I have been putting together a guide to assist Logos 6 users in moving from the "enter passage, click go" to a more advanced and targeted use of Logos 6. Power users enjoy a more efficient and thorough use of their Logos resources because they have taken the time to manage their library. Generally this involves:
Tagging
Rating
Creating collections
Creating custom guides
Creating custom layout
In putting my guide together, I am finding that the biggest deterrent to advancement is library management, specifically getting the Logos library into an organization that allows for the above items to be done efficiently.
The current options, while helpful, are not really sufficient. I can go through the organization by:
Type- close, but too broad, especially Bible, Commentaries and Monographs;
Subject - way too broad to be useful much of the time;
Community tags - too varied for efficient use.
Here is what I think would allow all users to advance in their use of Logos without complex collection formulas and lots of time tagging resources:
1. Logos provides a category column in the library.
2. Logos uses the same category system they use to sell L6, specifically the compare website for each of the base packages offered.
3. The category section will function similarly to "my tags" in that they function as a collection in library organization, searching, creating collections for custom guides etc.
Example of use:
Goal: a custom guide for interpretation of a pericope. Open Guides, select custom guide, select template type: Bible Reference. Move sections desired. Move commentary into the guide, click on setting, select category: Critical/Exegetical. Move a collection into the guide, select settings and from the dropdown select category:Hermeneutics and Exegesis. Move another collection, click on settings, select collection: Bible Background.
Goal: a custom guide for reviewing theological issues related to a pericope. Open Guides, select custom guide, select template type: Bible Reference. Move sections desired. Move a collection in to the guide, click on settings, select category:Systematic and Historical Theology from the drop down. Repeat process using category:Biblical Theology etc.
If this foundation is provided, then it becomes easy for a user that has not tagged their library to use these categories for targeted searching, custom guides, creating collections more easily etc.
In summary, this will not replace or detract from any current tagging, collections or other power user tools. It will help those users that do not, will not, or do not have the time to manage their libraries within the current framework to be able to use most of advance techniques that power users enjoy.
At one point there was the argument that Logos does not want to tell anyone how to categorize their resources nor could they determine where resources belong. However, you have done so with the collector's edition and many of the denominational packages. Provide that to your users, provide some videos on using that new category for building custom guides, targeted searches etc. and watch your user base become much more satisfied with using L6.
Here are the categories for the standard base packages:
| Interactive Media |
| Media Collections |
| English Bibles |
| Interlinears |
| Audio Bibles |
| Greek Bibles, Apparatus |
| Hebrew Bibles, Apparatus |
| Harmonies |
| Study Bibles |
| Concise Commentaries |
| Devotional/Practical Commentaries |
| Expositional/Preaching Commentaries |
| Critical/Exegetical Commentaries |
| Classic Commentaries |
| Bible Dictionaries |
| Theology Dictionaries |
| Greek Lexicons |
| Hebrew Lexicons |
| Greek Grammars |
| Hebrew Grammars |
| Other Grammars and Lexicons |
| Ancient non-biblical texts |
| Bible Surveys and Introductions |
| Hermeneutics and Exegesis |
| Bible Backgrounds |
| Archaeology |
| Atlases, Maps & Media |
| Biblical Studies |
| Biblical Theology |
| Systematic and Historical Theology |
| Journals |
| History |
| Church Fathers |
| Classic Works |
| Collected Works |
| Devotionals |
| Marriage and Family |
| Counseling |
| Ministry |
| Preaching and teaching |
| Sermons |
| Worship and Music |
| Apologetics |
| General Reference |
| Foreign Language Bibles |
| Lectionaries |
| Other |
Comments welcome.
