Official: You Can Now Get Early Access to the Next Version of Logos

Definitely not interested in subscription packages. This is where my journey with logos will end.

I agree with you, Sam

Yours is one of the more reasoned responses to this never-ending thread. I keep coming back just to see if anything more is officially posted.  Logos support should just cap this thread and open another when there is something more to announce.

Yours is one of the more reasoned responses to this never-ending thread. I keep coming back just to see if anything more is officially posted.  Logos support should just cap this thread and open another when there is something more to announce.

Yours is one of the more reasoned responses to this never-ending thread. I keep coming back just to see if anything more is officially posted.  Logos support should just cap this thread and open another when there is something more to announce.

Thanks, Bruce and Kevin.

I also agree with you Kevin that it would be a good idea to go ahead and cap this thread as it has 48 pages with 956 posts. It does appear to be repetitious with most every idea having been shared at one time or another.

I would also say thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts in this thread about something that we all find very important to us — the future of Logos.

Aaron,

I agree with you about the importance of user feedback, but I have read every post in this thread and now it is so long that I have trouble keeping up with what I have posted, much less others. As you say, Logos staff are likely reading and considering each response and maybe it is easier for Logos staff to have the majority of these posts in one place. One thing that I do find awesome is that through nearly 1000 posts, with many of them very heartfelt and very direct, the general demeanor has remained civil. I think that speaks volumes about this forum community as a whole.

I think what's really happening is that many are disappointed that the AI features won't be available in a perpetual package for everyone

A primary concern expressed by many users is that non-AI feature upgrades will no longer be available to those who are unwilling to subscribe. This is an extremely valid concern and has not been definitively decided or announced by the company one way or the other. For many users, their future with Logos hangs in the balance, because at least for the time being they are unwilling to subscribe but still want to have the assurance of purchasing non-AI features in the future if they so choose. 

based on the first post I don't see it being on the radar to stop selling new features in packages as long as they are not features that involve constant costs such as improvements, support and third-party services.

I understand how you might arrive at that conclusion. Frankly, that is what's so baffling about all of this. It seems like the obvious conclusion that they would continue to offer purchase options for users, especially after so many have pushed for it. This makes the fact that they have refused to confirm future feature purchase options very frustrating for some. While I sincerely hope that you are correct about the continuation of feature purchase options, I can confirm based on multiple statements that the possibility of no longer selling new features is definitely being considered. 

Thanks for the feedback.

The original post intended to say, "In the next version of Logos, we're going to be leaning heavily into subscription for these five reasons, but we don't yet know whether we're going to lean into subscription exclusively."

And I completely understand your points about the past. Honestly, that's a big part of the reason why I'm saying, "We're listening before we decide what to do." I don't want to announce a major change without consultation and then have to come back a week later saying, "We got it wrong." I'd much rather say, "This is the roughly the direction we're heading in. But of the things that might change, which are especially important to you?"

Thanks for clarifying. It might be good to edit the original post, since the only way to find this answer at present is to comb through four pages of dialogue. 

If you are looking for feedback:

1. Please DON'T go to a subscription-only model. I say that, even though I realize that if a non-subscription method remains as just a vestige in the Logos marketing plan, it's likely to be so unattractive that everyone eventually shifts over. 

2. I think it's great that you're incorporating AI features. PLEASE provide an option for the user to purge all AI data and start fresh. Naturally I don't yet know what user data your AI will be relying-on, but I'm rather certain Logos doesn't have the budget to create something really secure enough to house the kind of data that more-advanced AI systems harvest in order to do their jobs.  

3. Quite honestly its disappointing. I'm sure its easier to run the business with a steadier income-stream, and I understand the concerns with licensing AI, but there are other ways of dealing with that, and there are all kinds of reasons why a subscription model is less advantageous for customers like me. Frankly there's a strong incongruity with the idea that I buy access to books in perpetuity, but the features I need to access them are only available to me on a month-to-month basis. I invested big money in the software thinking of the rest of my life. I would never have chosen Logos if I'd known this was coming down the pike in just a few years. 

I’ve heard Daniel Norwood (and some others?) suggest that some kind of “credit” system, or “lease to buy” system, so that people could stop renting / subscribing at a given point, and then buy the features as a perpetual ownership addition to the Logos 10 platform we have now -- they’ve suggested this might be a reasonable alternative or bridge. 

The company that develops the RAW image editing software I use last year instituted a subscription/perpetual license hybrid model that has generated less heat than would have one rooted in subscriptions only. FWIW, here's an outline:

• SUBSCRIPTIONS are available at monthly or annual rates, the annual rate offering a 38% saving over the monthly rate x 12.
• PERPETUAL LICENSES, at full price, are always available, but are eligible only for bug fixes (what informally are called "point releases"). For example, a customer who buys release 14.3 receives without charge all releases numbered 14.3.x, but must pay the full perpetual license fee again to receive the features and functionality of version 14.4, 14.5, etc.
• The interesting addition to the model is what the company describes as the "off ramp" it builds into its subscription plan. Each consecutive full subscription year creates for its holder an additional 20% discount off the price of a perpetual license. That is, after one year of a subscription, a customer may purchase a perpetual license for whatever release is then-current at 20% off the full price; after two consecutive subscription years, said discount rises to 40%. Each successive year then adds 20% to the discount so that after five consecutive years as a subscriber, a customer receives a perpetual license for the then-current release at no charge (with the same "point release" limitations as reported above).

I dislike subscriptions intensely, but I find value in this hybrid model. As a result, I have a perpetual license to the last version the company released under its previous model, and I now subscribe 1) because I bought new perpetual licenses every year previously, so the annual expense was already in my budget; and 2) I like the "off ramp" to a free perpetual license after five years.

Could something resembling this model work for Logos?

I really like this idea.

I can't agree with your statement or assumption:

In other words, they are very likely nixing the existence of one-time-purchase software licenses. No income stream on the product necessarily means no on-going support. Further, it's only a matter of time before Logos 10 is no longer supported by new versions of Windows/IOS, and then those who don't subscribe will be left with no options.

First, because this was in fact denied in the first post and in a reply from Mark on page 4 of this thread. See: 

So yes, we will continue to update our software, for free, to run on future operating systems, so that you can continue to enjoy the books you have bought.

Another reason is that Faithlife has in recent years made the software engine available for free to access the books and tools you have purchased. When new features are released, they are only made available in Logos to those who purchase an upgrade. I remember this happening with the sermon builder (from the first version), canvas, calendar, automatic translator, factbook etc. Faithlife can keep the basic software common to all users updated to run on recent systems, as promised, and target new improvements or functionalities to subscribers or purchasers of future packages. It has already done this over the years.

I don't know if it's just me, but when I click on the "Last >>" button to jump to the last page of the topic, I'm redirected to the home page. I'm having to edit the browser link to the last page number to get straight to it. Is this happening to anyone else?

Yes, most of the time the Last link brings me to the original post

I can't agree with your statement or assumption:

In other words, they are very likely nixing the existence of one-time-purchase software licenses. No income stream on the product necessarily means no on-going support. Further, it's only a matter of time before Logos 10 is no longer supported by new versions of Windows/IOS, and then those who don't subscribe will be left with no options.

First, because this was in fact denied in the first post and in a reply from Mark on page 4 of this thread. See: 

So yes, we will continue to update our software, for free, to run on future operating systems, so that you can continue to enjoy the books you have bought.

Another reason is that Faithlife has in recent years made the software engine available for free to access the books and tools you have purchased. When new features are released, they are only made available in Logos to those who purchase an upgrade. I remember this happening with the sermon builder (from the first version), canvas, calendar, automatic translator, factbook etc. Faithlife can keep the basic software common to all users updated to run on recent systems, as promised, and target new improvements or functionalities to subscribers or purchasers of future packages. It has already done this over the years.

Many of us can't agree with your view on this and Faithlife has been vague, silent or contradictory to the issue.... Sometimes carefully worded as in that quote from Mark - notice it says that you will continue to enjoy the books you have bought.... What about the Full Feature Sets that we spent a good dollar amount on under the marketing that they are ours to keep FOREVER?

I have requested that the marketing be more transparent and honestly truthful, rather than misleading as advertised here: https://www.logos.com/ways-to-upgrade

History proves out that we no longer have access to features that were paid for, but deprecated and in some cases repackaged under a new name and sold as part of an upgrade....

Based on Mark's response to my question - it also affirms that we will not always have access to our features....

If we already paid for a feature and it gets improvements - will the updated feature only be available to those who subscribe? If so, doesn't that punish early adopters as you mentioned???

If we update an L8 feature (for example), those improvements are likely to be available only to people who subscribe (or who purchase an upgrade, if we offer that), especially if those improvements significantly enhance the feature. There will be exceptions to that, but that will be the general rule. I don't think that harms early adopters who will have had at least four years of great value out of the feature, and may well have many more.

I think it would punish early adopters if we sold a new feature, and then six or twelve weeks later offered a better version.

So you will own and have access to the feature "forever" - OR until they upgrade it or change the name and possibly resell it to you like Sermon File and  the Sermon importer which seems to be its renamed version!

They advertise that you own the Feature forever but then do not honor that advertising - very unethical! "Four years of great value" is not the promise they make nor that they advertise....

So it's bad enough they are continuing with the false advertising, but now the possibility remains that we WILL indeed be forced to subscribe IF they do not offer the perpetual license.... How do I come to that conclusion? If the features we own are improved and the only access we have is via subscription - that is forcing a user to subscribe to continue using the features they purchased but were improved.... Unless there will be dual engines continually supported, one that is maintained to allow users continual access to their purchased features without need to upgrade and the "Pro" subscription model for those that do subscribe - I don't see that happening, as it has not happened in the past and sounds like it would hinder sustainability not help it.

Mark's statement about the four years of great value show Faithlife's attitude about their promise of "Forever" - in their eyes four years equals forever... At least until they clarify otherwise, but again history is not on their side....

Some of us were willing to look past the misleading advertising and pay for "improved" and renamed features to help support the company. However, taking advantage of customers in that way and then potentially forcing them into subscriptions for continued access is unethical and needs to not be glossed over.

The silence on this major issue and carefully worded polls and posts has done NOTHING to address the concern of the many! Many of whom are long term invested customers - this AGAIN - should not be such a difficult action item.... Offering both perpetual and subscription is the broadest customer base, yet long term customers as myself are told I have to wait until the Fall to find out if I will continue to have the option to purchase...

So, to all those that continue to post "pro" Faithlife posts about assumptions being made.... Please realize that due to the vague wording, contradictory responses and being told we will know in the Fall - any view on this situation is assumption. That is not any of the forum users fault, it is solely on Faithlife for not being ready with clarity, decisiveness and direction for its customer base. Gathering feedback and acting on it should not be this complicated - six months or so, depending on what is meant by "this fall" is far to long to brush off a strong customer base.

I hope that they make the decision to provide both options and that the perpetual option is not so overpriced with a goal fo forcing subscriptions that they show the care for the many users that have made clear subscription is not an option for them. I hope they actually do listen and respond fairly to this long term customer base, but as I have said numerous times, they are losing substantial revenue in prepub cancellations and sales from those of us not purchasing further until we know our future with the product....

This reminds me so much of Lifeway who had several nice software packages in the past (Wordsearch for example) and then divested themselves of it.   Just not sure I like the direction this is headed although I can see a money savings IF this new Pro package contains ALL of my current library. That could be cheaper than upgrading to the next version every couple of years. I just have concerns I hope can be answered. 

Several questions:

1. If I subscribe and get updated datasets and then stop paying a subscription fee, do I lose those updates?
2. If I subscribe, is my current package replaced by the Propackage.
3. If I unscubscribe in a year or two, do I have to reinstall my current package (Logos Gold)?
4. Will my current package, Logos Gold,  that still be available for download with its entire library should I get a new PC and need to reinstall all my software?

Jesse

Response to Number 1 - this as currently understood would be YES you would no longer have access to "Pro" Features if you stop subscribing. There have been multiple comments and suggestions that Faithlife offer some form of purchase option for those that have subscribed and choose to cancel, as well as those of us continuing the push for traditional perpetual license purchase options - but no concrete direction has been released as of yet.

Response to Number 2 - As of now, we keep our libraries/packages and whatever is added via the "Pro" subscription would be a temporary addition to your features and books that would cease when you stop subscribing.

Response to Number 3 - You shouldn't have to reinstall, unless someone from Faithlife says otherwise. You would just lose access to the "Pro" features and books when the licenses sync

Response to Number 4 - As of today, it has always worked this way, you should have continued access