Logos Is Too Expensive

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Comments

  • Matthew C Jones
    Matthew C Jones Member Posts: 10,295 ✭✭✭

    fgh said:

    I'd be surprised if it wasn't more diverse than ever.

    I quite agree Logos is diversifying. I would even say Logos far exceeds the "competition" in diversity. I do not think it is possible to achieve "balance." Nor do I believe Logos should try.

    fgh said:

    The blog, on the other hand, that is certainly as blatantly Reformed as ever, if not more. Just look at today's one about the "hero" Zwingli.

    Whether we call ourselves "Reformed" or not we must acknowledge most of the history makers of the past held to Reformed theology and many should be considered heroes.

    Logos 7 Collectors Edition

  • tom
    tom Member Posts: 3,213 ✭✭✭


    Whether we call ourselves "Reformed" or not we must acknowledge most of the history makers of the past held to Reformed theology and many should be considered heroes.

    I simply disagree.  The reformation started just under 500 years ago.  That leaves us with 1500 years of Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, etc...  Therefore, most of history markers of the past did not held to reformed theology.

  • Gary Osborne
    Gary Osborne Member Posts: 325 ✭✭

    tom said:

    I simply disagree.  The reformation started just under 500 years ago.  That leaves us with 1500 years of Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, etc...  Therefore, most of history markers of the past did not held to reformed theology.

     

    On top of that, I'd suggest it's also a bit presumptuous to suggest that the last 500 years has been dominated by Reformed theology.  I'm sorry, but Wesleyan/Arminian thoology has a rich and long tradition too.  Add to that the Holiness/Pentecostal theology, and there's a lot more out there than just Calvinism.  Hence my desire to see what I'd consider a more level playing field with the resources offered.

    Having said that, I do think Logos offers a lot of diversity.  That's not my point at all.  I'd just like to see some more standard, classic Wesleyan/Pentecostal material than what is offered presently.

  • tom
    tom Member Posts: 3,213 ✭✭✭


    On top of that, I'd suggest it's also a bit presumptuous to suggest that the last 500 years has been dominated by Reformed theology.  I'm sorry, but Wesleyan/Arminian thoology has a rich and long tradition too.  Add to that the Holiness/Pentecostal theology, and there's a lot more out there than just Calvinism.  Hence my desire to see what I'd consider a more level playing field with the resources offered.

    Having said that, I do think Logos offers a lot of diversity.  That's not my point at all.  I'd just like to see some more standard, classic Wesleyan/Pentecostal material than what is offered presently.

    And talking about the last 500 years, we cannot forgot how Luther started the reformation, and Lutherism too does not hold to reformed theology.
  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 54,952

    I'd just like to see some more standard, classic Wesleyan/Pentecostal material than what is offered presently.

    While I'd like to see more Orthodox, Coptic, Anglican and Lutheran resources. Which is exactly the problem that Logos faces - balancing resources that will grow their market against what the current population wants. Add to that the publishers and copyright holders' interest, I don't envy Logos personnel.

    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."

  • fgh
    fgh Member Posts: 8,948 ✭✭✭

    On top of that, I'd suggest it's also a bit presumptuous to suggest that the last 500 years has been dominated by Reformed theology.  I'm sorry, but Wesleyan/Arminian thoology has a rich and long tradition too.  Add to that the Holiness/Pentecostal theology, and there's a lot more out there than just Calvinism.

    Like Lutheranism and Anglicanism and Anabaptism... 

    And let's not forget that Catholics and Orthodox and Orientals are still around after the Reformation as well, in spite of both Luther, Calvin and Zwingli. [:)]

    Outside of the US, Reformed are a very small group. So small that during all my years of theology they were hardly even mentioned. I just looked at my basic church history book, and it's got about 10 pages on Calvin and Zwingli (together), plus a couple on the English puritans. So I'd say that if we're talking general church history, virtually none of "the history makers of the past" held to Reformed theology.

    Mac Pro (late 2013) OS 12.6.2

  • Ken McGuire
    Ken McGuire Member Posts: 2,074 ✭✭✭

    fgh said:

    On top of that, I'd suggest it's also a bit presumptuous to suggest that the last 500 years has been dominated by Reformed theology.  I'm sorry, but Wesleyan/Arminian thoology has a rich and long tradition too.  Add to that the Holiness/Pentecostal theology, and there's a lot more out there than just Calvinism.

    Like Lutheranism and Anglicanism and Anabaptism... 

    And let's not forget that Catholics and Orthodox and Orientals are still around after the Reformation as well, in spite of both Luther, Calvin and Zwingli. Smile

    Outside of the US, Reformed are a very small group. So small that during all my years of theology they were hardly even mentioned. I just looked at my basic church history book, and it's got about 10 pages on Calvin and Zwingli (together), plus a couple on the English puritans. So I'd say that if we're talking general church history, virtually none of "the history makers of the past" held to Reformed theology.

    I am jealous of being in a place where that can be the case.  Over here it is quite hard to even talk about the faith without running into Reformed Assumptions or those of reactions to the Reformed, like the Wesleyan/Arminian and Holiness/Pentacostal mentioned above.

     

    The Gospel is not ... a "new law," on the contrary, ... a "new life." - William Julius Mann

    L8 Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox Silver, Reformed Starter, Academic Essentials

    L7 Lutheran Gold, Anglican Bronze

  • Matthew C Jones
    Matthew C Jones Member Posts: 10,295 ✭✭✭

    I'm sorry, but Wesleyan/Arminian thoology has a rich and long tradition too.

    No they don't have a "long" history. "Rich", yes. "Long", no.  You can't argue longevity and richness as being equally interchangeable.  I stand by my assertion. The Roman Catholic Popes of the last 100 years have made more history than the Popes of all 19 centuries preceding them. Most historical theologies show the beginning s of the Holiness/Pentecostal movement to be a resurgence that is less than 150 years old.

    I am not going to valiantly fight this issue since I don't carry the Reformed banner. I am just trying to point out most of the Bible translating, and martyrs, and many of the founders of great institutions were of the Reformed faith. Yes, there were many Catholics in the latter group too. But criticizing Logos for "too much" Reformed theology is like telling them they are getting too historic for our tastes.

    Logos 7 Collectors Edition

  • Matthew C Jones
    Matthew C Jones Member Posts: 10,295 ✭✭✭

    fgh said:

    Outside of the US, Reformed are a very small group. So small that during all my years of theology they were hardly even mentioned. I just looked at my basic church history book, and it's got about 10 pages on Calvin and Zwingli (together), plus a couple on the English puritans. So I'd say that if we're talking general church history, virtually none of "the history makers of the past" held to Reformed theology.

    Your type of school is not unusual. Virtually all Independent Baptist schools will never study any of the Catholic Church Doctors. My Independent Christian Bible College never studied Wesley, Azusa Street, or Calvin. Most Pentecostal schools will not "waste time" studying what Presbyterians believe.......[6]

    That is why we need Logos to diversify their resources. Church history is being made at a faster rate this past century than at any time since the Apostles. Local assemblies of 2000, 5000, even 10,000 are common place. Ministries reach beyond national boundaries and dwarf Spurgeon's or Moody's influence.  Every year sees more Bibles printed in more languages. The Reformed faith is not dead. They are still well represented in and outside of the USA.

    Logos 7 Collectors Edition

  • George Somsel
    George Somsel Member Posts: 10,150 ✭✭✭

    That is why we need Logos to diversify their resources. Church history is being made at a faster rate this past century than at any time since the Apostles. Local assemblies of 2000, 5000, even 10,000 are common place. Ministries reach beyond national boundaries and dwarf Spurgeon's or Moody's influence.  Every year sees more Bibles printed in more languages. The Reformed faith is not dead. They are still well represented in and outside of the USA.

    One point that has been neglected, and even denied, is that the Anglican Church is at its foundation a reformed church although it has strayed from its roots.  Read the 39 Articles found in the back of the BCP and you will see what I mean.

    george
    gfsomsel

    יְמֵי־שְׁנוֹתֵינוּ בָהֶם שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה וְאִם בִּגְבוּרֹת שְׁמוֹנִים שָׁנָה וְרָהְבָּם עָמָל וָאָוֶן

  • Ken McGuire
    Ken McGuire Member Posts: 2,074 ✭✭✭

    That is why we need Logos to diversify their resources. Church history is being made at a faster rate this past century than at any time since the Apostles. Local assemblies of 2000, 5000, even 10,000 are common place. Ministries reach beyond national boundaries and dwarf Spurgeon's or Moody's influence.  Every year sees more Bibles printed in more languages. The Reformed faith is not dead. They are still well represented in and outside of the USA.

    One point that has been neglected, and even denied, is that the Anglican Church is at its foundation a reformed church although it has strayed from its roots.  Read the 39 Articles found in the back of the BCP and you will see what I mean.

    Getting a bit off topic, but how reformed the 39 articles are is debated.  Many have found more of a Lutheran influence, with the exception of the article on the Eucharist, which is, of course, Reformed.

    The Gospel is not ... a "new law," on the contrary, ... a "new life." - William Julius Mann

    L8 Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox Silver, Reformed Starter, Academic Essentials

    L7 Lutheran Gold, Anglican Bronze

  • John Fidel
    John Fidel MVP Posts: 3,465

    Lots has already been discussed on both sides of this issue. What I am impressed with is how Logos, as a business, continues to provide lots of free resources, community services and benefits to those in ministry:

    Logos Scholarships

    Community Pricing

    Free and low priced Vyrso books

    Perseus Collections

    Free Resource updates

    Free program updates

    GNT SBL edition

    They employ over 100 people which seem to be really happy working there.

    The industry they are in changes daily if not sooner. Many tech companies have fallen by not keeping up. They have a responsibility to their employees, community and customers to stay in business, which in this economy and industry is not easy to do. ( I am a CPA and see lots of businesses)

    I think being critical and constructive regarding pricing is good and helpful. Accusing a company of greed or other evil intentions without specific knowledge of such misconduct is inappropriate. Logos is a great business that I enjoy doing business with.

  • BKMitchell
    BKMitchell Member Posts: 659 ✭✭✭

    Hi John Fidel,

    I think being critical and constructive regarding pricing is good and helpful. Accusing a company of greed or other evil intentions without specific knowledge of such misconduct is inappropriate. Logos is a great business that I enjoy doing business with.

    Great and thoughtful comment.

    חַפְּשׂוּ בַּתּוֹרָה הֵיטֵב וְאַל תִּסְתַּמְּכוּ עַל דְּבָרַי

  • Ted Hans
    Ted Hans MVP Posts: 3,174

    I think being critical and constructive regarding pricing is good and helpful. Accusing a company of greed or other evil intentions without specific knowledge of such misconduct is inappropriate. Logos is a great business that I enjoy doing business with.

    Excellent [Y]

    Dell, studio XPS 7100, Ram 8GB, 64 - bit Operating System, AMD Phenom(mt) IIX6 1055T Processor 2.80 GHZ

  • Jack Caviness
    Jack Caviness MVP Posts: 13,604

    I think being critical and constructive regarding pricing is good and helpful. Accusing a company of greed or other evil intentions without specific knowledge of such misconduct is inappropriate. Logos is a great business that I enjoy doing business with.

    Thank you, John, for that thoughtful analysis

  • KPK
    KPK Member Posts: 194 ✭✭

    When I first heard about Logos through Pastor Mark Driscoll. I went online to look it up and thought the cost was insane, well for the platinum package. After speaking with many people who has the software it made me realize one thing.. I will always have this. It will grow with me as I continue to grow in the Lord. My child attends a Christian school and I will be able to share this with her. So to me the cost is nothing compared to the invaluable tools, books, knowledge that I'll get, it's priceless. 

  • Robert Hayes
    Robert Hayes Member Posts: 3 ✭✭

    Logos is a never ending money pit designed for the affluent Christian

  • Logos is a never ending money pit designed for the affluent Christian

    Welcome [:D]

    Bob Pritchett, Logos CEO, has replied recently with a profitable observation (Income - Expenses = Profit) => http://community.logos.com/forums/p/58162/414162.aspx#414162  Another reply => http://community.logos.com/forums/p/58026/413124.aspx#413124 includes 2012 profit insights (0.38 % so far this year):

    Jacques said:

    He feels they should be ashamed for this kind of profit-margin, it's not reasonable.

    What would a reasonable profit margin be? What profit margin does your friend think Logos has?

     

    For what it's worth, I got our third-quarter financials earlier this week. For 2012 so far, the Logos profit margin was just about 0.38%. (Not 38%. Less than half of one percent.

     

    Now I'm not looking for sympathy -- we're fine. It's better than that most years, and the first three quarters of this year reflect a lot of investment in Logos 5 that hadn't yet generated any revenue. (That's what we're doing now!) I expect we'll end the year with solid single-digit profitability, and we've beaten that in the past.

     

    But the point is, we have to sell something in order to be here to serve you into the future. It's insanely expensive to develop software, especially when you have to develop the same software on Mac, Windows, Android/Kindle, iPhone/iPad, Web (and now Windows 8 RT!) simultaneously. While offering free support.

     

    So I'll take the criticism that we're always trying to sell you more books -- it's true, and it's the only way we get paid. Though, at every upgrade cycle, it does condemn us to a lot of impassioned forum conversations about the injustice of upgrade bundles. :-)

     

    I do welcome your input on a solution. Maybe the "free software" concept was a bad idea? Few other products I have have been offering free engine updates -- in any form -- since 1995. I've bought Word, Excel, Windows, Mac OS, etc. many times in those 17 years. Should Logos just move to paid upgrades, and stop making so many books? (It might be hard to make that change after all these years, but it's an interesting question.)

     

    I appreciate your investing in our product, and I hope that you'll continue to believe it has been a good investment. And I want you to know that we're working hard to serve you better AND ensure that we're here for decades to come to support the investment you have made. Input on how to do that is always welcome.

     

    (My favorite idea... just convince every Christian in America to pay $3 per month... then we could offer everybody all the content, support, and continued maintenance for a very low price! The only trick is getting everyone signed up at once...) :-)

     

    -- Bob

     

    Looking at personalized Logos 5 upgrade => http://www.logos.com/upgrade noticed delta increase for upgrading to Portfolio over Diamond includes new useful resources for my Logos library, which are less than 10 % of the regular price for individual purchases = awesome Big Smile

    Keep Smiling Smile

  • Fred Chapman
    Fred Chapman Member Posts: 5,899 ✭✭✭

    " rel="nofollow">Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :) said:

    For what it's worth, I got our third-quarter financials earlier this week. For 2012 so far, the Logos profit margin was just about 0.38%. (Not 38%. Less than half of one percent.

    The average profit for software companies in general is between 15% and 30%. In my mind Logos charges a fair price for the products and services they provide.

  • Kevin A. Purcell
    Kevin A. Purcell Member Posts: 3,421 ✭✭✭

    People have to understand that companies like Logos make their money selling books. If we buy their software and never buy another book, we're a drag on their company rather than a net plus. They agreed to enter into a "contract" where they will continue to support us through the syncing of our notes, settings, and other content between multiple devices. But that costs money.

    I personally bought an upgrade not because I needed the books so much but because I want Logos to work for a LONG time and aside from recommending it the best way to help is to buy stuff.

    For those who think it's too expensive, as the original poster said in this thread, great. Go get something else. Enjoy using the free software out there. If you need some recommendations, come over to my web site and contact me and I'll be happy to offer suggestions based on your needs. On a Mac Logos is one of the best packages I can buy. On Windows it is as well. It's the only one that works natively and very well on both (that is in version 5).

    Dr. Kevin Purcell, Director of Missions
    Brushy Mountain Baptist Association

    www.kevinpurcell.org

  • David Paul
    David Paul Member Posts: 6,073 ✭✭✭


    Your type of school is not unusual. Virtually all Independent Baptist schools will never study any of the Catholic Church Doctors. My Independent Christian Bible College never studied Wesley, Azusa Street, or Calvin. Most Pentecostal schools will not "waste time" studying what Presbyterians believe.......Devil


    LOLOL I read the sentence below and because of the way the line broke I thought you were saying something more "pointed". [:P]

    image

    I've actually heard some folks make the above critique...and they were Pentecostal.

    ASUS  ProArt x570s Creator, AMD R9 5950x, HyperX 64gb 3600 RAM, ASUS Strix RTX 2080 ti

    "The Unbelievable Work...believe it or not."  Little children...Biblical prophecy is not Christianity's friend.

  • James Macleod
    James Macleod Member Posts: 142 ✭✭

    People have to understand that companies like Logos make their money selling books. If we buy their software and never buy another book, we're a drag on their company rather than a net plus. They agreed to enter into a "contract" where they will continue to support us through the syncing of our notes, settings, and other content between multiple devices. But that costs money.

    I personally bought an upgrade not because I needed the books so much but because I want Logos to work for a LONG time and aside from recommending it the best way to help is to buy stuff.

    For those who think it's too expensive, as the original poster said in this thread, great. Go get something else. Enjoy using the free software out there. If you need some recommendations, come over to my web site and contact me and I'll be happy to offer suggestions based on your needs. On a Mac Logos is one of the best packages I can buy. On Windows it is as well. It's the only one that works natively and very well on both (that is in version 5).

    I'm thinking the same thing. I don't really need more books but I love what Logos is doing and want to make sure they stay in business. I love the new features as well.

  • Pedro
    Pedro Member Posts: 155 ✭✭

    People have to understand that companies like Logos make their money selling books. If we buy their software and never buy another book, we're a drag on their company rather than a net plus. They agreed to enter into a "contract" where they will continue to support us through the syncing of our notes, settings, and other content between multiple devices. But that costs money.

    I personally bought an upgrade not because I needed the books so much but because I want Logos to work for a LONG time and aside from recommending it the best way to help is to buy stuff.

    For those who think it's too expensive, as the original poster said in this thread, great. Go get something else. Enjoy using the free software out there. If you need some recommendations, come over to my web site and contact me and I'll be happy to offer suggestions based on your needs. On a Mac Logos is one of the best packages I can buy. On Windows it is as well. It's the only one that works natively and very well on both (that is in version 5).

    I'm thinking the same thing. I don't really need more books but I love what Logos is doing and want to make sure they stay in business. I love the new features as well.

    Same here. Thanks Logos!

  • Mike Childs
    Mike Childs Member Posts: 3,135 ✭✭✭


    People have to understand that companies like Logos make their money selling books. If we buy their software and never buy another book, we're a drag on their company rather than a net plus. They agreed to enter into a "contract" where they will continue to support us through the syncing of our notes, settings, and other content between multiple devices. But that costs money.

    I personally bought an upgrade not because I needed the books so much but because I want Logos to work for a LONG time and aside from recommending it the best way to help is to buy stuff.

    For those who think it's too expensive, as the original poster said in this thread, great. Go get something else. Enjoy using the free software out there. If you need some recommendations, come over to my web site and contact me and I'll be happy to offer suggestions based on your needs. On a Mac Logos is one of the best packages I can buy. On Windows it is as well. It's the only one that works natively and very well on both (that is in version 5).


    Well said, Kevin.  Logos is expensive and worth every cent of the investment.  Actually, I would never have the theological library that I now have without Logos.  It is a bargain - not cheap, but great value.

    If someone can't afford it, I understand.  There are lots of things that I want but cannot afford.  No shame in that. There are lots of wonderful free resources available, and I am thankful.

    I have built my Logos library slowly over almost 20 years now.  It is the only way I could have afforded it.  Built slowly, carefully, and consistently, a Logos library can be extensive and not expensive.


    "In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley

  • Spurgeon
    Spurgeon Member Posts: 7 ✭✭

    With Logos, you're paying for convenience.  If I'm going for actual value, Amazon and WTS offers better deals. Often it's not even close. I actually prefer reading printed books, especially reference ones, but can't beat the convenience of having your whole library on your computer and all that information just one click away.

  • David Taylor, Jr.
    David Taylor, Jr. Member Posts: 4,386 ✭✭✭


    With Logos, you're paying for convenience.  If I'm going for actual value, Amazon and WTS offers better deals. Often it's not even close. I actually prefer reading printed books, especially reference ones, but can't beat the convenience of having your whole library on your computer and all that information just one click away.


    With all of the datasets and reverse functionality...I would hardly think it fair to say you are paying for convenience.  You are paying for years of scholarship and meticulous tagging of resources.  You are paying for research plus resources.

  • Matthew C Jones
    Matthew C Jones Member Posts: 10,295 ✭✭✭

    With Logos, you're paying for convenience.

    The best value you get for your Logos dollar is not mere "convenience" but the fact you are getting a virtual research team that reads your whole library and returns search results in a matter of seconds. This frees up your time to digest the results and find the relative nuggets of gold. Your study time is magnified exponentially. That is more than convenience.

    Logos 7 Collectors Edition

  • Bill Moore
    Bill Moore Member Posts: 975 ✭✭✭

    With Logos, you're paying for convenience.

    The best value you get for your Logos dollar is not mere "convenience" but the fact you are getting a virtual research team that reads your whole library and returns search results in a matter of seconds. This frees up your time to digest the results and find the relative nuggets of gold. Your study time is magnified exponentially. That is more than convenience.

    Every once in a while I will start looking for some greener grass in
    the Bible software pasture. It doesn't take long to return with
    happiness to Logos.

    Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Clinton, SC

  • Rob Turpin
    Rob Turpin Member Posts: 10 ✭✭

    I would just like to add a few simple thoughts:

    1. As much as Logos charges, I must agree that their prices are simply way to high for most average folks (especially Christians) when compared to the resources of the smaller half of their package offering.

    2. I remember hearing about Logos Bible software way back before I was even saved, so I'm quite certain that they have not only made enough over the years to "profit", but I'm also pretty sure that they aren't quite as heavily burdened by research and/or software writing as most of you think having had a corner on the market for a long time now.

    3. Perhaps they would do better (in quantity of sales at least) by offering Ala cart packages such as 50/100/500/1,000 resources which folks decide on themselves so that we (the customers) get the most for our money.

    4. 2 Corintians 2:17 "For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God." I myself wonder just how many Christians will be forced to live out a mediocre Christian life because they must choose more basic or at least more lofty priorities to spend the meager amount of money that pass through their hands on. I simply feel that Logos is exactly like one person on this thread stated, a "business".

  • Deacon Steve
    Deacon Steve Member Posts: 1,608 ✭✭✭

    Welcome to the forums, Robert.  [:)]

    Helpful comments. 

    I'm grateful for all the Logos resources I have ... for less than the print versions of everything.  Maybe some budget-minded packages are in the future.  Who knows?

    Blessings.

    [:)]

  • Wild Eagle
    Wild Eagle Member Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭

    I would just like to add a few simple thoughts:

    1. As much as Logos charges, I must agree that their prices are simply way to high for most average folks (especially Christians) when compared to the resources of the smaller half of their package offering.

    2. I remember hearing about Logos Bible software way back before I was even saved, so I'm quite certain that they have not only made enough over the years to "profit", but I'm also pretty sure that they aren't quite as heavily burdened by research and/or software writing as most of you think having had a corner on the market for a long time now.

    3. Perhaps they would do better (in quantity of sales at least) by offering Ala cart packages such as 50/100/500/1,000 resources which folks decide on themselves so that we (the customers) get the most for our money.

    4. 2 Corintians 2:17 "For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God." I myself wonder just how many Christians will be forced to live out a mediocre Christian life because they must choose more basic or at least more lofty priorities to spend the meager amount of money that pass through their hands on. I simply feel that Logos is exactly like one person on this thread stated, a "business".

    Here is the respond to your question: http://community.logos.com/forums/thread/413124.aspx 

    Jacques said:

    He feels they should be ashamed for this kind of profit-margin, it's not reasonable.

    What would a reasonable profit margin be? What profit margin does your friend think Logos has?

    For what it's worth, I got our third-quarter financials earlier this week. For 2012 so far, the Logos profit margin was just about 0.38%. (Not 38%. Less than half of one percent.

    Now I'm not looking for sympathy -- we're fine. It's better than that most years, and the first three quarters of this year reflect a lot of investment in Logos 5 that hadn't yet generated any revenue. (That's what we're doing now!) I expect we'll end the year with solid single-digit profitability, and we've beaten that in the past.

    But the point is, we have to sell something in order to be here to serve you into the future. It's insanely expensive to develop software, especially when you have to develop the same software on Mac, Windows, Android/Kindle, iPhone/iPad, Web (and now Windows 8 RT!) simultaneously. While offering free support.

    So I'll take the criticism that we're always trying to sell you more books -- it's true, and it's the only way we get paid. Though, at every upgrade cycle, it does condemn us to a lot of impassioned forum conversations about the injustice of upgrade bundles. :-)

    I do welcome your input on a solution. Maybe the "free software" concept was a bad idea? Few other products I have have been offering free engine updates -- in any form -- since 1995. I've bought Word, Excel, Windows, Mac OS, etc. many times in those 17 years. Should Logos just move to paid upgrades, and stop making so many books? (It might be hard to make that change after all these years, but it's an interesting question.)

    I appreciate your investing in our product, and I hope that you'll continue to believe it has been a good investment. And I want you to know that we're working hard to serve you better AND ensure that we're here for decades to come to support the investment you have made. Input on how to do that is always welcome.

    (My favorite idea... just convince every Christian in America to pay $3 per month... then we could offer everybody all the content, support, and continued maintenance for a very low price! The only trick is getting everyone signed up at once...) :-)

    -- Bob

     

    "No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying." Leonard Ravenhill 

  • Lynden O. Williams
    Lynden O. Williams MVP Posts: 9,012

    3. Perhaps they would do better (in quantity of sales at least) by offering Ala cart packages such as 50/100/500/1,000 resources which folks decide on themselves so that we (the customers) get the most for our money.

    I like the idea of picking your package, but not all publishers will allow their books to be bundled in the format that you specify.

    I simply feel that Logos is exactly like one person on this thread stated, a "business".

    That what they have said. They are more like Amazon than Focus on the Family. They are Christians in business to make a profit. When the price is too high for my wallet, I leave it.

    Mission: To serve God as He desires.

  • Rob Turpin
    Rob Turpin Member Posts: 10 ✭✭

    Thanks Wild Eagle, I must admit to not having read this entire thread so I appreciate your graciousness to so quickly and readily provide me further explanation to my concern. It does make me think that rather than forcing every customer to pay for support (which some will probably never utilize), that perhaps offering continued service/support after the sale for an additional fee structure could be a great way to both help those who choose to pay for it while simultaneously lowering the cost dramatically for those of us on the tightest of budgets.

    And I say Kudos indeed for the idea of polling every Christian (WORLDWIDE rather than simply in America) to hit whatever number that it takes for Logos to be able to offer their entire package for up to $5 per month. This may need to be a quite lengthy pre-paid start up program, however I truly believe in my heart that such would serve God and his children much more effectively.

    By the way - their complete package which costs $4,979.95, divided by $3 per person (because not only Christians use Logos), would take each and every person over 138 years to completely pay the current price. My wife came in to speak with me in the middle of writing this, so I'm not quite sure where I was going with that point...

    At any rate, Logos - Keep up the tremendous work that you are doing to further God's kingdom (there's not question that Logos software is simply the best available!), and may God richly bless each and every single human being reading this. Praise and Glory be to God and his son our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Wild Eagle
    Wild Eagle Member Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭

    Thanks Wild Eagle, I must admit to not having read this entire thread...

    You're welcome. Bob quoted not on this thread, so you didn't have to read this entire thread. It was on different one where he gave an answer. I posted a link above. This question is very common among users and I questioned it myself before...

    "No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying." Leonard Ravenhill 

  • Bill Moore
    Bill Moore Member Posts: 975 ✭✭✭

    Another welcome to the forums, Robert. I'm sure many of us have had questions, probably most of us are fairly unaware of what all goes into making a company such as Logos function. Logos is not cheap, but it's not too expensive, in my opinion, when one considers what one gets, the sophistication of searches and links and whatnot that comprises the program. Their return policy is generous, and community pricing is a real help in acquiring quality resources, even though usually public domain, that are tagged and can be utilized in the program, not just simply PDF's to be read and clumsily searched.

    Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Clinton, SC

  • Bruce Dunning
    Bruce Dunning MVP Posts: 11,161

    Another welcome to the forums, Robert. I'm sure many of us have had questions, probably most of us are fairly unaware of what all goes into making a company such as Logos function. Logos is not cheap, but it's not too expensive, in my opinion, when one considers what one gets, the sophistication of searches and links and whatnot that comprises the program. Their return policy is generous, and community pricing is a real help in acquiring quality resources, even though usually public domain, that are tagged and can be utilized in the program, not just simply PDF's to be read and clumsily searched.

    I would add to what Bill says that, if you are patient and purchase wisely there are lots of great sales throughout the year and especially when Logos launches a new version of their software. Over the years most of my books have been purchased using some sort of significant discount because of some special. If I want a resource that costs a lot I usually put it on my wish list and wait for a sale. It doesn't always work out but this strategy has served me well.

    Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God

  • papa_gowgow
    papa_gowgow Member Posts: 72 ✭✭

    When I traded in my old mobile phone (I believe it was the Nokia brick) I had the option to upgrade to a smartphone -- the monthly payments were twice that of another Nokia and I spent some time considering my options: did I really want to pay twice as much to call people and send text messages?  In the end I went for the smartphone and a whole new world of web-surfing and app-based opportunities were opened up to me.  Yes, it was expensive, but with Android technology I was getting more than a phone, I was getting a life organiser that was worth every penny.

    To my mind Logos is no different.  It is expensive, but it's not too expensive: it isn't over-priced in terms of its functionality, and for anyone who thinks it is I would encourage them to check out some of the video tutorials that are available. Logos isn't just a software package, it's a super-searchable library and sermon prep tool.

    Incidentally, pairing Logos and smartphones/tablets only serves to make the Bible study experience more accessible, more simple simple and much more satisfying. Couldn't say that about the brick...

  • Jonathan Burke
    Jonathan Burke Member Posts: 539 ✭✭

    I read an article earlier this year entitled 'Five Reasons Not to Buy Logos'. I disagreed profoundly; my comments are here.

    Win 7 x64 | Core i7 3770K | 32GB RAM | GTX 750 Ti 2GB | Crucial m4 256GB SSD (system) | Crucial m4 256GB SSD (Logos) | WD Black 1.5 TB (storage) | WD Red 3 TB x 3 (storage) | HP w2408h 24" | First F301GD Live 30"

  • (‾◡◝)
    (‾◡◝) Member Posts: 927 ✭✭✭

    Good grief.  How many times has this subject re: Logos Pricing come up and been answered?

    Logos should take the best of Bob's forum comments on Pricing, edit them, and then post them permanently and locked at the top of the General Forum - not just assume/hope that newcomers will find their answers in the WIKI or do an exhaustive search before they post yet another round of the same question/responses.

    Ditto, his various comments on Technical Practices, Customer Service, Theological Bias?, and How Hard It Is to Predict a Book Release.

    Instead of Artificial Intelligence, I prefer to continue to rely on Divine Intelligence instructing my Natural Dullness (Ps 32:8, John 16:13a)

  • Bruce Dunning
    Bruce Dunning MVP Posts: 11,161

    JRS said:

    Good grief.  How many times has this subject re: Logos Pricing come up and been answered?

    Logos should take the best of Bob's forum comments on Pricing, edit them, and then post them permanently and locked at the top of the General Forum - not just assume/hope that newcomers will find their answers in the WIKI or do an exhaustive search before they post yet another round of the same question/responses.

    Ditto, his various comments on Technical Practices, Customer Service, Theological Bias?, and How Hard It Is to Predict a Book Release.

    Charlie Brown, I think you are on to something here. Logos should consider compiling the top 10 questions asked on this forum combined with the best answers from Logos staff (and  others).

    Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God

  • George Somsel
    George Somsel Member Posts: 10,150 ✭✭✭

    JRS said:

    Good grief.  How many times has this subject re: Logos Pricing come up and been answered?

    Logos should take the best of Bob's forum comments on Pricing, edit them, and then post them permanently and locked at the top of the General Forum - not just assume/hope that newcomers will find their answers in the WIKI or do an exhaustive search before they post yet another round of the same question/responses.

    Ditto, his various comments on Technical Practices, Customer Service, Theological Bias?, and How Hard It Is to Predict a Book Release.

    Charlie Brown, I think you are on to something here. Logos should consider compiling the top 10 questions asked on this forum combined with the best answers from Logos staff (and  others).

    I also think they should detect any use of the word "expensive" and send the poster directly to the posting of the comments.  This is getting tiresome.

    george
    gfsomsel

    יְמֵי־שְׁנוֹתֵינוּ בָהֶם שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה וְאִם בִּגְבוּרֹת שְׁמוֹנִים שָׁנָה וְרָהְבָּם עָמָל וָאָוֶן

  • Bruce Dunning
    Bruce Dunning MVP Posts: 11,161

    This is getting tiresome.

    It might be tiresome to those who hang out on the forums but it is often brand new to those who don't.

    Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God

  • tom
    tom Member Posts: 3,213 ✭✭✭

    It might be tiresome to those who hang out on the forums but it is often brand new to those who don't.

    [Y]
  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 14,376 ✭✭✭✭

    Bruce (and tom) ... your point is not helpful.  I like the high prices and here's why. If they reduced them my pastor could afford Logos. My brother in law in Africa. My other one in Texas. My nephew in Nicaraqua. Then there's the people at church. My other churches friends. The list just goes on and on.

    How, pray tell, will I be able to glory in my Bible study, if just about everyone else can?  What would be the point of owning Logos??

    That's why i nod a big approval when the price of Cadallacs goes up. 

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • (‾◡◝)
    (‾◡◝) Member Posts: 927 ✭✭✭

    I also think they should detect any use of the word "expensive" and send the poster directly to the posting of the comments.  This is getting tiresome.

    Or, make it required reading along with the passing of a followup quiz before they can post.  [;)]

    Instead of Artificial Intelligence, I prefer to continue to rely on Divine Intelligence instructing my Natural Dullness (Ps 32:8, John 16:13a)

  • David Salazar
    David Salazar Member Posts: 205 ✭✭

    just some random thinking.

    If one is tired of reading post about Logos being expensive, etc., just ignore the thread.

    Treat it like other threads/sub forums you don't pay attention to. (I never open anything about Proclaim, iPhone, Mac) usually don't open other sub forums either.

  • (‾◡◝)
    (‾◡◝) Member Posts: 927 ✭✭✭

    just some random thinking.

    If one is tired of reading post about Logos being expensive, etc., just ignore the thread.

    Treat it like other threads/sub forums you don't pay attention to. (I never open anything about Proclaim, iPhone, Mac) usually don't open other sub forums either.

    With all due respect, the issue is not my personal comfort.  Rather, this question is one that comes up often and will continue to be asked whether it is a posted query, or simply in one's mind, or murmured in the church parking lot.  Why not move Bob's cogent and authoritative answers to a position of 'first level' on the Forum rather than being buried in a WIKI article so that they are readily seen and accessible at a glance to any and all?

    Maybe my suggestion is simply the left side of my brain (basketball size) once again overpowering the right side (lentil size)?

    Instead of Artificial Intelligence, I prefer to continue to rely on Divine Intelligence instructing my Natural Dullness (Ps 32:8, John 16:13a)

  • Lee
    Lee Member Posts: 2,714 ✭✭✭

    Yes, put some common Q&A's up there in the stickies. That is what forum stickies are for! [:)]

    However, a forum sticky that relates to Logos being expensive may be bad publicity, and be read as an "admission of the fact"! [6]

  • David Salazar
    David Salazar Member Posts: 205 ✭✭

    JRS said:

    With all due respect, the issue is not my personal comfort.  Rather, this question is one that comes up often and will continue to be asked whether it is a posted query, or simply in one's mind, or murmured in the church parking lot.  Why not move Bob's cogent and authoritative answers to a position of 'first level' on the Forum rather than being buried in a WIKI article so that they are readily seen and accessible at a glance to any and all?

    Maybe my suggestion is simply the left side of my brain (basketball size) once again overpowering the right side (lentil size)?

    I can agree to have a FAQ, sticky thread (whatever it's called), I think that will be beneficial.

    Yet, still, there will be individuals that don't just want official answers but discussion (whatever the motives are).  Some are new users, other who are interested in upgrading, etc...  there should be a place for discussion.  So whether that happens on the no-removable thread or just new ones (it is annoying to have a thread that is +10 pages long, since discussion moves in so many different directions.