A better user interface for Logos homepages, GUIs

There are several threads running about user training, making everything easier for the new (or inexperienced) users, Logos performance, and what L8 should have. I didn't want to continue hijacking those threads, so I thought we could discuss the GUIs here.

If software has a decent interface and a decent entry price point, word spreads fairly quickly that it's easy to use and affordable. The problem is that those are different for everyone.

I'm not sure how many GUIs Logos has, because there is a GUI for every product and I don't know how many products Logos has. I've been using the Windows Desktop for several years and recently began using the Mobile App on a Kindle and then switched to a Samsung Android smartphone. A few months ago, I found out about the Logos Windows App. All 3 have very different GUIs and there's a learning curve for each. I'm still not sure what the purpose of the Windows App is. Is it for new users?

A good interface will reduce the amount of training necessary to make the software usable and popular (profitable). Again, that's different for everyone.

If Logos would take the new user by the hand and lead them through the maze of choosing the hardware, software, training and implementation that best fits their situation (experience, time, budget, etc.), I believe the new user would be more satisfied. For me, this was a rough and expensive road, a blend of using CS. some training, and this forum.

There should be a more structured way of guiding the new user. If it exists, it's not very well promoted, prominent or intuitive.

Ie., if a new user is looking for hardware, help them with that, then help them choose the right software with the right interface and the right price. This requires getting to know the person and mentoring them. Does this exist at all, outside of the forum? Did I just hijack my own thread?

So, is the problem of getting new users up and running, a better set of GUIs or better implementation? I believe the answer is that it's different for everyone.

So, is the problem of satisfying experienced users, a better set of GUIs or better training? I believe the answer is that it's different for everyone.

I don't have any clear cut answers, but I thought it would be an interesting discussion topic.

Dale Heath

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Michael S.

In case someone is like me, and asked, "What is 'GUI'?-

A graphical user interface (GUI) is a human-computer interface (i.e., a way for humans to interact with computers) that uses windows, icons and menus and which can be manipulated by a mouse (and often to a limited extent by a keyboard as well).

GUIs stand in sharp contrast to command line interfaces (CLIs), which use only text and are accessed solely by a keyboard. The most familiar example of a CLI to many people is MS-DOS. Another example is Linux when it is used in console mode (i.e., the entire screen shows text only).

A window is a (usually) rectangular portion of the monitor screen that can display its contents (e.g., a program, icons, a text file or an image) seemingly independently of the rest of the display screen. A major feature is the ability for multiple windows to be open simultaneously. Each window can display a different application, or each can display different files (e.g., text, image or spreadsheet files) that have been opened or created with a single application.

An icon is a small picture or symbol in a GUI that represents a program (or command), a file, a directory or a device (such as a hard disk or floppy). Icons are used both on the desktop and within application programs. Examples include small rectangles (to represent files), file folders (to represent directories), a trash can (to indicate a place to dispose of unwanted files and directories) and buttons on web browsers (for navigating to previous pages, for reloading the current page, etc.).

Commands are issued in the GUI by using a mouse, trackball or touchpad to first move a pointer on the screen to, or on top of, the icon, menu item or window of interest in order to selectthat object. Then, for example, icons and windows can be moved by dragging (moving the mouse with the held down) and objects or programs can be opened by clicking on their icons.

Advantages of GUIs

A major advantage of GUIs is that they make computer operation more intuitive, and thus easier to learn and use. For example, it is much easier for a new user to move a file from one directory to another by dragging its icon with the mouse than by having to remember and type seemingly arcane commands to accomplish the same task.

Adding to this intuitiveness of operation is the fact that GUIs generally provide users with immediate, visual feedback about the effect of each action. For example, when a user deletes an icon representing a file, the icon immediately disappears, confirming that the file has been deleted (or at least sent to the trash can). This contrasts with the situation for a CLI, in which the user types a delete command (inclusive of the name of the file to be deleted) but receives no automatic feedback indicating that the file has actually been removed.

In addition, GUIs allow users to take full advantage of the powerful multitasking (the ability for multiple programs and/or multiple instances of single programs to run simultaneously) capabilities of modern operating systems by allowing such multiple programs and/or instances to be displayed simultaneously. The result is a large increase in the flexibility of computer use and a consequent rise in user productivity.

But the GUI has became much more than a mere convenience. It has also become the standard in human-computer interaction, and it has influenced the work of a generation of computer users. Moreover, it has led to the development of new types of applications and entire new industries. An example is desktop publishing, which has revolutionized (and partly wiped out) the traditional printing and typesetting industry.

Despite the great convenience of the GUI however, system administrators and other advanced users tend to prefer the CLI for many operations because it is frequently more convenient and generally more powerful¹. On Unix-like operating systems, GUIs are actually just attractive, convenient coverings for command line programs (i.e., programs which operate from a CLI), and they rely on them for their operation.

One of the great attractions of Unix-like operating systems is that they have maintained their CLI capabilities while continuing to improve their GUIs, thereby allowing advanced users to harness the full power of the computer while simultaneously making it easier for beginning and intermediate users. In contrast, the newer versions of Microsoft Windows (such as 2000 and XP) have downgraded their CLIs to marginal roles. (http://www.linfo.org/gui.html)

Reuben Helmuth

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/989425#Comment_989425

the newer versions of Microsoft Windows (such as 2000 and XP)

thanks for the chuckle! 🤪

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

Did I just hijack my own thread?

Curious about your opinion of Logos Web App => https://app.logos.com and/or Verbum Web App => https://app.verbum.com where new Notes system is being being developed first (with beta porting to Windows and macOS applications => New: Beta test the new Notes tool on desktop). Web App's run in WebGL Browsers on many platforms. Web App is online only so does not have indexing issues along with purchased resource(s) being immediately available.

Hypothetically, should Faithlife use Web App GUI as a model for Desktop applications ? Web App has a different Home Page setup.

I'm not sure how many GUIs Logos has, because there is a GUI for every product and I don't know how many products Logos has.

Logos Support => https://www.logos.com/support has Mobile (Android and iOS) plus Desktop (Windows and macOS) while lacking Web App. Also missing is older Windows Store App (for Windows RT) => https://community.logos.com/forums/p/57269/540993.aspx#540993

the newer versions of Microsoft Windows (such as 2000 and XP)

thanks for the chuckle! 🤪

+1 Thanks [;)] plus remembered many CLI options on Windows that were useful for system administration scripting: e.g. cygwin. The macOS (OS X) is unix-like (using Darwin kernel that is a BSD variant) with over 200 open source projects.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Small Heath

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/989471#Comment_989471

Curious about your opinion of Logos Web App => https://app.logos.com

I haven't really had a chance to try it yet as I'm taking the summer off from teaching. From what I've experienced so far, it seems to be a good way for a new person to get started. I'd like to see a list of pros and cons on it.

Doc B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/989425#Comment_989425

In case someone is like me, and asked, "What is 'GUI'?-

This right here. This is gooey.