Buying software for national pastor

John,

Unless you get lucky on that auction site and find a copy in L3 format there, you are discovering that Logos supports L3 but does not sell it. Until Logos withdrew distribution of its product from other retailers it was possible occasionally to find an older product in a store somewhere. That has dried up.

In this case the only option would seem to be to create a set of discs with the data that would be there if an L3 disc was available as Denise mentioned. That means finding and downloading the right files from the ftp site and burning a disc, then purchasing the license from Logos for Logos 4 using the national pastor's email address.

One potential problem I can see is what we called Addins in L3. Not sure where those that should have been included in a certain level of L3 package can be found.

I agree that this is more difficult than you probably wanted and for that reason is probably a game changer. Frustrating.

I am assuming that you want the Spanish language version of Logos, so one last thought is to post on the Logos Spanish forum and ask if anyone knows if there is a source or has an older copy of the library you are looking for: http://community.logos.com/forums/65.aspx

Mark Smith said:

One potential problem I can see is what we called Addins in L3.

I found a folder with a zip file of the Logos3.0g software on the ftp site that includes all you need for installation including the addins. I don't know if the 3.0g installer by itself will include these, so that zip file might be what is needed for that: ftp://ftp.logos.com/ldls/Zip/  it is the third file listed.

This does not solve the resources issue.

John Tabor said:

Logos has been such a wonderful tool for myself as a pastor here in the states. A group from our church (including myself) have returned from a missions trip to South America and we would like to purchase Logos for the national pastor as a gift. The problem is that I'm worried over the hardware requirements of Logos 4. I've looked all over for a version 3 Spanish package but have come up with nothing.

Could I buy a Logos 4 package and then down grade to version 3? I know whatever I do I will have to have everything on cd/dvd because I know that there internet is very slow and very spotty. I'm not in contact with the pastor and will be sending anything down with another group this fall.

What does Logos do about international sales to groups that are behind the latest technological eight ball?

You do know that Logos has a dedicated sales and support for Spanish speakers, right?

Have you considered having this discussion with them? I'm sure you aren't the first to raise these questions. You can call their 800 number and ask for Spanish language sales, or email them at serviciotecnico@logos.com

John Tabor said:

Richard, I did call Spanish sales and they basically said I need to buy logos 4 as they no longer sell version 4 and they are strongly suggesting everyone upgrade. So no help there.

Sorry, I missed that above. It's there.

Next thought: Have you considered buying a laptop that meets L4's minimal specs, install Logos4 on it and gift the whole thing to the pastor? You could probably buy one for $400-$600. I realize you may need to deal with import duties as well (amount and circumstances varies widely from country to country), but L4 runs pretty well on my older Dell Inspiron (not fast, but adequate). It would probably be necessary to have someone hand-carry it, but missionaries are traveling to and from countries all the time (and know the laws and practices regarding import duties).

Tom Rach said:

Libronix from the American Bible Society still sells the CompuBiblia http://www.bibles.com/products/ABS_NEW/113026.aspx

Wow, this is good to know. I hope they can continue to offer this.

John Tabor said:

I saw  the package you referred to and it is logos 2.1 right?

If it is, there should be no problem. If you include an installation disc with the Libronix 3.0g engine on it the resources that are in 2.1 format would still work. The pastor might have to install from the original disc if an unlock is required. Then he could run the 3.0g install to update the software engine. He would still not have some of the addins which only were unlocked through purchasing them separately or through a library purchase, but should still be able to do alot.

Tom Rach said:

This is the logos version still in libronix.

http://www.logos.com/es/producto/9656/compubiblia  Compubliblia

http://www.logos.com/es/producto/8955/biblioteca-de-estudio-biblico Estudio

http://www.logos.com/es/producto/8956/biblioteca-pastoral Pastoral

Use one of the links to buy the libronix version. You can get it on cd or dvd or download. 

Tom, unless I am missing something these are Logos 4 packages.

Note the following:

Also in the product listing there are three datasets only available in Logos 4:

Tom Rach said:

Richard DeRuiter said:

I would challenge the church(es) to give him the best you can, and drop the 'good enough' mentality

Boy talk about a difference in word views!  Big differene in the best way to help, and the best way to give.

I for one have been fighting for the past 15 years the "Dame Dame Dame" attitude created by so many well meaning missionaries to southern Mexico . 

Seems like all the gringos are good for are getting them: Key Boards, Speakers, MONEY, MONEY for Building an Anex, etc.

Richard DeRuiter said:

If it's worth doing, it's worth doing as best as you can.

If it is worth doing only if you are sending an appopiate gift.

Sometimes sending 3 to 4 good references books would be a better gift and a better use of the Lords money.

What do you think the effect will be on the local christians when they see their pastor waking around with a new laptop that just arrived from the Gringos?

I know what effect it causes, many letters sent to churches in the states that remind me a lot of the "Weekly Nigeria Scam Letter" we all get in our mail boxes weekly.

¿Cant we just stop being paternalistic in our givining?

Most pastors in my part of mexico can make the equalivante of 500 to 800 dollars a month. I know it is not a lot to most of you, but with it the pastors in southern mexico can buy their own note book computers from SAMS, and they pay for monthly wireless internet access from AT&T. 

I would challenge the church(es) to give a basic low end Logps product as a thank you to the pastor for his friendship.  

Let them find the machine to run it on!

A more visible and useful gift may be to send hard copyies of good books (Comentario de Mateo Henery, JFB,  Biblia:Griego-Españo, Dictionario Illistrado). 

All of these are aviable on logos, but for a Home bible study or Sunday School clase you cant beat a hard copy.

Logos is a great tool, but it is not the only tool in the tool box.

Tom, thanks for that. My experience is limited in this regard, but our desire to give big is often the wrong first impulse, especially when it engenders jealousy or creates a gap between the gifted and those who were not. I appreciate you sharing this.

Tom Rach said:

Boy talk about a difference in word views!  Big differene in the best way to help, and the best way to give.

Tom Rach said:

¿Cant we just stop being paternalistic in our givining?

Tom, you reminded me of something I had forgotten about, when I was in the Dominican Republic as a missionary.

I was reacting to the idea that something second rate, is good enough for a 'national pastor.' That seems paternalistic too.

Giving in a way that creates/perpetuates dependence is bad, and so is keeping all our financial blessings for ourselves. It's a dilemma of Biblical proportions!

I'd suggest a simple solution to the dilemma, but it would be wrong.

John Tabor said:

The pastors Logos 3 really seems the be way to go.

It is great you've been able to find that package and at a good price. I think this is the best way to go if you are going to give Logos.