Love the command box

The command box (top of screen, just right of File | Guides | Tools) has to be one of the unsung features in the Logos interface. Once you know what's in your library, it's a very quick way to get what you want.
Example: what does Darrell Bock say on Luke 7:24 in the Baker Exegetical Commentary?
Instead of using the Passage Guide, or opening the library to find the book, just type:
open bock to lk 7:24
Logos understands what I mean when I type these terse expressions.
For the team who programmed this box, thanks: this thing is seriously useful, all the time.
More info: http://wiki.logos.com/Logos_4_Commands
Comments
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You taught me something new (and it isn't in the wiki)!
I tried open Sailhamer to gen 5 and it opened Expositor's Bible Commentary to Gen 5:1-3! But open Wood got resources by Wood but not the article by Wood in EBC.
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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I'm under the opinion that the command box is under-promoted by Logos. It is a great way to cut down on mouse clicks in the program but you would think it would be promoted like crazy... and it is if you know to look at what MP produces. I would say too many Logos users miss out on many of the shortcuts because its not very intuitive the first time they sit down in front of the program. If you are a programmer or have some sort of coding experience it makes all the sense in the world!
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Thank you. I didn't know that and it is very useful.
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Paul Newsome said:
I would say too many Logos users miss out on many of the shortcuts because its not very intuitive the first time they sit down in front of the program.
Yes, I agree. We usually do what we know to do or what is easiest. If I am studying a passage in the Bible, I would generally access resources using the right click menu. It is the easiest method, no memory necessary. However the command box is a powerful underused resource in Logos 4. In practicality I use it to open Bibles or get an English definition by typing web (to open Websters Dictionary). I probably will use it more in the future because some of the same terse expressions work in the library on the iPad app. or work with slight modification.
I have a commentary guide which I can open from the command bar with open comm guide to eph 2:12 for example. For a topic in Bible dictionaries I type "topic:heaven" and it opens a basic search with all my dictionaries for that topic. Of course these are two step methods and as the OP pointed out with the right command you can open the specific resource right to the passage your interested in. This would be the ideal access to your library. Perhaps an analysis of how to do this should be documented.
"For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power"
Wiki Table of Contents
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Jerry M said:
Perhaps an analysis of how to do this should be documented.
http://wiki.logos.com/Logos_4_Commands
Feel free to improve it - see Wiki Editing at http://wiki.logos.com/Logos_Bible_Software_Wiki
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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Dave Hooton said:
You taught me something new (and it isn't in the wiki)!
That's great, Dave. You answered the first Logos question I ever asked (back in the Usenet groups), so I've always felt a gratitute for your posts. It's satisfying if I can now contribute as well.
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Ah, Dave, when Australia wakes up, you're just too fast!
"If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.
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Dave Hooton said:
Feel free to improve it
That's how our church works also. If you suggest something, you just volunteered to implement it.
"For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power"
Wiki Table of Contents
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I absolutely love the command box. When I want to open a passage, i usually use the command box. the nice thing is it remembers what you have selected so if I type in "topical" and then select MacArthur's topical Bible form the three options, It will become the first option the next time. Then rather then typing topical and selecting from the list I can simply type topical then Enter and my favorite topical is now open.
I definitely agree. The command box is under-advertised. It needs a blog post!
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Jerry M said:
That's how our church works also. If you suggest something, you just volunteered to implement it.
This is a Community, so I didn't think you would mind[:)]
Dave
===Windows 11 & Android 13
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Allen,
I too have a hard time getting the command box to open or go to what I want it to. About 2 out of 6 tries I got something. I guess I don't know how to use it maybe. But I don't find it useful at this point. Maybe in the future as I get more familiar with Logos4
Peggy0 -
Peggy Ann said:
Allen,
I too have a hard time getting the command box to open or go to what I want it to. About 2 out of 6 tries I got something. I guess I don't know how to use it maybe. But I don't find it useful at this point. Maybe in the future as I get more familiar with Logos4
PeggyYes, you do have to learn what it expects Peggy.
Hopefully you will appreciate it in time.
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Hi Peggy
Peggy Ann said:I too have a hard time getting the command box to open or go to what I want it to. About 2 out of 6 tries I got something. I guess I don't know how to use it maybe. But I don't find it useful at this point. Maybe in the future as I get more familiar with Logos4
Have you looked at the information in the posts quoted above - http://wiki.logos.com/Logos_4_Commands - for information on how to open and use the command box?
Graham
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I'm like you Peggy ... the command box isn't my cup of tea. Some people are 'typers' and some people are 'menu'ers'.
Back when Microsoft moved from DOS to Windows, the DOS'ers were in a real pickle. Finally they convinced Microsoft to get rid of the menus (hoping of course, they could get their command lines back!).
Well, with many Microsoft products, it didn't quite work; instead now they have the 'ribbons' (which made the command box people REALLY frustrated).
But Logos, smart cookies that they are, put the old DOS command line back in, giving it a touch of smartness (not much, mind you or it might be easy to use!).
My rule is 'If it can't be done visually, it can't be done.' (This will give a command-box person a positive heart attack).
But I've too many other software products that don't require a dictionary/wiki/forum-search to in order to use the product.
And I do love Logos (have to put that on there for sure.)
"If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.
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Peggy Ann said:
Allen,
I too have a hard time getting the command box to open or go to what I want it to. About 2 out of 6 tries I got something. I guess I don't know how to use it maybe. But I don't find it useful at this point. Maybe in the future as I get more familiar with Logos4
PeggyCurious about commands that get nothing. Wondering about Logos 4 improvement ideas ?
Likewise some helpful Logos users may be able to share alternative to desired command.
Logos User Voice suggestions => Logos Bible Software 4 Forum has 411 items open for voting.
Keep Smiling [:)]
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Peggy Ann said:
I too have a hard time getting the command box to open or go to what I want it to. About 2 out of 6 tries I got something.
2 out of 6? I could believe you if it were 1 out of 3. [:P]
The good thing is that for most things you don't HAVE to use the command box.
macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
Choose Truth Over Tribe | Become a Joyful Outsider!0 -
alabama24 said:
The good thing is that for most things you don't HAVE to use the command box.
Agreed: the command box cannot be the only way to do stuff (and it isn't).
But it is one of the fastest for people who like that kind of thing. You know: different (key)strokes for different folks. :-)
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Allen Browne said:
But it is one of the fastest for people who like that kind of thing. You know: different (key)strokes for different folks. :-)
[Y] [:)]
macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
Choose Truth Over Tribe | Become a Joyful Outsider!0 -
Allen Browne said:Peggy Ann said:
Allen,
I too have a hard time getting the command box to open or go to what I want it to. About 2 out of 6 tries I got something. I guess I don't know how to use it maybe. But I don't find it useful at this point. Maybe in the future as I get more familiar with Logos4
PeggyYes, you do have to learn what it expects Peggy.
It does take some "getting used to", as they say in my part of the planet. I tried to open the NICNT commentary on Romans 8 by typing "Open Moo to Rom 8" and received a list of search options. However, when I typed "Open Douglas Moo", I received a list of his resources to open. Adding "to Rom 8" gave an option to open either of two resources on Romans in my library. Perhaps, Moo has too many options other than the esteemed Doctor for Logos to filter. I find the same problem with names like Lane and Wood.
Overall, these commands seem rather hit and miss. Sometimes they work; just as often they do not. At least, that appears to be the case with L4 Mac 4.5 Beta 6.
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For some unknown reason....I cannot get the command box to work with my wife...oh wait...that's a different program...NEVER MIND!! [6]
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Jack Caviness said:
Overall, these commands seem rather hit and miss. Sometimes they work; just as often they do not. At least, that appears to be the case with L4 Mac 4.5 Beta 6.
Received the same inconsistent results with L4 Win 4.5 Beta 6. I can "Open Bruce Hebrews", but not "Open Bruce Hebrews 3:12". Similar results with several other combinations of authors and references.
OOPS: That should be Beta 5 in both cases [:$] Halo Hound has me panting for Beta releases [:D]
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It helps that if your layout is simple the commentary will open to the same location as your Bible. I usually just use book and series command. For example: open rom nic to open the New International Commentary. If you have an iPad you find your self using these abbreviations in your library to find books.
"For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power"
Wiki Table of Contents
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Jerry M said:
If you have an iPad you find your self using these abbreviations in your library to find books.
Logos has many Bible Book abbreviations => http://www.logos.com/L4/support/biblebookabbrev (useful in command box and other places)
Keep Smiling [:)]
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Thanks smiling, I went ahead and made a personal book of these abbreviations just to have quick access to them.
"For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power"
Wiki Table of Contents
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Jack Caviness said:
I can "Open Bruce Hebrews", but not "Open Bruce Hebrews 3:12".
That's because the syntax of your second example should be "Open Bruce Hebrews to Hebrews 3:12"...of course you can also abbreviate the reference to "He3.12"
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Kknight78 said:Jack Caviness said:
I can "Open Bruce Hebrews", but not "Open Bruce Hebrews 3:12".
That's because the syntax of your second example should be "Open Bruce Hebrews to Hebrews 3:12"...of course you can also abbreviate the reference to "He3.12"
Actually, it was my typo in the forum post. The Command Box requires a rather convoluted syntax. No wonder I use the PG.
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