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Logos Bible Software 4

Submitted by tcblack on Mon, 11/02/2009 - 9:31am
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Like John, for the last few months I've been keeping a secret, not for me but for someone else. But I can't stand it anymore. I have to spill it: Logos 4 is out! I've been among the privileged few (quite a few it seems) who have been hammering away at beta releases of Logos Bible Software's next
generation.

As beta testers, we've all done our part to break it as frequently as possible so that it won't break in your hands. The programmers, some of whom we've begun to recognize by name have done an outstanding Job developing a product that responds to the needs of Pastor's, teachers, seminarians, scholars and every Christian who wants to learn more about God's word.

In addition to simply announcing Logos4 today I'd like to also give you a combined walkthrough, an overview, and a bit of an operating manual and review along the way. I'll be posting throughout the day. So read on my friends and enjoy the news that the next generation of Logos Bible Software is ready to find a home on your computer.

Don't have a copy but want a discount? Send me an email and I'll send you a coupon code just for you. Note that the coupon codes are only for new users. If you're already registered with L3, the best you'll get is the upgrade discount through Logos at: http://www.logos.com/upgrade

Also: remember that the engine is free. You can (soon) download and install L4 right next to your L3 installation for free and use all your existing books (minus PBB until later) without paying anything. The upgrade fees include more books than your current library levels.

Have you seen Logos 4 yet? I have... ›

Comments

Submitted by Owen on Fri, 11/06/2009 - 11:44am.

I have seen Dale's promise that PBBs will (sometime) be modified to become accessible in Logos 4, but does that mean that to access them we have to keep Logos 3 going until that happens? Or is there some way of making them accessible in Logos 4 as an interim measure? It seems a bit fiddly to have to keep both versions running side-by-side. Or am I missing something, for my installation of 4 didn't pick up any of them.

normanjd's picture
Submitted by normanjd on Sun, 11/08/2009 - 11:29pm.

You are correct, you must keep Libronix 3 installed to use PBBs... Bothers me too... I plan to keep Libronixs 3 installed on both my "production" systems for at least the next 6 months... You could manually delete Libronix 3 resources that are in Logos 4, but you will lose any links made in V3 notes, highlights, and such as haven't been moved over yet either (if ever.)

Submitted by Owen on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 3:22am.

Many thanks normanjd. At least I now know that I haven't anything else to do but wait! That must be good for our spiritual development I suppose!

tcblack's picture
Submitted by tcblack on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 8:57am.

Thanks for catching that John, I had to get offline for the weekend, I was starting to overload on the Logos forums. :-)

eflorentino's picture
Submitted by eflorentino on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 4:42pm.

I am a user of Logos 3. I like it a lot, it has been so helpful with my bible study, sermon and lesson preparations.
I have read many comments and news about Logos 4 and it looks just great, however I have some concerns. I will appreciate if any of you can give me some answers or insight about your experience with logos 4:
1. I have a considerable large library that I have built over the past 3 years. I have the Scholar Library Silver. I have bought and install many other resources in addition to the ones that come with the Silver Collection. Is there backward compatibility with resources supported by version 3.0f. I have resources from Logos and from other sources made for Libronix (i.e. John McArthur collection, Nelson, etc)
2. Are there resources that were part of the Silver collections in version 3 that are not part of the collections in version 4? For instance, among others, I have not seen the Greek text NA27th with GRAMCORD morphology listed in the product comparison table
3. Are there are resources that have been eliminated from the collections? Are they erased when version 4 is installed?. If ther are not ereased can I use them eventhough they are not supported any more?
4. I have the sermon file add in. I have many sermons already compiled. Is this Add in still supported or part of version 4? Is the Sermon database or file compatible with version 4?
5. Once I upgrade to version 4, If later on I have to re-install version 4, do I have to install 3.0f with all resources first?
Thanks in advance!!

normanjd's picture
Submitted by normanjd on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 5:12pm.

Here are the best answers I can give for now...

1) All of the normal book type resources I have used work with Logos4... This includes Scholar's, Various Nelson Lifeworks, and pretty much any other collection by vendors that I could find under $100... Resources such that included Video and/or Audio usually did not work... The Moody Self-Tests did not work... PBBs did not work at all... Support is planned for the future...
2) I am not sure, but it would not surprise me... Usually if Logos removes a resource, something has replaced it...
3) You never lose your existing resources when you upgrade, you keep what you already had and get any new resources that have been made available too. Only if you are buying a fresh copy will you not get the eliminated stuff...
4) I don't know if Sermon Files will be supported... I THINK they are treated like PBBs, so support would come at that time if its coming...
5) I recommend installing on a machine with all Libronix 3, then backing up for future recovery on a USB Hard Drive, as I put in the Copying Logos 4 article here: http://www.stilltruth.com/book-page/copying-logos-4-one-computer-another
After Logos makes available the last of the promised import tools in 2nd Q 2010 and you have transfered everything successfully, back it up to USB Hard Drive again, then wait 3 more months before you delete Libronx 3, just in case...

eflorentino's picture
Submitted by eflorentino on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 7:22pm.

Thank you "normanjd"... it was very helpful.
I was planning to upgrade from the former Scholar Silver Library to the former Scholar Gold Library in 3.0f (only the NIGTC makes it worthy to do it!!!) but now looks like I have to do it with version 4
I beleive I will wait until Jan 2010 before to do it...I have to decide also if I'm going to stay with Windows Vista or move to Windows 7!

Thanks again !!

tcblack's picture
Submitted by tcblack on Tue, 11/10/2009 - 10:26am.

I have only one addenda to John's Excellent response.
The Sermon File addin will be coming back in 2010. Right now you can read your compiled sermon's in L4, but adding more will have to wait for the addin. OR, you can add more from L3 and then tell L4 to get them by typing: scan c:\path\to\sermonfile in the commandbar.

eflorentino's picture
Submitted by eflorentino on Tue, 11/10/2009 - 4:45pm.

Thanks for the clarification "tcblack"....so based on your answer a long as I keep my sermon file updated through L3 I can continue access them (read them) in L4...
I have an additional question: if I have a resource (for instance Pillar New Testament Commentary 8 Vols) in L3 resource folder, Do I need just to copy them to the L4 resource folder or I have to installed again in L4 (given that I have the license, it is unlocked and I have synchronized the licenses)

Thanks in advance for all your help. I should be asking this to Logos customer service...but you have first hand user experience!! :)

Thanks again

Eddie

tcblack's picture
Submitted by tcblack on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 9:31am.

generally if you install a resource in L3, L4 should pick it up.
Again, if you're concerned that it has not then the scan command is your friend. Assuming you've already unlocked the Pillar collection in L3, L4 will sync the licenses. You have two options I think, one of which will work I hope. ;)
Type either one of these into the command bar:
1. scan c:\path\to\pillar
2. update resources

normanjd's picture
Submitted by normanjd on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 1:30pm.

Just be aware that the resource will end up being downloaded anyway if a logos 4 version of it is available...

eflorentino's picture
Submitted by eflorentino on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 11:07pm.

Thanks "normanjd" and "tcblack" for all your valuable and usefull information!.

Submitted by curt on Sun, 06/20/2010 - 11:53am.

have a considerable large library that I have built over the past 3 years. I have the Scholar Library Silver. I have bought and install many other resources in addition to the ones that come with the Silver Collection. Is there backward compatibility with resources supported by version 3.0f. I have resources from Logos and from other sources made for Libronixi (i.e. John McArthur collection, Nelson, etc)
Curt
CA
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normanjd's picture
Submitted by normanjd on Tue, 06/22/2010 - 1:08pm.

Yes, nearly all commercial products from Libronix 3.x are supported. I believe the only ones still having issues are the ones that use multi-media, but Logos continues to improve compatibility.

Submitted by harsh7 on Sun, 07/04/2010 - 8:32am.

The beta testers, we've all done our part to break it as frequently as possible so that it won't break in your hands. The programmers, some of whom we've begun to recognize by name have done an outstanding Job developing a product that responds to the needs of Pastor's, teachers, seminarians, scholars and every Christian who wants to learn more about God's word. Thank you,.