Logos Now: Why do you have it, or why are you passing on it?

When I first learned of Logos Now, I didn't find it attractive, seeing it as little more than gaining things early that would be coming in the next major upgrade of Logos. Plus, it seemed like renting software, and I prefer to own my copy of it (not to get in the weeds as to what "owning" software means).

Now, though, with its being revamped, I'm intrigued. I've gleaned some reasons why folk have subscribed, or now joined since it's a membership, but I thought it would be helpful to have a thread where the pros and cons could be posted. I have Amazon Prime, so I don't mind joining what I consider to be beneficial for my needs.

All I ask is that posts be kept respectful. Thanks.

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Matt Hamrick

I personally have paid 2 years in annual fees just to see what exactly I was getting and I have been impressed. I seldom read the monthly offerings they offer in Logos now, and if there is a book I am really interested in I will try and read it in that month and maybe buy it the next month. But the features and there have been many has been so beneficial to my studies. I don't remember when I bought the Logos Now Training Manual but it's been very helpful with the new features. The custom home page layouts I use all the time. I have forgotten what happens by default when I type a passage into the passage guide because I customized that when it was first offered and always use my custom homepage layouts. I will keep paying the dues to Logos Now and when it's time to buy Logos 7 I will buy it outright like I did Logos 4, 5, and 6. One day, I hope to give my library to my heirs and they can upgrade from that point on if they choose. And if they don't then they will have an awesome library. I have been very blessed with Logos Now.

BillS

I haven't yet taken the plunge. Logos is already so good, & the ways I use it are finely honed for sermon prep, personal Bible study, & teaching Bible. I too have Amazon Prime, so I'm not averse to the cost. But I get more than the cost worth of additional value out of Amazon Prime. So far, I haven't seen the "killer feature" that's convinced me it'd save time or enrich my study in some way that'd give added benefit more than its cost. It isn't so much that it doesn't have value. It's much more that L6 is already so good.

BillS

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838051#Comment_838051

I haven't yet taken the plunge. Logos is already so good, & the ways I use it are finely honed for sermon prep, personal Bible study, & teaching Bible. I too have Amazon Prime, so I'm not averse to the cost. But I get more than the cost worth of additional value out of Amazon Prime. So far, I haven't seen the "killer feature" that's convinced me it'd save time or enrich my study in some way that'd give added benefit more than its cost. It isn't so much that it doesn't have value. It's much more that L6 is already so good.

It occurs to me that if Logos really wants us to see the value, why not give it to all of us for a month & then ask us to sign up to keep it?

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838053#Comment_838053

Early access to features and discounts on different resources did it for me. I know is not officially called L7 but I'm already using it right now 👍👌🤘 besides, I can get a base package for new books only and save a lot just by renting the features until I can save to get the feaures later and still at a discounted price. I love to own and will own all of Logos 7, but for now, it's cool that we have this option.

DAL

DMB

Here's my binary yes/no decision matrix (that sounds sophisticatedly wrong):

1. Do you plan on spending big bucks for Logos7 packages?

Yes? Stop here. Sign up for LN. You're done.

2. Are you a major day to day user, mainly sermons, but academic too?

Yes? You're too late, if not already LN-ized. A couple weeks aren't worth it. Just wait for Logos7 and price out the choices (unknown at this point)

3. Do you like to spend money on promises you've no idea what they are? Risk is your middle name?

Yes? Sign up. Who knows .... maybe you'll be lucky. As a minimum, a perfectly up to date Logos.

4. Are you using Logos6 and the Logos team can't do enough features, they're so good?

Yes? Sign up ... you're their target and you'll love it. Features are your cup of java.

5. Are you financially iffy from year to year. Like my Dad who preached for 60 or so years?

Yes? Wait for Logos7 and buy as needed. Remember, in belt-tightening years LN features disappear absent purchase. They're that good?

6. Haven't hit a 'yes' yet?

Yes? Wait for a more sane binary matrix (and Logos7).

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838069#Comment_838069

Denise--that is splendid. Thank you for sharing that. The closest number to which I lean "yes" is number 2, and it seems that I read a Phil Gons post where he said that one could put LN in the cart with L7 to see if it is worth the investment. I think that's what I'll do.

Thanks!

mike

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838074#Comment_838074

I'm on LN purely for Logos Web App, since day 1. That's it.

Being away from home & able to access Logos is crucial sometimes.

(although I do wish Logos would work faster on bringing new features on LN)

Graham Owen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838087#Comment_838087

I took out the year one subscription after a brief trial primarily on a trust basis as I have always found that Logos/Faithlife ultimately have their customers best interest at heart. I say ultimately because anyone who reads the threads here will see that sometimes the road is bumpy.

I renewed because I found that there was some definite value, I like getting early access to the new tools and have managed to consume some of the 'free for a month' resources, especially the Mobile Ed ones. Personally I'd like to extend the time I have some of these, and have rushed to finish some before the end of the month, but then I accept that Logos is hoping that I will buy them and offers me a discount for this purpose.

Overall I would say that I have received good value from my subscription and, if time permitted, I could get more value.

My caveat would be that if you regularly suffer from buyer's remorse or are one of those who struggle in trusting Logos/Faithlife you may struggle with aspects of the way that it works i.e. the perception that those who subscribe now, as we approach the Logos 7 launch, somehow will get the same as those who have been in from day one for less. I do not believe this is true but understand why some do.

For me the Logos 7 launch is the final factor in concluding whether or not I did the right thing from a trust perspective. That said I can't see myself reverting to a non Logos Now approach even if the Logos 7 launch does turn out to be a disappointment.

John Fidel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838112#Comment_838112

I have been a LN subscriber since the beginning and have found that the benefits have exceeded the cost for me. These include features available that are really useful, discount certificates, 30 use of very good mobile ed classes, and the 5% additional discount on L7 packages.

When L7 comes out I can just sit back and decide what I want to do because I already have all the features of L7. If I feel my library is sufficient, then I just sit tight. If I want more books I can review the library only option with an additional 5% discount. I plan on continuing to be an LN member so I do not feel the need to purchase the L7 program. I can afford the annual membership fee.

For those that do not have a L6 base package, to get an updated feature set with a LN membership is a great deal, and probably less expensive than purchasing feature updates to get the same features. In addition there is the web based content available to you. If you break down the cost it is about 25 cents a day, not even a postage stamp.

I realize everyone views things differently, so your mileage may vary. Logos had done a really good job with LN and with the way it will interact with L7 base packages.

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838069#Comment_838069

Here's my binary yes/no decision matrix

Denise, so often your posts bring a smile to my face. [:)]

I appreciate having access to most of the features of LN.

Brother Mark

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838069#Comment_838069

A "DO IT / DON'T DO IT" decision matrix is always helpful, and yours is fun too. Thanks !

I also agree with several posters that ultimately my decision factors in my belief that my L6 library is either complete or good enough as it is today, that the L6 tools are all I'll ever need just as they are now, and your excellent point about what happens to a software subscription if/when Bob & Co. fold their tents (there's an implied digital law of entropy for all of us with a healthy degree of scepticism).

At this point, I'm not a LN subscriber, and haven't been enticed to become one.

--Brother Mark

James Hudson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838127#Comment_838127

I, too, have not been enticed by renting LN. Here are my reasons:

I am fully for owning the products and software I pay money for and not renting features (however new they might be). I prefer to pay money for things I will keep “forever’ (this side of eternity anyway!) [With LN, if you stop paying, you lose the features.]
Logos Now is mainly advanced, preview access to (currently) Logos 7 features and, as such, I feel that LN is partially a way of beta-testing new features.
Currently, I can survive without the new features but I am waiting with eager anticipation to buying (and owning) the Logos 7 when it arrives.
I believe LN was primarily designed, not for customers, but as a way for Logos to ensure they get regular, stable income for cashflow purposes. Whilst I am happy to support the company (indeed I buy many of the things they produce), and agree is it sound financially for them to do so, I need to ensure that I am not wasting money to just ‘have now’ what I will have anyway in due course when I buy Logos 7.

Hope that helps.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838133#Comment_838133

I'd like to throw another element into the discussion - namely, users are frequently asking for Google-like searching. To achieve that requires Google-like databases which aren't going to fit on our desktops. True they don't see data farms the size of Google's but ... The only way we will ever get that sort of functionality is if we are willing to pay the monthly expenses of maintaining the data in the cloud.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838160#Comment_838160

MJ ... since Bill is on his way to Logosian bliss (and for me anyway, Logos is blissful), I'll offer a contra-discussion.

Google has to run against a wild world ... subjects, expertise, languages, new areas, and competition.

Logos has a constrained subject world, constrained userbase, and new areas that proceed at a snails-pace. From what I can see, there's three functionalities of value:

1. Mispellings and synonyms

2. Logic formation to interface user desire and data extraction

3. Result prioritizing to match user expectation

I think you and many others have worked in this area. I used to do Prolog/Smalltalk, etc. The programming isn't hard, and the text file is fairly small (being text, and contrained). Easily shippable, and easily updatable each 6 weeks.

Further, much of at least the web work is considerably more sophisticated.

Now granted, server-basing encourages users to 'get used to it'.

But, I have to assume the issue is corporate interest (or lack thereof). Even grouping by user categories (eg collection, book tags, user tags) is missing.

Or, their development is running on very thin budgeting threads.

JoshInRI

I am passing on it as I think Logos should be more interested in improving basic functionality and searches....as in making them easier, faster, and more intuitive, not foisting off useless pay per view items that to me are akin to trigonometry when you cannot add, subtract, or multiply yet.

Phil Gons (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838179#Comment_838179

I am passing on it as I think Logos should be more interested in improving basic functionality and searches....as in making them easier, faster, and more intuitive, not foisting off useless pay per view items that to me are akin to trigonometry when you cannot add, subtract, or multiply yet.

Josh, as I mentioned in another thread, we're planning to spend time after Logos 7 ships and wraps up to improve the core experience of the software. I'd like us to focus on speed, integration, and general usability. We'll likely address search, guides, notes, layouts, and several other core components of the software.

JoshInRI

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838217#Comment_838217

Phil, that is wonderful news. Thanks. After reading your post I am encouraged.

Seriously please consider the BIBLE STUDY MODE as in something a person can click that optimizes (dumbs down) Logos for example on a Windows Tablet (or Android smartphone) for use in a Group Bible Study with people just looking to read/exegete in a circle.

Imagine your turn is next and you are holding Logos in a Tablet/Phone and want to

not be embarrassed (because you are taking so long or struggling to pronounce a word you should be able to click on for example)
add something to the discussion
show how useful Logos is as a tool
build the gathered group up in Christ and...
not have everyone think (or consider saying aloud)
"NEXT".

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838220#Comment_838220

This is a wonderful discussion, friends. Before, I wasn't interested in LN. Now, I'm thinking about it. I don't have a problem trusting FL, and if FL doesn't make a profit, we all lose.

James Chandler

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838053#Comment_838053

They do. I tried it and stopped. It wasn't for me.

Rene Atchley

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838452#Comment_838452

Personally I have no desire to rent more software than is necessary for my needs. In terms of Logos my fear is that the subscription base will ultimately eliminate my site license for what I have purchased then they will require ever higher fees for whatever it is Logos will use to replace it.

J David Shuttleworth

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/838483#Comment_838483

I have been a subscriber to Logos Now since the beginning and have found the new features useful. The concordance tool for me is worth the price of admission. I have yet to take advantage of the monthly resources they make available to subscribers or now I believe the term is members, My library has more than I will ever use. I have trusted Logos now FL almost from its inception and have always been delighted with the capabilities, but then I am not complete tech nerd like so many of you here on the forums, I thank God you are here, because at times I have questions and you are all so gracious to help. So I have had no issues on the trust side and I still believe that FL will be here for a long time. Logos Now is less than $8 a month for US users, when you breakdown the yearly fee. I do not know how that translates for others outside of the US, but that seems to be as great value.