haven't bothered to log it. I put L4 to use daily in my personal studies as well as my sermon prep. I still tell people that L4 is the coolest thing I own.

Chris

Alan Macgregor

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205800#Comment_205800

Rodney

I have been using Logos since 1993 when I bought my first PC. I have been using Logos 4 Mac since late October 2009 and can now say that it can do everything that I want it to do for preparing weekly Bible Studies and Sermons. I also continue to use Libronix (as Logos 3 was known) for academic work, (though that is more about the computer that I use for my academic work than about Logos), but I could just as easily use Logos 4 Mac if I used my Mac for academic work rather than a 2005 Toshiba Tablet M200. (I hope to buy an Mac Book for my academic work some day.)

Yes, there have been glitches and crashes during the Alpha and early Beta phases, as is to be expected. However, the more recent Betas have been almost faultless in my experience. I would not hesitate to recommend Logos 4 Mac.

1st rule of thumb: It's easier for people to complain than to praise.
2nd rule of thumb: Forums primarily draw people who are looking to answers for a specific problem.

What Rog says is true. The forums tend to focus on problems that some people do experience, so they tend to accentuate the negative.

Hope that helps.

Every blessing

Alan

Mike Tourangeau

But after reading these posts.. I'm ready to chuck this idea.

I will say that I am VERY happy with L4, I am new to Logos as of 1 year ago so I never used L3, but I could not be happier (maybe with more $ for more resources[:)])

At first I was very disappointed, but I have stuck with it and have found that it is a powerful program, I am still learning new things.

The biggest blessing for me is I know it has helped the congregation I serve.... it is my main tool.

So, hang in there, you can learn to love it.... it will take a bit of work but anything that is powerful takes time to understand. So count me for a person who loves L4 even with the quircks

Ellis I. Washington

Overall I'm very happy. I have been with Logos since the 90's and eagerly awaited the mac release. In fact, I was so tied to Logos that it alone delayed my switch from PC to mac. Having said that, the one extreme irritant I have is the lack of ability to print (dealt with in other threads) and the cavalier attitude Logos seems to have about its omission. Ooops! My praise is starting to sound like a gripe. Ok, again, other than that, I'm very happy with it.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205816#Comment_205816

Happy with Logos 4 Mac [:D]

Current 4.2a Beta nearing feature parity cross platform (Mac Beta has several known printing issues).

Wiki has Beta information and risks => http://wiki.logos.com/The_Logos_4_Beta_Program

For comparison with Accordance, suggest reading => http://community.logos.com/forums/p/23527/175885.aspx#175885

Keep Smiling [:)]

Dan Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205816#Comment_205816

I am a long time Mac user and a Logos mac user since it's first release a couple years back. Logos 4 mac is powerful, with many features, it isn't as fast as others but in general it's a fine piece of software. Yes there are bugs but for me it seems fairly stable, and I have been encountering very few problems. Logos has the largest number of resources available (that I know of). Their prices are generally competitive (other's sales or regular prices will sometimes far undercut Logos, but Logos gets great sales prices at times too). I am not happy that Logos 4 is Intel only, but then I realize you need to draw the line some place as to where you offer support. and PPC users do have Libronix 1.2.2. My PowerBook G4 was running flawlessly for me but in the end my macBook Pro is something I don't regret buying, and Logos was the primary reason for the purchase.

-Dan

Rodney Ochs

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205831#Comment_205831

I really appreciate everyone taking a few min to reply back to my post.. I certainly feel much better now having read your thoughts on the matter.

You will be happy to know that i decided to give it a whirl. I bough the Bible Study Library (LE).. which was what i could afford at this moment. Just wanting for it to download and index.

I look forward to learning and jumping in with both feet. I would also appreciate any tools, tips or tricks that come along your way. I have been watching the tutorials, and will probably have to watch them again.

Thank you again for taking the time to help me.. Merry Christmas.. God Bless

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205835#Comment_205835

Wiki page includes links to many videos => http://wiki.logos.com/Visual_Table_of_Contents

Wiki also has Logos 4 Mac overview => http://wiki.logos.com/Logos_4_Mac

Keep Smiling [:)]

Robert Pavich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205874#Comment_205874

Rodney....

Don't forget...give Logos time to index...it takes hours..sometimes overnight on an older machine...and if you search before it's done indexing...you will get incorrect results...

Be patient...ask questions....it will be rewarding...