How to make this stuff work.

You are obviously frustrated unfortunately.[:(]

Are you familiar with the (free) 30 day training available at https://www.logos.com/30-day-training ? Just by spending 30 minutes a day for 30 days with the program will quickly teach you how to master the software

David Roth said:

Just now I put Luke 23 in the Bible passage thing.   I was reading the text, and wanted to read the whole chapter.  I go to layouts to change to my ESV bible. 

I understand.  Unfortunately you were attempting to use the wrong tool to accomplish your task.  You can't turn a bolt with a hammer, but that doesn't mean the hammer is broken.  

In order to add the ESV to what you were doing (reading Luke 23) you could click on the library icon (looks like an open book) at the top left of your screen, type ESV into the find dialog and open your bible.  There are at least three other ways of doing the same thing, but opening an additional book to match your current reference can be done with the library.  

Instead, by using layouts you asked the program to load a formerly saved layout which included the Genesis reference it was at when you last saved it.  

To be clear: Layouts will replace everything you are currently doing with a whole new layout according to where you saved it last.  The Library will add a book to what you are currently doing.

I will reiterate David Carter's great suggestion that you take the 30 day training:  https://www.logos.com/30-day-training .

That training will walk you through what the tools are and what they can do.

Additionally, please feel free to use these forums to ask a question, we'll try to answer it.

My daddy had a Farmall A, the first tractor I learned to drive.  It was fairly easy to drive and I was fascinated by the throttle control, choke, brakes, clutch.  There were some hydraulic controls as well for the belly scraper.  I started out in first gear.  Daddy made me keep it there.  Eventually I got the hang of it.  Before long  I drove it like Jehu, furiously.  Popped wheelies.  Got it up on two wheels.     Dad didn't know that.  Still doesn't.  With some choke and throttle adjustment, it would even blow smoke rings.  My dad did teach me how to do that.

Once I proved I could maneuver backwards through some ponderosa stumps, with a trailer, dad graduated me to the International 606 and on from there.

Not long ago, after some training, my son let me drive his tractor--a huge Caterpillar.  I had no idea what to do with all those electronics.  No idea how to drive the tractor.  But with his help I could make it go a little.  Sadly I never progressed beyond that point (it isn't my line of work).

Logos is like that.  It isn't your Farmall A.  It is your Caterpillar.  It can do amazing things, so much you may never master all of it.  In time, you will get skilled with a lot of it--the parts that serve your needs.  The nice thing is that you aren't limited by what you already know.  You can just keep growing.

I actually gave up on Logos years ago a couple times.  It just seemed too hard, when I was in a hurry.  I still wish Logos would make a "Learners Mode."   My children all have Logos, but seldom use it.  They are all so busy and they just can't clear that first hurdle of quick-easy-find-what-you-want.  I think that is a pity.

Then a good friend kindly reminded me a few times that I really was missing something valuable.   So I started through forums and Wiki,  through Mark Barnes' and other's videos.  I discovered Mr. Fallahee at Learnlogos.com .  I was hooked.  Or maybe I should say "hitched."  Now Logos flows beautifully.  Without thinking my hands run over the console instinctively adjusting, tweaking, opening, closing, raising, lowering--oh, wait...this isn't the caterpiller.  And yet almost every day it seems I learn something new with Logos.

Wow!  That got long.  If you read all the way to here, you can tell how much I love Logos.

Hi Mr. Roth

Keep working at it. A powerful tool.  I agree things could be simpler.  May God help us both to find time to learn to use Logos effectively.

The forums help me use it better but as I try to use the software myself I have found - even after years of occasional use and tinkering with it- it is clearly NOT tailored for the common soul in the pew or at a Group Bible study but more for original language intensive people and researchers (just my general impression).

I am praying they will overhaul Logos with some very basic functionality with some pre-designed layouts/content.  Dare I say it - we need a Simple Mode that works right when we turn it on for basic functions - including (gulp) a more useful homepage.

I would be simply adrift without the kind people in the forums.  May you be blessed in here as I have (and yes as you use this tool to share God's Word with others).

In my job, I often do computer training.  

I find that the biggest obstacle to learning how to use software is how easy software is to use.

People are frustrated when they can't intuitively know what to do.

This is a power tool.  This is like comparing a hand saw and carpenter's square (i.e. printed Bible & Concordance & Commentaries) to a fully sized table saw with knobs and levers and angled cut capability.  The table saw won't build the rafters for you, but once you learn how to use it, it will help you build more rafters in the same time.

It takes time to learn all of the twiddly bits.  Also, the twiddly bits you want are hidden by the other bits you don't want (at this time).  Break this into pieces representing the features you want to use most.  Pick two or three new things and become comfortable with them... then ad more.

Think of this learning strategy:

Step One : finding out what it will do (i.e. features)

Step Two : pick one to three of these features to start using and learn how to do them while ignoring the rest for now

Step Three : occasionally refresh yourself on Step One and ask yourself, are there any of these features that I am ready to add to my routine.

I, personally, am relatively new to Logos 6.  I am still working my way through Step One using the 30 Day bible challenge.  I am not doing every exercise but I am watching all of the videos, pausing occasionally to try it myself.  It really helps me to pause the video and then immediately go do the thing being demonstrated so I never have to wonder if it is a feature I don't have or if it is a resource I don't have or if I am doing it wrong.

Hang in there ... this will take time to master.  Be proud of incremental skill gains and willing to bite off small pieces.

Please know that I am in the same boat you are and am struggling along.  Please don't take anything I wrote as negative.  I am still finding myself back with my old routine to keep my Bible study habits in place as I am learning my way around.

Good Luck & God Bless

Sounds like you need to sit down with a Logos user for an hour or so to get you started.  Perhaps others in the Forum could direct you to a group in your hometown and you could link up at a Starbucks or something.  I know I have introduced several people to Logos that way and I am by no means a power user.  But I get it to do what I want it to do.

-john

David

I have Logos 6 too but found (and find it verry helpfull to watch this Videos of Logos 4 it gives you the Basis to understand. I also found helpfull

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3QENcs4mik

You need to spend Time to understand Logos

I am sorry you feel this way David. I use Logos every day multiple times a day and have no problems with it. I admit I have trained myself to use it with all the tools available. You already have the examples of training in previous comments, but I will tell you to look up John Fallahee at http://www.learnlogos.com. His training is not expensive and you can sign up for live webinars that are free. Over time as you learn how to do things, that frustration you feel will disappear.