Using Bible Software most efficiently - Logos vs Verbum

Noel Fitzpatrick
Noel Fitzpatrick Member Posts: 159 ✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

Recently I was advised not to have two versions on my computer at the same time.  So on my iPad I removed Logos, leaving only Verbum.  On my laptop in the taskbar I have the Logos icon, When this is open I get the Verbum Home.

I have asked related questions, but  am still not too sure of some issues.

  1.  Why is it advised not to have both Verbum and Logos on my computer?
  2. Why do I get different results on iPad and laptop (also asked in iPad section)?
  3. Why does one choose either Logos or Verbum?  Do they only differ in the Home page.  If I get Verbum, should the extra resources also be in Logos?  I asked a similar question to this some time ago, but did not get an adequate reply.
  4. Some folk use Logos, some Verbum.  What are the criteria to decide?

I have been using Logos for 12 years, but for much of this time with a few layouts.  Now I want to use the software more efficiently, so I am grateful for replies, and the patience and understanding of participants. One of my first queries was to optimize my computer, this is done. But my use of Verbum or Logos is not resolved, or the differences between iPads (for elementary studies ???)  and laptops (for serious study ???). But I feel I am on the way to finalizing my queries, maybe for the next 12 years.

Comments

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,523

    Recently I was advised not to have two versions on my computer at the same time.  So on my iPad I removed Logos, leaving only Verbum. 

    For clarification: an iPad isn't a "computer" and the mobile app isn't "Logos 5." I recommended that you choose one or the other... but another reader suggested a reason why you might want both. I still think it is unnecessary... When you download the app, space is taken up by 1) the app 2) note files (including highlights) and 3) downloaded resources. When you have multiple apps installed on mobile, you absolutely will be doubling #1 & #2. The note files download automatically and are "sandboxed" in iOS, so you will have the same note file X times where "X" represents the number of apps you have downloaded. You will also have duplication of #3 if you choose to download the same books to multiple apps.

    Playing devil's advocate: Some users keep multiple mobile apps on their device so that they can "more easily" switch between resources. If you are switching back and forth, back and forth, there might be an advantage to that. If you are reading something for an extended period of time, it isn't a bother to go to the library and open a new book when you need to. It would seem to me that those who use the mobile app to "study" [By this, I mean opening multiple books to read at a single time, running guides, etc. rather than "reading a single book for an extended time"] would perhaps indeed want/need multiple apps in lieu of having layouts (since there aren't any on mobile... other than split screen). My argument, however, is to use the "right tool for the right job." A tablet excels for READING but not for STUDYING (as I have described). 

     Why is it advised not to have both Verbum and Logos on my computer?

    Again, the mobile apps and desktop app are not the same. It is less advisable to have multiple apps installed on a computer because ALL resources are downloaded and indexed. Having a couple of apps on mobile without downloading many resources isn't really a big deal. Having 30 GB X 2 on a computer is really not needed... (unless you are helping to beta test).

    Why does one choose either Logos or Verbum?  Do they only differ in the Home page.  If I get Verbum, should the extra resources also be in Logos?

    I am not Catholic and have never used Verbum. I can only speak to the mobile apps.

    Each of the mobile apps comes with free resources to use on mobile only. There are free resources to use in the Bible! app which are not available in Vyrso, Verbum, Faithlife, etc. This is true for each of the mobile apps. Unless you acquire the resource licenses elsewhere, the resources are ONLY available within that particular app, and only while connected to the internet. 

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
    Choose Truth Over Tribe | Become a Joyful Outsider!

  • NB.Mick
    NB.Mick MVP Posts: 16,253

    Recently I was advised not to have two versions on my computer at the same time.  So on my iPad I removed Logos, leaving only Verbum.

    If I recall correct, this advice was geared to mobile apps and was challenged by another user.

    Parallel installations always are a somewhat redundant use of scarce resources - for some, the scarcity is felt more immediate than for others (e.g. space on the device), and the benefit of various apps is user-dependent. Some like one user interface over another, others prefer various of them relating to various tasks (eg they may use the Vyrso app for "just reading" and another one for studying). If you're fine with your decision, great!

    On my laptop in the taskbar I have the Logos icon, When this is open I get the Verbum Home.

    You're enyoing what's probably the best of both worlds now: a Logos installation running in Verbum mode.

    1.  Why is it advised not to have both Verbum and Logos on my computer?

    Ask the other way round: why would you want to do this? As the features stand right now, a dedicated Verbum installation would only give you the V icon on your taskbar, but couldn't do anything else or anything different than the Logos installation does as you run it today.

    We don't know about years ahead, but currently there's no difference in features or anything. You could run both, but other than burning some gigabytes there's not really a point in doing so. 

    3. Why does one choose either Logos or Verbum?  Do they only differ in the Home page.  If I get Verbum, should the extra resources also be in Logos?  I asked a similar question to this some time ago, but did not get an adequate reply.

    Ouch, sorry for that. Sometimes I'm challenged to express myself in a concice and clear way so others understand what I want to tell. And sometimes I may not have understood the question or the situation of the one asking. In such situations the forum is most helpful if you ask back. It will give me or others the chance to clarify. If you ask in the same thread, we will know that the answer didn't help and someone else may jump in who understood better.

    Logos and Verum nearly differ only on the homepage but also in how RC content (such as the CCC, or the Church Fathers) is preconfigured into some guides as sections for guide results. (I think I gave a link to a thread where this was discussed - did you follow it?). Maybe there's also an implicit prioritization of certain bible versions, commentaries, lectionaries which work until you prioritize your go-to resources yourself.

    This is the way your Logos installation now works - it runs in Verbum mode - seen from the V icon on the homepage. If you feel adventurous, you may just use the command "Set Verum to No" to see how non-Verbum Logos looks. Run a guide or two to feel the difference. You can come back to Verbum mode by using the command "Set Verbum to Yes". This works without restart or anything. 

    And: Yes, your extra resources from whatever Verbum package you bought are within the Logos installation. They will also be there in Logos mode or if you go for a different installation of Logos or Verbum on this or another computer. Resource-wise, there's no difference.

      Noel Fitzpatrick said:4. Some folk use Logos, some Verbum.  What are the criteria to decide?

    I think as a first installation for someone who didn't use Logos before, Verbum is fine - especially for RCs. Some may like the icon on the taskbar better (this could be tricked, though...), but I think for many formerly-Logos-now-Verbum users it's a form of loyalty demonstration to commend Logos' efforts to grow into the broader Christian world: they show Logos that this is the right way to go. And if in the future there will be a different set of functionalities, the Logosians under RCs might need a reinstall.

    Hope this helps better than last time- if not: ask back, ask again, ask for screenshots or whatever helps you.

    Mick

    Have joy in the Lord! Smile

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,523

    NB.Mick said:

    Hope this helps better than last time- if not: ask back, ask again, ask for screenshots or whatever helps you.

    And try to be judicious in creating threads. Sometimes a new thread is warranted and desirable. Other times, continuing asking questions in the same thread is best. If there is a reason to create a new thread, please do so. Otherwise, use the one you already created. 

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
    Choose Truth Over Tribe | Become a Joyful Outsider!

  • abondservant
    abondservant Member Posts: 4,796 ✭✭✭

    Αs I recall, if you have Logos 5, and have purchased a verbum product, you can (within logos 5) type "set verbum to on" or something along those lines to give logos 5 verbum functionality.

    So I don't understand the need for two installations on a computer.

    L2 lvl4 (...) WORDsearch, all the way through L10,

  • Noel Fitzpatrick
    Noel Fitzpatrick Member Posts: 159 ✭✭

    I am very grateful for the detailed and courteous replies and apologize for seeking further information and clarifications. Unfortunately I lack skills with hardware (laptops and iPads), and also with software (Logos and Verbum). But now thanks to courteous, comprehensive, expert and patient replies I feel more confident in going back to my Bible studies.

    For my main work, I will use the laptop, with Logos in my taskbar and the Verbum Home.   I Will use a simple layout ( two panels with NRSV and NA27 (Int)) and couple this with using the Passage Guide.  I  will spend some time learning about iOS 5.1.1 and use the iPad for reading and less serious study. So I will stick with the system I now have, unless advised otherwise.

    Once again sincerest thanks to all who helped me.

    &&&&&&&&&&

    Alabama24,

    Thanks for details.  I have removed Logos from my iPad, and now only have Verbum, but I will leave the Logos icon on my laptop and use the Verbum Home.

    Looking at my laptop Control Panel I see I have ‘Logos 5 Prerequisites’ and ‘Logos Bible Software’, and do not have a Verbum program.  But using the Verbum Home I get the Church Fathers etc, which I use.  I will stick with this, unless you advise otherwise.

    &&&&&&&&

    Mick,

    many thanks to you also for your help and suggestions.  I have followed them up.

    I think I no longer have parallel resources.  Space is not a problem, but speed is.  My current set up seems fine, and I will keep it unless advised otherwise.

    You wrote “You're enyoing what's probably the best of both worlds now: a Logos installation running in Verbum mode.”  I am very encouraged to hear this and am more confident in getting on with studying the Bible.

    You also wrote “the forum is most helpful if you ask back.” Thanks for this.

    In Ireland, due to licences, I cannot use the Logos CCC.  But I have it on-line from a different source, so there is no problem.

    You wrote what I should do  “If you feel adventurous”.  At this stage I am not, I just want to get the best setup for my studies and interests.

  • Noel Fitzpatrick
    Noel Fitzpatrick Member Posts: 159 ✭✭

    ABS,

    Thanks for your reply.

    You wrote "Αs I recall, if you have Logos 5, and have purchased a verbum product, you can (within logos 5) type "set verbum to on" or something along those lines to give logos 5 verbum functionality. "

    I cannot find where to write this.  I have looked in Home and Settings.

    However I think I have what I want, as I seem to have Verbum functionality in Logos.

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 55,108

    The command "set Verbum to yes" goes in the command box at the top of the page.

    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."

  • Noel Fitzpatrick
    Noel Fitzpatrick Member Posts: 159 ✭✭

    MJ.

    Thanks for your reply.

    I did as you suggested, and  (as expected)  I do not think anything changed, as Verbum was already my home page.

  • NB.Mick
    NB.Mick MVP Posts: 16,253

    just in case you want to try (or for others who might find this thread): Set Verbum to Yes / Set Verbum to No

    When a command is valid, it will be recognized as selectable under Tools, otherwise it will just show Search possibilities.

    Have joy in the Lord! Smile

  • abondservant
    abondservant Member Posts: 4,796 ✭✭✭

    Ah yes, thats the one. Its not something I've ever used as I'm protestant. But I had read about it on the public beta once upon a time I think.

    L2 lvl4 (...) WORDsearch, all the way through L10,

  • Dan Francis
    Dan Francis Member Posts: 5,336 ✭✭✭

    Verbum is good for anyone who values the Apocrypha. I am Anglican but like Verbum because of it's broader view. Generally I would say, for the most part Verbum is the best choice for Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and most Lutherans. At the present moment Logos 5 and Verbum are virtually identical and Verbum features can be turned on in Logos with the Command Bubble. But we have been told future implementation of Catholic features will likely only exist in Verbum.

    -Dan

  • NB.Mick said:

    1.  Why is it advised not to have both Verbum and Logos on my computer?

    Ask the other way round: why would you want to do this?

    If computer has adequate resources, can use Logos 5 and Verbum at the same time with Library and Collections open in each application, which can be quite helpful when modifying collection(s) or tagging resource(s).

    Caution: when changing Library prioritization, prudent to use only one application since sync of prioritization changes to Logos servers and back to both applications can be a bit surprising.

    Keep Smiling [:)]