Logos 10 For Everyone
A sponsored post from our friends at Faithlife, LLC.
It’s time to move over to the subscription side of things folks, at least that’s how it seems with just about every major software platform moving this way in the last five years.
Yet Logos hasn’t done it… or have they? Could a subscription option be a bit more budget friendly on longtime, and even new users?
For now, with the new release of Logos 10, Faithlife hasn’t moved that way (but have they?).
So, a new update is out, new base packages, new bells and whistles. It begs the question, can the average user who isn’t a pastor with a large book budget leverage the most out of Logos 10 without going bankrupt or robbing the kids college fund to get there?
I’ll answer that question in a moment, but first, let me point out some new features that consist of the best parts of Logos 10 and what makes this version a worthwhile update.
Logos 10 Features
Logos 10 boasts of several new features and updates that improve the software overall. Here’s a few of my favorites:
Updated User Interface (UI)
Oh look, a shiny new toy! Yes, Logos 10 has improved the overall UI of the desktop interface. The tool bar has been moved to the left side as a column and can be paired back so you gain more space in your view. This is really helpful if you’re using a 13” laptop like a MacBook Air.
The tabs have a rounded edge now, and the overall appearance just has a more polished look.
Faster, Faster, FASTER!!!!!
Logos claims that 10 is faster, a good deal faster. I’m running Logos on a 2020 1.1 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 MacBook Air and I can attest to it being more efficient and a bit more zippy around the various processes I regularly do. A search of the phrase “Gospel-Centered” through my large library dropped results almost instantaneously.
Important to many users is that Logos now supports native Apple Silicon processor chips. Faithlife projects that the chip alone gives Logos a 10-40% bump in speed which means faster indexing, faster searches, just about everything faster.
Even on the Windows platform, Logos 10 is a quicker, with a similar 10-40% increase in speed utilizing .Net 6 support.
Simply put, Logos 10 moves at a quicker, more efficient pace. The speed is there.
Facebook Tags
One of the features Logos 9 introduced was the Factbook. Tagged to the Biblical text, Factbook allowed a user to get a Wikipedia-like amount of information on a particular word, subject, or place simply with a click. In Logos 10 that Factbook has multiplied and spilled over into a users entire library.
No longer sequestered to a Biblical text, the Factbook tags in a resource like a commentary or study Bible becomes an immediate source of information and research help. In the same way it operates in the Biblical text, just by hovering over and clicking a tagged word users will be afforded a deeper, and even more efficient set of tools for study.
Lately I’ve been studying John 14 and noted that in the ESV Study Bible resource the Greek word for “rooms” (monē) is tagged. By hovering over the tagged word I receive a simplified version of the Biblical Words Study tool that tells me monē is used twice in the Biblical text, once being translated “rooms”, another “home.” If I click the tagged word in the ESV Study Bible Factbook pops up with a helpful and robust list of usages, references, commentary articles, and much more.
I would guess this feature alone will save me hours of time pillaging through my own library or a physical one to get deeper insight on concepts that I am studying.
Speaking of the library…
Print Library Catalog
This feature is for those who purchase Logos 10 at the Gold or higher level (I’ll share a workaround here in a few…) and is designed for people like pastors or teachers who have larger print libraries. I probably fall into that category.
This feature allows me to scan the barcode on the back of my physical books with my phone and it will automatically identify that book as being in my library. Similar to Zotero this feature will be a index for you of your own physical print books.
But more than just a catalog for you of your print books, Logos 10 now works with its online database to search your print books and pull up results from your print library when you do a particular search. This is a huge advantage for me when I am doing study for a sermon or a Bible study.
I scanned in one section of my library the other day, about 10 books that are in my “Biblical Theology” section just to give this a run. I wanted to see if John 14:2 was referenced in my print library. In less than a second, I had sixteen results from the eleven books in my print library, including the page number where the reference can be found. Logos, of course, gives you the option to purchase the Logos version of that same print book to expedite you study (which is helpful if you don’t have access to that print book right at the moment).
I can go to a coffee shop, or travel, and feel that I have my entire library, not just my Logos library, but my entire library right on hand with me.
Tablet and Phone Updates
Just briefly, I’ll mention as well that Logos updated their tablet (iPad) and phone (iOS) apps and have brought them closer to the desktop versions of Logos. There are so many great features and updates here that simply make using Logos 10 anywhere an every day option.
I regularly preach from the Logos app on my iPad having written my sermon manuscript in Logos on my desktop and then having access to it right from the pulpit. Again, mobility is so helpful!
Logos 10 For You
Which leads me back to talking about how Logos 10 might be useful for you. I always have to mention that Logos as a software is two things; first it is a high powered search engine and “research assistant.” That’s the software side of it or the engine behind all the rest. But secondly, Logos is a library. Specifically, your library. Whatever you have in your library at your disposal.
And that’s where I come back to the subscription model for Logos 10. Unless you absolutely need to have the largest majority of books that a particular package affords, I suggest picking up a Faithlife Connect Starter or Essentials subscription (Starter is less than $100/year), and then add the books you want to your library. Build your library over time, enjoy all the new features of Logos 10, and save yourself some money.
But if you really, really, really want to buy a base package for Logos 10, or want to upgrade from 9 with all the features, then for sure pick up a discounted Gold package. Existing users can get 30% off a new base package from the link above, new Logos customers can get 15% off.
Logos 10 is for everyone and there are a few options that will keep you from breaking the bank, and getting the most and best features.
FTC Disclosure: Faithlife LLC was kind enough to provide me with a free Logos base package to review and share with you. They have not paid for this review, and this review is of my own opinion. Links above are affiliate links. #sponsored