Improvement for library GUI

Cheez

I find locating books in the library sometimes overwhelming, especially when there are so many books. Sometimes, I forget what books I actually have in my library. The search function is helpful when I remember every single book I have. But sometimes I would just like to browse my library (or book shelf, if you like it).

Is it possible to have a "book shelf" GUI, sort of how I would browse my own physical book shelf for books? It's the natural way to browse/look for a book. I like how bestcommentary.com does it, although they don't let you actually read the book. It's very intuitive and exactly how one would physically look for a book in a library. Is that possible?

Here's the link for an example:

http://www.bestcommentaries.com/library/470/john-pipers-nt-commentary-recommendations/

Donovan R. Palmer

I agree! This has been voiced before and lets hope that v4 (windows) and v2 (mac) improve this. This is essential as our libraries grow.

George Somsel

LiowCheeHsiang said:

I find locating books in the library sometimes overwhelming, especially when there are so many books. Sometimes, I forget what books I actually have in my library. The search function is helpful when I remember every single book I have. But sometimes I would just like to browse my library (or book shelf, if you like it).

If anyone finds that they have too many books to be able to find what they want, I will make the great sacrifice of accepting them for my library.

Bohuslav Wojnar

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/7282#Comment_7282

Donovan R. Palmer said:

I agree! This has been voiced before and lets hope that v4 (windows) and v2 (mac) improve this. This is essential as our libraries grow.

Yes, I spoke about it many times. I am visual and also with the short memory (let's say overloaded memory [:)]). I would appreciate very much more visual approach to the library.

Matthew C Jones

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/7483#Comment_7483

Bohuslav Wojnar said:

Yes, I spoke about it many times. I am visual and also with the short memory (let's say overloaded memory ). I would appreciate very much more visual approach to the library

 

I went to a family picnic today with a notebook (paper type) & pens in hand trying reorganize my library on paper to better define my collections on computer. If I could just click on a title and drag it to a shelf and mark that shelf "theology" or whatever........ Just like my old hardcopy library. Then my Obsessive-Compulsive appetite would be satiated.  But then I would have to turn my head sideways again to read all the titles!

Cheez

When one finds books on a physical book shelf (especially if it's a personal library), one doesn't always read the titles of the books on the book spines. We only do that when we are browsing a somebody else' library or the national library. A real life example - I recall I have a particular book on a specific topic. I know roughly where it's located on my book shelf as I've already categorized my books into different sections. But I can't remember the title. However, I have a rough idea what the book looks like and how thick it is. A quick screen through the shelf will suffice to locate the book I need. The thickness of the book, the color/print pattern of the spine etc helps me locate it quickly. I usually don't have to move my head 20cm from the books and tilt my head sideways to read the titles in my own library. I would, however, do that when I go to the national library.

Matthew C Jones

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/7554#Comment_7554

LiowCheeHsiang,

I do understand that. But my Logos library is growing so fast I feel like I am browsing someone else's library. I forget what I already have and I don't have a mental picture what the titles look like since many are new to me. My "real" books are very familiar to me by sight on the shelves. If we had a GUI that stacked the books horizontallly every booklover would probably object because the spines are getting hurt.

Jacob Hantla

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/7571#Comment_7571

I think the image sticks with us much better than the name, that's why we all like album art in iTunes...that's why I love staring at my bookshelf, the image of the cover brings floods of memory of the content back to me.  I've yet to experience that with digital books (I do experience it when I hear the Libronix startup music); maybe the lack of "book cover images" being easily seen as I read is the problem.

Jeff Trahan

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/7713#Comment_7713

I too forget what I have. I don't seem to do that with bound books. Anything that can be done to help with that would be greatly appreciated.

On the bright side, scrolling through my Logos library is always an adventure.

Debra W Bouey

[PC/Vista64/Win7B Platforms, FYI] When I first got my Logos Scholar's Silver, I printed out the SS list. I keep a separate continually revised list printed out of my PBB freebies and my new Logos resource purchases. Everything is done in my aging MS Word 2003. Being an obsessive little soul, I do also keep a fully incorporated Logos list, revised regularly, where everything is keyed according to type (i.e. Theology, Commentaries, Reformed, Greek/Hebrew Resources, etc.). Of necessity, there is overlap, which is why I keep it keyed and easily searchable.

I do not add additional purchases, let alone PBB freebies into my main C:/Program Files (x86)/Libronix/Resources subdirectory. I only add new resources to subdirectories under my Documents/Libronix Resources/[name of resource subdirectory]. In WinXP that's usually under the MY Documents directory. (Side bar addenda: personally, I don't automatically download all PBBs available, I try to be as reasonably selective as possible ... which helps keep my resource database more manageable as well).

To ensure Libronix picks up the resources there, I head into Logos':

Tools/Options/General/Resources

and add:

c:/.../Documents/Libronix Resources

Where "/.../" equals whatever user, if any, you may have specified when you set your system up. For instance, mine appears:

c:/User/Debie/Documents/Libronix Resources

I do this to ensure I keep PBBs and newly purchased Logos resources separate from my maiden Logos purchase/bundle. But that's just me. [:D]

I leave my Libronix install in my primary C:/Program Files (x86)/Libronix/Resources for my Logos program files and the add-ins (archeological bundle, etc.) made at the time of my initial Logos purchase. Anything after that goes into my subdirectory structure under "Documents". Mine looks like this, FYI (I always prefer downloads over CDs/DVDs from Logos on subsequent resources where I have the option, primarily a reflection on my patience-deficiency [;)]):

I find as long as I stay on top of list revisions and add in my new PBBs and newly purchased Logos resources to my lists immediately, it's pretty efficient and simple to maintain. I may just pencil in new stuff until the pages start to resemble the proverbial fire drill, then I'll head into my Word to more formally revise my lists.

I review my print outs regularly, which helps me keep up with all my Logos resources. Additionally, I have a personal Logos "rule": I have to spend at least ten minutes giving the once-over to the featured resource in Logos each day. 10 Minutes! Assuming it's a resource I'm not particularly familiar with already, of course. If I can't manage at least 10 minutes a day for that, then I need to assess whether I should really add more PBBs and/or purchase additional Logos resources. ... but that's just me. [:D]

A bit more than just my 2 cents, I reckon!

Debra