Most Inexpensive Start to Logos

Sorry, I posted this earlier under my wife's account by mistake and tried to delete it.

I feel Logos is at a place where I would like to start suggesting it to the people I serve, however I would like some help in being able to clarify a few things.

Where can I find a list of resources that are included in Logos Cloud?
The mobile app seems to include many more bibles and resources than the desktop app. No ESV, NIV, etc. Is there any way to get them on the desktop without purchase?
So, are there really only seven resources included with the core engine install? ESV, NIV are extra?
Is there a list of the basic resources that come with a fresh mobile app install? Or do I just need to type them up myself?

I am not trying to be cheap by asking these questions. My goal is to find the lowest price-point entry options to Logos for the people I serve (Basically free, maybe base packages would come later.). They use, mainly, the ESV and NIV. I would also welcome any other suggestions you may have or ways that you have done this. Are there any other considerations I have not thought of to promote Logos to a church?

Thanks for the help

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JT (alabama24)

The mobile app seems to include many more bibles and resources than the desktop app. No ESV, NIV, etc. Is there any way to get them on the desktop without purchase?

There ARE free bibles (search for bibles and sort by price), but not those translations.

So, are there really only seven resources included with the core engine install? ESV, NIV are extra?

Correct.

Is there a list of the basic resources that come with a fresh mobile app install? Or do I just need to type them up myself?

I think the wiki had a list at one time... not sure and couldn't find it just now. Many of the free to use resources are foreign language bibles. Also note: the "free to use" books are mostly "online only." You do not have access when you are out of coverage.

My goal is to find the lowest price-point entry options to Logos for the people I serve

There is a frequent request to have an inexpensive starter package... but no luck with that so far. I think FL would say that "Logos Cloud" is their solution to the problem...

Where can I find a list of resources that are included in Logos Cloud?

Not as far as I know. The only thing I found was this:

Logos Cloud Essentials gives you access to hundreds of resources, including Evangelical Exegetical Commentary, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, Calvin’s Institutes, Lexham Bible Dictionary, Faithlife Study Bible, Evangelical Commentary on the Bible, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Schaff’s Creeds of Christendom.

Dan Francis

Have them sign up for the free faith life study bible package and with that account purchase the free resources lexham bible connect the testaments free devotional. This is really the only free way to get stuff on a desktop program. You may also add in free the episcopal lectionary and episcopal daily lectionary. These two free resources will show the functionality of the lectionary function as well as give them a daily set of bible readings. I hope this helps. At this point if they enjoy it they can easily buy a bible translation they like although reverse inter linear functionlaity on the desktop I believe can only be obtained with a base package.

Dan

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761704#Comment_761704

I forgot to add:

Vyrso provides a way for many users to build a library of "christian life" books. My small group is currently "sermon study" based, but if we were a "read a book together" group, I would strongly recommend to members to build a Vyrso library. Books in Vyrso are generally competitive with Kindle. Most books are within .30¢ of kindle books (one way or the other). Vyrso doesn't do "loss leaders" like Amazon does, but they do offer MANY publisher specials, including books Free - $1.99.

Edwin Bowden

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761710#Comment_761710

A couple of years ago, I started a FB page to post Logos/Vyrso titles that were free, on sale, or new as well as posting tips and answering questions for our denominational interest.

I found that there were many more titles that were offered on special in Kindle format, so I also created a Kindle Users FB page for our denominational interest. After posting the K titles daily, I then knew what to search for to see if they were also available in Logos/Vyrso.

I strongly prefer Logos/Vyrso format and only buy K if I need a title that is unavailable otherwise.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

1. Where can I find a list of resources that are included in Logos Cloud?

Logos Cloud => https://logoscloud.com plan descriptions are incomplete:

Essentials => https://logoscloud.com/essentials

Logos Cloud Essentials gives you access to hundreds of resources, including Evangelical Exegetical Commentary, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, Calvin’s Institutes, Lexham Bible Dictionary, Faithlife Study Bible, Evangelical Commentary on the Bible, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Schaff’s Creeds of Christendom.

Plus => https://logoscloud.com/plus

In addition to all the resources in Essentials, Logos Cloud Plus gives you access to resources like Bible Guides from Lexham Press, Calvin’s Commentaries, Lange’s Commentary, the Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament, the Qumran Biblical Dead Sea Scrolls Database, Reformed Dogmatics, Geerhardus Vos, Themelios, Schaff’s Early Church Fathers, the Spurgeon Sermon Collection, the Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, and hundreds more.

Premium => https://logoscloud.com/premium

In addition to all the resources in Essentials and Plus, Logos Cloud Premium gives you access to resources like Bible Guides from T&T Clark/Sheffield, Black’s New Testament Commentary, the ICC: New Testament volumes, Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on the New Testament, the Moulton-Howard-Turner Greek Grammar Collection (5 vols.), Barth’s Church Dogmatics, the A.W. Pink Collection, the C.I. Scofield Collection, The Works of R.A. Torrey, The Works of Charles Wesley and hundreds more.

Professional => https://logoscloud.com/professional

Get access to all the resources in Essentials, Plus, and Premium, as well as ICC: Old Testament volumes, Sehnsucht: The C.S. Lewis Journal, The Works of Dwight L. Moody, P. T. Forsyth Collection (24 vols.), Library of Hebrew Bible / Old Testament Studies (LHBOTS) (382 vols.), Library of New Testament Studies (LNTS/JSNTS) (85 vols.), 800+ classic commentaries not found in lower levels, J. A. Broadus Preaching Collection (3 vols.), The Works of Aristotle (12 vols.), The Works of Plato (24 vols.) and thousands more.

Introducing Logos Cloud thread includes => https://community.logos.com/forums/p/105182/732511.aspx#732511

All,

We’ve shipped a Collections file for Logos Cloud so you can quickly and easily see the resources you have access to with Logos Cloud.

1. Go to Logos Cloud Faithlife Group Documents in the Faithlife Group

3. Click on the “Actions” button to the right of Logos Cloud Premium. (note: it may be hidden, it will show up on mouse-over).

Click COPY.

4. Open your app, go to the Tools menu and click on “Collections" in the drop down.

5. Click on Open and click on "Logos Cloud Premium" in the drop down.

If you don’t see Logos Cloud Premium in the drop down, click on the sync arrows in the upper right next to layout and try again.

Hope that helps.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Matthew

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761747#Comment_761747

I know it involves a bit of patience, but people can always use the $20 birthday credit that Faithlife so generously gives to purchase 1 or 2 Bibles. That is what I might recommend to someone just starting out who is not ready for a base package. However, I also would not want to encourage people en mass to just sign up for freebies. At the end of the day Faithlife has to make sales to survive, and the added support costs of non-paying customers isn't good for anyone. Not implying the OP is guilty of this or anything though, so please do not take it that way.

Dan Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761762#Comment_761762

AMG Bible Essentials is also a way to get into Logos under a hundred dollars. I am almost hesitant to mention it as the $49 NASB library was a good way into Logos but it suddenly got repriced to $300 and then got pulled... but you can still find those Library CD's out there as cheap as $19.

-Dan

Ben

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761768#Comment_761768

I started in 2003 or so with the Anchor Bible Dictionary and free engine. I've bought a lot of books since then, and still don't own a package. (And Logos, please stop sending me the personalized emails. I'm really unlikely to buy one at this point.)

Doc B

My goal is to find the lowest price-point entry options to Logos for the people I serve (Basically free, maybe base packages would come later.).

I know of no way to get into Logos inexpensively, and would never recommend the software to someone who didn't have a lot of extra cash.

While lots of folks will point out things like the free engine and free resources that come available from time to time, these won't make a usable installation for all but the most minimalist applications.

Promoting Logos to a church is iffy, since they don't license to churches, but rather to individuals. That doesn't mean that a church can't pay the bills for a particular individual, but what almost always happens is multiple staffers want to be able to use the software, which requires multiple licenses (and the church ends up paying for double resources). Hard copy books can be shared. Logos licenses can't.

If you took a poll here on the forums (and I have), you'll find the average expenditure on Logos packages up close to ten thousand dollars. Keep that in mind when recommending it to people. Recommending it to hoarders or people with OCD should probably be a crime, IMO.

Dan Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761798#Comment_761798

I know of no way to get into Logos inexpensively, and would never recommend the software to someone who didn't have a lot of extra cash.

The Faithlife Study Bible (http://faithlifebible.com/) The one thing is the FSB has lots of links to other resources so it ends up being a big advertisement.

-Dan

Erwin Stull, Sr.

Sorry, I posted this earlier under my wife's account by mistake and tried to delete it.

I feel Logos is at a place where I would like to start suggesting it to the people I serve, however I would like some help in being able to clarify a few things.

Where can I find a list of resources that are included in Logos Cloud?

The mobile app seems to include many more bibles and resources than the desktop app. No ESV, NIV, etc. Is there any way to get them on the desktop without purchase?

So, are there really only seven resources included with the core engine install? ESV, NIV are extra?

Is there a list of the basic resources that come with a fresh mobile app install? Or do I just need to type them up myself?

I am not trying to be cheap by asking these questions. My goal is to find the lowest price-point entry options to Logos for the people I serve (Basically free, maybe base packages would come later.). They use, mainly, the ESV and NIV. I would also welcome any other suggestions you may have or ways that you have done this. Are there any other considerations I have not thought of to promote Logos to a church?

Thanks for the help

Greetings Michael;

Definitely begin with the congregations primary translation (ESV or NIV, whichever is the primary), and from there, add a Bible Dictionary and single volume Commentary. Maybe add a Bible Handbook also.

Most of the translations sell for $10 by themselves. The L6 engine can be had for free. The dictionary, commentary, and handbook at various prices.

Cheap? Well, my thoughts on being cheap (excluding ability to buy) is that most people can be considered cheap with anything that they don't see the value in. For instance, a paper Bible can be obtained for a few dollars, however, you may be surprised at the cost of some of the Bibles floating around in your congregation, but mention an electronic Bible Study program costing about the same as some of the leather bound Bibles and you may very well get looks of "are you in your right mind?" and such. It's a matter of if the people find value in a format contrary to what they are used to using. [:)]

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761798#Comment_761798

While lots of folks will point out things like the free engine and free resources that come available from time to time, these won't make a usable installation for all but the most minimalist applications.

I agree... kind of.

There are many reasons people use Logos. For me the primary advantage is an integrated search library. Even if my only use were collecting my "christian living" books, Logos would be a great advantage to me. The free engine can be used to sync highlights between desktop and mobile and users can use the desktop engine to prepare small group material from appropriate resources. Small groups could, as well, use faithlife.com to talk about a subject.

I should have mentioned earlier: You could have users purchase the "starter" base package... but it is $250. I still think there should be a level below this, but they don't have one.

https://www.logos.com/product/43516/starter

Dan Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761805#Comment_761805

An example of the link advertising is Matthew 5:22 directs you to Gehenna in Anchor Bible Dictionary and Heaven and Hell in Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Now while these are both fine works I would also expect to see a link to the Lexham Bible Dictionary's fine entry on Gehenna, especially since it is part of the FSB bundle.

-Dan

Dan Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761806#Comment_761806

I should have mentioned earlier: You could have users purchase the "starter" base package... but it is $250. I still think there should be a level below this, but they don't have one.

It keeps a whole lot of people out of their market place. I know the argument that they want someone who is committed to making an investment and in no way causes a drain via customer service calls (as well as the fact that the vast majority of users buy nothing beyond their base package), but there are many people who will never spend that sort of money... Many people who want to start out far cheaper and add in their needed/desired resources.

Erwin Stull, Sr.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761811#Comment_761811

I should have mentioned earlier: You could have users purchase the "starter" base package... but it is $250. I still think there should be a level below this, but they don't have one.

It keeps a whole lot of people out of their market place. I know the argument that they want someone who is committed to making an investment and in no way causes a drain via customer service calls (as well as the fact that the vast majority of users buy nothing beyond their base package), but there are many people who will never spend that sort of money... Many people who want to start out far cheaper and add in their needed/desired resources.

To spend even $250 on an expandable package, a person would be both serious about Biblical Studies and also intend on building on their investment in that particular format.

Tim Taylor

My goal is to find the lowest price-point entry options to Logos for the people I serve (Basically free, maybe base packages would come later.).

Michael, it sounds to me like you would benefit from a blog article I wrote a couple of months ago called "How to Join Logos Bible Software for Little to No Cost"

http://blog.timataylor.com/2015/06/how-to-join-logos-bible-software-with.html

I hope it helps point you in the right direction if finances are limited.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761817#Comment_761817

Thanks Tim. [:)]

Dan Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761814#Comment_761814

To spend even $250 on an expandable package, a person would be both serious about Biblical Studies and also intend on building on their investment in that particular format.

And that is the problem not too many years ago Logos had almost all the resources you could want and many competitors had limited offerings. Now two competitors have good software and all key resources that most people would want. Not only that one of them offers many top level resources unavailable in Logos, the other is owned by one of the largest publishers out there. Faithlife makes good software.. it is not without drawbacks and while it maybe the Cadillac of Bible software, but it is not the only luxury Bible software out there and then there is good dependable Volkswagen of a choice that you can get cheap with most of the options and much of the functionality. I use Faithlife software every day... I use two others daily as well. I have used the one since before it even existed in it existed upgrading to 1.0 from previous software, and the other since I bought a Palm for ebooks and Bible in 2002. Despite Logos being the new kid on the block to me, I have a significant investment in it and have no desire but to see it flourish. But it feels like FL is growing further away from my needs. The desktop software is still very acceptable to me, I do not like the fact that some stuff must be done on FL servers but nothing i care about needs them. And while FL was in the market very quickly with their iOS program, it feels slow and very under powered, in compare to the mobile experts and even the newest one. And all I hear from FL is new features coming that are web dependant (and these will be nice I am sure). When a significant number of users are asking for greater offline capabilities. An eBook is something that I tend to buy from FL, but now when I buy resources I ask myself is this a resource I want on my iPad/iPhone and if the answer is yes I am likely to go with one of the other two (who more often than not even have releases available before FL can release them). I am just one user, but I can almost guarantee you I am not alone.

-Dan

Richard Villanueva

Something that may be helpful is figuring out what funtionality would you like your members to have?

Are you desiring them to follow along in a small group study? Do entry level word studies? Or perhaps a topical study on a person or people from the NT? Maybe create a community small group study? I would think that may determine at what price point you would be able to enter into Logos.

Is there a target price you'd like to have? (Under $100?)

Dan Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761837#Comment_761837

Is there a target price you'd like to have? (Under $100?)

Faithlife has said in the past they are very open to helping create custom packages for a church... but I am not sure how many orders are needed to go ahead with a customized package. Nor do I even remember the target price they were aiming at (although I think it was either. $75 or $125). I do not know if this ever went anywhere but it does mean that it is a possibility.

-Dan

Rene Atchley

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761798#Comment_761798

My goal is to find the lowest price-point entry options to Logos for the people I serve (Basically free, maybe base packages would come later.).

I know of no way to get into Logos inexpensively, and would never recommend the software to someone who didn't have a lot of extra cash.

While lots of folks will point out things like the free engine and free resources that come available from time to time, these won't make a usable installation for all but the most minimalist applications.

Promoting Logos to a church is iffy, since they don't license to churches, but rather to individuals. That doesn't mean that a church can't pay the bills for a particular individual, but what almost always happens is multiple staffers want to be able to use the software, which requires multiple licenses (and the church ends up paying for double resources). Hard copy books can be shared. Logos licenses can't.

If you took a poll here on the forums (and I have), you'll find the average expenditure on Logos packages up close to ten thousand dollars. Keep that in mind when recommending it to people. Recommending it to hoarders or people with OCD should probably be a crime, IMO.

This is part of the problem though...that is what am I going to do when I can't do much to study God's Word digitally? All the fancy databases, whizz bang gadgets, magic interfaces, endless public domain resources, best marketing division in the industry doesn't reduce the tremendous price of this miracle of modern computer science. There are still alternatives on the market out there at a reasonable price (just got 29 books for $40.00 with mostly my choices from a competitor) this is such a steeply priced miracle I don't know how they will continue to only exist as the most expensive product in their category. I just started reading my paperback copy on Tillich and psychotherapy while my Samsung Tab 4 still isn't running anything from Logos on it...it's just easier to read the book. How can FL serve the Church if the Church can't afford FL products?

Randy Brown

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761705#Comment_761705

been reading your comments i just bought the baptist gold package they told me this is what i needed to use all tools they have. i am still in my promotional peroid. my wife and i make around 2600 dollars a month together.this program was 1300 i dont mind paying for it.just wondering about something cheaper. i love studing the Word of God but i am not real smart alot of the books i dont understand. i am a beginner is something i may grow into .just wondering your opinion. thanks randy

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761885#Comment_761885

Start with the free Faithlife Study Bible.

https://www.logos.com/product/36338/faithlife-study-bible

Whyndell Grizzard

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761885#Comment_761885

been reading your comments i just bought the baptist gold package they told me this is what i needed to use all tools they have. i am still in my promotional peroid. my wife and i make around 2600 dollars a month together.this program was 1300 i dont mind paying for it.just wondering about something cheaper. i love studing the Word of God but i am not real smart alot of the books i dont understand. i am a beginner is something i may grow into .just wondering your opinion. thanks randy

I would compare it to the L6 Gold and compare the contents- to see if either really meet what you need for study, which will depend on if your a stundent, lay person, or ministry- pastor, elder, etc.

Remember buy what you need, but use wisdom- sometimes we must wait until the time is right- not when the complusion drives us

Randy Brown

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761891#Comment_761891

I have tried the gold then changed to the baptist gold. I am a layperson with a desire to do more and learn more about God's word. I will take your advice about compulsion buying I read up for a month before I bought just wondering if money would be better spent elsewhere

Erwin Stull, Sr.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761885#Comment_761885

been reading your comments i just bought the baptist gold package they told me this is what i needed to use all tools they have. i am still in my promotional peroid. my wife and i make around 2600 dollars a month together.this program was 1300 i dont mind paying for it.just wondering about something cheaper. i love studing the Word of God but i am not real smart alot of the books i dont understand. i am a beginner is something i may grow into .just wondering your opinion. thanks randy

Greetings, Randy;

I just came across your reply, and would like to reply myself by saying that, I think you have made a great choice in starting with the Gold package. Although you may not use or understand every resource included in it at this time, I'm sure that they will prove to be very valuable at a later time. It's much easier to spend a big chunk of money on the things that you require when you have the money to spend, than to come up with the money for the things you require when the money is tight. In light of that, I would just say, to try and stay away from payment plans if you can, and if you have a payment plan, plan to pay it off quickly. Also, the value in the Logos system is not in the value of the books themselves, it is in the search and tagging (linking) ability it performs with each. I'll end my reply now, as there is a tendency to go on and on at times. [:)]

Johann

I would suggest getting a few $10 translations, the free resources, and recommend one good dictionary (the free Lexham one is actually ok), and a single volume commentary or study bible (the free Faithlife is decent if they want to save money there, but I would suggest the $40 New Bible Commentary). If they want to add an Atlas or something like that, they are still going to be better off than having the same things in physical books, for the interactiveness of the software. I did this for a long time before getting a package. And if they want to get a package later, they get a discounted offer based on products they already have. I still usually spend more time in some of these basic things than the many volumes coming with Bronze. I don't think I would recommend any product from a pulpit, but for people wanting to test the waters with Logos, this is the way to go, especially for mobile.