I Do not understand the Point!

Pastor Michael Huffman
Pastor Michael Huffman Member Posts: 634 ✭✭
edited November 21 in English Forum

Perhaps I do not fully understand the why, but here goes and maybe you guys can give me some clarification.

What is the point of a Logos app for Windows? If you are running a windows 8 computer, which you are if you are downloading the app and if you have the Logos Bible Software on that computer, which most uses do; it seems to me to be pointless to have an app. Now, if you use it on the windows phone, I would see the point, but you cannot. I guess you could use it on a windows 8 tablet, which I do not think at this point has a large market share. It seems to me that Logos should have funneled their resources to build an app for the phone, not the computer that is already running Logos Bible Software. Or am I looking at this wrong.

Bob talks about how by market share you gauge importance, I do not see a large market share, yet,  with windows tablets. Certainly no more than windows 8 phones. Just seems that Logos was misdirected in its avenue to take. Thanks for listening.

Pastor Michael Huffman, Th.A Th.B Th.M

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Comments

  • Mark Barnes
    Mark Barnes Member Posts: 15,432 ✭✭✭

    Bob talks about how by market share you gauge importance, I do not see a large market share, yet,  with windows tablets. Certainly no more than windows 8 phones. Just seems that Logos was misdirected in its avenue to take. Thanks for listening.

    The Logos app for Windows is extremely basic, and I doubt much development time was spent on it. It was probably as an experiment - partly to see the programming challenges (as a halfway house between desktop and mobile, it would have made a good learning ground), and partly to see what the take-up might be.

    This is my personal Faithlife account. On 1 March 2022, I started working for Faithlife, and have a new 'official' user account. Posts on this account shouldn't be taken as official Faithlife views!

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 13,440 ✭✭✭

    Just to avoid confusion, the app doesn't run on platforms that Logos5 runs on ... the two are not interchangable.  Windows8 is sold with two non-interchangable and separate systems.  The Logos5 one is the legacy one (Pro); typically tablets run on the other one.

    So, then the point (or lack thereof) would be tablets vs phones which I assume you want phones?

    EDIT: Ok, reading Mark, now it does appear to be confused. Or me!

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • David Thomas
    David Thomas Member Posts: 3,247 ✭✭✭
    What is the point of a Logos app for Windows? If you are running a windows 8 computer, which you are if you are downloading the app and if you have the Logos Bible Software on that computer, which most uses do; it seems to me to be pointless to have an app.
    Most of the Bible! app development happened before Windows 8 was available to the public. Nobody knew if the Windows 8 RT operating system would take off. Logos invested in creating a BASIC app that would be available in the Windows store for those who did buy into the Windows 8 RT operating system. When the marketplace voted with their wallets and mostly avoided the Windows 8 RT devices, Logos decided to invest VERY LITTLE in further development of that program.
    I guess you could use it on a windows 8 tablet, which I do not think at this point has a large market share.
    That is exactly why Logos is not investing in adding many further functions to the Win8 app.

    Making Disciples! Logos Ecosystem = LogosMax on Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (Win11), Android app on tablet, FSB on iPhone & iPad mini, Proclaim (Proclaim Remote on Fire Tablet).

  • Mark Barnes
    Mark Barnes Member Posts: 15,432 ✭✭✭

    Ok, reading Mark, now it does appear to be confused. Or me!

    The situation is more complicated that you suggest.

    1. You're right that there are two separate platforms: 'desktop' Windows, and what is often called 'metro' Windows apps (the latter are sometimes called Windows Store Apps by Microsoft). This latter platform is officially called Windows Runtime (not to be confused with Windows RT).
    2. There are also two separate Operating Systems: Windows 8 and Windows RT.
    3. Computers running Windows RT can only run 'metro' apps. Computers running Windows 8 or 8.1 can both desktop apps and 'metro' apps.
    4. To add to the confusion, computers that run Windows RT generally run on ARM processors. Computers running Windows 8 generally run on Intel processors. The two are not fully compatible, which means not all 'metro' apps are compatible with both types of computer. In practice this means some 'metro' apps will therefore only run on Windows 8 computers, not on Windows RT (which was true of the Logos app at launch).
    5. Windows Phone uses a third OS called Windows Phone 8. This is similar, but not identical to Windows RT. It's runtime is called Windows Phone Runtime. Again it's similar but not identical. Apps need to be written specifically for it, but some code from a Windows RT app could potentially be re-used.
    6. The Logos app runs in Windows Runtime, on both Intel and ARM processors. That means it will run on computers using Windows 8 and Windows RT, but not Windows Phone 8.

    This Wikipedia article may help (or not).

    This is my personal Faithlife account. On 1 March 2022, I started working for Faithlife, and have a new 'official' user account. Posts on this account shouldn't be taken as official Faithlife views!

  • Simon’s Brother
    Simon’s Brother Member Posts: 6,816 ✭✭✭

    I have I opted to remain on Windows 7 for now so haven't seen the app in question, but my thoughts on it at this point is that it could have its place as a basic e-reader for times when you simply want to read a book and not be distracted by the full feature set of Logos 5.

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 13,440 ✭✭✭

    Whew!  Thanks, Mark. That was a good description. I'm glad I got my iOS'y one.

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • Mark Groen
    Mark Groen Member Posts: 27

    Marketshare of Windows RT is not a very good reason to not have a better Windows Store App.

    Windows 8 isn't going anywhere and more and more devices are using touch screens.  A better Windows Store App would be not just for RT devices but for people with touch screen laptops, x86 tablets, or even people who prefer a more simplistic layout to use with a mouse.

    It is my understanding that it is relatively easy to compile a program for ARM after you have made an x86 version.  This is from developers I have spoken to who have made Windows Store Apps.

  • Mike Childs
    Mike Childs Member Posts: 3,117 ✭✭✭

    Just to avoid confusion, the app doesn't run on platforms that Logos5 runs on ... the two are not interchangable.  Windows8 is sold with two non-interchangable and separate systems.  The Logos5 one is the legacy one (Pro); typically tablets run on the other one.

    So, then the point (or lack thereof) would be tablets vs phones which I assume you want phones?

    EDIT: Ok, reading Mark, now it does appear to be confused. Or me!

    Of course, the Surface Pro 2 runs Logos 5 very well, and also runs the Logos app.  I personally have not run the Logos app, so I can't comment on how good or bad it is.  I have no problem reading all my books in Logos 5 on my tablet by floating the panel to full screen and just using my finger to scroll the book. 

    So I see no reason to download another app to do the same thing.  But the Logos app and Vyrso app are both available.  I also suspect that I would have to download separate copies of my resources to use both the Logos 5 and the Logos app.  (Unless, of course, I wanted to read off the cloud, which I don't.)  Why would I want to do that?  I keep thinking I would like to test the Logos app, but then I don't.  After all, the reason I bought the Surface Pro 2 was to get away from the ios app.


    "In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley

  • Terry Roberts
    Terry Roberts Member Posts: 46 ✭✭

    Aloha and good afternoon folks

    I think I got it now. We are talking about two different apps.

    1.  Full-blown Logos 5 which is downloaded and installed from logos.com This will run just fine on a Surface Pro 2

    2.  A "scaled-back" version of Logos downloaded and installed from the WindowsStore. This also will work for a Surface Pro 2, but was really designed for "RT" version?

    I want to make sure I got it togerher, as I am proably going to bu a Surface Pro 2 and lose my iPad.  I would really like to roll to Windows Phone 8 as well.  But that is a decision I cn defer for now.

    Any and all help/comments/suggestions gratefully accepted.

  • Russ White
    Russ White Member Posts: 549 ✭✭

    This is, in fact, the primary reason. Windows 8 has two "modes," one that operates like a tablet, and one that operates like a laptop. Metro apps, as they're called, are always full screen, and look like ipad apps. My wife, for instance, uses a Lenovo Yoga, an i5 machine with an 11in screen, and a full size keyboard that flips around to become a tablet. She finds Logos really, really, painful to use in tablet mode, and yet the "app," doesn't have anything like the capabilities of the ipad app. So she uses an ipad in church, rather than her Lenovo -- simply because the Logos app in the Windows store has no ability to highlight, look at two books at the same time, or much of anything else. 

  • Mike Childs
    Mike Childs Member Posts: 3,117 ✭✭✭

    The Surface Pro 2 is the best Logos experience available in my opinion, using Logos 5.  Use it as a tablet for extended reading.  It does a great job as an ebook reader for Logos, including highlighting.

    Snap on the keyboard for heavy study.  Logos does great in using a combination of the touch screen along with the keyboard.  It will amaze you how natural the touch screen works for Logos.  Of course, Logos 5 is not designed for touch screen only, and the keyboard is very helpful.  I find a  Bluetooth mouse helpful. 

    It is the best of both worlds. 


    "In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley

  • Bill Anderson
    Bill Anderson Member Posts: 603 ✭✭

    While not as fast as the Surface Pro 2, my Asus Vivotab Note 8 runs Logos really well. Scrolling through multiple resources in windows and highlighting with the stylus is great. 

    One thing it has up on the Surface Pro 2 -- it is much lighter and easier to hold for extended periods.

  • Terry Roberts
    Terry Roberts Member Posts: 46 ✭✭

    Aloha and good afternoon Michael

    When you installed Logos 5 on your Surface Pro 2, I assume you installed via the installer on the website and not the app from Windows Store?

    About how long did it take?  And how did the indexing go? (just being nosy).

    Not sure when I can get to the Microsoft Store, but get there I will.

    Mahalo and God Bless/terry

  • Mark
    Mark Member Posts: 66

    Although I'm not Michael, (I do have a brother Michael), I installed Logos 5 via the installer on the website. I don't remember how long it took but the indexing was a long time (which it usually is when installing a fresh version). I do not have the app version seeing it's useless for what I want to do which is why I went with the Pro 2. I originally had the RT but sold that and bought the 256GB Pro 2.

  • Phil Bignill
    Phil Bignill Member Posts: 4 ✭✭

    I have a dell venue pro 8 but haven't been game to download the full logos program with all my books because it would take up too much hard drive space. I was hoping for a decent app that can actually be used but doesn't look like one is coming. How did you get yours logos 5 on your tablet without it chewing up all your hard drive space

  • Paul Golder
    Paul Golder Member Posts: 1,698

    I have a dell venue pro 8 but haven't been game to download the full logos program with all my books because it would take up too much hard drive space. I was hoping for a decent app that can actually be used but doesn't look like one is coming. How did you get yours logos 5 on your tablet without it chewing up all your hard drive space

    With the 32GB Venue 8 Pro (instead of the 64GB one) the only way to install Logos with a sizable library is to install it on the micro SD card.

    I tried this on mine, but after 24 hours of indexing I got frustrated and removed it.

    "As any translator will attest, a literal translation is no translation at all."

  • Phil Bignill
    Phil Bignill Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    Thanks. I have a 64gb hard drive and a 64gb SD card. I have logos 5 silver with a few extra books. I still think it is going to take up too much space. I would love if logos developed a app that is more than a reader. Or at least allowed a third party to develop one for them, which has already been suggested in the forums.
  • Paul Golder
    Paul Golder Member Posts: 1,698

    I have Silver with a total of 4,542 resources.

    The storage space it uses (software and resources) is 22GB.

    So with 64GB you should have about 45 to 42GB of free space to start with, which should be plenty. (unless it is already used up by other installed software).

    "As any translator will attest, a literal translation is no translation at all."

  • Terry Roberts
    Terry Roberts Member Posts: 46 ✭✭
    How much disk space do I have?


    The amount of free disk space available for your music, photos, videos, and other content depends on which Surface you have.


    Model Available disk space


    Surface 2


    32 GB 18 GB


    64 GB 47 GB


    Surface Pro 2


    64 GB 37 GB


    128 GB 97 GB


    256 GB 212 GB


    512 GB 451 GB


    Surface Pro


    64 GB 30 GB


    128 GB 89 GB


    Surface RT


    32 GB 15 GB


    64 GB 45 GB


    Note 1 GB = 1 billion bytes


    I found the above information on Microsoft's Surface website. The chart itself did not make it, only the data. The first column shows total drive space. And the second column lists how much is left over for us the user.  How this helps. 


    Mahalo and God Bless/terry
  • Phil Bignill
    Phil Bignill Member Posts: 4 ✭✭

    thanks Paul and Terry. If I installed it on my Dell I would max out my hard drive. Hoping logos see the value in making touch app even for those who have full windows pro running on a tablet. I will use the same alternate program I use on my phone for now. Not as good as logos could be but better than nothing.

  • Paul Golder
    Paul Golder Member Posts: 1,698

    Hoping logos see the value in making touch app...

    I agree, not only for my own use with my 32GB tablet, but for the deluge of low memory eight inch tablets that will be hitting the market now that Windows is free to the manufacturers. 

    "As any translator will attest, a literal translation is no translation at all."