Audio Books for Logos!!!???

Does anyone know if Logos will make a strong push for adding more audio books to the library? I am on the road a lot and rely on audio books a lot. This would be a great service. I know there are other audio resources out there, but it would be nice to have everything in one place.

Blessings,

Tom

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JT (alabama24)

Hey Thomas.

Bob has asked if there is interest before, but I don't know if they will make a push for it or not. Personally, I don't really have any desire for Logos to make such a push… I don't see any advantage in it. What were you thinking? Did I miss something?

Thomas P. Fox

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389035#Comment_389035

Thanks for the reply. As I mentioned in my message; I am on the road driving a lot and rely on listening to the Bible and audio books. Audio books are becoming more popular and available and it would be nice to have more Logos resources in an audio version.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389054#Comment_389054

it would be nice to have more Logos resources in an audio version.

Yes, but there are other companies selling "Christian Audiobooks." Why not purchase them there? I can't think of a single reason to purchase them from Logos. The primary company I am thinking of actually does some of the recordings. When you purchase it from Amazon, it comes from this other company. Cut out the middle man and buy it from them directly.

Thomas P. Fox

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389064#Comment_389064

Sorry if I seem abrupt, but I don't think you really read my message. I already acknowledged that there are other
resources out there for audio books. I also already mentioned it
would be extremely efficient to have one resource for all my Biblical study needs. Also, the trucking industry is the largest employer in the U.S. next to the government, so this could be of great benefit to many. This could also benefit those who enjoy exercising. I listen to the Bible while I ride my bike. Having Logos as my only Bible study resource is just thinking in an efficient, productive, and wise manner. Not sure why this would be difficult to see the benefit.

Alan Charles Gielczyk

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389070#Comment_389070

I'm with Alabama on this one. What is so inefficient about using a separate app for audiobooks. I see no reason to have them in Logos, you can't search them, do a word study with them, include them in the passage or exegetical guide. I don't see how audiobooks in Logos could be beneficial or efficient.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389070#Comment_389070

Sorry if I seem abrupt, but I don't think you really read my message. I already acknowledged that there are other
resources out there for audio books. I also already mentioned it
would be extremely efficient to have one resource for all my Biblical study needs.

I didn't think you were abrupt… or did you mean your last post? Either way, it's ok to disagree. [:)]

Also, the trucking industry is the largest employer in the U.S. next to the government, so this could be of great benefit to many. This could also benefit those who enjoy exercising. I listen to the Bible while I ride my bike.

I understand completely. I just drove across country by myself and was VERY glad to have several audiobooks & podcasts. I also listen to stuff while I run.

Having Logos as my only Bible study resource is just thinking in an efficient, productive, and wise manner. Not sure why this would be difficult to see the benefit.

I guess you are wanting audiobook functionality added to the mobile app? I just don't think its a good idea. Others have asked about a "read aloud" feature, but that is a different thing altogether. ["Read Aloud" takes the text from a book and has a computer generate the voice. "Audio books" require someone to actually read the text and they are not tied to a text file in any way].

The two main reasons I lean against this recommendation:

It seems like you are wanting to use the same app. Personally, I would not want the mobile app to get bogged down. I would prefer to have a separate app. Apple just did this for podcasts and its great. It would be VERY cumbersome to try to fiddle with the Logos mobile app, driving down the road, to get an audiobook to play.
As I said before, there is another company which actually does much of the recordings. Amazon/Audible uses these recordings when you purchase from them. Logos would ether have to start recording themselves, or pay the other company to do it. I think this would be outside of Logos expertise. If Bob decides to go this route (and again, he did ask about it), I would be willing to entertain the idea of buying audiobooks from Logos/Vyrso/Whatevertheycallit, but ONLY if it is very competitive in price & quality.

Thomas P. Fox

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389093#Comment_389093

Thanks for being understanding! You are making some good points. I can see how Logos would be in essence recreating the wheel when there are other audio options available. I guess I'm an idealist and believe things can always be improved from an efficiency and productivity standpoint. I'm also thinking something could be added that would not necessarily be cumbersome to use whether it is for an App or Full version for a laptop. Maybe some partnering could go on, where Logos can integrate Amazon/Audible into its software.

tom

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389109#Comment_389109

Thanks for being understanding! You are making some good points. I can see how Logos would be in essence recreating the wheel when there are other audio options available. I guess I'm an idealist and believe things can always be improved from an efficiency and productivity standpoint. I'm also thinking something could be added that would not necessarily be cumbersome to use whether it is for an App or Full version for a laptop. Maybe some partnering could go on, where Logos can integrate Amazon/Audible into its software.

I agree with alabama24 and Alan, I do not see how adding an audio book option to Logos 4 app or desktop program will be an improvement. As Alan said, " You can't search them, do a word study with them, include them in the passage or exegetical guide."

David Thomas

If I hear everyone right, maybe this is a feature that COULD be added to the Vyrso app since the Vyrso resources are meant more for "reading through" rather than "studying and searching". This could provide another distribution outlet for those who make audiobooks and would keep the Logos App from getting too complicated or feature-rich.

Thomas P. Fox

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389124#Comment_389124

Good point! However, I have always wondered why Logos would promote the Vyrso App? It doesn't make sense to have Vyrso when we can read books in Logos. It makes no sense to me to have an extra App, when my first App (Logos) already does what I need, that is to read books. Maybe you can clue me in on that one. I can kind of understand concern over adding more to the full version of Logos, but then again Logos is already a highly complex piece of software. I don't think adding audio books would make it more complex. Just because Logos is built for deep study doesn't mean it can't be used for simpler functions as well.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389174#Comment_389174

I have always wondered why Logos would promote the Vyrso App? It doesn't make sense to have Vyrso when we can read books in Logos. It makes no sense to me to have an extra App, when my first App (Logos) already does what I need, that is to read books. Maybe you can clue me in on that one.

The Vyrso app is essentially a scaled back version of the Logos Mobile App. It is designed for people who would primarily read Vyrso (trade) eBooks, but would not use, have access to, or perhaps even understand some of the other features.

I can kind of understand concern over adding more to the full version of Logos, but then again Logos is already a highly complex piece of software. I don't think adding audio books would make it more complex. Just because Logos is built for deep study doesn't mean it can't be used for simpler functions as well.

I hesitate to respond again for fear that it will appear I am "piling on." I dont mean to do so, and I hope you take my comments in that light. [:)] With that said, if Logos pursues audio books, they will need to 1) design a new, separate mobile app or 2) utilize pre-exisiting apps from other developers. An eBook app would NEVER be a good choice for audio book playback.

In your previous posts, you mentioned that you would want to play audiobooks while you are driving and running. The Logos Mobile app is GREAT... but it is not meant to be operated 70 MPH or while running on a treadmill. The way you would design an app for audio playback should look and feel COMPLETELY different than an eBook app. Take a look at Apple's new Podcast App to see how Apple has taken this functionality out of its Music App to improve its usability. It is much more intuitive to navigate podcasts in the new app rather than in the old Music app. Actually, I wish I could add eBooks to the podcast app... perhaps I can. I should look into that. [:)]

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389080#Comment_389080

First, Alabama: You separate read aloud of existing books from audiobooks. The point is: we do this because we are thinking in different categories that rely on the historical development of ebooks versus audiobooks. Actually, the function of these is very identical: it's another medium to transport the content of a text. While read-aloud is a wonderful feature that processes written text "on the fly", audio resources contain this text in a pre-recorded form. That's all. Actually we already have this in some resources right now.

I don't subscribe that the look and feel of an audio-book application would need to be much different from an application that supports read-aloud of written content in a user-friendly manner. I think this should be much the same. Maybe Logos needs to do some tweeks on the desktop applications forthe read-aloud, and I could easily imagine an additional skin/screen/app/whatever that is geared to use read-aloud on mobile devices while driving or running.

I see no reason to have them in Logos, you can't search them, do a word study with them, include them in the passage or exegetical guide.

I think that's were the beef is. As someone in my 40's, I'm a text person. I like to review arguments in their written form, follow all these footnotes and links to even more resources. Actually I hate it when somewhere in the web someone links to a theological argument presented in a 50min MP3 or a youtube video. It's so inefficient to scan such resources for the structure of the reasoning, to pinpoint the major points etc.!

But there are people that are audio or video persons. And there is much content that is only available in Podcasts or video recordings. It seems to be more this-century than written text that requires structuring and polishing. Some content may be ideally suited to audio or video presentation. I'm thinking e.g. of Francis Schaeffer's "How should we then live" - a comment on the history of culture and art. I can read it in text form, but to watch the video which shows the numerous paintings and buildings he discusses is quite another thing.

From another thread I learned that there are audio and video resources in Libronix. If they are tagged allong the recording timeline, or coupled with a transcript, people actually can search them and include them in a guide. You may know of the resources on Bill Mounce's Biblicaltraining.org site - many are audio recordings, some have a transcript. If they have, I tend to print it and work through it while listening. Regent College has some fine audio recordings they offer. Often this is content that would do well as a book, but no one produced it. Why shouldn't Logos carry such stuff in audio book format, coupled with the information that is needed to find it in searches, research the cited literature, have bible verses linked etc. I'd be glad.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389192#Comment_389192

Mick - thanks for your insights [:)]

I still maintain that a separate app should be used. I would prefer that Logos NOT be like a pocket knife. Yes, it has a magnifying glass. Yes, it has a nail file. Yes, it has a saw. But it doesn't have a GOOD one of any. In a bind, it would be useful, but it is designed for a pinch, not to be used everyday. The "read aloud" feature, in my opinion, is the same thing.

The only thing that makes me hesitate in my answer is when you write this:

From another thread I learned that there are audio and video resources in Libronix. If they are tagged allong the recording timeline, or coupled with a transcript, people actually can search them and include them in a guide.

I am unaware of this feature, and see that it could be useful. I also see that it would make already too expensive audiobooks even more expensive, so I would probably pass.

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389215#Comment_389215

Yes, it has a magnifying glass. Yes, it has a nail file. Yes, it has a saw.

I can see the magnifying glass and I guess the saw is the Hide feature, but where is the nail file?[:P]

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389220#Comment_389220

I can see the magnifying glass and I guess the saw is the Hide feature, but where is the nail file?

The "handouts" feature (a parity area with Mac). Apparently its so bad, its like nails on a chalk board. [:D]

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389215#Comment_389215

From another thread I learned that there are audio and video resources in Libronix. If they are tagged allong the recording timeline, or coupled with a transcript, people actually can search them and include them in a guide.

I am unaware of this feature, and see that it could be useful.

Regarding the L3 videos (which were scheduled to be in L4 for some time, but IIRC have been delayed because the existing format would only play on MS Mediaplayer and Bob wanted to make them available cross-platform), Andrew once made a screencast showing their - albeit limited - integration.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389228#Comment_389228

Thanks for the link, Mick. [:)]

JONAS ALEXANDRE

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389192#Comment_389192

Well said NB.Mick: "

"Why shouldn't Logos carry such stuff in audio book format, coupled with the information that is needed to find it in searches, research the cited literature, have bible verses linked etc. I'd be glad. " Me too!. Personally, I have gradually converted my textbooks library into Logos ebooks library. When I'm at the Gym or driving on the road, I use audio resources from Oneplace.com, Sermonaudio.com, GTY.com, Audiobooks.com, kindle, and etc. As the PREMIER platform for biblical education, I would love Logos to be my "one-stop" shopping source for biblical books and commentaries. Hope they are reading this forum.
Jonas

Bruce Nelson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/389174#Comment_389174

The ereader (formerly Vyrso) is also of great value to those who do not have a device capable of running Logos.