Logos 6.0: What features do you want?

I know it is early, and maybe no code has been written, but I am sure that Logos is already making mental plans as to what should be put in the next version. So here goes, what do you want?

1. The ability to add a resource to a collection from the library and the panel menu. I envision when I see the various collections that a resource is in,(currently shown in the library) it will give the option to add this resource to a collection.

2. Dynamic Timeline: The timeline is updated in real time, similar to indexing. Whenever a book is released by Logos, that has the date for an event, the timeline automatically reflects it, limited to certain categories. Denominational history, world history, Biblical history, Church history, etc... In addition, better filtering. Similar to visual filters on Bibles. The same would apply to Biblical events. So when a book is released that details the history of my Church, I would like for all the dates mentioned to automatically show up in the timeline.

3. Your thoughts.

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Philip Larson

4. "Smart" tags. When I start typing a tag, Logos supplies increasingly similar tags I've already used.

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513021#Comment_513021

Does not need to wait until version 6, but here is my list.

- a way to compare and leverage multiple apparatus

- better tag management

- enhanced library management window (visual bookshelf, prioritization, remembering last state)

Donovan R. Palmer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513059#Comment_513059

- dynamic mapping overlays

Philip Larson

A way to check if resource sets can be updated

RichGrif

Notwithstanding its features how about a Version that is truly "ready-to-go" and doesn't take months to get significant "bugs out".

tom

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513063#Comment_513063

Notwithstanding its features how about a Version that is truly "ready-to-go" and doesn't take months to get significant "bugs out".

Logos uses Rapid Application Development as its software delevement methodology. The down side of this methodology is that the user (we) see lots and lots of bugs.

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513071#Comment_513071

Anyone else would like to weigh in?

David Pugh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513091#Comment_513091

I believe there are bountiful opportunities in creating new and exciting textual criticism tools that would bring together the apparatus (with textual family and dating information) and integrate with textual commentaries (including Metzger, Comfort, and NET)...making it easy for those without the background to examine weight of the evidence for various readings.

David Wilson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513091#Comment_513091

Would like to see a Windows 8 touch screen mode so that we could turn pages the same way as an Android tablet (assuming we may have a Windows 8 Pro tablet) but also allowing that we do NOT want to give up current functionality/ screen real-estate for 25 inch and larger non-touch screen monitors (ie: make touch-screen mode a machine specific option)

Would also like to be able to make the Home Screen Content settings machine specific so that I can elect to avoid the pre-pub and Community Pricing and Blog updates when on the road with a slow internet connection and a small screen (where it can take forever to refresh the home screen in the morning... 20+ pages compared to three on the desktop at home)

Doc B

what do you want?

I want a new version to not be introduced for at least four more years.

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513101#Comment_513101

I want a new version to not be introduced for at least four more years.

What is the reason for this request? It is usually when they bring out a new version that new data sets are introduced along with base packages. This is when Logos seem to really make its money.

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513102#Comment_513102

I want a new version to not be introduced for at least four more years.

What is the reason for this request? It is usually when they bring out a new version that new data sets are introduced along with base packages. This is when Logos seem to really make its money.

Some of us just finished the monthly payments for Logos 5 / Verbum. Now we need to get the credit cards that backed those updates paid off [or at least down [;)]] AND there are several 'special group' sets coming out in the next year. [and Yes, some of us will want more then one] Lets hold off on Logos 6 for a while.

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513118#Comment_513118

I share your plight David. Logos seems to have set on updating its engine every three years, so the next version will probably be out in the fall of 2015.

Just thought it would be good to get our thoughts out there now so that when they start coding, they will know what direction their customers would like for them to go. [:)]

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513122#Comment_513122

Bump

JoshInRI

I would like a cutomizable devotional front page that is actually useful and contains more than 1 inch from a devotional book please.

Also, improve touch functionality for upcoming 8.1 tablets that (God willing) will work well.

Doc B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513102#Comment_513102

I want a new version to not be introduced for at least four more years.

What is the reason for this request?

Shirley, you can't be serious.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ plus the hassle of the upgrade and waiting a couple months for the minimal crossgrade to be released, etc. Not to mention, I haven't even yet learned to use all the stuff in v. 5.

Any questions?

mike

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513246#Comment_513246

Kent

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513289#Comment_513289

A fully functional Mark Barnes' Bookshelf

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513307#Comment_513307

When it arrives do three things:

1. Use the current names for the Base Packages

2. Release the minimum cross grade and or core dataset

3. Give the date for the free engine, all at the same time.

Rosie Perera

I want everything I've posted on UserVoice, and I'm not going to repeat myself here.

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513346#Comment_513346

I want everything I've posted on UserVoice, and I'm not going to repeat myself here.

Sounds like we have to wait until 2017 then. [:D]

Lynden O. Williams

1. Logos to fully utilize all the cores that a machine has.

2. Design the software so that it looks at the Ram on the machine, and operates based on what what is available. Of course, allow the user under advanced settings, to determine whether Logos uses the 3GB out of 8, or restrict it to two, as the user may wish to reserve it for another program.

This should be done in conjunction with the speed of the harddrive, thus enableing the software to cache more features at startup.

Lee

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513763#Comment_513763

Not new "features", but...

I'd like to see:

an original-language search engine that is consistent with commonly accepted linguistic principles and working across different corpora (please, at least BHS/BHQ and NA28/LXX), well-documented, and intuitive to use. [C'mon Logos, please get your nuts and bolts in order. Do you have what it takes to take on your rival in this area?]
real user guides and extensive documentation.

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513786#Comment_513786

I'd like to see: real user documentation.

I take it that the help menu is inadequate.

Simon

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513788#Comment_513788

Syncing of PBB's and being able to read PBB's on my tablet: That's my only wish for Logos 6. Logos 5 offers everything I want already!

Randy W. Sims

Hey Lynden, Sorry I didn't get to this yesterday. I've included a link below to the thread you replied to on Touch UI (wasn't sure if you wanted me to post the entire message again).

There is a lot I'd like to see done before 6.0.

Some finishing work. Extending or completing the functionality of the current feature set.

Eg. Tag management is a great example of that.

Better error/exception handling. Self-Healing.

Optimization.

With Verbum, Noet, and possibly other extensions, I'm wondering if the current Prioritization scheme is going to hold up. Many of us have mixed libraries; it might be useful to use Logos variously under different prioritization schemes. Something like ordered collections that can be inserted into the priority list or just the ability to save and load priority list.

At least some preliminary support for Touch interfaces would be nice to see soon, but would love to see it full realized. I go into (too much) more detail here: http://community.logos.com/forums/t/73725.aspx (also mention off-handedly some non-touch ui features there: custom timelines, drawing layer on maps, image collections w/ SIMPLE slideshow, etc.)

For 6.0

There are better ways to take notes. I'd like to see Logos make it easier (more desirable) for users to user other more specialized programs for notes. Tight integration with OneNote and Evernote. Possibly using some simple markup or formatting to make notes from those programs (and PBs) show up as a note in Logos where a bible or other resource is referenced.

Options for simpler UI. Two targets: small screens & less powerful computers (this target is growing). Actually, I could argue that the UI should be overhauled for all users. I'm not convinced that the ability to have 100 open resources is useful or helpful. I wouldn't eliminate that ability but I think I would prefer a different default. It seems more useful for the most common case (or at least my most common cases) to have one bible or one commentary open and to be able to easily switch between different parallel resources within a single pane than to have 5 to 10 tabs of bibles and 5 to 10 commentaries open at once. I'm not convinced that more resources open = more power for the user. It looks goods, it's impressive, it reeks of power user, but is it really useful? I would rather see better, more efficient ways of quickly switching between (parallel) resources. Fewer windows = fewer distractions/smaller screens. Fewer open Logos resources = less computer resources.

The ability to manage installed resources. Hiding doesn't work. It's hidden away, too easily forgotten and too cumbersome to manage. I /think/ the Library would be a better option. Have the ability to show/hide uninstalled resources. Uninstalled resources when shown could be greyed as an indicator. The resource count can be moved out of the search box and use a more informative format: "Matching 70 of 5,500 Resources (40 Hidden)"

I'm forgetting stuff.

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/514658#Comment_514658

Thanks Randy.

Randy W. Sims

In the Library list and in the info pane, make the fields into links that filter the list. IE you should be able to click on an author's name to view all resources by that author. Same for series, publisher, etc.

click to filter based on that field.

ctrl+click to add to the current filter.

Given the above suggestion, it follows that it might be useful to go back to previous search, so it would be nice if the search field was a drop-down that remembered the last n searches/filters. In fact, it would be nice if all the search fields in Logos had drop-downs containing the last n searches.

Randy Lane

3. Your thoughts.

I'd like a one-click toggle (on all devices - desktop , Android, iOS, Windows Phone) to only view passages in a resource that have any form of markup/notes/highlights (regardless if the markups/etc. are in one file or several files).

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/514937#Comment_514937

In the Library list and in the info pane, make the fields into links that filter the list. IE you should be able to click on an author's name to view all resources by that author. Same for series, publisher, etc.

click to filter based on that field.

You can already do that although you will get ALL of the authors listed in alpha order. It's easy enough to pick the one that interests you. An alternative is to enter "Author:NNNN" in the library search bar.

Randy W. Sims

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515010#Comment_515010

In the Library list and in the info pane, make the fields into links that filter the list. IE you should be able to click on an author's name to view all resources by that author. Same for series, publisher, etc.

click to filter based on that field.

You can already do that although you will get ALL of the authors listed in alpha order. It's easy enough to pick the one that interests you. An alternative is to enter "Author:NNNN" in the library search bar.

You're right. What I'm suggesting is a lazy feature, a convenience feature that makes it easier to do something that is already possible. When I'm looking at the info pane in the Library or a resources info pane, it just /feels/ like I should be able to click on the author's name and see a list of all the author's works in my collection. Personally, I would take it a bit further and have a Author's page or better, a link to the Logos website with an author's page that contains a basic bio, all the resources available by that author listed in the order of publication - a great sales device.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515247#Comment_515247

When I'm looking at the info pane in the Library or a resources info pane, it just /feels/ like I should be able to click on the author's name and see a list of all the author's works in my collection. Personally, I would take it a bit further and have a Author's page or better, a link to the Logos website with an author's page that contains a basic bio, all the resources available by that author listed in the order of publication - a great sales device.

I don't see much value in being able to click on an author's name in the library and getting a list of his works since you must FIRST find his name in the library listing. I think it's easier to simply type in "Author:NNNN." I do, however, think you have a good idea regarding linking to an author's page at Logos. On more than one occasion I've had to go to the website and look up biographical information. Being able to link directly to it would be a convenience.

EDIT: I think I would suggest that the author's name on the information page (circled "I") be used to link to the author's information on the website (I may need to give that more thought).

Randy W. Sims

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515273#Comment_515273

I don't see much value in being able to click on an author's name in the library and getting a list of his works since you must FIRST find his name in the library listing. I think it's easier to simply type in "Author:NNNN."

What if you're searching your library for something other than author? Say you're searching for "subject:grace". As you're scanning the results, you click on a title and it has an interesting description. You want to see what else the author wrote so you click on his name and get a library listing of titles you have by that author. It facilitates discovery.

What if you've just read a free vyrso book by an author you weren't that familiar with, really enjoyed it, and want to read more by that author? Or you've just read the first book in a series of books and want to read the next one? Just click the circle I in the resource window and click the authors name to get a list of books you may already have by that author. Or click a link to the Logos website where you can purchase the next volume.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515288#Comment_515288

What if …

You have a point, but I prefer to make this as simple as possible so I think the information page offers the best opportunity.

BTW: In searching for an author (using "Author:NNNN") I would recommend using only the author's last name even though that may produce a list containing other authors as well since the listing of the complete name of authors is not totally consistent. I think Logos uses whatever the publisher uses which is inconsistent.

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513059#Comment_513059

- better tag management

- enhanced library management

Syncing of PBB's

I sure hope -- and expect -- to see those long before L6.

Would also like to be able to make the Home Screen Content settings machine specific

While the content isn't machine specific, you can set the machine to not open to the home page at all.

it might be useful to go back to previous search

Click on the little arrow below the '?' in the upper right corner of the Search panel.

In the Library list (...) make the fields into links that filter the list. IE you should be able to click on an author's name to view all resources by that author. Same for series, publisher, etc.

No, thanks. 19 times out of 20, all I want is to select the resource, yet, even now, and even after all this time with Logos, I far too often end up accidentally opening it instead. And you want to make even more columns do specific things? Where am I supposed to click to just select, and how am I supposed to remember to click just there? Logos needs to make it harder to do things by accident, not easier. (Personally, I would wish nothing opened unless you double-clicked.)

the listing of the complete name of authors is not totally consistent. I think Logos uses whatever the publisher uses which is inconsistent.

They used to do that, but now the names should be consistent. If you still find inconsistencies, report them at Author Inconsistencies.

- dynamic mapping overlays

Explanation, please.[:)]

steve clark

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515547#Comment_515547

Fix Logos?Indexer.exe or better still eliminate it and use some other reliable method.

The Indexer crashes way too often for many people, on my slower system it hasn't completed indexing in years. This is the only software on my laptop that crashes and i have a wide variety of software installed.

Fix: Index was outside the bounds of the array (this shouldn't be happening, the S/W should be able to keep up with index values and realize an overflow is eminent)

Fix: Index was out of range. Must be non-negative and less than the size of the collection (again, the S/W should be able to detect that something is wrong with it's index value and resolve to restart indexing from a lower number)

Fix: The database disk image is malformed (there are a variety of ways to handle this, it should not result in users having to get Logos to tell them to delete folders to remove this DB)

etc. (the Indexer should be a robust piece of S/W which is able to recover and complete the indexing process! This is a time consuming piece of S/W which in my opinion is required to run way too often).

Randy W. Sims

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515547#Comment_515547

it might be useful to go back to previous search

Click on the little arrow below the '?' in the upper right corner of the Search panel.

I probably didn't explain that well, but I was referring to the search box in the Library, and possibly the one on the home page & the command box.

I prefer to make this as simple as possible so I think the information page offers the best opportunity.

In the Library list (...) make the fields into links that filter the list. IE you should be able to click on an author's name to view all resources by that author. Same for series, publisher, etc.

No, thanks. 19 times out of 20, all I want is to select the resource, yet, even now, and even after all this time with Logos, I far too often end up accidentally opening it instead. And you want to make even more columns do specific things? Where am I supposed to click to just select, and how am I supposed to remember to click just there? Logos needs to make it harder to do things by accident, not easier. (Personally, I would wish nothing opened unless you double-clicked.)

On second thought, I agree that making the fields in the Library list is not a good idea. But adding links to the info pane in the Library and the info page of the resource view would be extremely helpful. Ideally, Either make the authors name click able or add a couple links like: "More from this author... In your library" and "More from this author... at Logos.com" (or Vyrso). This helps me and helps logos.

I also like the way the Kindle eInk had the last page of the book you read with options to share comments on the book on Twitter or Facebook. Or to be able to quickly jump to the store where you can other books by that author. This is an ideal time to sell something on two fronts. 1) Shared thoughts posted to Twitter/Facebook include links so your friends, after reading your rave review, can quickly click the link and be much more likely to make purchase. 2) If there's a quick link to the store, I'm much much more likely to buy a book by an author I just enjoyed reading at that point when I just finished the book. Win/Win. And if done right it's not obtrusive.

Ben

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515558#Comment_515558

A very simply request.

I'm a Bibleworks power user, use the command line a ton. Part of its ease is a one-key shortcut to take you to the command line.

By contrast, Logos requires me to press Option+Cmd+l. Please just make it esc. or some other one key shortcut, like `.

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515558#Comment_515558

I probably didn't explain that well, but I was referring to the search box in the Library, and possibly the one on the home page & the command box.

I'd say it was me who didn't read very well![:$] I don't know about a dropdown, but I've long wanted History (< >) arrows in the Library.

On second thought, I agree that making the fields in the Library list is not a good idea. But adding links to the info pane in the Library and the info page of the resource view would be extremely helpful. Ideally, Either make the authors name click able or add a couple links like: "More from this author... In your library" and "More from this author... at Logos.com" (or Vyrso). This helps me and helps logos.

That's a much better idea.

Observation: Almost everything in this thread belongs in a 'What do you want to see in Logos 5.3 or 5.4?' thread, not a 'What do you want to see in Logos 6,0?' thread.

Sogol

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/513059#Comment_513059

- better tag management

[Y]

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515641#Comment_515641

- better tag management

Actually, Bradley has already said that better tag management is planned for a release "in the near future": http://community.logos.com/forums/p/73610/514506.aspx#514506. If you keep wishing for it in L6, they might delay it.[:P]

JoshInRI

I wish for a timeline/birth record lineage that we can choose something like Adam and then Jesus and see the full lineage. It would be neat to plug in the persons name and then another name and have customizable timeline or lineage records, right?

JoshInRI

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515631#Comment_515631

I would also like Logos developers to step back and imagine a person sitting in a Bible study - perhaps with a MS Surface Pro with all their books on it (nobody laugh...I think its possible someday) and the Pastor says "Today we are going to examine the Doctrine of ......(fill in the blank)" and the user/church member is able to find useful information to join the conversation BEFORE THE PASTOR MOVES ON TO THE NEXT TOPIC.

Faster simpler searches that do not default to a find everything including sermons and illustrations I will not open in the next 2 minutes [:)]

JoshInRI

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515874#Comment_515874

also, its been mirrored and repeated here ad infinitum, but better help functionality and some actual training built into the very expensive software. Why should I have to spend hundreds on third party training?!!!!

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515874#Comment_515874

and the Pastor says "Today we are going to examine the Doctrine of ......(fill in the blank)" and the user/church member is able to find useful information to join the conversation

How much does the L5 Topic Guide go towards addressing this requirement?

It seems to be what it is designed to do

JoshInRI

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515876#Comment_515876

...and I think it bears repeating....how about a CLICK HERE FOR DAILY DEVOTIONAL - a simple default Home Page view that only shows devotionals and updates daily. I would like my homepage to be useful on my huge second monitor screen not chock full of ads and tiny squibs of devotional materials I have to hunt for.

Thanks.

JoshInRI

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515880#Comment_515880

Graham...not everything is a topic though....still to be fair I will spend a little more time with it.

I just dont think developers imagine us everyday folk sitting at a Bible study when they develop these things.

If they did, they wouldn't bury the searches in hard to find menus in the android version - but thats a digression.

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515881#Comment_515881

...and I think it bears repeating....how about a CLICK HERE FOR DAILY DEVOTIONAL - a simple default Home Page view that only shows devotionals and updates daily. I would like my homepage to be useful on my huge second monitor screen not chock full of ads and tiny squibs of devotional materials I have to hunt for.

Again - this can be changed using the current Homepage customisation options.

Not trying to be awkward but trying to understand what you are looking for which isn't currently available.

Do you - for example - want the options of different versions of the Home Page?

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515883#Comment_515883

Graham...not everything is a topic though....still to be fair I will spend a little more time with it.

True - but most "doctrines" are (I haven't checked "each doctrine" but seems like the sort of things you would expect to find in the Topic Guide)[:)]

More generally, though, to address your question I think requires some pre-work in terms of setting up collections so that you can search an appropriate subset as required.

I'm not sure what the developers could do to make this easier.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/515874#Comment_515874

I would also like Logos developers to step back and imagine a person sitting in a Bible study - perhaps with a MS Surface Pro with all their books on it (nobody laugh...I think its possible someday) and the Pastor says "Today we are going to examine the Doctrine of ......(fill in the blank)" and the user/church member is able to find useful information to join the conversation BEFORE THE PASTOR MOVES ON TO THE NEXT TOPIC.

Faster simpler searches that do not default to a find everything including sermons and illustrations I will not open in the next 2 minutes

Why a doctrine? Don't you preach scripture—or just doctrine.