Bible! is getting WORSE!
Not only there are more advertisements on the Home page, but Faithlife is ignoring multi-year-long requests for improvements in Library view!
When I open Library tab, I am greeted with a list of 6436 resources. Sorting them by Title, Author, Rating and Recent is useful, but just shuffles them around. it is still a 6436 resources list (for me).
- Is there a "downloaded to device" view (an industry standard for pretty much everything)
- is there a "recently read on desktop" view?
- is there a way to create a subset of books I can have streamlined access?
- is there way to display books by book covers only, or by text only?
- is there a way to have collection/mytag subfolders or views: Bibles, Devotional, Leadership books, etc.
All of these are pretty much standard on Kindle. As far as dealing with Library management, Bible! is worse than competition in pretty much everything. I wish they copied Kindle in library management 100%.
I mean, who thought these things through?
- "Download all" on the entire library listing is pretty dumb for a mobile device with limited storage and software (Bible!) with no filtering capabilities (I take it back - you can filter by search
) - Sorting by Recent gives me NOT a "recently downloaded to THIS device" list, but a list of books with no rhyme or reason. I even did a test - closed all tabs in Logos, opened a random resource in L6, then closed L6. opened Bible! Sort by recent list did not display what I read recently. So I finally figured out that it means "Recently purchased." I believe it needs to be communicated more clearly.
FAITHLIFE, please spend considerable time redesigning user interface for viewing/accessing/managing books in your mobile applications, otherwise it is not a Bible! - it is bible
Comments
-
Is there a "downloaded to device" view (an industry standard for pretty much everything)
Typing "local:" into the library filter will give you this
is there a "recently read on desktop" view?
not to the best of my knowledge
is there a way to create a subset of books I can have streamlined access?
you could tag the books on the desktop and then filter on that tag
is there way to display books by book covers only, or by text only?
not completely but toggling the icon at the top-right of the library comes close
is there a way to have collection/mytag subfolders or views: Bibles, Devotional, Leadership books, etc.
if you tag them on the desktop you can filter them by those tags - e.g. "mytag:paul-life" gives me just the books I have tagged with that tag
"Download all" on the entire library listing is pretty dumb for a mobile device with limited storage and software (Bible!) with no filtering capabilities (I take it back - you can filter by search
)I seem to remember a lot of people asking for the ability to download all - and people on the Android forums complaining that this was limited to 100 resources at a time[:)]
Sorting by Recent gives me NOT a "recently downloaded to THIS device" list, but a list of books with no rhyme or reason. I even did a test - closed all tabs in Logos, opened a random resource in L6, then closed L6. opened Bible! Sort by recent list did not display what I read recently. So I finally figured out that it means "Recently purchased." I believe it needs to be communicated more clearly.
I agree this could be better.
0 -
Is there a "downloaded to device" view (an industry standard for pretty much everything)
Typing "local:" into the library filter will give you this
this is neither intuitive, fast or standard. Is FAITHLIFE going for "software hardest to use award?" Compare to "Device/Cloud" 1 button toggle on better designed apps
is there a way to create a subset of books I can have streamlined access?
you could tag the books on the desktop and then filter on that tag
With this "solution" I would have to 1) remember my tag, 2) filter by this tag over and over. we need a persistent view. 1 touch access would be ideal.
is there a way to have collection/mytag subfolders or views: Bibles, Devotional, Leadership books, etc.
if you tag them on the desktop you can filter them by those tags - e.g. "mytag:paul-life" gives me just the books I have tagged with that tag
as I noted above, the searching has to be repeated over and over. This is bad UI design! I believe it stems from Faithlife not actually using their apps every day.
0 -
My impression is the team is either doing a major re-write (not likely), or is off on new projects.
I agree with Toughski ... a large library and (in my case) iOS Logos apps are not easy to handle. Typing in 'local:' is nutty. Everyone else has a button. Plus 'everyone else' also supports grouping the resources. The sorts are kind of odd. Since I use multiple apps from Logos, it's never clear where they're getting the sort from ('recently').
But to give them a kudos, when I buy a book, it's at the top. After I type in title:xyz that is. Absent that, it doesn't show even on recent. But not a few weeks ago, even title: couldn't pull it. So there's pretty major progress here.
And I'll admit, the unreliable black-stripe-of-death is getting more unreliable, so that's good. It shows up nuttily on my Noet, but the black death-strip doesn't show on my Bible! (I call him 'Mut' from the valley of Hinnom). Noet's pretty buggy (recognizing we're talking the same code).
"If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.
0 -
And I'll admit, the unreliable black-stripe-of-death is getting more unreliable, so that's good.
That "feature" is completely useless. The premise that I want Bible to take me to the same location in a resource as I was at in desktop Logos not just flawed, it's outright wrong. Many resources are open in desktop for study (e.g. a systematic theology). They're open in Bible for reading. No relationship between locations. Just open the resource where I last was on that device.
Donnie
0 -
No relationship between locations. Just open the resource where I last was on that device.
Not for me. I frequently pick up reading from my PC and continue on my iPhone.
But I agree with toughski that a Cloud/Device toggle is pretty much essential.
This is my personal Faithlife account. On 1 March 2022, I started working for Faithlife, and have a new 'official' user account. Posts on this account shouldn't be taken as official Faithlife views!
0 -
I try to avoid going to Home page or Library view if at all possible. I agree that the app is painful to use in its present state.
Watching the ipad or iphone reload the list of resources is just way too slow. One should have the option of not reloading the list unless you want it updated.0 -
What iOS devices do you have?
I don't see performance issues so wondering about hardware etc
0 -
to bring this post back on track, I am not so worried about performance, as much as usability. Bible! is simply not user-friendly for people with large libraries. If Faithlife wants us to continue to purchase resources, it needs to spend time designing a better user experience.
I dare Faithlife to create a simple survey comparing top 10 Bible and Reader mobile software in usability, speed of accessing a Biblical passage, managing one's library, annotating, etc.
0 -
Totally agree with you Logos is dropping the ball on mobile apps. Bible! needs a major overhaul as you have outlined. Flashcards is broken in terms of pronunciation feature which they continue to advertise as a feature of this product and the only comment they have is they are aware of the problem but have no plans for a fixat this point in time. All they seem to be focused on is sales, sales, and mor sales.
Not only there are more advertisements on the Home page, but Faithlife is ignoring multi-year-long requests for improvements in Library view!
When I open Library tab, I am greeted with a list of 6436 resources. Sorting them by Title, Author, Rating and Recent is useful, but just shuffles them around. it is still a 6436 resources list (for me).
- Is there a "downloaded to device" view (an industry standard for pretty much everything)
- is there a "recently read on desktop" view?
- is there a way to create a subset of books I can have streamlined access?
- is there way to display books by book covers only, or by text only?
- is there a way to have collection/mytag subfolders or views: Bibles, Devotional, Leadership books, etc.
All of these are pretty much standard on Kindle. As far as dealing with Library management, Bible! is worse than competition in pretty much everything. I wish they copied Kindle in library management 100%.
I mean, who thought these things through?
- "Download all" on the entire library listing is pretty dumb for a mobile device with limited storage and software (Bible!) with no filtering capabilities (I take it back - you can filter by search )
- Sorting by Recent gives me NOT a "recently downloaded to THIS device" list, but a list of books with no rhyme or reason. I even did a test - closed all tabs in Logos, opened a random resource in L6, then closed L6. opened Bible! Sort by recent list did not display what I read recently. So I finally figured out that it means "Recently purchased." I believe it needs to be communicated more clearly.
FAITHLIFE, please spend considerable time redesigning user interface for viewing/accessing/managing books in your mobile applications, otherwise it is not a Bible! - it is bible
0 -
Flashcards is broken in terms of pronunciation feature which they continue to advertise as a feature of this product and the only comment they have is they are aware of the problem but have no plans for a fixat this point in time.
I responded on another thread about this issue: "The Flashcards app hasn't been updated in a while but we intend to release a new version with some fixes for both iOS and Android. Unfortunately I don't have an ETA."
We are aware of the problem and *do* have plans for a fix. I apologize if I misled you.
0 -
"Download all" on the entire library listing is pretty dumb for a mobile device with limited storage and software (Bible!) with no filtering capabilities (I take it back - you can filter by search
)Before using "Download All" you can first filter the library using the below entries in the Find field (these are documented in Logos Desktop's Help section). For example, "author:darby" will show the Darby Bible, and in this case "Download All" will only download the filtered results.
author:
abbrev:
epubdate:
lang:
mytag:
pubdate:
publisher:
rating:
subject:
series:
title:
type:Sorting by Recent gives me NOT a "recently downloaded to THIS device" list, but a list of books with no rhyme or reason. I even did a test - closed all tabs in Logos, opened a random resource in L6, then closed L6. opened Bible! Sort by recent list did not display what I read recently. So I finally figured out that it means "Recently purchased." I believe it needs to be communicated more clearly.
"Sort by Recent" shows resources most recently viewed in the mobile app in descending order.
0 -
A quick look shows there are reports of this problem existing since October 2014. It is now Jan 2015. Two and one half month plus months is an unacceptable time frame to release a fix. Intent to fix with an unknown release date is starting to become a tired response we hear far too often from this company. Technically the app is free but indirectly we pay for it through our purchase of base packages and resources. Logos has expanded its footprint too wide and it's failing badly in being able to maintain a large stable of applications across multiple platforms. Instead of getting fixes out for existing mobile apps Logos has pushed out another 'free' app, the "Everyday Bible App" that will primarily be seen as a way to advertise to users products for purchase and it will too at some point become another broken app that it intends to fix but has no ETA on when it will be fixed. I am sure though if the advertising component of these apps ever broke, or your marketing team had new ways to advertise to us through these apps Logos wouldn't take this long to get an updated app out of the door.
Flashcards is broken in terms of pronunciation feature which they continue to advertise as a feature of this product and the only comment they have is they are aware of the problem but have no plans for a fixat this point in time.
I responded on another thread about this issue: "The Flashcards app hasn't been updated in a while but we intend to release a new version with some fixes for both iOS and Android. Unfortunately I don't have an ETA."
We are aware of the problem and *do* have plans for a fix. I apologize if I misled you.
0 -
Disciple of Christ,
Thank you for your input. We are aware of the Flashcard app's audio problem and plan to fix it. We value and appreciate customers that use our free mobile apps and are thankful for any/all bug reports that are sent to us should a problem arise.
0 -
Kevin, exactly in what way do you 'value and appreciate customers that use your free mobile apps', being 'thankful for any/all bug reports that are sent to you should a problem arise'?
I only pose the question, since early in my use of the iOS apps, I indeed was thankful. The apps were a nice addition. But given the progressive trainwreck over on the desktop (ok, jar of molassas), the apps are now becoming the primary platform. So, they're no longer a 'nice addition'; they're what's been paid for in order to use the books. As Logos advertises.
And when the 'free' mobile apps don't work, or are difficult to use (I was amazed at your list of library filters on an iOS app, vs a dropdown, etc), I'm not so sure what it is you exactly value. Safely, it's not me (that's a complement). But customers?
Don't you find it curious, some of your major iOS users can't figure out how the library sorts the books? (Including me.) I remember Melford pleading for something that explained how the apps worked. He was the nice guy.
"If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.
0 -
Don't you find it curious, some of your major iOS users can't figure out how the library sorts the books? (Including me.)
only yesterday, after years of having the app I figured that I can add a book to Favorites, mitigating the lack of On-Device-Collections
0 -
only yesterday, after years of having the app I figured that I can add a book to Favorites, mitigating the lack of On-Device-Collections
This is one of my consistent complaints with all of the Logos software - no manuals.
Somehow, through the process of osmosis or some other revelatory action, we are supposed to understand how all the apps work.
You can pay for some video courses but I would prefer a manual that was in the app that REALLY tells you all the nuts and bolts of how to use the program.0 -
Don't you find it curious, some of your major iOS users can't figure out how the library sorts the books? (Including me.)
only yesterday, after years of having the app I figured that I can add a book to Favorites, mitigating the lack of On-Device-Collections
And telling us we can use types for sorting? The IOS designers have never heard of a drop down box? It almost seems like they have never used the predominate IOS reading apps like iBooks or Kindle or even Audible. Look at how the best apps have user friendly UI and compare that to the obtuse Bible! app where the tech support suggestions are that to find resources we have to manually tag thousands of our resources on the desktop and then memorize those tags in order to manually sort on them in the Bible! app.
I want to go on record as fully endorsing both toughski and Denise and strongly suggesting that the app programmers spend some time using other apps and spend a few months making the UI of Bible! friendly and easy to use. Thousands of resources are only useful if you can access the ones you need.
John
0 -
Kevin you are not getting it. Its reached a time frame where simply saying you are aware of an issue and you are planning to fix it is a meaningless response. You should be beyond planning to fix it and actually doing something about fixing it. The same goes with reading plans not syncing. This sort of thing should have never been allowed to happen but the leadership of this company decided it was more important to push Logos 6 out the door and take customers money instead of ensuring the new reading plan files synced with the mobile apps. Logos saying they plan to fix that too is no longer a good enough response. How many months before you move from planning to fix these things to working on fixing these issues.
Disciple of Christ,
Thank you for your input. We are aware of the Flashcard app's audio problem and plan to fix it. We value and appreciate customers that use our free mobile apps and are thankful for any/all bug reports that are sent to us should a problem arise.
0 -
...the apps are now becoming the primary platform. So, they're no longer a 'nice addition'; they're what's been paid for in order to use the books. As Logos advertises.
[Y] [Y] [Y] [Y]
I use Logos on my Mac more than on my iPad, but I agree. Part of the reason I am willing to buy everything in Logos (and even sometimes pay more than I would for a Kindle book or iBook) is because I know it will be everywhere. And while it's available everywhere, it isn't reliable everywhere.
Does Logos have developers on staff that focus primarily or exclusively on the mobile apps? What is the best way to report bugs/frustrations to them?
We are paying customers, and we're not happy. [:(]
0 -
Before using "Download All" you can first filter the library using the below entries in the Find field (these are documented in Logos Desktop's Help section). For example, "author:darby" will show the Darby Bible, and in this case "Download All" will only download the filtered results.
I've been using the iOS app since 2011 and I read the forums every day. I've never known about this.
A dropdown menu would be helpful.
And I second the need for a sorting option that just displays books downloaded on my device.
0 -
It may be argued that this isn't thebright place for this post but, for me, it shows an issue with an app that I actually enjoy using and have used for some time.
this morning at church I pulled out my iPad 2, opened up the bible app and tried to load the NIV(1984) bible, which I've downloaded, only to find it not opening up.. fiund this odd, so I went to the ESV my bible of choice and on that I couldnt navigate to the text being used by the preacher? In fact I couldn't navigate back manually past the beginning of 1 Timothy.
I then restarted my iPad, after I had restarted the app numerous times, to find the same issue, I then connected to my iPhone, as my iPad is wifi only to see if there was any resource updates but nothing showed up. So as it stands, without connecting to my iPhone hotspot I can't open a downloaded bible (NIV), on another (ESV) I can't navigate backwards.. In fact the only bible I can use is the LEB...
How can this be??
Will see if the resources need updating when I get home.. very disappointed by this.
0 -
It may be argued that this isn't thebright place for this post but, for me, it shows an issue with an app that I actually enjoy using and have used for some time.
this morning at church I pulled out my iPad 2, opened up the bible app and tried to load the NIV(1984) bible, which I've downloaded, only to find it not opening up.. fiund this odd, so I went to the ESV my bible of choice and on that I couldnt navigate to the text being used by the preacher? In fact I couldn't navigate back manually past the beginning of 1 Timothy.
I then restarted my iPad, after I had restarted the app numerous times, to find the same issue, I then connected to my iPhone, as my iPad is wifi only to see if there was any resource updates but nothing showed up. So as it stands, without connecting to my iPhone hotspot I can't open a downloaded bible (NIV), on another (ESV) I can't navigate backwards.. In fact the only bible I can use is the LEB...
How can this be??
Will see if the resources need updating when I get home.. very disappointed by this.
Paul,
You may need to delete the app and re-install. The problem you are experiencing further highlights that Logos has not fully embraced the mobile market which continues to grow daily.
http://www.TrinityExamined.com
0 -
only yesterday, after years of having the app I figured that I can add a book to Favorites, mitigating the lack of On-Device-Collections
This is one of my consistent complaints with all of the Logos software - no manuals.
Somehow, through the process of osmosis or some other revelatory action, we are supposed to understand how all the apps work.
You can pay for some video courses but I would prefer a manual that was in the app that REALLY tells you all the nuts and bolts of how to use the program.Weird...seems like I've heard someone else saying this same thing.
At least there are two of us now.
Eating a steady diet of government cheese, and living in a van down by the river.
0 -
Kevin, exactly in what way do you 'value and appreciate customers that use your free mobile apps', being 'thankful for any/all bug reports that are sent to you should a problem arise'?
That's a great question, Denise, and I'm glad you asked it.
I remember Melford pleading for something that explained how the apps worked. He was the nice guy.
I'm not quite as nice a guy, so I've been keeping my mouth shut. Suffice it to say, if I said what I thought about this, Kevin probably wouldn't be quite as appreciative.
Logos, I still want my money back.
Eating a steady diet of government cheese, and living in a van down by the river.
0 -
-
Before using "Download All" you can first filter the library using the below entries in the Find field (these are documented in Logos Desktop's Help section). For example, "author:darby" will show the Darby Bible, and in this case "Download All" will only download the filtered results.
author:
abbrev:
epubdate:
lang:
mytag:
pubdate:
publisher:
rating:
subject:
series:
title:
type:This is one of my biggest complaints with the whole Logos search/programming philosophy, the user needs to know then enter some convoluted search/syntax string into a command box. That is so 1970's. And it would help if this stuff was documented by the programmers and a paid technical writer rather than relying on a user created and maintained wiki. I will never understand that.
0 -
And it would help if this stuff was documented by the programmers and a paid technical writer rather than relying on a user created and maintained wiki. I will never understand that.
[Y]
0 -
Where might one find the complete list of hidden commands for the IOS app?
0 -
Where might one find the complete list of hidden commands for the IOS app?
ha-ha. That's funny!
0 -
Where might one find the complete list of hidden commands for the IOS app?
If you can Vulcan mind-meld with one of the techs, that's the only place I know of. They sure don't seem to want to write it down anywhere. But then, that's how it is with the software, too.
Eating a steady diet of government cheese, and living in a van down by the river.
0
