Advice for a potential new user.
Hello. I was recently introduced to the Gold package. While the resources look beneficial to me, I need to know your experience with the Logos software and customer service. Is the software quick, and user-friendly? Is there a steep learning curve? Do I have to pay money to learn to properly train to use the software. How is customer service? Is it worth the money? Would you buy it again knowing what you know about it now.
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Brenda, let me take a pass at your questions:
1. The software is very fast. While its function is rich and highly linked between resources, its sorts and links are very fast, particularly on my relatively new (1-year) MacBook Pro with SSD.
2. User-friendly/learning curve: steeper than MS Word, not as bad as MS Excel. The rich function requires some time and training to fully exploit, but as with Excel, you can get great value using a low percentage of its full capabilities.
3. You need not pay money to train, but if you'd take Morris Proctor's three day class or use his training material, you'll get much deeper function certainly faster than if you try to figure it all out on your own. The Logos videos are a good start, but only a start. A properly crafted Bible Study Guide Template with linked collections and parallel resources is an incredible study and preparation tool.
4. Customer service has always been responsive and fast.
5. The software is a bargain. I use it every week and most certainly, I'd get it again.
Hope that helps.
Phil Bruce
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Wow! Two totally new Logos users!
Brenda and Phil, Wow!
Welcome!
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Steve said:
Wow! Two totally new Logos users!
Brenda and Phil, Wow!
And I'd say Phil is off to a great start answering questions. I would agree on all counts.
Lew
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Brenda, one other characteristic that I think you'll find interesting. I've been using Logos since 2001 and I've always been amazed that Bob and his Washington team can add function faster than I can learn and starting using it. I spend 3 days with Morris every four to five years just to try to catch up. <weak smile>
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You do have 30 days to try the software in your own environment. During that time you can return your purchase with no questions asked. Too slow? Too expensive? Too complicated? It can be returned. That may reduce your concerns.
Blessings,
FloydPastor-Patrick.blogspot.com
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Welcome Brenda.
Brenda Jones said:Is the software quick
Speed is largely dependent on your computer. The biggest challenge can be when it comes to indexing. I solved that problem with the installation of a SSD and, since that time, I've never had any computer issues.
Brenda Jones said:and user-friendly? Is there a steep learning curve?
I think Logos is the best Bible software in the world. It can be as simple to use as typing what you want into the "Go" Field (see below) but it also has a vast amount of potential to learn and I am still learning things continually. That's one of the reasons why I hang out here on the forums. [;)]
Brenda Jones said:Do I have to pay money to learn to properly train to use the software.
No you don't. There are lots of free training video options that we can point you to. But you can choose additional training if you wish and this would be profitable.
Brenda Jones said:How is customer service?
Every time I have personally used Customer Service I have found it to be excellent.
Brenda Jones said:Is it worth the money?
Yes, I believe it is. You can also build your library carefully by taking advantage of the many sales and free books that are often offered.
Brenda Jones said:Would you buy it again knowing what you know about it now.
Absolutely!
Hope these comments help.
Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God
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[:)]Thank you.
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Hi Brenda,
1.) Logos is quick and user friendly for all of its basic functions. If you want to read a book, search the Bible or generate a list of commentaries on a particular passage, it will run very well and easily. If you want to find all of the times that Jesus used an imperative verb and sort it by stem, obviously the complexity of doing that and the time required increase accordingly.
2.) The learning curve is pretty steep for highly advanced functions, but the basics are very intuitive. A learn-as-you-need approach is probably bst, and the forum community is fantastic at offering counsel on how to accomplish tasks.
3.) Extra training is necessary to fully unlock the power of the software, but Logos is working on that. In the meantime, the best resource is LearnLogos.com, where you can currently get hundreds of video tutorials for $50. Highly recommended.
4.) Customer service is consistently good. They seem to be sloppy about announcing things prematurely (search the forum for Logos Now or the Encyclopedia Britannica), but are very flexible and helpful.
Yes, I would. Gold is the ideal point to buy in, I think. You may want more resources later (I am now on Collectors' - shh, don't remind my lovely bride), but Gold is peak value. With the guarantee and the power of the software, I would definitely go for it.
Using Logos as a pastor, seminary professor, and Tyndale author
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The learning curve can be steep indeed, but you can download the engine for free and a few books, a bible or two, and start playing around with it. No package is actually necessary. (I'm still package free after a decade or so of Logos.)
"The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected."- G.K. Chesterton
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Brenda, I agree with the others who have posted in response to this regarding the speed of the software, training, etc. I have had nothing but excellent customer service from Logos since purchasing Logos 3 in 2008. It is absolutely worth every single penny and I would absolutely purchase it again. My only question would be what you will use the software for? There are many pastors (like myself) who use Logos several hours each day and have a large theological library in Logos. For those in this type of category, Logos Gold is likely the minimum we will need to have a well-rounded library. If a person is a small group Bible study leader and will use the software to prepare group lessons and for personal study and devotion, then Logos Gold is way more than they will ever use and one of the cheaper packages will likely be more than sufficient.
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Greg Corbin said:
Brenda, I agree with the others who have posted in response to this regarding the speed of the software, training, etc. I have had nothing but excellent customer service from Logos since purchasing Logos 3 in 2008. It is absolutely worth every single penny and I would absolutely purchase it again. My only question would be what you will use the software for? There are many pastors (like myself) who use Logos several hours each day and have a large theological library in Logos. For those in this type of category, Logos Gold is likely the minimum we will need to have a well-rounded library. If a person is a small group Bible study leader and will use the software to prepare group lessons and for personal study and devotion, then Logos Gold is way more than they will ever use and one of the cheaper packages will likely be more than sufficient.
Well Greg, I am at a crossroads right now. God has impressed upon my heart several years ago that I needed to study his word. I originally thought that would be through pursuing a Biblical Studies degree, but with my career and family with very young children, it is not feasible at this time. For now I would like to use the software to get good biblical base at this point. I can always upgrade if I am able to return to school. What are your suggestions?
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Brenda Jones said:
For now I would like to use the software to get good biblical base at this point. I can always upgrade if I am able to return to school. What are your suggestions?
Knowing your theological background/outlook would be helpful for suggesting resources.
“The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one thinks about reforming himself.” St. Peter of Alcántara
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Brenda, given your situation with a family, then I think you struck gold (though I'd start with silver, and follow your curiousity with additional books). I say 'gold', since as I understand the Logos CEO, your situation is his goal ... self-learning. I wouldn't claim easy-to-use or fast, but I would say your only real choice. The Logos library is the gold-mine, and imagine later, with your children!
"If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.
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Brenda
I bought Logos in 2012, after retirement, with a similar aim to you. Recently got my wife using it. She finds it a bit steep learning curve but really finds it rewarding & useful in using it to prepare for the weekly bible class that she teaches. As she gains experience she slowly uses more facilities and benefits more.
One thing not mentioned here is the help and friendliness by experienced members on this forum. I have learned a lot by just monitoring the forums.
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JohnB said:
One thing not mentioned here is the help and friendliness by experienced members on this forum. I have learned a lot by just monitoring the forums.
It was mentioned above but it bears repeating. The forums are a great place to ask questions. Sometimes it's hard to find where in all the free documentation material and videos you can find the training for how to do a particular task, and experienced users here can either answer the question very quickly for you or direct you to the right place for some self-education.
And sometimes you don't even know what you don't know, so you don't know what to ask. But by poking around on the forums for interesting threads, you can learn a lot.
You can get started relatively quickly with some intro videos such as Mark Barnes' excellent free "Unofficial Tutorial Videos" for Logos 4 (and up). Though they were recorded in earlier versions of Logos, they still are applicable, as most of the user interface is still the same, only with new features added since then.
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Brenda,
Sorry I am just now replying. From what you described, I might recommend starting small with maybe even the Starter package. You get some great resources at a great price point to begin exploring the software's capablility, usefulness to you, etc. I might also suggest that you add a good study Bible to your base package - I would recommend either the MacArthur Study Bible or the ESV Study Bible both available in Logos. For around $300 total you could have a very good foundational library to begin getting a "good biblical base" that you desire. Then, as you get into using the software you can upgrade to higher packages or add specific resources that you will use. Finally, one more thing I will add. One of the great values of Logos is that it syncs across platforms - meaning I can use the same resources on my ipad through Logos app as I do on my laptop. Keep studying and following Christ!
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