Kevin Purcell's Review of Logos 5

Forum member Kevin Purcell writes for Christian Computing Magazine. His column is my favorite and the first one I read every month. The December issue contains a very well-written review of Logos 5:

Logos 5 Brings Streamlined Interface and Speed

Kevin even addresses the marketing confusion during the first week or so of V5's release.

Good job Kevin!

Jerry

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Mark Smith

The only thing that surprised me was that he told users of other software to stay put. For me there is no comparison between Logos and other Windows based Bible study software (except BibleWorks which has a bit different focus). Those programs are fine for lay people and those who want to do casual Bible study. I'd never recommend them for seminarians or pastors. I don't have a Mac but understand Accordance is a pretty good competitor to Logos in many ways on that platform. But in Windows, Logos currently rules. (Of course this is all my very unbiased, quite humble opinion.)

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/442440#Comment_442440

I agree with Mark. As much I grind my teeth and then have to trot off to the dentist, Logos really is the only significant long term player. With FaithLife, I'd say that even for 'lay' people. The world is changing and Bob's no slouch.

BKMitchell

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/442440#Comment_442440

The only thing that surprised me was that he told users of other software to stay put.

Are, you writing about this excerpt from page 25 of, Higher Power with Kevin: "I’m not sure that Logos 5 offers enough to force users of other feature-rich software to switch. Users of Accordance, WORDsearch, PC Study Bible or other programs may want to keep what they have."

If, so think about who Kevin is. Kevin is a man whose focus is to review Bible Software products and he does so regularly. Of, course every one is biased, but I think Kevin is the kind of guy who works hard to be objective. I would think it would go against his raison d'etre if he had not included such a statement.

ChelseaFC

Forum member Kevin Purcell writes for Christian Computing Magazine. His column is my favorite and the first one I read every month. The December issue contains a very well-written review of Logos 5:

Logos 5 Brings Streamlined Interface and Speed

Kevin even addresses the marketing confusion during the first week or so of V5's release.

Good job Kevin!

Jerry

Thanks for the post Jerry. This article sums things up nicely.

Cheers,
Marcus

Mark Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/442579#Comment_442579

If, so think about who Kevin is. Kevin is a man whose focus is to review Bible Software products and he does so regularly. Of, course every one is biased, but I think Kevin is the kind of guy who works hard to be objective. I would think it would go against his raison d'etre if he had not included such a statement.

I'm not talking about being objective, I am talking about helping people get the best Bible study software they can. To suggest, as he clearly does, that there is nothing in L4 or L5 worth the switch is to mislead. I don't think I am less than objective to say that (as I said, I leave out Accordance, which I know nothing of, and BibleWorks, which he didn't mention.) I understand he wasn't doing a side-by-side comparison, and may only have focused on what's new in L5, but what's old in L5 still makes it much more valuable than WORDSearch or PCBible or whatever other programs he was referring to. There is no way Logos is not superior in almost every way to those other products.

Graham Owen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/442643#Comment_442643

There is no way Logos is not superior in almost every way to those other products.

I would agree that the current version of Logos is superior to WORDSearch but until users are able to transfer books between competing platforms at no or low cost I think that Kevin's advice to stick with your current product is a good one. The reality is that no matter how good the next version of WORDSearch is I am unlikely to change because the real investment is the resources not the software. The way that I understand Kevin's observation is that if you are new to Bible software then Logos has the lead if you already have a major investment in another package stick with it.

Debra W Bouey

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/442440#Comment_442440

What Mark said.

BKMitchell

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/442643#Comment_442643

Hello Mark,

What's old in L5 still makes it much more valuable than WORDSearch or PCBible

Don't get me wrong I am not crazy[:P]!

I know very well that Logos5 is in an all together different league than WORDSearch or PCBible(which hasn't been update in a while). In terms of building a Theological Library and OS versatility( or mobility) no one comes close to Logos! And, Logos keeps on getting better and better in other areas well. This why users of other Bible software products including the other big two use Logos.

Logos, is even in the process of answering my three big complaints. Sometime, with in the lifeline of Logos5 the majority(99%) of the functionality I want in Logos should be finally possible. I was also impressed that Logos answered me directly about it. I didn't even know they were listening to me or others like me.

I am talking about helping people get the best Bible study software they can.

That's great, but then again that's not Kevin's job. His job as I see it is simply to review products for Christian Computing Magazine. He, can't compromise his position by recommending any product above any other.

Notice, what he says on his own blog "I appreciate the way both Dan and Bob interact with their customers. I’m impressed with the candor of these two men and hope the best for them and Logos just as I do for all the great people who work in the Bible software industry." Although, he wasn't touching on the same topic we are we can learn something about his attitude toward the Bible Software industry. His, blog as has a lot of more of his thoughts regarding Logos5 as well.

(as I said, I leave out Accordance, which I know nothing of, and BibleWorks, which he didn't mention.)

I know that is also why I didn't mention them by name until now. But, now that you mention it sometime in 2012 Accordance for Windows should be released. I am sure we will all learn a lot(or hear) more about Accordance, then.

Grace and Peace

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/442652#Comment_442652

I guess I agreed with Mark mainly due to the library, with the engine being the delicious frosting.

Back last year, when I decided not to invest further with Logos, I looked at the other choices. But the primary problem isn't the varying book formats (I already have that problem since Logos isn't my only software). It's the really small libraries. Especially when you want specialty titles. And of course now the Logos5 engine/databases is especially attractive.

So my solution was to continue buying Libronix resources (just yesterday in fact), and then get some Accordance resources next year, that Logos doesn't have.

But I don't think the issue is necessarily 'all or nothing' (switching). And long term, the longer one stays on a limited platform, the worse the pain gets.

BKMitchell

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/443022#Comment_443022

Great point!

But I don't think the issue is necessarily 'all or nothing' (switching). And long term, the longer one stays on a limited platform, the worse the pain gets.

Grace and Peace

Rene Atchley

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/443425#Comment_443425

I too have started to transfer my theological library to pretty much to a full e-book format. This suits my purpose to save space in a small two bedroom apartment which is a real plus for our life style. The other thing that Logos brings to the table is a humongous amount of information that is put onto the screen whenever I do a search. The problem is that this visual approach isn't how I was trained or am inclined to do exegesis...it all just seems like clutter to me. When I want to do bible study or just do exegesis Wordsearch is the product that I use because of a simplified and easily accessed set of resources. Sometimes it seems like I have bought a Mack Truck to go to the grocery store when I use Logos.

Jerry Bush

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/443435#Comment_443435

Sometimes it seems like I have bought a Mack Truck to go to the grocery store when I use Logos.

I love Logos and it is the only Bible software I use. However, I often - very often - feel this way.

Jerry

Jerry Bush

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/443435#Comment_443435

I cannot figure out a way to delete an accidental double-post.

Jerry

SteveF

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/443481#Comment_443481

I cannot figure out a way to delete an accidental double-post.

Are you able to click on "More" and then clicking "edit" and even just delete?

Mike Childs

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/442443#Comment_442443

The world is changing and Bob's no slouch.

That is the truth - verily and Amen! I know of no other CEO as impressive as Bob P. He and his team do an amazing job.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/442440#Comment_442440

The only thing that surprised me was that he told users of other software to stay put. For me there is no comparison between Logos and other Windows based Bible study software (except BibleWorks which has a bit different focus). Those programs are fine for lay people and those who want to do casual Bible study. I'd never recommend them for seminarians or pastors. I don't have a Mac but understand Accordance is a pretty good competitor to Logos in many ways on that platform. But in Windows, Logos currently rules. (Of course this is all my very unbiased [6], quite humble opinion.)

Mark Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/443612#Comment_443612

(Of course this is all my very unbiased , quite humble opinion.)

Hey! There you go, you've misquoted me! No fair!