Logos 4 Launched

[DanG]

First, I'm not sure what is involved in signing up for a free Logos account, but I'm not sure I want them having much of my personal information. I am very selective about who gets that online.

 

Second, I doubt you'd find much resistance here to the free aspect of the app (aside from needing a logos account as mentioned above). I think what people are saying is that the iPhone app is not in and of itself a good reason to choose Logos over Accordance. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my take on it.

 

This is a little frustrating.

 

You don't NEED to register in order to use the Logos app--that's only if you want to use the additional 31 free books.

 

Second, you don't NEED to own, buy or even look at Logos in order to use their app. You don't need to switch or choose something over something else. It's just free.

[basurf]

Just because you (we) love Accordance does not mean we have to avoid the fact that it is difficult to figure out all the options/packages (and pricing).

 

Many people will say, just call sales, etc etc... However, that doesn't address the point...it is difficult (confusing) enough to the potential buyer that they make the comment in the first place. There's no reason to sugar coat that flaw.

 

That being said, I think Accordance is hands down the best Bible software for the Mac. It is worth investing the time and effort figuring out what to purchase (and the price) because you are getting the best product available (if you are a mac user).

 

However, Logos shifting towards unity among the platforms is nice. I really like the fact that my iphone basically has access to what I've purchased through logos on my windows platform. It is definitely still in beta though...actually I think 4.0 and the iphone app are still in alpha. I personally wouldn't abandon Accordance just because of that...it will remain my goto Bible app on my Mac (which is my primary platform). I find the Logos mac version lacking in elegance, function, power, and performance compared to accordance. In addition, they got a huge demerit for charging for the mac engine while giving the pc engine away for free (that has finally changed as of 4.0).

 

So in summary, my personal opinion is...

Accordance is the top dog on a mac platform

Accordance needs an iphone app badly

Logos has a new direction with 4.0 that looks good

Logos 4.0 still needs quite a bit of work

...I will not stoop to becoming a "fan boy" on any product, including Accordance, therefore I have no problems talking about things that need improving, even if other "fans" defend or overlook them

[Donovan R. Palmer]

...I will not stoop to becoming a "fan boy" on any product, including Accordance, therefore I have no problems talking about things that need improving, even if other "fans" defend or overlook them

 

I personally welcome these debates, enjoy product comparisons like the ones that Rick Mansfield puts out and think the shootouts like the one at SBL are great. The reason for this is that I think it inspires the makers of great products to be even better. I was greatly pleased that Accordance fared so well at the shootout and I can imagine the team came away with ideas to improve things even more. The other product developers will no doubt will do the same. The end result is that we have better and better tools for Bible study.

 

What I don't think is helpful is if we start to treat our tools like a "girl friend"... if I start to look at another product I am made to feel like I am cheating somehow. It's just a tool to me. Maybe we all might be using exactly the same tools 25 years from now, maybe we won't. I don't think to be a fan of something you have to make a life commitment. ;-)

 

Anyhow, again congrats on the Accordance team on making a great showing at SBL. I have read good things in tweets and blogs about it. If there is another shootout next year, maybe it will be with Accordance 9? Come on accordanceguy, give us a hint. B)

[jackcav]

I personally welcome these debates, enjoy product comparisons like the ones that Rick Mansfield puts out and think the shootouts like the one at SBL are great. The reason for this is that I think it inspires the makers of great products to be even better. I was greatly pleased that Accordance fared so well at the shootout and I can imagine the team came away with ideas to improve things even more. The other product developers will no doubt will do the same. The end result is that we have better and better tools for Bible study.

 

What I don't think is helpful is if we start to treat our tools like a "girl friend"... if I start to look at another product I am made to feel like I am cheating somehow. It's just a tool to me. Maybe we all might be using exactly the same tools 25 years from now, maybe we won't. I don't think to be a fan of something you have to make a life commitment. ;-)

 

Anyhow, again congrats on the Accordance team on making a great showing at SBL. I have read good things in tweets and blogs about it. If there is another shootout next year, maybe it will be with Accordance 9? Come on accordanceguy, give us a hint. B)

 

Superb post, Donovan. I use both Accordance and Logos and attempt to remain active in both forums. There is far too much either/or on both sides of this fence. Why should there be a fence at all? If you cannot afford both, then pick your favorite and allow others the same opportunity without defaming their intelligence, spirituality, or parentage. I find a lot of these discussions on both forums to be a pooling of ignorance with almost every poster blasting the other software usually with very little accuracy.

 

It's a tool! It's a thing! You may prefer one thing or another, but when you love things

[A. Smith]

Perhaps this belongs on the 'complete the switch' post, but here I am. Move it if you want.

 

I spent some time with Logos 4 at ETS last week, and I must say, I was unimpressed. It was like playing with vista after experiencing os 10.6. It looked better than previous versions, but seemed to be a weak imitation of mac/accordance. It is difficult to compare usability because because I have some fluency in Accordance but not at all in Logos. I will tell you though, even with a logos designer there with me, i was still not able to search and read the text as easily as I am in Accordance. I concur with what others have said here in several regards. I like accordance because the program is simple and streamlined. It lets me work on the text without having to wade through a lot of books I'll never use. I understand how some like a library on the computer and it would be nice if Accordance offered a greater diversity of titles (I'm thinking academic monographs here), but my purpose in buying bible software is to study the text. Accordance does this better than anyone. I also agree, regrettably, that the purchase process is confusing. When I made my first purchase, I was frustrated that my purchase had to be reviewed by someone at accordance before it was processed. However, after buying several additional modules, I understand that Accordance is determined to make sure its customers get precisely what they need without paying for stuff they don't. I appreciate the process, even if it is a bit frustrating. Nonetheless, it is intimidating for those who haven't yet purchased. I can compare Accordance to some churches I've been to: great stuff once you get inside, but there are a lot of hoops to go through first and many get frustrated by the process. I have thought about this and I would like to offer helpful advice for improving the process, but I don't know. The problem is almost intangible to me. Oh well, hopefully someone knows what I'm talking about.

 

At the end of the day, though, I will say this (put this in the 'complete the switch category'): I use accordance because it gets out of the way and lets me study the bible; not merely study books about the bible, but the bible itself. It's the same thing I tell PC users. I use a mac because it gets out of the way and lets me do what I want and need to do. Accordance does the same thing. It just works.

[William B]

I have to say im new to the whole area of computer bible software and did not find the purchasing process difficult. I found the comparison charts easy enough and knew just by the names that I wanted the library collection and not the scholar - brief checking confirmed this. There were no problems for me in ordering either. Perhaps its just me, I tend to be very thourgh before parting with large sums of money, I checked every book title compared it and decided what I felt was most appropriate for me at this time. I think all the information (and more) is there for users to make an educated choice of the most appropriate package, perhaps navigation can be improved but I felt its good to show that it is working fine for some.

[A. Smith]

Actully,after posting I went to the website and I must say, the charts make it very simple. I don't think the site was set up this way when I bought. I'll retract my statements about the purchase process.

[mikes]

I think there have been HUGE strides made in the last year or so with respect to understanding and selecting the right package. Of course things could be easier, but I would argue that it is actually simpler to choose your package to start off with then any other vendor for the Mac.

 

I think there definitely could be work done to help people with interest or need in more specific areas. For example, a more complete "Greek Studies" add-on package that doesn't force you to choose scholar's edition. Maybe something like "First Year Greek" with more resources for "Second Year Greek", etc.. same for Hebrew, Early Church studies, and even LXX (wow... now it's actually an amazing array of choices!).

 

Another thing that would be of interest (to me at least) would be commentary bundles that help lower the cost and allowed me to focus on a type (e.g. Technical, Pastoral, or Devotional) or, my personal favorite, by book or particular study area. I know that publishers haven't woken up to this approach, and I'm sure they know their business better then I do, but I can speak for myself (and what I've heard from others, I would end up spending more buying what I need when I need it rather then making a choice and a massive purchase for a particular commentary set. With NICOT and NICNT coming in the next year (I'm hoping?) I'll likely try desperately to save up enough to buy more then I need to avoid spending 2x-5x the cost of a commentary.