Reading in Logos

For the most part things already work for me and I'd rather see Logos improve what already exists and sure it works consistently across application rather than leave existing functionality where it is and introduce another thread of new functionality that will servce a purpose up to a point until in the future we say, hey Mr & Mrs Logos, this really isn't doing the job for me anymore, my needs and/or my expectations have changed again so can you add another new funtion to the software and don't worry about improving what you have already done even though it's what should be doing what I want / need it to do. 

I am not convinced a project/template combined with a layout is the solution to this particular problem. It sounds like overkill to a simple problem and one in which if the ability to set up templates and layouts can not be equally and easily done in the Desktop App, Web App and Mobile app then is just introducing anthoer complicaitn of disjoint between apppication platform when what we want for a task of keeping track of where we are up to in a book to have continuity in how we go about it and how the software keeps track of it. 

In other contexts a project/template and layout solution has merit so I'm not discarding it all together, just think it overcomplicates things. I get what a template is, what a layout is, but should I assume every person who is going to use Logos understands them and how to make them work to keep track of readng a book cover to cover?  Should the have to learn this way of looking a things and how to implement it on mulitple platorms or know they have to set it up on one platform to use it on other platforms when all they want to do is open a book and read it from start to finish. There will be people coming to the software and using it primariy for ebooks - whether they be popular chrisitan living titles, amish romance titles, children's books or whatever else is offered on the e-book platform.  They may only be using a faithlife ebook mobile app on their phone and not even know what Logos Bible Software Desktop app is and certainly won't want to download and install it simply so they can create a template and layout to read there latest mystery fiction purchase.  We need to step outsid outside of where we are coming form and think about users wanting to achieve he same thing - keeping track of their reading progress - but these complicated solutions - for thats' what they would be to them are not going to cut it with them.

If syncing needs improving then let's see that improved, if users need to be better informed about how place location of books between platforms is synced and can be explained better how to use that to acheive there goals then let's see that better explained. But lets keep how we keep track of reading simple and in line with what people know from life experience of how to keep track of reading progress - Overcomplicate the back end as much as need be but the front end should be as simple as possible, as familiar as possible to what people already know and where it is smarter and offers finer control than a phycial bookmark - then demonstrate it well and explain it well and make it easy to find where to find that demonstration and explanation.

Chris Heil said:

Antony Brennan said:

There are already two functions that support this, one is the general sync and the other is the favourite tool. You can set a book mark inside a resource with the favourite tool.

Whereas the sync is hit and miss the favourite tool almost always works, for me at least. I am thinking it would be better if Logos made these functions more robust end to end rather than add a new function. You should not have to add the resource to a list or a project. 

It is right that you mention it. This should just work. 

I do agree that this feature needs attention, one way or the other.

Thanks for the input Antony.

When simply reading, I do not want to have to remember to add a book mark, set a favorite, or update a layout after each reading session and then load at the start of each new session. Frankly I get interrupted often especially if reading on my iPhone in line at the grocery store. Like you I would also prefer users not have to add a resource to any tool, whether favorite, Reading Queue, or project, but recognize JT's observation of Logos as a research library so there is differentiation between reading and reference look up that cannot be avoided.  Maybe the Favorite you suggest could have a "reading setting" that would automatically update the favorite to the latest page read when set.  Regardless just asking for improvement on a pretty basic function.

So don't set a book mark or favorite. Simple you say? Open book and read then close book. Tomorrow open book to read again and where you closed the book is where it will open. This is easier than reading a print book.

I see some merit to that concept.

As it works now, the way I use Logos sort of forces me to study different topics when on my various devices. I might be a bit of an outlier, but I have about 50 books open on my phone broadly addressing about 6 different topics. I'm always reading parts of all those topics. When I go to my tablet, I would love to have those same things open without having to open them individually. But that's way too much trouble, so I just resign and read different things.

And that doesn't even touch the vast differences in the way the desktop app works for me. Functional parity is almost completely irrelevant if the visual universes these platforms foists upon us are so foreign to one another.

Hmm. I cannot imagine trying to look productively at maps or any graphic or any chart on the mobile app, so perhaps it's best just to keep them completely separate.

I just want to be able to read a book on my iPad, bookmark it and be able to go to my computer or phone and pick up where I left off. Exactly same way I do on Kindle. Yes, Logos, is used for research. However: 1. a lot of the books Logos sells are books meant to be read from beginning to end, i.e., a normal books. 2. Research entails reading. In my research I've read numerous books starting at page one to the last page without jumping around. I still read the bible this way as part of my daily bible reading routine. It doesn't negate the research aspect it supplements it.

Also, for our mobile heavy users chech this out: Mobile Bookmarks