"Old" Tools - Which Ones Do You Still Use in Spite of the New "Shiny" Ones?

First off, as an old-time computer programmer and user, my question has to do with understanding that Logos Software has been around for three decades now? (In computer years, a LONG TIME.) Therefore, my guess is it likely has functionality/tools that have been in use for a while. And even though these "old" tools may have been tweaked to work with each update as required, the basic framework of what they do and how they do it remains as they were originally designed.

I entered the world of Logos with the WORDsearch migration last year (Sept/Oct) on Version 8, then upgraded to Logos 9 as soon as it became available. I spent three months devouring Morris Proctor training videos...and yes, Morris, thanks to your advice, I tagged EVERY SINGLE RESOURCE I own! LOL!

As a result, when it comes to tools, I mostly use Notes (as a long-time Evernote user, this was easy), the Passage Guide (customized), Collections, Factbook (often where I start), text compare, and most recently, Power Lookup.

Today, I looked at Passage Explorer for the first time and there seems to be quite a bit of duplication of functionality with Factbook.

My question: If your experience with Logos goes back BEFORE Logos 8, which of the old tools do you still use and why?

What I'm mostly looking for is help navigating which tools I need to spend time learning at this point...and which ones are, for the most part, maintained simply because so many older users would be lost without them. Thanks for your help!

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Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

My question: If your experience with Logos goes back BEFORE Logos 8, which of the old tools do you still use and why?

My favorite Logos feature is visual filter highlighting, which can combine thousands of search results for simultaneous display (so can "see" range of Greek verbal expression in Greek and any Bible with Reverse Interlinear for Greek text). Thankful for Logos Greek Morphology visual filters created using Logos 4 still being usable in Logos 9 & Verbum 9 [:D]

Logos Wiki => Extended Tips for Highlighting and Visual Filters includes:

Examples of visual filters (couple Greek Morphology screen shots are Logos 4 while Docs menu in Logos 9 has "add to your docs")

Keep Smiling [:)]

MJ. Smith

My question: If your experience with Logos goes back BEFORE Logos 8, which of the old tools do you still use and why?

Canvas - I'm still struggling to truly master the tool so I use it rarely
Charts - I use it when I need it; I use it more often if certain additional formats and data sources were available
Guide editor - use often
Highlighting - use often
Homily Builder/Manager - not in the use often mix right now because of the projects at hand
Media - rarely use
Notes - use often
Self Tests - never used/ lack related resources
Sentence diagrammer - would like to use more but I find it clunky
Workflow editor - would like to use more but it has some untenable limitations
Copy Bible verse - rarely use
Explorer - rarely use
Passage analysis - a favorite
Text comparison - a favorite
Atlas - medium use
Bible browser - medium use
Bible sense lexicon - medium use, with some upgrades it would be a favorite
Concordance - medium use, with n-grams it would be a favorite
Course - use often
Factbook - use often
Reading Lists - use often
Timeline - little used, would use if modified to meet my needs
Wikipedia - medium use
Cited by - rarely use
Information - medium use
Power lookup - rarely use
Pronunciation - rarely use
Search - heavily used
Collections - heavily used
Favorites - rarely used
History - medium use
Ask the author - rarely use
Community notes - rarely use
Groups - rarely use
Faithlife assistant - would love to be able to use frequently but ..
Personal books - medium use
Program settings - medium use

This list omits the interactives and the 3rd party site links but should give you a sense of my usages. Others will look at my list and say huh? as their usage will be very different.

EDIT: to include documents that are not included in tools as per Dave:

bibliography - heavily use
word list - not at all; minor changes would make it frequently used
passage list - heavily use
visual filter - medium use
clippings - light use
reading plan - light use
syntax search - rarely use
prayer list - gave up on completely due to "stupid" implementation
handout - obsolete
word find puzzle - rarely use
morph query - rarely use

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171357#Comment_1171357

My favorite Logos feature is visual filter highlighting,

Thank you, KS. Morris Proctor helped us set up a visual filter in one of his training videos. I found it fascinating and would like to do more. Will check out the links you shared when I have some time. [:)]

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171377#Comment_1171377

This list

What a great list! Your response is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for taking the time to share it.

I can add to my own list that I, too, often use the highlighting tool and Search.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171380#Comment_1171380

Not specific to your question (again, but maybe for someone else), I take advantage of many of the early design decisions:

- Most important (for me) is the ease of exporting and importing data. Logos stands alone, in its ability to work alongside other software's prowess. This one feature is everything I hoped for, when I ordered Libby, and thense L4+.

- Rules they follow, in placing panels, and moving them. As a result my search panels always align nicely in a group, and in order. My lexicons layed out by language, respond in an accordian fashion, quickly accessible, even if hidden. Even the allowance for several multiview panels is unique.

- Editable titles, along with tagging allows the monitoring of translation trends in Text Comparisons, as well as varients in the original languages.

- But my CitedBy panels are truly the power, reaching into the Fathers, 2nd Temple, ancient parallels, maps/charts, and dictionaries. As if I've a highly paid staff automatically researching my library.

Almost no tools in sight ... just a great series of early designs.

Dave Hooton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171377#Comment_1171377

Sharon, I'll answer using Martha's list:

Canvas - Huh!
Clippings - for bible study notes (not Notes nor Sermon tools)
Charts - when needed! Much better than the old tool it replaced in Logos 9
Context Menu - heavily, for searches and lookups
Guides - mainly Passage Guide and Bible Word Study, but also Topic Guide.
Highlighting - mainly to help others!
Sermon Builder/Manager - rarely (not for my own use)
Media - rarely
Notes - only to help others!
Sentence Diagrammer - never
Workflows - only to help others!
Copy Bible Verse - sometimes. Even more if Smart Tags continues to not work in MS Word.
Passage Analysis - for Compare Pericopes
Text Comparison - sometimes, but it is an essential tool
Atlas - prefer Media Search!
Bible Browser - sometimes
Bible Sense Lexicon - sometimes
Concordance - sometimes (would be better if it didn't insist on re-generating resources!)
Courses - for the course that interests me sufficiently!
Factbook - as an adjunct to Search and Study, but I don't like its primary source.
Reading Lists - never
Reading Plans - to help Study a particular topic/book
Timeline - rarely
Wikipedia - never
Cited by - I use Search for this
Information - for Translation and Other References
Passage List - mainly to compare Bible search results
Word List - sometimes
Power Lookup - rarely
Pronunciation - sometimes
Search - heavily used, except Clause and Syntax
Collections - frequently in Search and Passage Guide
Favorites - frequently to bookmark study topics
History - rarely
Ask the author - rarely
Community notes - never!
Groups - for group purchases, or when invited for testing
Faithlife assistant - huh!
Personal books - occasionally
Program Settings - essential, but mainly for user queries!

In summary, I don't use the new Logos 8+ tools for personal study. Clippings has always been my notes/sermon tool.

1Cor10 31

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171397#Comment_1171397

Highlighting - mainly to help others!

Notes - only to help others!

Workflows - only to help others!

That is really cool indeed. Thank you.

Jerome Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171399#Comment_1171399

The feature I use most is "Layouts."

I use them to keep track of the books I am reading.

I also have preserved in "Layouts" special kinds of searches, especially reciprocal cross reference searches in my book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

David Thomas

If your experience with Logos goes back BEFORE Logos 8, which of the old tools do you still use and why?

Several years ago in a Seminary class we were challenged that week in and week out we will find ourselves in lesson/sermon prep. We were challenged to come up with a 5 hour prep, a 10 hour prep, and a 15 hour prep plan. I have now edited a Workflow to step me through my 15 hour prep. The attached file shows on the left the big goals to be accomplished. the items on the right are the tools (mostly in Logos) to accomplish these goals.

I hope this link will take you to the Workflow. If not, you can search for "Textual Sermon Prep" authored by David Thomas.

https://ref.ly/logos4/Documents

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171383#Comment_1171383

But my CitedBy panels are truly the power,

I've only recently begun learning how to use the CitedBy tool and wasn't sure it was worth spending my time on...but based on your input, I may rethink that as I, too, have a number of ancient resources. Thanks, DMB!

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171397#Comment_1171397

In summary, I don't use the new Logos 8+ tools for personal study. Clippings has always been my notes/sermon tool.

Thanks for your list, Dave. I used Clippings some when I was first starting to use Logos 8 but decided the notes and highlighting tools were a better fit. I'm glad I learned how to use Clippings and wouldn't hesitate in the future if I was working on a project where that tool would be the better fit.

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171481#Comment_1171481

The feature I use most is "Layouts."

I use them to keep track of the books I am reading.

Me, too! I also group my layouts using the new folder menu option from a recent software update (don't remember which one). Love it!

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171493#Comment_1171493

The attached file shows on the left the big goals to be accomplished. the items on the right are the tools (mostly in Logos) to accomplish these goals.

Wow! Impressive, Dave!

I'm curious...what do you mean by Compare Versions within Passage Guide?

Also, I tried downloading your workflow, but for some reason, it doesn't download to my Docs. Oh well...It's okay. I don't typically use workflows.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171397#Comment_1171397

For me, I use the following moderately to frequently (including old and new tools):

Context Menu
GO (Omnibox)
Guides - Passage Guide, Bible Word Study, Topic Guide, Sermon Starter Guide, Counseling Guide, Theology Guide
Highlighting
Bible Browser
Courses
Factbook
Information
Passage List
Search - Basic and Bible Searches
Program Settings
Visual Filter
Propositional Outline
Community Highlighting
Corresponding Words Highlighting
Library; Prioritization
Layouts
Multiview Panels
Reading View
Read Aloud
Resource Information
Interlinear Panel for Bibles
Logos Help
Inline Search
Resource Menu (3 dots on upper right corner)
Table of Contents for Resource
Shortcuts Menu and Shortcut Folders
Bible Outline Browser
NT Use of OT
Parallel Gospel Reader
Systematic Theologies
Weights & Measures
Psalms Explorer
Proverbs Explorer
Bible Books Explorer
FSD

Want to learn/start to use more:

Notes Tool
Sermon Builder/Manager
Courses Tool

Hope this helps!

David Thomas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171537#Comment_1171537

what do you mean by Compare Versions within Passage Guide?

Within my Passage Guide I can acces "Compare Versions" which shows a Version River and Cluster Graph for my top 5 Translations

By going to Passage Analysis I can open these same charts on a broader list of Translations to see where they agree and disagree in translation.

I can maximize my study time by identifying where translators agree/disagree. If I know where disagreement exists (vv.16, 20, 29 & 33) I can consider why different choices were made and contemplate which I conclude to be most accurate. If most translations agree (see v.26 in above charts) I am unlikely to find some nuance in translation that needs to be explored or shared.

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171595#Comment_1171595

Within my Passage Guide I can acces "Compare Versions" which shows a Version River and Cluster Graph for my top 5 Translations

Got it! I've just not ever used Compare Versions, and even after looking at your screenshot, I still don't understand it. LOL! But that's okay. I have no expectation of learning everything that Logos will do and neither do I need to. Having said that, these types of threads are very useful because it allows me to see features that are available, even if I just shelve them for the time being. At least I know they are there.

Thanks, David!

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171538#Comment_1171538

For me, I use the following moderately to frequently (including old and new tools):

Thanks! I use a lot of what you listed, too!

I didn't even know there WAS a Curses tool. I'll definitely look into that.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171630#Comment_1171630

I've just not ever used Compare Versions, and even after looking at your screenshot,

from Verbum 9 Tip 9n: Courses - Faithlife Forums (logos.com)

Docx files for personal book: Verbum 9 part 1; Verbum 9 part 2; Verbum 9 part 3; Verbum 9 part 4; Verbum 9 part 5; Verbum 9 part 6; Verbum 9 part 7;

It is still an ongoing project but start at the beginning and you will slowly be introduced to all the features of Logoss/Verbum so that you can decide which are useful to you.

Levi Durfey

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171633#Comment_1171633

I didn't even know there WAS a Curses tool. I'll definitely look into that.

I prefer the Blessings tool myself. [:O]

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171644#Comment_1171644

I had to look back at my post to make sure I didn't introduce a Curses tool into Logos Bible Software [H]

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171643#Comment_1171643

It is still an ongoing project but start at the beginning and you will slowly be introduced to all the features of Logoss/Verbum so that you can decide which are useful to you.

Wow, M.J.! That must have taken you 100s of hours to do. What a project! Thanks...and what is Verbum?

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171644#Comment_1171644

I prefer the Blessings tool myself.

Too funny! See my reply to PL.

Sharon Hillam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171649#Comment_1171649

I had to look back at my post to make sure I didn't introduce a Curses tool into Logos Bible Software

Oh my goodness...guess I slipped up there, didn't I? I'm laughing right along with everyone else. [:D]

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171682#Comment_1171682

what is Verbum?

It's the Logos version that is marketed to Catholics ... there are a few differences but it is basically the same program. For years I labeled my tips as Logos ... I decided that I wanted to be able to assume Catholic oriented resources and vocabulary so I deliberately chose to label it Verbum so people couldn't ding me for showing denominational bias. You don't have to download and create a personal book ... you can see all the posts in the forums. This is the first Logos/Verbum 9 post Verbum Tip 1a Aside: How do I tell if a Bible has a reverse interlinear? - Faithlife Forums (logos.com)

SineNomine

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1171649#Comment_1171649

I had to look back at my post to make sure I didn't introduce a Curses tool into Logos Bible Software

Hmmm... https://feedback.faithlife.com/boards/logos-data-sets/posts/curses-in-the-bible