Books: Packages, Purchases and Reference Materials

This may be long, but Logos probably needs the feedback

1. I Purchased the Original Languages Package in L3, Then cross-graded to L4. My decision was based on my interests (Gospels, The Synoptic Problem and Historical Jesus Studies) I always work from the Original Texts and wanted a good functioning Reference Library. I added BDAG because it is essential for exegesis. I added BDF, Wallace, Some NIGTC, The classic Greek commentaries and things like that. My first motive to purchase Logos, moving up from GramCord was that I did not want to read every book, or purchase every book Electronically. I had concluded that Logos was serious about the original languages and that I could, in effect adopt a "BibleWorks" Strategy in Logos which would give more flexibility when I did want to add other reference materials.

2. In October I purchased some 12 books for next years preaching, particularly focusing on Luke and the synoptic issues involved. I just searched the Logos site and of those books exactly 0 were available in the Logos format. Not a single one.

3. My print library is in the thousands. It took me more than 30 years to accumulate, it is focused on the NT and the topics which are of particular interest to me. It is eclectic, sometimes schizophrenic but it suits me. Even when I have and use commentaries I do not rely on them. A Library built primarily on non-specialist books and (man I hate to put it this way) junk does not appeal to me.

This is another part of the angst some are feeling. We bit the bullet when we initially purchased a package recognizing that there were books within which we would never use. We anticipated that after that first shock we would once again be the captain of the destiny of our own library. The changes to the packaging (and we Original Language lads are entirely orphaned) means that once again we are faced with the prospect of adding many books to our electronic libraries which we would never have purchased in print. So for many of us it is not only expensive, it is an entirely false economy to begin with because it is based on the intrinsic value of something we would never buy in the first place.

Just a few, random after work waiting for supper thoughts, Comments and elaborations welcome

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Comments

DMB

Robert, I read your post with interest ... you're very interesting. I can't imagine your angst ... you'll crossgrade to L5 in a week or two just like you did for L4. And the crossgrade REALLY favors your interests.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding ... I'd of assumed you'd be ecstatic like me (other than loosing the OL package but I left that long ago adding a lot of OL books).

Robert C. Beckman Jr.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/421190#Comment_421190

Main angst is combination of drooling over new features and simply not being able to afford a package upgrade. The Cross-grade will be an excellent fit if it is as Bob described in his now famous post to the forums.

Also, like others, I am just baffled at how the major communication disconnect happened. We are a week out and some of the threads that started last week are still active with loyal and now confused users. I had hoped after a certain nameless competitor upgraded in August (with a PC version looming on the horizon) that Logos would really knock the ball out of the park with the next upgrade in all areas.

One thing in particular that I would think has gotten their attention is the number of active forum participants up to the MVP level who are waiting for the Cross-grade.

On the other hand, maybe angst is just another word for impatience[:P]

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/421193#Comment_421193

I don't intend to disagree with you ... but at least from your post, I really think you're going to have a great year next year with the L5 crossgrade. Luke used a lot of the LXX and the new tools will really be helpful to you.

To be honest, I wasn't too thrilled with the initial rollout, but when I saw Bob's 'official' thread and then Phil Gons input, I concluded they'd lost their ever-lovin' minds ... a crossgrade that good!! How lucky can we get? (True, a bit of a delay).

Robert C. Beckman Jr.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/421195#Comment_421195

Yeah after the shock wore off it was clear that some of the new tools will be very useful. I also anticipate some juicy hermeneutical discussions as people of I certain age (I'm nearly 50) try and incorporate the growing emphasis on discourse analysis over and against philological and/or grammatical-critical principles. I think that the company figured that the buzz about the new version was going to be kind of quiet until more people got the new tools into their hands. As for me, exegesis continues! with L4 I didn't have to construct a sentence-flow by hand and all the tools are very handy!

Robert C. Beckman Jr.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/421195#Comment_421195

Additionally.....the couple of week delay allows us to see how the early adopters are doing and whether or not there are issues to be worked out in the programming and implementation of the tools

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/421210#Comment_421210

Additionally.....the couple of week delay allows us to see how the early adopters are doing and whether or not there are issues to be worked out in the programming and implementation of the tools

There is another thread where the expression 'what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts' has been applied to this situation.

What has surprised me is the number of those who rely on Logos to function that have wanted to jump on the 'early adopter' bandwagon.

You are right - although there have been very few problems - we are on service release 3 (I think) and already a beta is in circulation for the intrepid.

But if Logos is a tool you need to function, and as L5 overwrites L4, circumspection might well be wise.