Using Logos better (advice needed)

Recently I came to the conclusion that I was not using Logos to it's full potential. I have spent some time organizing things and have seen it pay off in sermon prep.

The one thing I need input on is notes/clippings.

A. I have too many note files.... how many of you use one large one for OT and another for NT? Does it work ok in L5?

B. I would like to develop a system to preserve my study work so when I am on the text or subject I can use it again. The question is what is the best way of doing this? Do I build it off notes on the text, linking clippings to subjects that arise? How do you use tagging?

* I am looking for any input, Logos is powerful, but I don't think I am using it right in this area. Thanks

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David Taylor, Jr.

A few things:

Notes IMHO leave much to be desired in Logos. I have many smaller note files for various different things.

I usually prepare a sermon using a clippings document and then title that clippings document the sermon title or topic.

I don't use tags in Logos.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

Depends on size of "Notes"; Logos is a 32 bit application that has a 4 GB addressing limit. Notes are stored in XML, which can significantly increase the storage used. One meaning for XML is eXcessive Markup Language.

Notes was designed for smallish notes, which are written in a margin of a Bible. A number of Logos users have GB's of Notes; couple of them have posted crashes with out of bounds errors; suspect their Notes are now bigger than 4 GB. Logos development is working on a Notes editor replacement, which is not (yet) ready for public use.

For large files, Personal Books can be tagged and compiled for use in Logos; wiki has => http://wiki.logos.com/Personal_Books

Personal Books can be used for a personal commentary, which can be linked with Bibles and other commentaries.

Keep Smiling [:)]

tom

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/431590#Comment_431590

Notes are stored in XML

It is my understanding that notes are stored in RTF format, which is by far harder to work with compared to XML. Because notes are stored in a database, they are compressed so that they do not use much disk space.

A number of Logos users have GB's of Notes

Wow, I thought I had lots of notes, and my db file is 'only' 105 MB.

As someone who has lots and lots and lots of notes and lots and lots and lots of note files. Each note file has unique information. For an example, I have six note files with information about hymns. Each note file has information only about hymns in one hymnal.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/431614#Comment_431614

Notes are stored in XML
It is my understanding that notes are stored in RTF format, which is by far harder to work with compared to XML. Because notes are stored in a database, they are compressed so that they do not use much disk space.

Looking at the binary large object content for one of my Note titles: To-do list, noticed tagging:

Another note title Logos 4.3 fixed bullet capabilities in Logos 4 Mac Notes has a some more tagging:

Looking at wikipedia article => https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Text_Format noted RTF format 1.9.1 can include XML for Office 2007 along with Title tagging looking different than RTF tagging.

Odd note: the Title column name includes Compressed, yet the Title appears to not be compressed. In contrast, the note content column is compressed.

Thankful for friendly forum discussion, which has expanded my boundaries of ignorance. The "out of bound" error and crash for a couple Logos users when editing their Notes is a bit more perplexing; the Logos database stores each note within a note file as a separate row in a database table.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Andy

Hi Mike,

A. I have too many note files.... how many of you use one large one for OT and another for NT? Does it work ok in L5?

In the early days of L4, I did arrange my Bible notes in two single OT and NT note files, but found the performance to be sluggish and near unusable (this may well have been fixed in later versions of L4/L5). At this time, I then divided my note files by books of the Bible (e.g. Matthew, The Gospel of - Notes, Galatians, Epistle to - Notes, etc.). Many of these notes (attached to bible references) summarise background reading on that particular verse. I will commonly include links to other references within the notes.

I separately maintain note files with background information and secondary reading, again identified by books of the Bible (e.g. Matthew, The Gospel of - Background reading). Generally these note files will summarise background and contextual information which may not relate directly to a specific passage or verse (hence the separate file). Initially I stored this information via clippings (which have the advantage of tagging). I switched to notes as I tend to review my study by either browsing note files or flicking through books checking out highlighted and annotated sections. For this reason, I primarily use note files... I am also holding out in hope that Logos may introduce tagging for note files.

I separately maintain note files pertaining to themes or theological topics (e.g. Trinity, The Doctrine of - Notes, etc.). These note files will link to references across my reading and study. Again, this suits may way of working and enables me to review my study by simply browsing through a particular note file.

Finally, if I am reading a book cover to cover, I will maintain a separate note file specific to that book (e.g. Piper, John, Desiring God - Notes).

Oftentimes, I will duplicate a note (i.e. I will add a note to the book specific note file and then to the topical note file) for ease of future reference.

I then arrange all my note files in Favourites. I heavily utilise favourites to organise my work (and key reading) by topic,

I am not suggesting that this way of working is perfect, but it suits my needs. I am certain other people will share their way of working which can then be adapted according to your interests and way of working.