Free Tool: QuickLink

i have built a tool using Visual Basic which works with Logos 4. It allows you to quickly position unlinked resources to that of a linked resource without having to actually link them. It runs on Windows machines that have Logos 4 installed & running. It has been tested on a Vista & Windows 7 machine (only 2 machines). It is provided free and as is and is not guarantied to be without bugs.

Please download and read the guide first (the guide PDF is at the bottom of this post)

Here is the installation program zipped:

5086.L4 QuickLink.zip

Here is a Guide for the program. It will explain:

How it works
How to install the program
6765.QuickLinks Guide.pdf

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Comments

Dave Hooton

As it will install .NET 4 if necessary it will require Admin privilege; which is also required if it installs to any Program Files .. folder. Will it be available to all users or is it a per-user program?

steve clark

which is also required if it installs to any Program Files .. folder.

VB 2010 Express create click-once installation files which are placed in C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\...

Will it be available to all users or is it a per-user program?

i am guessing it is per user since the above location is in the Users\<user> folder

Per info on MSDN (to the best of my understanding) it says user should not need Admin privilege (but i put that info in the guide since i had not tried that method of installation)

Gerald Rodgers

Hi Steve

Thanks for L4 tool. The problem is that when I install it on my Home Vista machine it comes up with an error message saying the program has stopped working. No L4 icon appears on the desktop either. It shows up in the list of programs & when I try to run it from there it brings up the original box saying program has stopped working. Any ideas? Thanks, Gerald

steve clark

Hi Gerald,

Sorry to hear that you are having a problem.

No L4 icon appears on the desktop either

You should have L4 running first. Then start the QL program. Did QL program install? Do you see the QL icon on your desktop?

Did you follow the installation instructions in the Guide?

A screenshot might be useful.

Praiser

Thank you Steve [:D]

Also thanks for the video http://clark-tx.net/temp/QL%20Video.htm

Could you please post the add-on links for the shortcut bar for A-F. I would definitely like to have them.

Thanks again for this quick help tool.

steve clark

Update: new copy of QuickLink

Changes white text in QL window to black text.

Before installing, PLEASE make sure that QL is not open (right click in the QL icon in the notification bar and click on Exit).

Make sure that Logos 4 is running and stable before installing QuickLinks.

See this webpage (at the bottom) for the latest QuickLinks installation program.
(Forum editor is not allowing me to add the zip file today)

Praiser

See this webpage (at the bottom) for the latest QuickLinks installation program.

Thank you Steve. That changes it to black nicely.

Now I can't wait to get the A-F shortcuts for the toolbar[:D]

steve clark

Now I can't wait to get the A-F shortcuts for the toolbar

i will work on it later. i need to get ready and go to church for our visitation tonight. When i get home i will work on documentation for installing these helper programs. This need to be document a little before blindly adding them. i may decide to add a webpage to provide these with instructions. The forum editor was not allow me to add the zip files today (the file was less than 1MB)

Dave Hooton

i am guessing it is per user since the above location is in the Users\<user> folder

It is per-user.

I note that after L4 is restarted with QL still running an Unhandled Exception is generated when clicking a QL shortcut. It would be useful to have an Exit/Stop shortcut OR handle the exception ie. effectively restart QL.

Also note that the QL shortcut is not necessary if you have Helper shortcut(s).

steve clark

I note that after L4 is restarted with QL still running an Unhandled Exception is generated

Thanks for the info!

i added function to close QL when it senses that L4 has closed. i also added a lot more 'On Error' handling as well as improved details in the Logfile. The logfile is now located in the user's MyDocs folder under the name QL_Logfile.txt (so if i need a user to post it they can find it). When QL starts it checks the size of this file and if it is > 10M it erases it (to help keep oversized logfile in a users system).

The updated file is on the website: QuickLinks page

Also note that the QL shortcut is not necessary if you have Helper shortcut(s).

That was already noted as the last line of instruction on the Helper page (item #3)

David Carter

Thank you for providing this very useful tool, I have installed it on a Windows 7 machine and it works fine. I'm glad you went to the trouble of producing the video because I didn't really see how useful this would be until I saw it in action.

Dino

Steve, Dean here. I’ve been following the different postings for some time now but have never interacted with any till now. Thank you for the time you have invested in this tool. After seeing the video I understand how it works. I'm impressed with it and will be using it. I would hope that as more folks see the value the more hits you will get. Please be encouraged that your work has not gone unobserved. May God continue to bless you.

Thanks again, Dean Price

steve clark

I’ve been following the different postings for some time now but have never interacted with any till now.

Thank you Sir for taking the time to comment. Thanks for your encouragement!

Clinton Thomas

Is anyone running this utility with Logos Beta (4.3 beta 5) under vista?

If so could you let me know?

Thanks,

Clinton

Jim

i have built a tool using Visual Basic which works with Logos 4. It allows you to quickly position unlinked resources to that of a linked resource without having to actually link them.

I'm all for finding shortcuts and easier ways of doing things, but I don't get the usefulness of this. Why not just use the Logos links? If I want a resource to go to the location of another, I can just link it to the (link) letter the desired resource is set to and unlink it when I don't want the connection anymore. I admit your way might take a few less mouse clicks. Did I overlook something?

steve clark

Hi Jim,

I'm all for finding shortcuts and easier ways of doing things, but I don't get the usefulness of this. Why not just use the Logos links?

There are a couple of things that come to mind and i am guessing that you already watched the short video demo on the website.

A. Often i will have one or more Bibles open and studying a scripture passage.
And i will have a commentary open as well. If i am reading in the commentary and scroll down it as i am reading it moves my Bible location as i scroll the commentary. And i often want & do refer to the Bible passage when seeing what the commentator had to say to see if i agreed with their comments. Using the QL tool allows me to locate the commentary to the passage without linking the commentary. Then if i scroll around i still can view my Bible passage as i read through the commentary without interruption.

B. Often i will have multiple Bibles open to related scripture passages which occur in different Bible books or other parts of the same Bible book.
In this case using QL allows me to jump in my commentary to any of the above Bible books so that i can review what a commentary says on that particular passage. Yes QL doesn't do this with multi-volume commentaries (L4's API for navigating does not automatically pull up the associated passage with the right series commentary, not much i can do there).

These are just a couple of uses that i have for QL. The few others that i have spoken with have found QL useful too. This may not suit your needs and i can appreciate that. But if you haven't watched the short video i made, then i would encourage you to view it if you have any interest in alternate linking methods as you implied.

Thanks for your comment!

EDIT: for the link to the QL website, see QLinks below in my signature.

steve clark

If you have multiple computers with Logos 4 installed, you may have noticed problems with the Helper App shortcuts in your Logos 4 shortcuts bar not functioning in your other computers.

There is a method explained on this webpage:
Helper
App shortcuts in Logos 4 on multiple computers which will have them working on each of your computers.

SteveF

Thanks for your work.

But my eyes cannot follow the cursor fast enough to even figure out what is happening. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I agree. But without some words I'm just not "getting" it.

[But thanks for all you are doing on the forums]

Carmen Gauvin-O'Donnell

Hey Steve! So I'm just reading about your little app here and was wondering: what is the point behind it? I'm not really sure I'm understanding what it would be useful to me for. Can you give me an example?

Thanks! [:D]

steve clark

Hi Carmen,

what is the point behind it? I'm not really sure I'm understanding what it would be useful to me for. Can you give me an example?

Did you see this post http://community.logos.com/forums/p/33327/250569.aspx#250569 where i explained a couple of uses? Also did you see the video demo?

In a brief explanation (i need to get ready for evening church in a few minutes):

It allows you to navigate a selected unlinked book in L4 to the position of one of your linked books. This allows you to read & scroll in the unlinked window without disturbing your linked window. After explaining it to my son, he calls the unlinked window a catch-all window. Using this tool prevents my linked windows from being moved off my study verse while i am viewing stuff in the catch-all window. [catch-all window is not what i would call it, because i often have a couple of unlinked windows that i move to locations i use.]

One particular mode i like in an unlinked Bible is when i set it to Send Hyperlinks Here. Then i have footnoted passages navigate that window, then i might want it navigated back to where one of my linked Bibles is located.

So if you have seen the video, please let me know. Maybe i need to remake that video with more detail or even make a different one showing some examples.

SteveF

It allows you to navigate a selected unlinked book in L4 to the position of one of your linked books. This allows you to read & scroll in the unlinked window without disturbing your linked window. After explaining it to my son, he calls the unlinked window a catch-all window. Using this tool prevents my linked windows from being moved off my study verse while i am viewing stuff in the catch-all window. [catch-all window is not what i would call it, because i often have a couple of unlinked windows that i move to locations i use.]

That part now makes sense to me. Thanks

steve clark

Updated QuickLinks to reposition unlinked:

Text Comparison
CitedBy
Explorer

See the update notes for other details.

See QLinks in my signature below to get to the QuickLinks webpage.

EDIT: see video demo of this new feature: QL with tools

Rodger Allen Thompson

I just went through the installation process and am excited about this new convenience. I am also eager to have you post the process for the additional apps. My problem is that after the installation I have the shortcut on my L4 menue bar but it won't open Quicklink. It doesn't show up in the task bar at the bottom. It is in my programs and once I fiddled with it enough in the program menue to get it to open but can't seem to get it to open there either now. Stumped!

steve clark

Hi Rodger,

My problem is that after the installation I have the shortcut on my L4 menue bar but it won't open Quicklink. It doesn't show up in the task bar at the bottom. It is in my programs and once I fiddled with it enough in the program menue to get it to open but can't seem to get it to open there either now. Stumped!

i suspect that you have it running, but if you are running Windows 7 it may have hidden the notification icon. i have seen this happen on other's PCs that i have remotely connected to. i don't have Win7 so i cannot show you a picture. But in the notification area (icons next to the clock in your taskbar) you will see an arrow or triangle, if you click on it windows will pop up a small box showing you the icons that it has hidden. You should see the QL icon there. Just use your mouse to grab it and drag it to the notification icon area and drop it where you want it.

If you cannot figure this out please email me sclark at clark-tx dot net and i can help you further. The preferred method is for you to install a free app called Team Viewer and email me the ID & PW so that i can connect to your PC.

Let me know the outcome,
steve

EDIT:

Starting QuickLinks

1. Click once on the QuickLinks shortcut in your Logos 4 shortcut bar
(if you followed the instructions during installation you should have added QL to the Logos 4 shortcut bar)

2. After you have done step 1, you will see a message window letting you know that QuickLinks is connecting
    to Logos 4.
   (if you see this message window you know:
       a. That QuickLinks has started. If you do not receive an error message then QL is running.
       b. After the message window disappears, QL adds it's icon     to the notification area on your taskbar.
           (Win7 may hide it, if so look on the notification bar for a triangle/arrow and click on it, a pop-up box with icons
            will appear, you should see the QL icon there, drag it to the notification bar and drop it)

3. After QL is running, you will see the QL icon in your notification bar.
    To use QL without the Helper Apps you will need to right click on the QL icon and
       a pop-up menu appears (see image below)
    This is how you use QL in the manual mode without the Helper Apps. See the video QuickLinks demo.

Rodger Allen Thompson

You are correct, that is what was happening. It is working fine, I just didn't realize it. Now I look forward to the additional apps you have developed. Please do publish the process, and thanks for your help.

steve clark

Rodger, i am glad to hear that you got QL working!

Now I look forward to the additional apps you have developed. Please do publish the process, and thanks for your help.

i am guessing you are talking about QL's Helper Apps, you can download & install them from this webpage: Helper Apps

Or perhaps you are speaking of moreFavorites, see this webpage to download & install it: mFavs

EDIT:

How the Helper Apps work

After you install the Helper Apps per the installation procedure and moved the shortcuts from a folder on your desktop to the Logos 4 shortcut bar, you will see the shortcuts as large link letter icons. (note: Helper Apps do not show up in the notification bar like QL)

1. Click in an unlinked window that you want to position to where a linked window is positioned.

2. Now click on the Helper App who's link letter matches the linked window.
(if QL is not running, the Helper App will start QL first)

3. Now notice in your unlinked window that you clicked on in step #1 is now positioned to where your linked window is positioned.
(the Helper App saves you a few key strokes and you don't have to move your mouse out of the Logos 4 window)

Another example

4. Click in an unlinked window.

5. Now click on a Helper App letter matching a linked window.

6. Notice the QL has positioned your unlinked window to where the linked window was positioned.

Jane Parrish

Steve,

I had downloaded and used your QL toolbar when you first created it; then I ran into the problem of updating it and ended up removing it. I have just installed the web QL, and it was very easy. I enjoyed using it, and I look forward to again setting up my layouts. Two questions: To install on my laptop--just repeat what I did for the desktop? Secondly, when updates or changes are made, how would I update the application on my machine?

Thank you for this great little tool.

Jane Parrish

steve clark

Hi Jane,

To install on my laptop--just repeat what I did for the desktop?

Yes, just run the installer. If you have problems, the web page shows a manual method for installing.

One thing to make note of, is that you should only add shortcuts to QL or Helper Apps to Logos on one of the computers. Logos4's sync should make those show up on your 2nd computer. If you have the same OS on both computers then the shortcuts in L4 should work on that 2nd computer.

If not, then i have seen it work by using a work-around of creating a folder on your desktop of both computers (but you must have the folder named exactly the same). Then copy QL & Helper shortcuts in windows to the folder that you just created. Then remove the old shortcuts for QL & Helpers from L4. Then add shortcuts on only one of the computers from the desktop folder which you created.

[the difficulty here is that L4's shortcuts use an exact path & filename for each shortcut in L4]

Secondly, when updates or changes are made, how would I update the application on my machine?

You would need to update them on both computers, as these are independent apps running on each computer.

Jane Parrish

Steve,

Sure enough the Helper Apps do not work on the laptop. I discovered that if I right click on the QL icon in the task bar that the helper apps work. Do I still need to make the folder on the primary computer desktop to get the apps to work in the menu bar of Logos? (i.e. just refer back to your post of 7:42 yesterday for "how to"? Thank you ahead of time for your time.

Jane

steve clark

It sounds like you are close to having things work on the laptop...

I discovered that if I right click on the QL icon in the task bar that the helper apps work.

Did you start QL from a shortcut in L4 (before you right clicked on it in the task bar) ?
[If so then you may not have installed the Helper apps on the Laptop]

With the current installation all QL apps (including Helpers) are located in a single folder when installed (as shown in the image below). So you might check by clicking on the Start button and checking to see if the Helper apps are on your laptop. If they are not, then you will need to go to the QL web page and install them (first close Logos4 before installing and close QL).

Otherwise if the Helper apps are present on the laptop as shown below, then perhaps your shortcuts in L4 for the Helper apps are not properly set on your desktop computer. On your desktop in L4 remove the Helper app shortcuts from L4's shortcut bar. Then add back the Helper apps to L4's shortcut bar per step #6 in the installation instructions. You will want to close L4 on the desktop and then open L4 on the laptop and wait for sync to add the Helper app shortcuts to L4's shortcut bar.

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