MJ's suspicions regarding the next major release of Logos/Verbum in the fall

Watching what has been coming through the public betas, I'm ready to predict what is coming in the next major Logos/Verbum release this fall. I know I don't have quite enough features identified so I still expect some surprises:

A more modern and user-friendly interface - think the insights sidebar and the dynamic toolbar on the web app as evidence.
A significant reworking of Factbook sections making them more like the Guides. I suspect that the long-term vision is for Factbook to replace the Guides.
A lesson builder of some sort - implied by the contents of the subscriptions although we have seen no signs of it yet
A series of cautiously implemented AI features: translations, summarizations, smart searches ...
An integration of labels more tightly into the system. We have seen examples in the Bible person, place, thing and Events Factbook sections. There have been hints that we will see additional labels/All the NNNN in the Bible resources to fill out what the Factbook implementation makes expected data.
An integration of Help functions which is currently in the beta testing. I expect the range of help information presented back will expand.
The Insights panel may have even more cards added or left as it is - but it will be highlighted feature
Factbook has expanded Bible passage capabilities - any range rather than just Logos pericopes
Sermon Assistant although AI will receive special attention as a sermon/homily new feature

It looks to me like it will be a useful step up. My one concern it that I've yet to see any tools that are visual rather than textual in nature. But I suppose I should not expect everything in a single release.

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Frank Sauer

MJ,

As I have been avoiding the Beta Release the past few cycles - can you shed some light on which of the Features that have been added may be of the offline variety falling under the Perpetual License fallback....

Thus far, due to the vague information and lack of clear response from Logos - it's a subject that many are interested in understanding and may help some on the fence see some value....

I know there's the instant Dark/Light Mode, but it seems most of the "new" and the improved are or may be AI related.....

Hopefully, sooner rather than later we will start getting clear input on what is and isn't included from Logos, as well as clear direction in relation to what will be considered cloud that is not included.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1303844#Comment_1303844

Sorry, but I don't know the implementation details to be certain if some data is local or cloud. The release notes Logos Beta Release Notes should provide you with the information to make your own guesses.

Frank Sauer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1303847#Comment_1303847

Sorry, but I don't know the implementation details to be certain if some data is local or cloud. The release notes Logos Beta Release Notes should provide you with the information to make your own guesses.

Yeah,

I keep up with the Release Notes, but they finally after requesting are split between General and Logos Pro - but Logos has not clarified in the RN what would be eligible for Fallback and what wouldn't.....

I figured I would ask to see if you were noticing what may not be tied to AI.

Thanks

Paul Gibson

One of my perpetual frustrations about many software companies is they keep adding features they think people want, while ignoring the suggestions users actually vote on in the feedback forums. I'm aware there are other ways to comunicate, but this is the public one that everyone can see. I'd like to see a commitment to address the top 100 suggestion, or every suggestion that has at least 100 votes. That doesn't necessarily mean that every suggestion will be implemented, but at least explain why it will be delayed until a future release, or not practical to implement. At least give us something to help us feel that our suggestions were carefully considered.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1303868#Comment_1303868

One of my perpetual frustrations about many software companies is they keep adding features they think people want, while ignoring the suggestions users actually vote on in the feedback forums.

Actually, although the votes were spread out over many requests, I thought the addition of Bible lesson maker was a response to years of requests. I also thought that simplifying the user interface and the integration of label data were also user driven. As for the highest votes without considering requests that should be merged:

402 Paper builder for academic papers
344 Folders for Notebooks
338 Add support for tables in Notes
284 Toggle dark mode without restarting [in current Pro version]
259 Send highlights to ReadWise [I personally am slow to embrace links to 3rd party software]
250 Allow adding notes and highlights to footnote [for technical legacy reasons this is a major rewrite]
195 Import list of ISBN numbers into print library feature [this could be easy if not linked to broadening to books not in Logos]
170 BUG: Export highlights as a summary isn't working [This goes into the bug squashing priority system]
168 Add all dictionaries, encyclopedias, and glossaries to Factbook [at least partially in progress]
145 Prioritize resourced by type [a few years back designs for this were discussed but consensus was hard to come by]
125 Request a facility to add *.pdf and *.ePub books directly into LOGOS please.
124 Add Preaching mode to Windows
116 Allow adding images in Canvas [this is 3rd party software - is the feature available in IODraw?]
111 Drag and drop for Shortcut folders
107 Add arcing/bracketing/tracing feature (like Biblearc.com) [we can simulate this is both Sentence diagrams and Canvas. I believe there are copyright issues for doing more.]

Donovan R. Palmer

My one concern it that I've yet to see any tools that are visual rather than textual in nature.

Yep. My view is that Logos has had a textual orientation since the transition from version 2 to 3.

I would love to see visuals become a stronger element and for the Atlas to become more potent.

I guess the question is… with the subscription powering improvements that are not two year based, how will they package a major update?

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1303874#Comment_1303874

My one concern it that I've yet to see any tools that are visual rather than textual in nature.

Yep. My view is that Logos has had a textual orientation since the transition from version 2 to 3.

Let me make a point with as little theology as possible. Last night I was reading one of my books in Logos and ran into what I thought was a wonderful quote:

The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Biblical Interpretation, ed. Paul M. Blowers and Peter W. Martens, First Edition (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2019), 71.">
Three theses may be proposed concerning God’s Word in patristic theology:

(1) The Word Incarnate and Word Inscribed are mutually dependent, reinforcing one another.
(2) This Word is both veiled and revealed, transparent and obscure, immediate and transcendent.
(3) God’s Word is constitutive of—indeed the founding principle of—every aspect of the divine oikonomia (‘economy’).

I think Logos is more invested in the Word Inscribed than the Word Incarnate and therefore, invested in textual/grammatical/linguistic tools at the expense of broader views. But, then, I still have to explain why, with a handful of exceptions, most of the visual linguistic tools are very old, legacy tools.

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1303877#Comment_1303877

Ah, I see your point. On that I would also agree. I would also suggest the church tradition centre of gravity of Logos also contributes to this.

I have worked out my own workflows to compensate a bit for this, but It would be nice to see the software and datasets be more conducive to other study paradigms.

Angela Meister

Hi MJ, I haven't been on here in a loong time, but remembering you being a very helpful person.

I am still considering myself a new user and just am poking around in Morris Proctor (now MP) for Logos 9.

I spent a lot of money with Logos so far (wait, I could have bought a CAR?!?!) and haven't even begun to scratch the surface. I have a huge library (mulitple packages). I am starting school and realize I really need to learn how to use this efficiently as I am doing more independent coursework vs a degree program at the moment.

I am wondering if Logos 10 is stable now where I should go ahead and at least do the feature upgrade for 10? I find nothing really compelling about the libraries as I already have more than I need for general inquiries. I am not super interested in ongoing subscriptions in the future. $$$

My thought process is that if I spend a few hundred more, then as I do the tutorials-- I will be looking at 10 and learning the 10 methods (though it seems like there is enough continuity that it is possible to even learn things from much older version videos).... any thoughts on this?

I am thinking, maybe 10 and hold for a good long while... or just staying with 9 and being content as well.

Perhaps I am leaning toward 10 and answering my own question. Even though I don't find the features specifically compelling for my purposes...

Thanks for any input.

John Fidel

I agree with MJ regarding the direction logos/verbum is going. I hope that as Facebook takes center stage they allow for customization as I use various custom guides as my workflow.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1303887#Comment_1303887

Hi MJ, I haven't been on here in a loong time, but remembering you being a very helpful person.

I'm not MJ (!) but currently, Faithlife is switching over to subscription for unowned, and new features. Final plan this fall, so months to go. But they seem to view owning L10 Full-Feature as the basis for significantly discounting (for now) the subscriptions.

So ... you might look in your crystal ball as to your use and plans ... combining your current thinking with Faithlife's direction might be good for you.

Just observing, the new subscription features appear to favor ease of use ... something you (everyone) can benefit from.

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1303892#Comment_1303892

I’m still hoping the graphics in general and for sermon editor can be improved along with other features like suggested here: https://community.logos.com/forums/t/186839.aspx

DAL

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1303900#Comment_1303900

I’m still hoping the graphics in general and for sermon editor can be improved along with other features like suggested here: https://community.logos.com/forums/t/186839.aspx

Agree on graphics. Also, on MJ's text visualization. I just don't see sufficient expertise. Each attempt requires another attempt (eg Atlas, Timeline). I'd think there's a lesson there. Even on textual, basic search results display remains limited/flawed. The big problem is, new features need to earn their way (PE-wise).

Christian Alexander

Your suspicions are normally always correct MJ. Thank you for your help on the forums. This post is creative and well put together.

Angela Meister

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1303895#Comment_1303895

Thanks. I think I just need to go ahead and do it later in the month. [:)]