Question regarding Kurt Aland's Synopsis of the Four Gospels

I first became aware of this problem in this thread in the German SESB forum (the discussion's in English, though, so don't hesitate to read it ...): Aland's Synopsis in Logos 4.0?

I own both SESB 3.0 (the original version offered by the German Bible Society) and Logos Bible Study Base Package. I've not been working with Libronix for over a year now and it's not installed on my computer, so I'm not sure whether I have access to Aland's Synopsis under Libronix 3.0g. What I'm sure about, however, is that I can't find it in my Logos 4 Library.

According to this product page, the edition of the Synopsis working under Logos 4 is part of SESB 3.0 (strange enough, you can't find it on the SESB product page) - so, theoretically, I should own two versions: The older one working under Libronix and the newer one for Logos 4.

NewbieMick (whom you may know from this forum as well) mentioned he received the resource with the Minimal Crossgrade Logos is offering. However, it is not mentioned here, and I would find it rather strange if the Minimal Crossgrade came with resources you don't get with a "regular" Logos Base Package. Anyway, I should at least have it since I own SESB 3.0 and I definitely remember working with it under an older Libronix version a few years ago.

Long story short: Has anyone an idea why I can't find Kurt Aland's Synopsis of the Four Gospels in my Logos 4 Library?

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MJ. Smith

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/320902#Comment_320902

That's the problem! [:(]

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/320905#Comment_320905

To answer the most obvious in advance: The resource is not hidden either!

NB.Mick

Thanks Theolobias,

I was also thinking about bringing the discussion over here to get the experience of others.

To recapitulate: the original poster over at sesb-austausch missed the resource in L4 (and, if I read him correct, also in L3 after an update to 3.0g). I can see this in L3 as well as in L4. The "last updated" date in my library for this resource is in February 2011 exactly on the date I bought the Minimal Crossgrade and nothing else. I think I obtained SESB in April and I posted a screenshot of Aland in this thread: http://community.logos.com/forums/t/32790.aspx - at this point in time probably having SESB as well as the MC, but definitely no bigger basepackage.

Imho, it could well be that the MC contains Aland along with other comparable works, since this package originally was conceived as a way for the majority of L3 users (which own relatively big base packages) to use L4. Since their gospel harmonies no longer work in L4, it is a good assumption that Logos delivers the L4-files for all of these. Whether they then work only with a direct resource licence (which could come from SESB or a big base package) or whether Logos choose to just give the licence as part of MC - like they did with the timelines - I can't tell.

It's not always consistent that "higher" packages contain all that is available in a "lower" one. However, since you have SESB, I think you should at least now have it (same goes for the original poster over there).

Is there a user who has "only" the MinimalCrossgrade and could tell about the harmonies, especially Aland?

Mick

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/320905#Comment_320905

That's the problem!

It was worth a try for a typo or such ... I fear you'll need to email Logos for an answer.[:(]

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/320914#Comment_320914

It was worth a try for a typo or such ...

Thanks anyway, MJ! [:)]

I fear you'll need to email Logos for an answer.

Already done! [:)]

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/320916#Comment_320916

Now I'm a little unsure. I reinstalled Libronix 3.0g today, but no sign of Aland's Synopsis there either - though I had been quite sure that I was working with it some years ago. On the other hand, neither the product page by the German Bible Society nor that by Logos indicate that it comes with the SESB 3.0 - it seems that only the Logos product page for Aland's Synopsis as an independent resource says it belongs to it. Could it be that this is simply misinformation? In this it would have come with the Minimal Crossgrade indeed. I still think it should be part of any Logos Base Package then, but that's another thing ...

Kevin Becker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/321920#Comment_321920

If memory serves (and it could be faulty) under Libronix the Aland Synopsis was a program module, an addon. To get it back in Libronix you might try running all of the update scripts, particularly this one: http://www.logos.com/media/update/LogosAddinsAutoUpdate.lbxupd

When Logos 4 was released they reworked the resource as a book, with a separate license need. So I believe you would need to have an L4 base package to see this resource.

Now, I don't really agree with the way this plays out. I remember the Aland Synopsis being offered as a resource in the marketing copy when it came to Logos. If I were you I would email CS and ask them to unlock it in L4.

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/321920#Comment_321920

Now I'm a little unsure. I reinstalled Libronix 3.0g today, but no sign of Aland's Synopsis there either - though I had been quite sure that I was working with it some years ago. On the other hand, neither the product page by the German Bible Society nor that by Logos indicate that it comes with the SESB 3.0 - it seems that only the Logos product page for Aland's Synopsis as an independent resource says it belongs to it. Could it be that this is simply misinformation? In this it would have come with the Minimal Crossgrade indeed.

Theolobias,

the original poster in the other thread over at SESB-Austausch remembered quite the same thing as you and he also referenced the booklet for SESB 3. My SESB 3 is only the green upgrade CD, but I have the brown/gold/yellow SESB 2 package. The handbook to SESB 2 explicitly references to Aland in section VI.3.c) on parallel passages, this is p.65 (German) resp. p.112 (English) and says "under Source you will find a synopsis of parallel traditions in the OT, the Aland-Synopsis of the Gospels, a synopsis of the Letter of Jude and the Second Letter of Peter" and there is a screenshot of Aland's synopsis. This section should be on p. 141 in the SESB 3 instruction manual.

You may want to check your CD for a folder like setup\datafiles\parallelpassages to find it.

I think that the makers of SESB regarded parallel passages as a functionality rather than a resource (after all it works on any bible and in any laguage you choose, unlike the printed harmonies) - note the filesize above.

Mick

Edit: just saw your crosspost in the German forum.

While I have no idea why this doesn't get installed with 3.0g - assuming you had synchronized all licences etc - maybe you need to run another update script (there are at least three of them), since this is not a resource, but a functionality with accompanied datafile.

Kevin Becker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/321938#Comment_321938

While I have no idea why this doesn't get installed with 3.0g - assuming you had synchronized all licences etc - maybe you need to run another update script (there are at least three of them), since this is not a resource, but a functionality with accompanied datafile.

If it's in the datafiles folder it could be this script too: http://www.logos.com/media/update/DataFilesAutoUpdate.lbxupd

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/321945#Comment_321945

Running the update scripts seems to have done the job - thank you very, very much, Mick and Kevin! [:)]

It still doesn't show up under "My Library", but when I open "Parallel Passages and Harmonies" I can choose "Synopsis of the Four Gospels (Aland)", so it's definitely there and working.

I'll write Customer Support and ask them to unlock the resource for L4.

Concerning the update scripts: I find it rather confusing having to run several scripts to get the full functionality - but then I guess that's just how Libronix works, and I don't plan to use it again. Anyway: Is there a wiki-site or something similar that lists all the scripts available for Libronix?

Thanks again!

Tobias [:)]

Kevin Becker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/321984#Comment_321984

Here are all the ones I'm aware of

Standard Update scripts
Resource Autoupdate: http://www.logos.com/media/update/ResourceAutoUpdate.lbxupd
Addins Autoupdate: http://www.logos.com/media/update/LogosAddinsAutoUpdate.lbxupd
Data Files Autoupdate: http://www.logos.com/media/update/DataFilesAutoUpdate.lbxupd
General: http://www.logos.com/media/update/SeriesXAutoUpdate.lbxupd
Smart Tags install: http://www.logos.com/media/update/SmartTagsAutoUpdate.lbxupd

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/321985#Comment_321985

Great! Thanks, Kevin!

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/321988#Comment_321988

Ok, now I'm a bit frustrated. This is the answer I received from Carla Schermerhorn from Customer Service:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the thread mj says he has access to the
book but his owned resources show

Book	Synopsis of the Four Gospels
Book	Synopsis of the Four Gospels (Aland)

While you only have

Book	Synopsis of the Four Gospels (Aland)

It
appears that the license you need to have is the Synopsis of the Four Gospels,
not by Aland. Your resource is part of an addin from Libronix that can be
found by going to Tools>Bible Comparison>Parallel Passages and
Harmonies. This is not the same resource that was mentioned in the forum
thread at http://www.logos.com/product/8890/synopsis-of-the-four-gospels.
I also don’t see anywhere that says that resource is part of SESB or that SESB
has this resource. You also mentioned the minimal Crossgrade page and
that does not mention this resource either.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

That doesn't explain why NewbieMick has Aland's Synopsis in his library (although I do not begrudge him ... [;)]). And it just doesnt seem very fair to me that I should have to pay double for a resource just because it was rebuilt in order to work properly in Logos 4, especially when one considers that I purchased a L4 base package as well (though it's only "Bible Study".)

What do you think? Anything else I could do here?

Thank you for your help! [:)]

Tobias Lampert

And then again: Why does it say here that Aland's Synopsis is part of SESB 3? I really don't get it.

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/325810#Comment_325810

While you only have

Book Synopsis of the Four Gospels (Aland)

This isn't true, is it - at least not according to your screenshot. Perhaps this means the CS rep has looked at your account and seen that Aland is unlocked, but not realised that it's not downloaded onto your system. If so, it might be worth trying to download the file, and SCANning it into Logos:

http://resources.assets.logos.com/lls_syn4gospaland/2009-10-27T02_52_09Z/SYN4GOSPALAND.logos4

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/325822#Comment_325822

Unfortunately, that didn't help either - the resource is still missing in my library. Thanks though for your efforts, Mark! [:)]

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/325827#Comment_325827

As you point out, if you go to http://www.logos.com/product/8890/synopsis-of-the-four-gospels,and look in the right-hand sidebar at the top, it says that it's included in SESB 3.0, and everything from Scholar's up.

So clearly the resource should be unlocked and available to you. I'd therefore treat this as a standard "my resource is missing" problem, rather than "there's something special about this resource because it's missing in L3 and L4" problem.

That means trying an "update now", and if that fails an "update resources", and if that fails another SCAN and restart with the file you downloaded earlier. Do all with logging turned on, and if it fails, upload the logs. Remember that when you restart the log file will be re-created, so make sure you copy the log before starting Logos back up.

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/325811#Comment_325811

And then again: Why does it say here that Aland's Synopsis is part of SESB 3? I really don't get it.

I think that's an error on the page, and that Logos mixed it up (the one creating the product pageas well as the CS rep you communicated with).

To me, the only logical explanation is that this resource exists in two versions (or rather: licences) - one for L3 and one for L4. Obviously both have the same content and are based on the book by Kurt Aland.

The L3 version is a datafile, not a resource file, and doesn't replicate the physical book but its functionality, that's probably why they missed out on this on the SESB CD cover and product page, nevertheless it is included in the SESB 3 (and who knows where else). That's what you have now. However, there was somehow no way for Logos to transfer these 1:1 to L4, they had to rebuild it.

The L4 version is a resource file that you can buy separately as well as get it in some base packages, including Minimal Crossgrade (not:Bible Study). Somehow Logos didn't put this into the Minimal Crossgrade page, maybe because they still thought along the lines of L3 and saw this as a Logos feature rather than a resource - the vague "Logos Bible Software 4 Excerpts" come to mind (and they were wrong about the NIV interlinears as well on this page).

FWIW, if I run the Account Summary in L3, I can see "Synopsis of the Four Gospels (Aland) " in a datafiles section under the Minimal Crossgrade as well as under the Upgrade to Catholic Scholars headings - the SESB content is not listed out for whatever reason.

That said, where the resource page reads that it's only L4, I would assume that this is wrong and that L3 regognizes the licence for the product as well. Otherwise, the page should at least state that the L3 version is not sold separately, but is contained in base packages and the SESB.

The SESB page and the MC page might be up for a clarification as well (after all, these products contain valuable resources and don't tell potential buyers).

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/325919#Comment_325919

I think you're right, Mick, since this was our (orgininally your [;)]) assumption from the beginning. Now I just don't know - would it be an insolence to ask Logos again to unlock it, since their product pages are the reason for all this confusion and since I payed for having this resource (even though it has been a datafile) - or would that be asked too much? I just don't see why I would pay 50 USD for this as a single resource when I once already had been able to do all the things there is to do with a synopsis in Libronix ...

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/325853#Comment_325853

As you point out, if you go to http://www.logos.com/product/8890/synopsis-of-the-four-gospels,and look in the right-hand sidebar at the top, it says that it's included in SESB 3.0, and everything from Scholar's up.

So clearly the resource should be unlocked and available to you. I'd therefore treat this as a standard "my resource is missing" problem, rather than "there's something special about this resource because it's missing in L3 and L4" problem.

That means trying an "update now", and if that fails an "update resources", and if that fails another SCAN and restart with the file you downloaded earlier. Do all with logging turned on, and if it fails, upload the logs. Remember that when you restart the log file will be re-created, so make sure you copy the log before starting Logos back up.

Thank you, Mark. I think Mick is right - however, I gave logging a shot. Here is the log file for after running "Update now" and "Update resources":

8666.Logos4.zip

And here are the log files for after scanning my resource folder:

4062.Logos4.zip

Thank you very much for having a look at them! [:)]

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/325989#Comment_325989

I think Mick is right

Sadly that looks like the case. The logs don't show any error, nor any mention of Aland at all. That almost certainly means it's not licenced to you. Various other threads (e.g. http://community.logos.com/forums/t/4812.aspx) suggest that having access to the add-in in L3 doesn't give you access to the resource in L4. Upgrading your base package to an L4 version is the only way to get that resource (which I presume you haven't done).

Nevertheless, you do have SESB 3.0, and the product page is clear (even if it's wrong). Personally, I'd telephone CS and try and argue my case for them to unlock that licence, on the basis of the information on the Aland product page. Failing that, I might try Sales, and explain the situation (that you have it in L3, that the product page says you should have it in L4), and ask them for their very, very best price.

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/326006#Comment_326006

Thank you for your help, Mark!

Upgrading your base package to an L4 version is the only way to get that resource (which I presume you haven't done).

That's the thing - I purchased the Bible Study base package last year, so I definitely have a L4 base package - unfortunately, Aland's synopsis comes with base packages beginning with Scholar's Library. The thing is that I really don't get Logos' sales policy: Aland's Synopsis seems to be part of the Minimal Crossgrade (that's why NewbieMick has a copy) - it just isn't reasonable to offer it with Minimal Crossgrade but not with a real base package like Bible Study.

I'll contact Sales or Customer Service again and ask them to have a look at this discussion again and maybe review their sales policy when it comes to Aland's Synopsis.

Thanks again! [:)]

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/326009#Comment_326009

They've been saying again and again that we'll never loose a resource we've once had. Plus it's clearly there on the product page. If CS won't help you, go straight to Dan. That is by far your best bet. (That is what I finally did after wasting countless hours arguing about two files that should have been in Master but weren't. Once I contacted Dan they turned up very quickly. They even found a third one I hadn't missed yet. Just wish I'd done it earlier.)

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/326073#Comment_326073

Thanks for letting me know, fgh! [:)]

Tobias Lampert

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/326076#Comment_326076

There are good news, guys! [:)] Carla just got back to me, and this is what she wrote:

"Through further research, we could not
determine why you did not have access to that resource beyond reasons already
stated. My supervisor has manually unlocked that resource to your account
for you. Once your licenses are synchronized, that resource should be
unlocked for your use. Please let us know if you need anything further."

Aland's Synopsis just downloaded onto my computer and is indexing right now.

There sometimes may be some confusion about things, but I really do appreciate all the time and help I receive from the Logos staff. In the end, they never leave me frustrated, even though it takes some time. So after all the complaining, let me finally say a big THANK YOU to Logos! [Y]

Ronald Quick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/326211#Comment_326211

Glad to hear that Logos worked things out for you!

Simon

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/326436#Comment_326436

I would like to see the text critical apparatus of Aland's synopsis (which is more complete and more up2date than the NA27-apparatus) in Logos.