I think Logos/Faithlife should sell data sets individually. This would allow the customer to buy only the ones they want. This would also make buying Logos software much more affordable and customization easier.
The great difficulty I think, is for people to understand which datasets are used by which tools and features. Some datasets might not seem important, but imagine if you only had some of the datasets that a particular tool/feature needed.
This would be a logistic/support nightmare, as people would be asking why certain parts of the program don't work the way they do in a training video, etc, and MVPs or customer service would have to figure out exactly which datasets a person owned, rather than what feature set they owned.
Also, by the time you buy a handful of individual datasets at regular prices, you'd be approaching the price for a complete set or a subscription. This would likely end up being more expensive in the long run, as the customer desired to use more of the program, and had to buy more of the individual features.
I would think that Logos would let some one know that if a certain data set went with a certain feature that the two needed to be purchased together. As for pricing of data sets and features, when you look at a base package and what is included in that package, they list each item individually and what it would cost if purchased separately.
What I do not understand is why list what it would cost if purchased separately. Why not just state what it does cost without saying if purchased separately since it cannot be bought individually. I just think it gives the wrong impression that a person can buy that item when in fact they cannot. Because that is exactly what I thought until I inquired about buying a data set.
As for the logistics/support, I do not see that as a problem either since they already list everything you buy on your account/order history. And any updates would be done automatically like it is done now.
What I do not understand is why list what it would cost if purchased separately.
I think that's merely a limitation of how the product pages are designed in general. FL might not have a way to currently omit (or customize) that information for the small number of items which can't be bought separately.
I would think that Logos would let some one know that if a certain data set went with a certain feature that the two needed to be purchased together.
Perhaps FL is moving in that direction? Starting in 7.4, they now dim (or hide) guide or tool choices that are unavailable because the customer doesn't own the necessary datasets. I would imagine that the customer will be able to discover that a certain program feature requires a specific feature set.
We're exploring this. You'll likely see some movement this direction in the coming months.
I think Logos/Faithlife should sell data sets individually. This would allow the customer to buy only the ones they want. This would also make buying Logos software much more affordable and customization easier. We're exploring this. You'll likely see some movement this direction in the coming months.
This is great news! Due to an issue I was having with one L-7 feature, I recently had to return a purchase of the entire L-7 Full Feature Set. The issue involved the toolbar button of the Multiview Resources feature which was distracting my eyes so much that I was unable to comfortably focus on the resource text below it. The only option I had was to return the Full Feature Set and use the L-7 Core Engine which does not include this feature.
Had the option of individually purchasing features and corresponding data sets been available, I could have eliminated the unwanted feature while keeping many of the other useful features that I ended up returning in the Full Feature Set. If features/data sets could be individually purchased, this might also allow me to consider the purchase of a new L-7 base package.
I do not read from Phil's comments that you would be able to purchase individual features such as multview resources. Phil is talking about datasets.
I think Logos/Faithlife should sell data sets individually. This would allow the customer to buy only the ones they want. This would also make buying Logos software much more affordable and customization easier. We're exploring this. You'll likely see some movement this direction in the coming months. This is great news! Due to an issue I was having with one L-7 feature, I recently had to return a purchase of the entire L-7 Full Feature Set. The issue involved the toolbar button of the Multiview Resources feature which was distracting my eyes so much that I was unable to comfortably focus on the resource text below it. The only option I had was to return the Full Feature Set and use the L-7 Core Engine which does not include this feature. Had the option of individually purchasing features and corresponding data sets been available, I could have eliminated the unwanted feature while keeping many of the other useful features that I ended up returning in the Full Feature Set. If features/data sets could be individually purchased, this might also allow me to consider the purchase of a new L-7 base package.
Thanks doc. I appreciate the clarification. As I read through this thread, I was reminded of a previous thread from last September which contained a good explanation of why features are not sold separately (https://community.logos.com/forums/p/130492/848965.aspx). I had accepted that at the time as the unfortunate reality, but when I read Phil’s comments above, I thought Logos might have changed their strategy. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking on my part. [:)]
Since I have no background in computer programing, I remain confused about one thing. If datasets are what enables tools and features to function, then what benefit would it be to purchase an individual dataset without also purchasing the corresponding tool or feature it supports? Wouldn’t they almost have to be sold together? I don’t see how owning the individual dataset by itself without its related tool/feature would do anyone any good.
In some cases that is correct but one could use the dataset without the tool that goes with it. In the example below I have the Interactive "New Testament Use of the Old Testament" open on the left - focused on Allusions in Isaiah - and a search using the same dataset with the same focus on the right
So it would be possible to use the dataset without the tool
However, for a range of reasons - one of them being to avoid extra complexities in support - I do not expect this to happen in any significant way.
In some cases that is correct but one could use the dataset without the tool that goes with it. In the example below I have the Interactive "New Testament Use of the Old Testament" open on the left - focused on Allusions in Isaiah - and a search using the same dataset with the same focus on the right.
Thanks for explaining this Graham! Your example and screenshot help a lot.
