FEEDBACK WANTED: New Resource Toolbar on Desktop
The new resource toolbar has made it to the desktop app and is now available for beta testing in version 36 Beta 3!
As we all know, the desktop app has a world of functionality inside it. That is, if you know the right places to click. We often hear that our app is confusing for new users, so we took that feedback, (along with the feedback from the web resource toolbar) and focused on improving the discoverability and intuitiveness of the buttons on the toolbar.
Here’s what you can expect from our revamped resource toolbar:
- Simple: We’ve simplified the layout and made the buttons more explanatory, so you can focus on studying the Word instead of getting bogged down by learning all of the icons.
- Clear: Each button is carefully designed to represent its function, making it easier than ever to find the tool you need.
- Quick: Everything you need is just 1 or 2 clicks away, instead of several clicks.
It’s important to note that this toolbar will not release to version 36 stable. It will remain in beta throughout the v37 beta cycle. We are releasing this feature earlier than we usually release new beta features, in order to allot more time for feedback from you. That being said, we’re still working on some polishing. We’d value your feedback on this, but please keep in mind that it’s not fully finished yet.
So, try out the new toolbar and let us know what you think in this forum thread. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Other Important Things to Note:
- This change is not related to the application toolbar. It is the resource toolbar, which is only for book resources.
- This feature requires a license. If you don’t already subscribe, you can get a temporary license for the features marked with an asterisk during the beta period by becoming a follower of this Faithlife group.
Ali Pope | Logos Desktop and Mobile Program Manager
Find more posts tagged with
Comments
I am surprised at the dislike of the new toolbar. Not taking away from those who don't like it, but I think it's a huge step forward. I've been using in beta for many weeks and once I got past my old muscle memory, I loved it.
Love it.
My view: The toolbar is great! However, it still feels firmly like a beta version. As much as I love it, there are many things I wish it had (all of these ideas have been mentioned by others in this thread):
1) Bring back the divided button. It was so nice to be able to turn on/off and access the drop-down menu both in one click.
2) Allow an option in settings to remove the text, leaving only the icons in the second row of the toolbar. Yes, I know they do this one by one as needed, but giving the user control would create a more uniform experience and shorten the distance between menu items, allowing for smoother and more efficient use.
3) Allow an option to replace the top row of the toolbar (Home, search, notes, etc.) with icons. This would provide much needed consolidation when working with multiple panes so that one does not have to deal with the "More" menu as frequently.
4) Have a "Custom" tab that would allow the user to organize buttons as needed for their specific workflow
5) Have Logos remember the toolbar state rather than resetting every time Logos opens. If a user wanted to remain on the custom tab with a consolidated toolbar, they could do so until deciding otherwise.
The plethora of suggestions in my view is more indicative of the toolbar's current early development state than a dislike of it in general.
I regularly use the Interlinear function. I'm missing it being one of the main items, and that a single click of the item doesn't go directly to the interlinear. Now, I have to click to choose the menu which it's in, then I have to click the item, and then I have to click to turn it on or off. Could you at least make it so that clicking the arrow opens the menu while clicking the item does the already set up action? Thanks! Richard
Nice! To be honest, I JUST finished Camp Logos (online) for Logos 10, so this was the first time In almost 10 years of using Logos that I truly understood how to use most of the vast variety of tools and where to locate them. So, I DO think this new change is better for brand new users. It's intuitive if you're starting from scratch. But it is an annoying change for power users or long time users. Symbols are always good! maybe a toggle like you can the main Logos menu bar?
Please bring back a way to toggle on and off the parallel text. I use this constantly to open Hebrew/Greek text parallel to the passage I'm studying. In the prior version, the parallel text button was always visible and could be clicked on and off in one step. Now it takes 4 steps: go to the view tab, click on add parallel text, toggle on/off parallel text, and click out of dropdown to close the dropdown.
Same here. I switch Parallel Text on/off several times a day while studying. With the new configuration I hesitate every time because: 1) I have to remember where the button is; and 2) I calculate whether the extra time to open it is worth it.
Frankly, I find it so frustrating I am willing to drop my subscription (and I really like Smart Search), just to get the old toolbar back.
I am going round and round in circles with this new toolbar. I want to check corresponding highlights and notes and lemmas. You know, where I mark something in one Bible or create a note in one, and it shows up in the other Bibles.
can't find it
This page should help:
Andrew Batishko | Logos software developer
That is the main reason other companies keep a "Classic" option when making such changes to UI toolbars....
Exactly! But I think Logos wants to be “better” than these “second-rate” companies lol (sorry for the irony)
____________
"... And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Ne 8.10)
1) Bring back the divided button. It was so nice to be able to turn on/off and access the drop-down menu both in one click.
2) Allow an option in settings to remove the text, leaving only the icons in the second row of the toolbar. Yes, I know they do this one by one as needed, but giving the user control would create a more uniform experience and shorten the distance between menu items, allowing for smoother and more efficient use.
3) Allow an option to replace the top row of the toolbar (Home, search, notes, etc.) with icons. This would provide much needed consolidation when working with multiple panes so that one does not have to deal with the "More" menu as frequently.
4) Have a "Custom" tab that would allow the user to organize buttons as needed for their specific workflow
5) Have Logos remember the toolbar state rather than resetting every time Logos opens. If a user wanted to remain on the custom tab with a consolidated toolbar, they could do so until deciding otherwise.
That's all we want lol. [H]
That would be the best of both worlds. It gives the user the ability to decide what is the best user experience for them.
____________
"... And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Ne 8.10)
2) Allow an option in settings to remove the text, leaving only the icons in the second row of the toolbar. Yes, I know they do this one by one as needed, but giving the user control would create a more uniform experience and shorten the distance between menu items, allowing for smoother and more efficient use.
3) Allow an option to replace the top row of the toolbar (Home, search, notes, etc.) with icons. This would provide much needed consolidation when working with multiple panes so that one does not have to deal with the "More" menu as frequently.
It's important to note that hiding tool titles has been around since Logos 10. Several tools in the main Toolbar at the top that had titles have had them permanently replaced with icons and pop-ups with titles when you hover the mouse. And when the main Toolbar is placed on the left (default) the titles can be hidden by collapsing the Toolbar, so you can see what it's about when you hover the mouse and see the pop-up title.
How difficult would it be to give us the option of merely hiding the titles of the dynamic Toolbar? How would this affect the usability of users who consciously choose to hide the titles? And if this option is bad, why isn't it considered bad in the main Toolbar?
I can only see benefits, from a clean interface that makes me concentrate on the text of the book, to the benefit of reducing the mouse scroll area when clicking.
____________
"... And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Ne 8.10)
I concur and even though I don't use a mac at this time; this may change at a later time. Menu is the money maker for every app and it is the most universal item in navigation.
Yes we need options because Logos is so powerful it seem like and ocean that we can sail, surf, swim and just watch. Please remember that not all options are important but options are important to all.[:)]
A suggestion for buttons on the new toolbar that have further "drop-down" options (for example, Home > Verse - when you click on it you see 5 more options for navigating through a resource that you can then click on):
Allow for this additional, alternative and quicker method of choosing an option: left-click and hold on the original button, which activates the list of drop-down options, and then bring your mouse down over one of those options and release the left-click. This will then activate that option. This will keep the action to one click instead of two for those who want to work faster.
How difficult would it be to give us the option of merely hiding the titles of the dynamic Toolbar?
Doable.
First 10-15 minute reaction! --> I didn't even realize I was dealing necessarily with a new feature here yet, or that this was called the "New Resource Toolbar," etc. I had x-ed out the breadcrumb (locator bar) and was trying to bring it back and a little frustrated not sure how, but in the process... yeah, I discovered this is a whole new toolbar... and past that initial bit of frustration of not being able to quickly bring the locator bar back, once I started learning what this is ... I think I love it!! Well done guys, keep shooting for the stars. There's just no one perfect way to do all this, but my initial 'virgin' reaction is, this is really nice and well thought out.
MAYBE the Home tab could have 2-3 custom items the user likes to use put in there? There's just one thought... I know it's important not to just make this a free for all and fully customizable like some people here have said, I know that is definitely not ok from much UX experience over the years. But maybe that one exception is for 2-3 commands / frequent ones, so one doesn't as often have to navigate to other tabs, there's just one thought, but keep up the good work and God bless y'all!
Nicholas
Ich finde die neue Toolbar auch negativ. Z.B. die Funktion "Paralleler Text" ist zu weit und zu schwer zu erreichen. Diese Option habe ich oft mit einem Klick aktiviert bzw. deaktiviert. Jetzt brauche ich dafür 3 Schritte.
Dafür wurde der Platz in der Startansicht genutzt, um "Info" auszuschreiben. Info als Funktion, die ich fast nie benutze.
Die neue "Entdecken" Funktion ist ein Gewinn. Danke Dafür!
Mein Wunsch wäre, eine gekürzte Toolbar zur Verfügung zur Stellen. Oder dem Nutzer die Auswahl zu geben, wie er sie haben möchte, im neuen oder im gekürzten alten Design.
Vielen Dank!
Doable.
[:D][:D][:D]
____________
"... And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Ne 8.10)
I reran the query using the Search logo in the far upper-left of the screen, four icons to the right of the blue Logos logo, and set the query to Book search. In the Synopsis window I got a return, which says it was generated by AI, which only listed Calvin's Institutes as a source.
I'm liking the dynamic and secondary toolbars a bit better now that I've been using them a few days. Granted some operations I did before required fewer mouse clicks (such as displaying/removing the interlinear view), but against that negative the positive is that it seems the two toolbars consolidate more of the functions on each panel. I'm getting used to clicking one of the few items on the dynamic bar, very often formatting or view, and then seeing what options appear in the secondary bar -- convenient.
Thanks Logos. I know you're getting a lot of helpful feedback on tweaking the new implementation, user interfaces are hard as they deal with widely-varying human factors, but I really appreciate the work you're doing.
It seems that the new resource tool bar has taken away the feature that allows me to advance to the next page by taping the space bar.
Where is the parallel resource button for windows. From a not so computer savvy oldfart
It seems that the new resource tool bar has taken away the feature that allows me to advance to the next page by taping the space bar.
As before, it requires that you put the keyboard focus in the content area. You can do this by clicking in the text of the book.
Andrew Batishko | Logos software developer
Where is the parallel resource button for windows. From a not so computer savvy oldfart
This page should be helpful in finding where things moved to: https://support.logos.com/hc/en-us/articles/29439681440525-Where-do-I-find-on-the-dynamic-toolbar#SwitchToDifferentBook
Andrew Batishko | Logos software developer
In my Commentary window, when I click the down arrow and get the dropdown of my parallel book commentaries, I used to be able to mouseover the individual titles and get some book information, specifically the author and the series name. I made frequent use of this to help me choose the parallel book by my favored OT/NT book commentary authors. Please bring the book info mouseover popup back for the parallel books dropdown.
I have multiple commentaries and previously with the parallel function you could hover over the book, and it would give you author name and some info. With this gone it's very inconvenient and now I have to actually open the commentary to view this info.
I agree.
I reran the query using the Search logo in the far upper-left of the screen, four icons to the right of the blue Logos logo, and set the query to Book search. In the Synopsis window I got a return, which says it was generated by AI, which only listed Calvin's Institutes as a source.
It's only listing Calvin's Institutes as the source because you seem to be searching only in that book - see upper left corner, above the question.
I see it now, thanks so much for your help and expertise. I changed the search scope to all my books and got a return similar to yours. Thanks again.
I am very happy to see the new toolbar and features. Logos feels more familiar. Thank you
It took me only a few minutes to work out how to find my way around the toolbar. Far better than previous toolbar on the Mac.
I would like an option to hide the secondary toolbar by default whenever a recourse opens.
One of my main layouts that I have used for years had 5 columns of Bibles. My screen is 15.6 in, so when Logos updated and added the new resource toolbar configuration, both the Hide secondary toolbar and hamburger buttons were able to be seen because they were longer than the column with. (This may be a reason that some people in the above comments could not find the 'Hide secondary toolbar' button.) By reducing program scaling to 80% I was then able to see the Hide secondary toolbar and hamburger buttons on 4 of the columns, but it was not enough to let me see the all the buttons on my 5th column which had to be slightly narrower. This is not a problem for the resource tabs, as when there are too many to show, a Scroll arrow pops up. And it is not a problem for the secondary toolbar, because the buttons are consolidated under, a more toolbar controls button. QUESTION: Is there a plan to add a scroll arrow to the primary Resource Toolbar if the column is too narrow to show all of its buttons?
This change is so awful for interlinear. Instead of 1 click it's not 3. Please change how this works for interlinear or at least give us a command like ctrl + i. You just made this so much more time consuming.
Can't highlight the passage reference anymore as taught in the Logos 10 QuickStart course. Press tab to change the bible reference. Now tab cycles through all UI elements - very disappointing.
Also can't find where to change font size or change parallels.
This is highly disappointing and support have told me I can't get my subscription refunded and cancelled because it's a subscription - despite having no idea subscribing would so heavily alter the UI. Could even say it broke the UI.
It seems that the new resource tool bar has taken away the feature that allows me to advance to the next page by taping the space bar.
As before, it requires that you put the keyboard focus in the content area. You can do this by clicking in the text of the book.
Ctrl + Space doesn't work to cycle back though.
Also Tab now cycles through all elements of the screen. I was trained to press tab to change the verse, how do you do this now? Would rather it be tab. I don't see any reason to want to cycle through every element on the screen - unless you had specific accessibility issues which should be a togglable feature.
Press tab to change the bible reference
Try Ctrl-G
Also can't find where to change font size or change parallels.
Please see https://support.logos.com/hc/en-us/articles/29439681440525-Where-do-I-find-on-the-dynamic-toolbar#TextSlider and https://support.logos.com/hc/en-us/articles/29439681440525-Where-do-I-find-on-the-dynamic-toolbar#SwitchToDifferentBook
Press tab to change the bible reference. Now tab cycles through all UI elements - very disappointing.
Ctrl+G has always been the documented keyboard shortcut to set focus to the Active Reference textbox: https://ref.ly/logosres/logos4help?hw=Windows+Keyboard+Shortcuts
It still works with the new resource toolbar.
This change is so awful for interlinear. Instead of 1 click it's not 3. Please change how this works for interlinear or at least give us a command like ctrl + i. You just made this so much more time consuming.
The shortcut is Ctrl+alt+r (r for reverse interlinear). It is in the help file but I think they said they're finally adding a tooltip.
Using Logos as a pastor, seminary professor, and Tyndale author
The shortcut is Ctrl+alt+r (r for reverse interlinear). It is in the help file but I think they said they're finally adding a tooltip.
Unfortunately, here, ctrl+alt+r does nothing in a Bible pane. In both, I can access the interlinear via the menu. (Windows 11, in NASB20 and NKJV)
Ctrl - Shift - R instead.
Thanks. a lot.
or change parallels.
In the parallels icon - the book image just before the navigation box.
o change font size
instead of a slider, it is a % zoom in/out in the view tab - right side.
Could even say it broke the UI.
It shouldn't take long to learn to new UI - the nice thing is everyone is learning the new UI so there is lots of help in the forums.
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."
I upgraded after the launch earlier this week. I've tried to get used to the new toolbar and I just don't like it. I'm hoping Logos does some improvement to it. I find the new one to be less intuitive than the old one, but maybe that will change with time.
Jim R. Keener
Ctrl - Shift - R instead. However, it opens the bottom pane thing. In the seminar the other day, this was noted, and I believe they are introducing a key stroke sequence for the actual Interlinear.
Yes, and you can't use it to shut off the inline Interlinear. You have to thread your way through three levels, collect all the gems, and avoid the Mouse-Click Monster.
I upgraded after the launch earlier this week. I've tried to get used to the new toolbar and I just don't like it. I'm hoping Logos does some improvement to it. I find the new one to be less intuitive than the old one, but maybe that will change with time.
https://feedback.logos.com/boards/logos-desktop-app/posts/add-a-toolbar-choice
Logos 10 - OpenSuse Tumbleweed, Windows 11, Android 16 & Android 14