some very simple help needed

Help! I'm floundering!

I have just installed Logos for Mac and I've spent almost an entire day trying to figure out how to do some very basic stuff and I am just not getting it. I thought I was a pretty intuitive guy when it came to new software, but I'm totally lost here.

First question: Can someone point me to the right place to get help for learning how to use the software? Please don't point me to video tutorials. I live overseas and have very expensive internet access. I have read almost the entire help file included with the software, and I still can't do the following...

Second question: How do I search my Complete Works of Jonathan Edwards for everything Edwards said about 1 Peter 3, for example?

Third question: At DesiringGod.org, I can easily search Piper's sermons by scripture reference, but with the Logos collection I seem to be limited to either browsing them, or by doing a basic search of the text for "1 Peter 3" which brings up hundreds of hits, including within sermons on other texts.

Fourth question: As I work and look through various resources, I seem to have an increasing number of windows opening and I can't find anything. At this point, this isn't much better than pulling 10 books of the shelf and having them scattered all over my desk.

Fifth question: I bought Scholars Silver and the New American commentary is just not there, even though it says that it comes with the Silver package.

Sixth question: None of my products are activating. The dialog says they have already been activated by another user. I've tried synchronizing licenses, but no luck. I've sent an email to tech support but no response after a full 24 hours wait.

Seventh question: I have three resources that I ordered and that shipped to me, but that have no serial numbers with them (Grudem's systematic theology for example). Where am I supposed to find these.

I don't expect the forum users to answer all of these questions (though it would be nice if they did!), but I simply list them as a sampling of the kinds of issues I'm dealing with and I don't know where to go to get answers. I can't call tech support by phone because I am overseas, so I prefer written instructions... just can't find them.

thanks to anyone who takes the time to help me.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

J.R. Miller

sorry to hear about your frustrations.

Do you have access to Skype? Logos tech does have Skype headsets if that is an option.

Donovan R. Palmer

Help! I'm floundering!

The licensing issue can only be dealt with by Logos. However, if you feel comfortable saying what part of the world you are in, there is a chance that another Logos user lives close enough to you to meet up for a cup of coffee/tea/etc to give you a hand with your installation. Another option would be if you use iChat, one of us might be able to give you a hand online (though being in the same part of the world might make the timezone thing a bit easier to work out.

bryan jay

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42219#Comment_42219

Thanks, guys, I may try skype, but again, I have to do that after 11pm due to being on the other side of the world and also due to internet expense.

I doubt seriously there are any logos users in my country (trust me).

Is there a place on the forums to get help for practical usage questions like the ones I posted above?

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42221#Comment_42221

Which version of Logos Mac are you using? I assume 1.2.2 If so, I'll try to take a crack at answering your questions online. I would suggest you watch the video tutorials - http://www.logos.com/videos but they are now for Logos 4, which is not helpful because if you haven't taken the plunge for 4, you have no videos to go on at the moment.

If all above fails, I'd be willing to try to help you with ichat or Skype.

EDIT: I just saw in your above post that using videos are not an option for you anyhow!

Donovan R. Palmer

First question: Can someone point me to the right place to get help for learning how to use the software? Please don't point me to video tutorials. I live overseas and have very expensive internet access. I have read almost the entire help file included with the software, and I still can't do the following...

I "think" that most of the help stuff was video related (rather than written) and on top of that, they have removed all the 1.2.2 stuff to make way for version 4. A way around this might be to ask Logos if they still have their videos on DVD.

[quote]

Second question: How do I search my Complete Works of Jonathan Edwards for everything Edwards said about 1 Peter 3, for example?

I know video is not an option, but if you happen to be where internet access is cheap, I just saw that Ryan Burns has a video using Jonathan Edwards. http://vimeo.com/3876901 The key to getting stuff out of this is to use "collections" in Logos. I don't have the works of Jonathan Edwards, but I am assuming that when you installed it, it preconfigured a "collection" of the resources which you can use. Under "properties" of passage guide, you can select the Jonathan Edwards collection. Now when you enter 1 Peter 3 in the PG, you will get all the stuff that Jonathan Edwards wrote in relation to this scripture reference.

[quote]Third question: At DesiringGod.org, I can easily search Piper's sermons by scripture reference, but with the Logos collection I seem to be limited to either browsing them, or by doing a basic search of the text for "1 Peter 3" which brings up hundreds of hits, including within sermons on other texts.

I am not sure your question here. I assume it is the same as above. One other thing that is important, you can create your own "collections" of books as well. For example, I have created a collection called "Theology Books" which I can search in the same way as I have just suggested with the Jonathan Edwards collection. To do this, you go to Tools-->Define Collections.

[quote]Fourth question: As I work and look through various resources, I seem to have an increasing number of windows opening and I can't find anything. At this point, this isn't much better than pulling 10 books of the shelf and having them scattered all over my desk.

You are spot on. This is a HUGE gripe I have about 1.2.2 and have stated it many, many times on these forums. Fortunately version 4 which is in development solves a lot of this problem. In the meantime, some of us have used "Size UP" to help manage windows the position and layout of windows - http://www.irradiatedsoftware.com/sizeup/. You can also use Mac Spaces and Expose to help as well. It is still very messy though and one of the reasons why I am chomping at the bit for Logos for finish version 4 (which is currently in Alpha).

[quote]Fifth question: I bought Scholars Silver and the New American commentary is just not there, even though it says that it comes with the Silver package.

Strange. Make sure that your licenses are syncronized with Logo's servers. Go Tools-->Library Management--Syncronize Licenses. Then go to file menu Go-->My Library. When this box appears, on "collection" select "All Known Resources" then in the box below type NAC. If you successfully installed the NAC, it should appear below. If it has a padlock next to it, then you need to talk to Logos about unlocking it. If it doesn't appear at all, then somehow in the installation it didn't get installed. Let me know if it didn't get installed and we can try checking some more things.

[quote]Sixth question: None of my products are activating. The dialog says they have already been activated by another user. I've tried synchronizing licenses, but no luck. I've sent an email to tech support but no response after a full 24 hours wait.

Logos extended their support hours, but from what I understand, they are swamped due to the recent release of v. 4. When you email them, I would suggest that you put "overseas user" in subject line.

[quote]Seventh question: I have three resources that I ordered and that shipped to me, but that have no serial numbers with them (Grudem's systematic theology for example). Where am I supposed to find these.

Usually they are on the front of the disk envelope. I'd try installing them to see what they do if you don't have a serial number. You certainly want to check this out before you have your conversation about your 6th question, so that you can deal with all of your licensing issues at once.

Hope this helps. I am willing, if it would be of help, to do Skype or ichat with you if I can be of further assistance, You can email me at donovan (at) dmpnet.org though I can understand if your internet is expensive or your location makes this unattractive, I totally understand.

bryan jay

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42233#Comment_42233

Donovan,

Thanks for your detailed help. I just wrote a detailed response with everything that came up when I tried to follow your instructions. Unfortunately, it got lost when I tried to post it and I don't have the heart to re-type it all, plus I need to take my teenage son out on a father/son date.

Suffice it to say that you got me inching in the right direction and I'm hoping tech support will help me to solve the authentication issues.

Bryan

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42270#Comment_42270

Glad I could be of service! Feel free to post more questions here if need be!

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42219#Comment_42219

another Logos user lives close enough to you to meet up for a cup of coffee/tea/etc

Sounds great. When can you come? [6]

I know this is total fluff. I'm just trying to stay ahead of you in post count. [8-|]

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42517#Comment_42517

I know this is total fluff. I'm just trying to stay ahead of you in post count.

LOL, the trouble with this forum software is it doesn't give you a ranking like some boards do... I was trying to think of an appropriate ranking system to suggest, but couldn't think of one. Using Star Wars as a theme, you are the Jedi-master!

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42835#Comment_42835

I was trying to think of an appropriate ranking system to suggest, but couldn't think of one. Using Star Wars as a theme, you are the Jedi-master!

Where does that put Tom, Phil, Damian, and several others?

Damian McGrath

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42872#Comment_42872

Where does that put Tom, Phil, Damian, and several others?

We form the Jedi High Council...

spitzerpl

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42880#Comment_42880

We form the Jedi High Council...

don't they all get killed except two?

Damian McGrath

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42882#Comment_42882

don't they all get killed except two?

There is no death; only the force...

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42884#Comment_42884

And let's not forget the Sith and his apprentice... ok, we are waaaaaay OT now. Sorry! (well not really, it was funny)

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42906#Comment_42906

And let's not forget the Sith and his apprentice... ok, we are waaaaaay OT now. Sorry! (well not really, it was funny)

I feel impoverished here, having only seen the first round of Star Wars.

spitzerpl

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42906#Comment_42906

And let's not forget the Sith and his apprentice

You mean Thomas? Yeah, can't forget him.

TCBlack

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/42992#Comment_42992

Can't I be yoda?

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43011#Comment_43011

I think you need to be a bit greener. Think you could work on that?

DominicM

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43018#Comment_43018

!lol at thought of Thomas only eating "Brussel Sprouts" or Curly Kale to get greener...

we might need to kneecap him too, wasnt yoda about 2 foot 6??

TCBlack

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43022#Comment_43022

Correct you are.

bryan jay

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43023#Comment_43023

OK, you guys have had your fun... now let's see if you can earn your spurs ( or should I say lightsabers ) as Logos geeks...

I downloaded all the instructional videos I could find and it really helped a lot to understand the basics of the program, but here are a few lingering questions.

1) the "set reference target" doesn't work for me the way the video says it should. If I open a commentary and click the red "set reference target" icon and then click on a bible reference in the commentary (or in any other open resource, it still opens a new window with the KJV bible in it and shows me that verse.

2) When doing a basic search in a collection (following the video's instructions) and I type in a reference, it finds all occurrences of the book, that chapter number, and that verse number (even if the chapter number is with a different book, for example). I looked really closely at the video and noticed he typed "Matt 28 18" (without a colon) so I tried that, but it still did the same thing. The only way to find ONLY references to Matt 28:18 was to put it in quotes, but when I did THAT, it only found occurrences where that reference was typed in exactly that way (for example, it did not find "Matthew 28:18" when it was written out... or Mt 28:18)

3) I know it has been over a weekend, and I am literally on the other side of the world from you guys, but I'm wondering how long tech support usually takes to respond to email inquiries. Do you know? I've been waiting since Friday. I still can't register my resources (although I am able to use them for at least 40 more days) and some of the ones I paid for, I cannot unlock. I've tried the steps you mentioned, Donovan, but no success.

4) How can I make sure when I do searches that I am accessing all of my books? Do I need to make a collection of "all my resources" for example? Any tips you guys can give me for making the most of my multiple resources would be appreciated.

5) Can I exclude commentaries that I don't particularly like from the commentary list when I do a search from the passage guide? Is the only way to do this to uninstall them?

Thanks again, guys, for any help you might give me.

Damian McGrath

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43306#Comment_43306

Arthur,

I'm the lowest member of the council. David, who was not mentioned is the Grand Master for his skills in wielding the morph-saber.

1) never used the reference target. I set it once, saw the red circles, wondered what all that was about, decided it wasn't worth the bother, turned it off, and went my happy way.

2) <Bible = Matthew 28:18> or <Bible = mt28.18>

3) Where are you? Lots of us are in Australia.... I know nothing about registration. Send an email with (overseas customer in the subject). Call using Skype. No other ideas.

4) Open the search pane and you can choose to Search "Entire Library". This option is also always available on teh right-click context menu:

5) Have you prioritised any resources? When commentaries are prioritised they appear in that order, otherwise they are alphabetical. I've basically prioritised all of mine so that I get them in the order I want them...

You can't exclude the ones you don't want but you can make them appear really, really, really far down the list.

spitzerpl

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43306#Comment_43306

2) When doing a basic search in a collection (following the video's instructions) and I type in a reference, it finds all occurrences of the book, that chapter number, and that verse number (even if the chapter number is with a different book, for example). I looked really closely at the video and noticed he typed "Matt 28 18" (without a colon) so I tried that, but it still did the same thing. The only way to find ONLY references to Matt 28:18 was to put it in quotes, but when I did THAT, it only found occurrences where that reference was typed in exactly that way (for example, it did not find "Matthew 28:18" when it was written out... or Mt 28:18)

This is a bug. I'm not sure why a search for Matt 28:18 returns so many non-reference results. I've tried it as well and some of the results are erroneous no matter how I type the reference in. And since its supposed to work by simply typing the reference It has to be a bug.

EDIT: By the way, I'm on the PC version.

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43333#Comment_43333

I'm the lowest member of the council. David, who was not mentioned is the Grand Master for his skills in wielding the morph-saber.

Jedi McGrath, I "think" Arthur is using Logos Mac 1.2.2. I could be wrong because I am still a young padawan and would not presume on a member of the council!

Damian McGrath

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43390#Comment_43390

Jedi McGrath, I "think" Arthur is using Logos Mac 1.2.2. I could be wrong because I am still a young padawan and would not presume on a member of the council!

I think that I just lost my seat at the council....

spitzerpl

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43392#Comment_43392

Jedi McGrath, I "think" Arthur is using Logos Mac 1.2.2. I could be wrong because I am still a young padawan and would not presume on a member of the council!

I think that I just lost my seat at the council....

I must be strong in the force. I was able to get the same results on the PC L4 version as you seem to get on the Mac. Stick around, Damian. You can be our Council Jest.

Damian McGrath

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43397#Comment_43397

Stick around, Damian. You can be our Council Jest.

24 hour Avatar change coming....

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43392#Comment_43392

I think that I just lost my seat at the council....

I don't think so. I have not figured out how to do this with 1.2.2 and therefore your place on the council is secure. Even the option on the passage guide from Logos Windows 3.0 to "search entire library for the passage" is not on the Mac version. Somehow it didn't make it into the features as near as I can see.

Arthur, the bad news is that unless someone knows otherwise for 1.2.2, this is something that we should have already now, but will have to wait until L4 for Mac comes out. The good news is the Alpha is in development, which means we are on our way to a full release.

I hope someone proves me wrong on 1.2.2

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43306#Comment_43306

1) the "set reference target" doesn't work for me the way the video says it should. If I open a commentary and click the red "set reference target" icon and then click on a bible reference in the commentary (or in any other open resource, it still opens a new window with the KJV bible in it and shows me that verse.

I just tested this and it worked fine here. Are you sure you set the reference target on the Bible and not the commentary? If you do it in reverse, it won't work. If you tell me which commentary, reference and Bible, I'll test it here to make sure that it isn't a bug.

2) When doing a basic search in a collection (following the video's instructions) and I type in a reference, it finds all occurrences of the book, that chapter number, and that verse number (even if the chapter number is with a different book, for example). I looked really closely at the video and noticed he typed "Matt 28 18" (without a colon) so I tried that, but it still did the same thing. The only way to find ONLY references to Matt 28:18 was to put it in quotes, but when I did THAT, it only found occurrences where that reference was typed in exactly that way (for example, it did not find "Matthew 28:18" when it was written out... or Mt 28:18)

Agreed. I have not figured out how to do this on 1.2.2 (see my post above). Someone may pop along and tell us how though. It is possible this functionality was not put into the version, which is a shame and adds further anticipation to seeing Logos v.4 Mac getting done!

3) I know it has been over a weekend, and I am literally on the other side of the world from you guys, but I'm wondering how long tech support usually takes to respond to email inquiries. Do you know? I've been waiting since Friday. I still can't register my resources (although I am able to use them for at least 40 more days) and some of the ones I paid for, I cannot unlock. I've tried the steps you mentioned, Donovan, but no success.

I have heard it is taking several days for them to get back to people since the release of L4. Presumably, they might see this on the forums and also pick up on it here. I wished I knew what else to advise!

[quote]4) How can I make sure when I do searches that I am accessing all of my
books? Do I need to make a collection of "all my resources" for
example? Any tips you guys can give me for making the most of my
multiple resources would be appreciated.

In the search box, just click "all unlocked resources" and that will tell Logos to search your entire library. You are probably sick of hearing about version 4, but the search results are greatly improved in my opinion.

[quote]5) Can I exclude commentaries that I don't particularly like from the
commentary list when I do a search from the passage guide? Is the only
way to do this to uninstall them?

The best way to do this is to create a custom collection called "favorite commentaries" with only the commentaries you want to see and then in the passage guide settings, select your collection in the place of "all unlocked commentaries".

HTH!

Donovan

bryan jay

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/43423#Comment_43423

Many thanks again for this great help.

On the issue of the "set reference target", here is exactly what I did.

Opened the passage guide and typed "1 John 5:1-5"

Then opened the New American Standard Commentary from the search results.

Then opened the Bible text by clicking on the hyperlink at the top of the search results. (right next to the word "Passage Guide"). this opened the NAS

I then clicked the "set reference target" little red book icon... and it worked! (clicking on a bible ref takes me to that ref in that commentary) BUT...

I then tried opening the ESV text. After opening it, I went back to the commentary and clicked on a bible ref. and rather than taking me to that ref in the commentary, it changes my NAS window to that text. I double checked and clicked the little red book icon on and off several times, then left it ON, but it still makes my bible refs go to that location in the NAS window.

What am I doing wrong?