New Sites from Logos: ChristianDiscourse.com and BibleQA.com

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/604793#Comment_604793

This is great news Bob. I'm signed up. [Y]

John Kight

Great News!! [Y]

SineNomine

Thank you very much Bob & Logos!

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/604942#Comment_604942

Logos staff and MVPs have spent years begging people to keep the forums on topic, and to avoid theological discussions.

We're giving up! We've created a home for Bible questions, theological debates, etc.

ChristianDiscourse.com is your place for any kind of discussion (or argument!). It uses a new and different kind of discussion software. (Some people want us to use this code for these forums; your feedback is welcome.)

BibleQA.com is a question and answer site.

You can log into both sites using your Faithlife / Logos account credentials. (These sites are new and still 'under construction', so please post your feedback!)

-- Bob

You posted this in the wrong forum. It should be in the Christian Discourse forum & the BibleQA forum...as soon as those are created. [:)]

Speaking of which, when I post a comment and then later try to post another, I am receiving a pop-up asking me a rather unsettling question.

What does this mean? The post is posted and I have moved on. The question seems to elicit the "No, keep" response, but clicking it only causes it to disappear until one attempts to click elsewhere, at which point it reasserts itself. What is to be done with this?

Robert M. Warren

What is to be done with this?

If your post is Watchman On The Wall, I wouldn't abandon it.

Robert M. Warren

BTW, can you also set up ChristianSmartAlec.com?

Lee

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/604943#Comment_604943

This is a welcome development, Bob!

I'd suggest that Logos keep a certain distance from that forum though. Put it in a sandbox, or don't put Logos front and center on that site.

abondservant

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/604946#Comment_604946

BTW, can you also set up ChristianSmartAlec.com?

Good news, this domain is available.

Thanks. One concern is "QA" means "Quality Assurance" to many people.

Peter

Jonathan Pitts

(Some people want us to use this code for these forums; your feedback is welcome.)

I've always found this old forum layout extremely clear and easy to use. I don't find the new sites immediately understandable. I vote that the Logos forums stay as they are (with the problems I've raised in the past with RSS feeds sorted out).

Milkman

great idea, signed up.

Logos staff and MVPs have spent years begging people to keep the forums on topic, and to avoid theological discussions.

We're giving up! We've created a home for Bible questions, theological debates, etc.

ChristianDiscourse.com is your place for any kind of discussion (or argument!). It uses a new and different kind of discussion software. (Some people want us to use this code for these forums; your feedback is welcome.)

BibleQA.com is a question and answer site.

You can log into both sites using your Faithlife / Logos account credentials. (These sites are new and still 'under construction', so please post your feedback!)

-- Bob

Milkman

will the sight record the number of replies/new posts we enter?

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/604972#Comment_604972

(Some people want us to use this code for these forums; your feedback is welcome.)

I've always found this old forum layout extremely clear and easy to use. I don't find the new sites immediately understandable. I vote that the Logos forums stay as they are (with the problems I've raised in the past with RSS feeds sorted out).

I think I agree. The new site has a bit of ornamentation in the form of bells and whistles that don't necessarily improve the experience. While this forum could improve in the way it handles certain kinds of textual inputs (it's really sad who poorly it deals with text inputted from Logos), it is pretty simple and satisfactory. On the other hand, I don't find the new site painful to use, and a bit of change may be nice just to keep things fresh. From a psychological POV, it might be a good idea for the two sites to have different personalities (appearance, user interface, etc.) just so the purposes of the two sites aren't blurred. While I don't think it is as hazardous as some others might, it is probably a good idea to keep a sufficient bit of distance between the two sites, especially if the other site heats up, which I'm sure it will do and that isn't a bad thing. You can't bake a cake unless you have an oven.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/605040#Comment_605040

Yes, the site will track the number of topics you create and the posts you have. You can find that under your profile.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/605062#Comment_605062

We still need a ChristianDiscourse forum...

Having made a number of posts to the forum, I have concluded that it doesn't really work as needed in a number of situations. One example (and there are many similar kinds of bugs to be found) is shown below.

When someone uses the bold (as in this example) or the italic buttons, the input screen (left side) shows the insertion of one (for italic) or two (for bold) stars in front of and behind the chosen text. However, as this example shows, it just isn't working in this case. The presentation side (right side) should show the chosen text as bolded, It clearly is not and it appears this way in the posted forum. From my experience, the reason is probably because there is an ellipsis preceding the chosen text. This appears to interfere with the program's ability to properly handle the formatting request. This seems to be a fairly broad problem. For instance, I don't think it is possible to use both bold and italics on the same chosen text. In my opinion, unless this is able to be fixed, it makes this forum software unsuitable for use.

I tested my hypothesis about the ellipsis by inserting a space, and yes, that "solved" the problem. But that really isn't a solution, and it can't solve some of the other problems that exist.

Drew Hannay

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/605924#Comment_605924

Disclaimer: I haven't done any work on ChristianDiscourse.com, but we use the same software for our internal developer forum, so I'm decently familiar with it.

When someone uses the bold (as in this example) or the italic buttons, the input screen (left side) shows the insertion of one (for italic) or two (for bold) stars in front of and behind the chosen text. However, as this example shows, it just isn't working in this case. The presentation side (right side) should show the chosen text as bolded, It clearly is not and it appears this way in the posted forum. From my experience, the reason is probably because there is an ellipsis preceding the chosen text. This appears to interfere with the program's ability to properly handle the formatting request.

I'm pretty sure this is the intended behavior...the software uses a modified form of the Markdown formatting language, which you can read more about if you so desire (I don't know enough about it off the top of my head to go much deeper). I think the gist of it is that it's not very often someone would want to make only part of a word (where a "word" is separated by spaces) bold or italic, so the creators of Markdown traded that flexibility for simplicity of formatting.

For instance, I don't think it is possible to use both bold and italics on the same chosen text.

Bold is **Bold**, Italics is *Italics*, so both is ***Both***.

Can you clarify what other issues you're having?

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/605944#Comment_605944

Thanks for the ***both*** info. I will bring up issues as I encounter them. I guess I will do it in this thread, since there isn't a CD forum. [:^)]

Kendall Sholtess

Thanks Bob!

Once again, you have proven that your aim is service to the Christian community. These sites are really nice-looking and user-friendly.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/605951#Comment_605951

Strange happenings on the CD forum...many of the avatars have reverted back to the default first name initials (D for me, for instance). Odd thing is that it is only happening to some people but not others.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606595#Comment_606595

Strange happenings on the CD forum...many of the avatars have reverted back to the default first name initials (D for me, for instance). Odd thing is that it is only happening to some people but not others.

Mine also reverted back and I've changed it twice now. This will be my third time. There is definitely something strange going on.

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606632#Comment_606632

Christian Discourse is not listed among the Logos family websites.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/605944#Comment_605944

Can you clarify what other issues you're having?

This is a MAJOR problem in my view. On the Logos forum, if you are working on a comment and have not finished it, it is possible to open another instance of the forum in a new window and you can read and post comments with no problem at all. In CD, that is not possible, because once you have begun a comment, even if you open another window that comment is persistent and you can't choose to respond to a post in another thread unless you "abandon" (i.e. erase) the post you have already started,. I don't have any clue why someone would design something so pointlessly restrictive, but it is a constant source of frustration for me. I sometimes have 2-4 instances of the Logos Forum open, with 2 or 3 of those having a comment in medias res.

I have been able to "get around" this persistent comment clog on a couple of occasions, but I'm not exactly sure how that happened. I thought I knew what might be the trick, but I just tried that and no joy. I will point out that having the ability to do what I'm requesting here is more needful on a site like CD because when you are having the kinds of detailed, in-depth discussions that the site is supposedly designed to foster and encourage, it may take awhile to put together a response. Being locked up with no recourse other than to "abandon" all of your effort in order to make a response elsewhere is a massive design fail.

Although the new forum software has more in terms of appealing eye-candy, it bears noting that generally speaking, candy isn't good for you. I much prefer the yellow pencil that is the Logos forum. warts and all.

Drew Hannay

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606706#Comment_606706

This is a MAJOR problem in my view. On the Logos forum, if you are working on a comment and have not finished it, it is possible to open another instance of the forum in a new window and you can read and post comments with no problem at all. In CD, that is not possible, because once you have begun a comment, even if you open another window that comment is persistent and you can't choose to respond to a post in another thread unless you "abandon" (i.e. erase) the post you have already started,. I don't have any clue why someone would design something so pointlessly restrictive, but it is a constant source of frustration for me. I sometimes have 2-4 instances of the Logos Forum open, with 2 or 3 of those having a comment in medias res.

I have been able to "get around" this persistent comment clog on a couple of occasions, but I'm not exactly sure how that happened. I thought I knew what might be the trick, but I just tried that and no joy. I will point out that having the ability to do what I'm requesting here is more needful on a site like CD because when you are having the kinds of detailed, in-depth discussions that the site is supposedly designed to foster and encourage, it may take awhile to put together a response. Being locked up with no recourse other than to "abandon" all of your effort in order to make a response elsewhere is a massive design fail.

Although the new forum software has more in terms of appealing eye-candy, it bears noting that generally speaking, candy isn't good for you. I much prefer the yellow pencil that is the Logos forum. warts and all.

I think having multiple drafts is supposed to be possible, but I've never actually tried it, so I'm not sure. It just occurred to me that a better place for some of your feedback might be here: https://meta.discourse.org/ It's a Discourse site for discussing Discourse (the forum software) [:)]. A quick search of that site shows several possibly relevant threads about drafts (for example: https://meta.discourse.org/t/draft-workflow-is-confusing/16456 )

The nice thing about us using the Discourse software is that it's under active development and we (Logos) can get free updates to the software without needing to spend our resources developing it. Obviously we're still interested in knowing what issues you have with it, so posting feedback here is welcome as well, but you may have more luck enacting change to the software on the other site.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606595#Comment_606595

We are aware of the avatar issues. The site will be migrating to using the avatars connected to users' faithlife accounts. Thanks for the feedback, we appreciate it.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606732#Comment_606732

Once things have been "settled" and a decision rendered, it is very difficult to conclude after the fact that the matter in hand was settled prematurely. I realize that it would entail a revamp that includes wiping out all that has occurred to this point, but it may be worth considering just using the same software that is used for the forum. I'm not someone who pulverizes dead horses for no reason, so I won't keep pounding this issue repeatedly, but this is certainly one of those issues where sooner rather than later is germane.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606736#Comment_606736

Since the software isn't Logos', not sure the value of software comments. But it's not mine either, so.

The sort on activity seems odd though (created vs comment). If that were the sort in the Logos forum, it could be pretty bizarro (so many of us comment on old threads!).

Plus a site to chit-chat about a single path to eternity (or its alternative) also seems bizarre. Before someone 'theologizes' me, being a hiker, I've never seen a group of hikers 'discoursing' about which way they should be going. Usually they're pretty angrified. Kind of like Jer 6.16.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606738#Comment_606738

Plus a site to chit-chat about a single path to eternity (or its alternative) also seems bizarre. Before someone 'theologizes' me, being a hiker, I've never seen a group of hikers 'discoursing' about which way they should be going. Usually they're pretty angrified. Kind of like Jer 6.16.

Ah, but since those paths have almost entirely been abandoned for the "new" whine, it may be worth having a chat about whether cognitive adjustments (and their behavioral counterparts) are in order.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606732#Comment_606732

It just occurred to me that a better place for some of your feedback might be here: https://meta.discourse.org/ It's a Discourse site for discussing Discourse (the forum software) .

I tried to log in to this site but it would not accept my Logos login and password. Do I have to create a separate one?

Drew Hannay

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606805#Comment_606805

It just occurred to me that a better place for some of your feedback might be here: https://meta.discourse.org/ It's a Discourse site for discussing Discourse (the forum software) .

I tried to log in to this site but it would not accept my Logos login and password. Do I have to create a separate one?

Yes, sorry, this is not a Logos site. It's owned by the people who write the Discourse forum software which we use for ChristianDiscourse.com

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606824#Comment_606824

Thanks for clarifying Drew.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/606828#Comment_606828

How long before the avatar issue is resolved? I don't even see a way to fix it right now...it appears that it should be showing my usual avatar since that's showing up as what I have selected.

JoshInRI

Hi Bob (Sir):

I apologize for anything I have done (or might accidentally do in the future) to go offtopic.

That being said - I will probably never use either of these two new forums. I am already marvelling at the overwhelming breath of the questions and discussions there.

I am not even sure what an MVP is though I would like to be one for Jesus I think.

Blessings,

Joshua in Rhode Island

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609339#Comment_609339

I am not even sure what an MVP is though I would like to be one for Jesus I think.

Hi, Josh. An MVP (the name comes from other contexts like Microsoft user forums where it stands for "Most Valued Professional"; here we sort of think of it as standing for "Many Volunteer Posts") is a regular user who has demonstrated a great degree of proficiency with the software and a penchant for helping other users out with their questions, and who is willing to volunteer some of their time to do so. People are selected to be MVPs by nomination and Logos makes the final call. Usually people selected to be MVPs have high post counts (over 1000) and demonstrate the ability to get along with others who have vastly different theological viewpoints.

MVPs are the first line of defense to answer common user questions, because Logos employees cannot read absolutely every post on the forums (neither can MVPs sometimes, but they try). Logos adds more MVPs when the number of users grows to such an extent that the existing MVPs can't handle the volume of posts, or when the number of MVPs drops off due to attrition. I was an MVP for a couple of years but found I couldn't spend the time at it anymore, so I withdrew. But I still answer questions from time to time.

MVPs are supposed to be helpful only and not contribute to fueling the flames when there are tensions on the forums, but we're all human and sometimes stumble into controversial theological territory. If everyone can be forgiving of everyone else on these forums, MVPs included, then these sorts of things won't happen. Hopefully, the existence of the new ChristianDiscourse forum will encourage people to "take it off line" if they really must have a theological debate/discussion, as it will keep these forums a welcoming place for all, regardless of their viewpoints. One MVP who was Catholic resigned a number of years ago because of the frequent bashing of Catholics that was happening here in those days. Fortunately that has pretty much disappeared as we've all learned more civility and grown in Christlike love for our brothers and sisters, and the offending persons stopped posting.

Thanks for your interest in being an MVP. We'll keep an eye open for your posts and recommend you if it looks like you'd be good for the role!

JoshInRI

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609363#Comment_609363

Wow...neat stuff. As an Mdiv Candidate I have a long way to being valuable for anything and I am still a neophyte in my understanding of Logos the awesome software we are all so blessed to own and use. Thanks to everyone who has ever helped or assisted (or put up with me) in here.[:)]

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609317#Comment_609317

Hey David,

I've fixed avatars, you should have your goat back. Sorry for the wait, have a great day.

Thanks,

Caleb Richard

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609485#Comment_609485

Hey David,

I've fixed avatars, you should have your goat back. Sorry for the wait, have a great day.

Thanks,

Caleb Richard

I noticed! [Y] Thanks, Caleb.

However, just tried to refresh my CD page and got this message...

...followed by this one...

By the way...it's a sheep. No beard. Horns spiral to the side. Tail down, not up...if you could see it. [8-|]

Erwin Stull, Sr.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609768#Comment_609768

Yup, it looks like the site is down.

Floyd Johnson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609780#Comment_609780

Yup, it looks like the site is down.

[:'(]

Toby Steele (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609796#Comment_609796

Hi, all--we're aware of the outage and are actively working on getting it fixed. Thank you for your patience.

Toby Steele (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609799#Comment_609799

ChristianDiscourse.com should be back up and running. Thanks again for being patient!