Logos 4 Homepage has limited functionality

The new version seems to have a much better engine behind the scenes, but the user interface is a little disappointing. Specifically, the home page has very limited functionality in terms of customization, reducing its impact and power. For instance:

1. The Banner

There are four items in the banner, Read the <<bible>> in one year, Recent reading lists, Choose Preferred Bible, and a Roman Catholic lectionary.

Issue: I can't add or subtract any of the items in this list. I can rearrange them, but that's it. Since I'm not Roman Catholic, perhaps I could use one of the other five that I have in my library... but no, I can't modify, change, or select anything. I'm stuck with a Roman Catholic book that I'll never read.

Update: if I hide the resource (the Catholic Lectionery) (Tools / Program Settings) then a new Lectionery appears. I still don't get to pick, but I guess by process of elimination, I can remove the content. The disadvantage is that I no longer have ANY access to the resource, unless I un-hide it. This is a crunchy work around, but it will do for now.

Issue: Once I've selected a default bible, why do I need to see this option over and over?

Issue: There appear to be the ability to scroll left and right on the banner, but since I'm limited to these four items, it doesn't seem like there's much point, at least on my PC. Perhaps this is useful at lower resolutions.

2. The Home Page content

I love the new format...newspaperlike, helps me dig into my library casually, etc. This could be a great feature, but...

Issue: I can't add things or rearrange them in any way. At least with the banner, I could put things in order.

Issue: I can turn on or turn off content, but I can't add my own, such as a favorite book.

Issue: Checking the devotionals box gives me EVERY devotional, every day. There is no option to select a default one.

All in all, I'm happy to see a new version and it does appear that there is significant power under the hood. Smile

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Comments

Kevin Becker

Re: Lectionary, if you prioritize a lectionary it will replace the RC lectionary without having to hide all of them.

I agree that being able to rearrange the homepage would make it more useful. As it is I unchecked the box "show homepage at startup." Logos opens to my last layout and I can continue where I left off with my work.

Gregory A. Garner

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/34165#Comment_34165

Thanks for the help. It did the trick. Too bad tech support didn't know this when I called.

Can this prioritization feature work on general content too?

Jack Caviness

here are four items in the banner, Read the <<bible>> in one year, Recent reading lists, Choose Preferred Bible, and a Roman Catholic lectionary.

Issue: I can't add or subtract any of the items in this list. I can rearrange them, but that's it. Since I'm not Roman Catholic, perhaps I could use one of the other five that I have in my library... but no, I can't modify, change, or select anything. I'm stuck with a Roman Catholic book that I'll never read.

Gregory

If you add more Reading Lists, the new ones will appear to the left of the originals. I added three and the "Choose Preferred Bible" disappeared off the right side.

2. The Home Page content

…Issue: I can't add things or rearrange them in any way. At least with the banner, I could put things in order.

If you prioritize your devotionals, they will appear in order of priority when the Homepage is refreshed with the next day's content.

I haven't yet discovered a way to perform the other items you mentioned. Keep poking. No telling what you might discover [8-|]

Jack

Rev. Michael L. Burns

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/34165#Comment_34165

I agree with what has been said about the limitations of the L4 Homepage but I like it none the less. I also like being able to open to my last layout when opening if the Homepage is not set open on startup. I would like to see Logos make it so that if we load the Homepage at startup, it would default to our last layout upon leaving the Homepage, thus giving me the best of both worlds.

Michael

Jerry Bush

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/34187#Comment_34187

I am 100% agreement with the Banner area. I don't use a Bible reading plan nor do I use a lectionary. Why can I not put something useful up there or at least have the ability to turn it off?

It annoys me every time it opens, and I like the homepage otherwise.

Jerry

Jacob Hantla

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/34193#Comment_34193

I agree; more customization of such a valuable piece of the homepage is needed.

I use the reading plans (I love the feature to be able to assign reading plans to non-Biblical books as well), so I'm not personally annoyed. However, I understand how one could be. I would be annoyed if I saw the "Preferred Bible" or "lectionary" panel. I just have enough reading plans that I don't have to see them.

MJ. Smith

Since I'm not Roman Catholic, perhaps I could use one of the other five that I have in my library... but no, I can't modify, change, or select anything. I'm stuck with a Roman Catholic book that I'll never read.

No, Catholics are not that pushy ...

1) you can prioritize your lectionaries to get a lectionary of your choice ... I wish Logos would put the ISSL readings in as a choice, not for myself but because it would serve a community not covered by the lectionaries

2) you can hide all your lectionaries ... puff, the feature is not visible (I've heard, not tried)

Bob Pritchett

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/34193#Comment_34193

Why can I not put something useful up there or at least have the ability to turn it off?

What else would you like to see there?

Jon

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35725#Comment_35725

What else would you like to see there?

Recently added/updated (resources in my library)

A Facilitate Serendipitous Discovery button

Some sort of tip of the day (I frequently find people discussing things on the forum that I didn't know the program could do...)

When you mouse over any of the items in that panel a little close 'x' should appear in the top right corner, like in clippings.

The Logos logo in the top left corner could be a hyperlink to Logos' webpage.

spitzerpl

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35766#Comment_35766

Recently added/updated (resources in my library)

A Facilitate Serendipitous Discovery button

Some sort of tip of the day (I frequently find people discussing things on the forum that I didn't know the program could do...)

When you mouse over any of the items in that panel a little close 'x' should appear in the top right corner, like in clippings.

The Logos logo in the top left corner could be a hyperlink to Logos' webpage.

I'll add to that a favorite links section. Name a folder in favorites something like Home Page links and the links in there appear in a links section of the homepage.

Kevin A. Purcell

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/34388#Comment_34388

2) you can hide all your lectionaries ... puff, the feature is not visible (I've heard, not tried)

That's a bit drastic. I like having access to them even if I don't preach or read through the lectionary as a matter of habit.

What I'd like to be able to do is have the content in the main page include my reading list content itself. I use an RSS reader to subscribe to the Logos news. That's where I prefer it so I turn it off.

Also, why is the choose preferred bible on there? That seems like a do it once and ignore it kind of setting? Why does anyone want to see it every time they open? Are there some who change this a lot and if so why?

Jerry Bush

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35816#Comment_35816

I think all the above suggestions are good ones. I would like to put anything I want up there, although that is redundant since the shortcut bar already does that. On that note:

The homepage banner area is too fat. You could leave the Logos logo where it is (and hotlink it to the site), move the Go bar/button to the right of that, and then make the email address much smaller, under the logo. Then the whole banner can be made to be thinner. It seems like it is overly large for what goes there.

On the other hand, the shortcut bar is too thin. I love the idea, but the icons are so tiny that it is hard to remember what they are, for some of them at least.

Can we pretty please make the banner area more customizable?

Jerry

Robert Pavich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35725#Comment_35725

What else would you like to see there?

Well as long as you're asking....

how about just the ability to hide the whole thing and just read the homepage with only a search bar and the articles visible and not the other stuff?

I really don't care myself, how this goes...it's just the homepage..having a ribbon doesn't affect my abiltiy to read the paper....but as long as you asked....

Jerry Bush

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35838#Comment_35838

That would be fine too, but I don't want to lose my "Go" bar/button. In fact, I wish it would always be up there somewhere, just like the command bar. I would give up some shortcut space to have it.

Jerry

TCBlack

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35816#Comment_35816

What else would you like to see there?

Everything Jon Rumble said: http://community.logos.com/forums/p/4379/35766.aspx#35766

2) you can hide all your lectionaries ... puff, the feature is not visible (I've heard, not tried)

That's a bit drastic. I like having access to them even if I don't preach or read through the lectionary as a matter of habit.

I'm with you Kevin, I don't want it forced onto my ribbon, Hidden or not. But I do want to "once a year" look at it on my own through my library.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35766#Comment_35766

A Facilitate Serendipitous Discovery button

Some sort of tip of the day (I frequently find people discussing things on the forum that I didn't know the program could do...)

I'll add my (loud, strong, boisterous) support for these 2

Chris Burrows

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/36172#Comment_36172

I like all I've heard on here.

Maybe this is just me, but with the newspaper feel (I really like it) and feeling as though L4 is no longer something I just open when I need to study (or feel like studying for awhile), but it's instead turned into something I'm keeping open 24x7 (work, home, if it were on my Blackberry, there too *hint*) I'd really like an RSS reader added (or linked to from there). I guess for no other reason than to have everything in one spot.

For instance - if I wake up, grab my coffee, I open up Logos, do my devotions (right from the homepage) daily reading check (right from the homepage), check out my book of the day (right from the homepage), read any new posts on the Logos blog (right from the homepage) and oh yeah all my RSS feeds that I've currently got tied to somewhere else...

So that's my ritual anyhow. I think it'd be cool. Plus since everything is synched automatically it'd go where you go...

TCBlack

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/36224#Comment_36224

For instance - if I wake up, grab my coffee, I open up Logos, do my devotions (right from the homepage) daily reading check (right from the homepage), check out my book of the day (right from the homepage), read any new posts on the Logos blog (right from the homepage) and oh yeah all my RSS feeds that I've currently got tied to somewhere else...

With or without the additional RSS feeds, I too would love to have my reading plan, and my preferred devotional(s) displayed in FULL on the home page.

Todd Phillips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/36227#Comment_36227

I too would love to have my reading plan, and my preferred devotional(s) displayed in FULL on the home page.

Thumbs up. If the homepage had actual content (instead of the list of links that it is now), I would use it.

Chris Burrows

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/36227#Comment_36227

With or without the additional RSS feeds, I too would love to have my reading plan, and my preferred devotional(s) displayed in FULL on the home page.

I guess if we can tweak what all is there, yes. Otherwise, I'd run out of screen space.

To add - I know an RSS reader IN Logos is something that isn't Logos
specific (or even Bible Study specifc.) I
figure it's functionality doesn't need to be great with lots of features - I just like the idea of having a one stop shop when it comes
to routine and with L4, that's what Logos is becoming... I just have it
open now - a lot more than I did with L3.

TCBlack

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/36232#Comment_36232

To add - I know an RSS reader IN Logos is something that isn't Logos
specific

Actually the RSS reader is already there, it picks up the Logos blog and the Mo proctor blog's. It just isn't customizable.

Chris Burrows

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/36237#Comment_36237

To add - I know an RSS reader IN Logos is something that isn't Logos
specific
Actually the RSS reader is already there, it picks up the Logos blog and the Mo proctor blog's. It just isn't customizable.

Good point!

Damian McGrath

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35838#Comment_35838

ow about just the ability to hide the whole thing and just read the homepage

Robert,

I'm pretty sure that Bob very purposefully chose to ask only "what else would you like to see?" and NOT "what less would you like to see?"

But, this is what I'd like on occasion not to see - the ribbon. I'd like it to be collapsible (like Google Reader side bar).

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35725#Comment_35725

What else would you like to see there?

I would love the ability to somehow merge my preaching plan (normally organised in Excel) onto the menu bar. I know this would not be taken up by lots of people but it would be a huge usability plus for Minister's like myself. The ability to open one program and do my whole research and sermon prep would be great.

I really like the menu bar and have loved having the reading plan and lectionary readings however, like others, I am frustrated at how to remove unwanted plans and unwanted material.

Just adding my 2cents to the conversation!

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/36310#Comment_36310

my preaching plan (normally organised in Excel) onto the menu bar.

This is similar functionality to what I wish to see in lectionaries and/or reading plans. I do want personal, date related lists of scriptures

Albert Esselbrugge

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35725#Comment_35725

How about the ability to install shortcuts to programs (eg MSWord etc)?

Stephen Aldrich

I agree with with GregoryAGarner. The homepage is a disappointment. Our denomination does not use a lectionary. The reading lists are not very useful. I don't need to change my preferred version every time I use Logos. I also use Daily Walk for a reading plan. So... that pretty much leaves the banner as a waste of screen space for many of us. I'd like to see the Bible Study Guides (entry boxes) moved there... or layouts... or choice of devotionals.... or how about a "search index" for available reading lists??

I like the concept of the "newspaper" homepage, but the layout is a scattered mish-mash of partial articles. Since the homepage usually has several "pages", how about page one devotional, featured book of the day and links to the next pages. Page two blog posts, page three Logos news and prepubs... page 4 hints and tips... you get the idea. (I certainly don't need to see "Welcome to Logos 4" every time I enter the program. And I don't need to see an artist rendition of an ox cart, either).[:)]

The tweaks of 4.0a were supposed to include "customization" of the home page. Well, being able to turn things off or rearrange the 4 items on the banner is hardly customization....

please put this on a wish list somewhere.

nice program though.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/36629#Comment_36629

How about the ability to install shortcuts to programs (eg MSWord etc)?

It's already there is the shortcut bar. Just make the shortcut on the desktop and drag it to the shortcut bar ... I've been having a little trouble with the shortcuts "dying" on me, but it generally works well.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/65659#Comment_65659

The tweaks of 4.0a were supposed to include "customization" of the home page.

I think the only thing 4.0a supposedly changed was the ability to remove items from the ribbon. My own inclination is not to give modifications to the home page priority until some other promised features appear - for example, I would expect the Prayer List to be a ribbon item. I'd MUCH rather have the programmers getting printing to work, fixing the note search problem, getting sermons and PBB working than dinking around with the home page.

Think of me as a town crier rampaging through the forums saying "enough already = who cares about the home page if the notes can't be printed"

J.R. Miller

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/35816#Comment_35816

Also, why is the choose preferred bible on there? That seems like a do it once and ignore it kind of setting? Why does anyone want to see it every time they open? Are there some who change this a lot and if so why?

So many users were confused in L3 and could not find the "settings" so Logos tried to make it more obvious to first time users.

In some regard, I like it there because sometimes I change my preferred Bible for different kinds of study and quick access helps me make the change with few mouse clicks.

Robert Pavich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/65659#Comment_65659

Stephen,

In my mind, the homepage is not the "main study area" of Logos and as such, the discussions on what the ribbon should or shouldn't be leave me baffled.

It's nice to read the homepage articles over morning coffee, and I do...but for study? I don't even fire it up...I open to a blank desktop and go from there. [:D]

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/65673#Comment_65673

Also, why is the choose preferred bible on there? That seems like a do it once and ignore it kind of setting? Why does anyone want to see it every time they open? Are there some who change this a lot and if so why?
So many users were confused in L3 and could not find the "settings" so Logos tried to make it more obvious to first time users.

I think a better way to do it would be a one-time "setup wizard" that you have to run through in order to get the program set up to use your preferred Bible, top resources in various categories, and a collection or two, with a final instruction page telling the user where to find these things if they want to change them later. Basically, all of us have to go through some setup in order to get Logos really usable. Just as you'd expect a wizard to guide you through that kind of necessary setup before being able to use your personal finance software (create your accounts and enter the beginning balances, etc.), so Logos should provide that hand-holding to first-time users to help them get it set up. It isn't really usable "right out of the box" like some other kinds of software (word processor) are.

Robert Pavich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/65727#Comment_65727

I think a better way to do it would be a one-time "setup wizard" that you have to run through in order to get the program set up to use your preferred Bible, top resources in various categories, and a collection or two, with a final instruction page telling the user where to find these things if they want to change them later.

I agree, it would stop a lot of discussion if this was the first thing you saw when you fired logos up:

Hello! Welcome....

Before you begin using Logos 4 you have to do a few things...Let's get started!

check the box beside your favorite English bible translation.

Good! Now let's pick your favorite Greek Lexicons...

Drag the first 5 lexicons to the order in which you would like to see them when you click on a Greek word.

Good! now let's do the same for hebrew....

etc....

that would really help a lot....kinda like "Microsoft Bob" but in this case it would be "Logos Bob"

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/65729#Comment_65729

I agree, it would stop a lot of discussion if this was the first thing you saw when you fired logos up:

Hello! Welcome....

Before you begin using Logos 4 you have to do a few things...Let's get started!

check the box beside your favorite English bible translation.

Good! Now let's pick your favorite Greek Lexicons...

Yes, that's the idea! Except of course it would be smart enough and only ask you questions that were relevant for your particular base package. If you had no Greek Lexicons it wouldn't ask you to pick your favorite ones.

that would really help a lot....kinda like "Microsoft Bob" but in this case it would be "Logos Bob"

I can see it now...a little icon of Bob Pritchett in the lower corner pops up and asks you questions as you work, like the Microsoft Office paperclip: "I see you've been dragging lots of books into your collection; did you know you could make a rule for that and include them all dynamically? Here, let me show you how..."

Randall Hartman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/65735#Comment_65735

I think the homepage needs to have a different recipe each day from the employees at Logos. If this software was any good at all the recipes would reflect the time of year. For example, around Christmas there would be recipes for Christmas cookies and at Thanksgiving a recipe for turkey dressing. Until this happens I will continue to bypass the homepage! [8-)]

Damian McGrath

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/65727#Comment_65727

I think a better way to do it would be a one-time "setup wizard"

Something I suggested numerous times in the Beta...