Research Project: How would you...?

JT (alabama24)
JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489
edited November 21 in English Forum

I am starting a research project and am trying to figure out the best way to keep notes. Specifically, I am wanting to gather scripture verses on the topic and to make comments. 

If this were a simple sermon (or series), I would know exactly the tools and strategy I would use. As I am thinking through this project, however, I know that those techniques would not work. 

I am trying to figure out if there is a good solution in Logos, or if I would need to utilize a third party app. 

The notes tool in Logos overwhelms me and I never use it. If anyone thinks it is good and can convince me, I am willing to listen. 

I think what I would really like is the ability to have an annotated passage list. My current thought is to use a spread sheet app to create columns. Is there any means in Logos to create something like this? The performance would need to be good as I intend to have hundreds of passages. 

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  • Matt Hamrick
    Matt Hamrick Member Posts: 663 ✭✭

    If you don't currently use the notes in Logos I would not start now. It's been my experience back in version 8 I made the decision to figure out and crack Logos notes, so anything I do in Logos I use the Notes tool. Over time I have come to depend on the Notes in Logos because it's all I use now with the software. I have a better word processor on the computer so I could use it, but in the software you can link everything from your research. You can do that with outside notes too but it's a couple extra steps. If something overwhelms you then I would use that exclusively until you are not overwhelmed any further. You could make a notebook for your passages to annotate and set whatever passage you want as an anchor to the note. That notebook could have hundreds or thousands of passges. It would be great for you to just use Logos notes exclusively for six months and if you are not comfortable then go back to what you do now. Once you crack Logos notes I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 3,087

    Yep, I'd use a spreadsheet (or associated database):

    - You'll want to add columns later, and re-organize. Guaranteed.

    - You'll want to group by, labels, tags, etc

    - You'll want to export segments into your paper.

    But just me, I'd use LiquidText for informal analysis/research.

  • xnman
    xnman Member Posts: 2,782 ✭✭✭

    I  started something like your talking about in Personal Books... I have one such book that I keep track of things like that... And I admit... it's short sighted a bit... but it does work on my computer for now....

    If ever.... and again I say if... Logos ever make Personal Books usable on Mobile.. I would love it.

    I do wish... the users of Logos would ban together and let Logos know why they don't use such and such function... It is really not being negative.... and you don't have to be angry...

    But if Logos don't know....then they keep on with what they have, not knowing any difference.... 

    Start a new Thread...and let's support each other to make a great Bible  program that we pay for..... better!  Please!

    xn = Christan  man=man -- Acts 11:26 "....and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch".

    Barney Fife is my hero! He only uses an abacus with 14 rows!

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,133

    I'd use Notes in Verbum but you could settle for Logos [:D]

    Seriously, the Notes tool looks scary but is actually easy to use and quite powerful. The pieces missing in 8 are implemented in 9 - it still has room to grow but no longer feels incomplete.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Dave Hooton
    Dave Hooton MVP Posts: 35,682

    I am trying to figure out if there is a good solution in Logos, or if I would need to utilize a third party app. 

    The notes tool in Logos overwhelms me and I never use it. If anyone thinks it is good and can convince me, I am willing to listen. 

    I don't use Notes! But I think it would be best for your project to keep the material in Logos. You can easily access your project (Notebook) and any passage (by Filter or Search). However, Export is pathetic as it omits the passage references. Performance should be OK for hundreds of passages but may diminish for multiple projects and thousands of passages.

    Dave
    ===

    Windows 11 & Android 13

  • Graham Criddle
    Graham Criddle MVP Posts: 32,474

    I think what I would really like is the ability to have an annotated passage list. My current thought is to use a spread sheet app to create columns. Is there any means in Logos to create something like this? The performance would need to be good as I intend to have hundreds of passages. 

    It looks like you are planning a series of passage, with:

    • the reference
    • a short summary and the actual verses
    • some notes

    This is straightforward in the Logos Notes tool - and you could add tags if you wish

    Any thoughts as to whether this falls down for what you are wanting to do?

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    Any thoughts as to whether this falls down for what you are wanting to do?

    Thanks Graham. The problem is that the notes tool is so utterly cluttered. This is really what I want: 

    IRL I can get claustrophobic in crowds. Only partially kidding, I feel the same way with the notes tool. 

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  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    But I think it would be best for your project to keep the material in Logos.

    I want to agree, which is why I took the time to post. 

    You can easily access your project (Notebook) and any passage (by Filter or Search).

    All of this is hidden from me. Nothing about notes is "easy." 

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  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    I  started something like your talking about in Personal Books...

    For this project, a "personal book" might be a good place for things to go once I am done to get them back into logos... but getting the notes back into Logos isn't really my concern at this stage. 

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  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    Yep, I'd use a spreadsheet (or associated database):

    - You'll want to add columns later, and re-organize. Guaranteed.

    - You'll want to group by, labels, tags, etc

    - You'll want to export segments into your paper.

    Yes to all of this. 

    But just me, I'd use LiquidText for informal analysis/research.

    I will look it up. 

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  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,133

    I can get claustrophobic in crowds

    Logos has accounted for that: claustrophobia.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,133

    Nothing about notes is "easy." 

    Actually much about notes is easy - I was a late adopter because I thought the tool was complex. It isn't -- but you will never learn that if you don't try it on a project like this.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    Logos has accounted for that: claustrophobia.

    It opened a blank page. I like it! [:)]

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  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    you will never learn that if you don't try it on a project like this

    Where do I begin? Seriously, it is so overwhelming. I also would need to know how to create a decent layout. 

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  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    OK. Here is potentially an acceptable layout. I want to create a note on Genesis 1:26-27. I do NOT want a visual note in the Bible (I am not using notes like I would create notes in the margin of my bible. I am not looking for these notes to be discoverable in the resource, only in my project). How do I create this note? 

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  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,133

    Do you want them all in a single notebook or do you want to use tags to collect them? Personally, I use notebooks for projects.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    single notebook or do you want to use tags

    I think I found the answer on how to create a note, but to answer your question, presumably both. This is a project, so I would want all notes from this project automatically grouped. The use of tags would be helpful because I will want to classify passages based on topics. 

    I will be posting another screenshot shortly. 

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  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    In the screenshot below, some questions: 

    1. In the blue box, I want to see only the reference. Is there a way to get rid of the additional text? 
    2. In the red box, I need the text larger. I can't see a way to do so. 
    3. In the green box, the note has created a "note indicator" in the Bible. I do not want this. How do I delete it and make sure new ones aren't created? Oh, I also think a highlight was created. I do not want that either. 

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  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    Why isn't "reference" (see red box) something I can sort by? 

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  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,133

    One time requirement for using a notebooks (this part is not obvious)

    1. Open left side bar
    2. Select notebooks
    3. select new notebook
    4. name your notebook
    5. close left side bar by clicking on the toggle switch you started with

    Err 1

    If your note icons appear in your Bible, simply turn them off in all resources through the visual filter tool. Or set the icon to no icon as I do below:

    Setup that will persist unless you change it:

    A. select the no icon for the icon slot

    B. select the notebook created above

    For notes:

    1. In you Bible select your verse

    2. Hit New Note (can be done through Context Menu as well)

    3. Type in note

    4. Select next verse and repeat.

    Err 3
     



    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,133

    Why isn't "reference" (see red box) something I can sort by? 

    I don't know but when I sort by notebook, it sorts by reference as well.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,133

    Re:blue box

    Notes uses the first line of your note as if it were a title. I've not tried to get rid of it so I don't know the answer

    Re: red box

    I believe the default note text font and size controls that.

    Re: green box

    Set the note icon and the highlight icon both to the circle with a slash through it and you'll have no marker in your text. You currently have a t and a yellow A in these.

    Tagging is on the bottom of the note panel and works like tagging in the library.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    Why isn't "reference" (see red box) something I can sort by? 

    I don't know but when I sort by notebook, it sorts by reference as well.

    There is a “reference” option (see screenshot), but it is grayed out. 

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  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    As for the scripture size: it is not the same size as the note. 

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  • Morgan
    Morgan Member Posts: 458 ✭✭

    There is a “reference” option (see screenshot), but it is grayed out. 

    One of the not-so-intuitive features of notes. You have to use the drill down list. You can use Reference/Bible or Bible-Book/* and from there you get the option to sort by reference.

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    You have to use the drill down list. You can use Reference/Bible or Bible-Book/* and from there you get the option to sort by reference.

    Yes, thanks!

    One of the not-so-intuitive features of notes.

    To say the least!

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  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    Notes uses the first line of your note as if it were a title. I've not tried to get rid of it so I don't know the answer

    They need to have a title field then... and allow references to auto populate by preference. 

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  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,133

    They need to have a title field then... and allow references to auto populate by preference. 

    That is a common suggestion which I'm sure is on feedbear somewhere.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,489

    I believe the default note text font and size controls that.

    For clarification: You believe that the only control for this is found in program settings, and that the default note text should control it. Right? It is not doing so on my Mac. Compare my settings screenshot, the note document font/size, the scripture text, and the note text.

    I created a BUG THREAD

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  • xnman
    xnman Member Posts: 2,782 ✭✭✭

    In Notes.... I have not found a way to do a multi-column note. I have played with notes and use them now... but don't know a way to have a multi-column note....

    But with Excel and Word... you can have multi-columns. and the process to make a Personal Book is easy... and once that is done...then you can search, etc.  in Logos and have all your information within your Bible program... which I like. Like I said... I do something kind of like you're wanting to do...

    xn = Christan  man=man -- Acts 11:26 "....and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch".

    Barney Fife is my hero! He only uses an abacus with 14 rows!