Logos Bible Software Blog

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April 26, 2006

Of the Making of Books (Part 10)

Today’s guest blogger is Ken Smith, General Manager of Electronic Publishing Services at Logos.

(This is the next installment in a series of articles about our nearly 60 publishing partners who market their own electronic products using our technology.)

Baker Publishing Group

If you've been following this series from the beginning, you might remember that the first installment pictured a 1996 product from Baker. As one of our longest-standing partners, Baker Publishing Group has been involved with a number of projects, both as electronic publisher and licensor.

That first Baker product included just four books, but introduced some stellar reference titles like the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible and Topical Analysis of the Bible, both by Walter Elwell.

In July of 1998, Baker released a greatly expanded collection, titled The Baker Digital Reference Library, with twenty titles covering a broad range of topics including theology, apologetics, counseling and a new-fangled thing called the "Internet".

Baker followed this with two author-focused collections: The R.C. Sproul Digital Library and The Norman L. Geisler Apologetics Library.

    

In recent years, Baker has partnered with us by licensing a number of significant commentary sets and other core reference titles. These include Hendricksen and Kistemaker's New Testament Commentary, the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, and the 27 current volumes of the Boice Commentary Series.

         

Stay tuned for more great electronic resources from Baker—coming soon!

Next: World Evangelical Alliance

Posted by Daniel Foster at 6:00 AM | Comments (5)

April 6, 2006

Of the Making of Books (Part 9)

Today’s guest blogger is Ken Smith, General Manager of Electronic Publishing Services at Logos.

(This is the next installment in a series of articles about our nearly 60 publishing partners who market their own electronic products using our technology.)

AMG Publishers

You might recall that in Part 2 of this series, we described a "hybrid" partnership with InterVarsity Press (US and UK), where we license some titles and also create publisher-marketed products. Another successful partnership in this category is with AMG Publishers. If you don't know the AMG name, you might recognize the name of their president—Spiros Zodhiates.

AMG's first product, Bible Essentials, was released in April 2001 and updated to the Libronix Digital Library System in September 2004. This outstanding collection includes the well-known Complete Word Study Dictionary and Complete Word Study Bible (KJV), along with a dozen or so key reference titles.

We currently license several individual titles from AMG and also have two exciting collections in our pre-publication program: The Following God Workbook Series and Learning the Basics of New Testament Greek.

    

Next: Baker Publishing Group

Posted by Rick Brannan at 6:00 AM | Comments (2)

February 23, 2006

Of the Making of Books (Part 8)

El Departamento de productos en español de Logos se complace en presentar este artículo y los productos de Caribe-Betania para nuestros lectores de habla hispana, para leer el artículo haga clic acá.

Today’s guest blogger is Ken Smith, General Manager of Electronic Publishing Services at Logos.

(This is the next installment in a series of articles about our nearly 60 publishing partners who market their own electronic products using our technology.)

Caribe-Betania Editores

Since early 2000, we have worked with Caribe-Betania Editores, the Spanish language division of Thomas Nelson, to create CD-ROM products to serve their market.

In April of 2000, they released their first product, titled Biblioteca electrónica Caribe or BECA, which was updated in July of 2003 to the Libronix Digital Library System. Some of the key titles in this collection are Spanish translations of: Nelson's New Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible, Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary, Life Application Bible notes, and the Spirit-Filled Life™ Bible notes.

In 2003, Caribe released two author-focused BECA collections: an "Inspirational Edition", featuring books by Max Lucado, and a "Leadership Edition", featuring the works of John C. Maxwell.

    

In November of 2004, Caribe released their largest collection to date, known as the BECA "Professional Edition". Additional titles in this collection include Spanish versions of Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Bible Facts, and the New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.

Next: AMG

Nuestro escritor invitado hoy es nuevamente Ken Smith, Gerente del Departamento de Servicios de publicación electrónica de Logos.

(Esta es la siguiente en una serie de artículos acerca de las casi 60 editoriales que promueven sus productos electrónicos por medio de nuestra tecnología.)

Caribe-Betania Editores

Desde el año 2000, que estamos trabajando con Caribe-Betania Editores, la división hispana de Thomas Nelson, creando productos en CD-ROM para satisfacer las necesidades de su mercado.

Su primer producto, titulado Biblioteca electrónica Caribe o BECA, salió al mercado en abril del año 2000, luego fue actualizado en julio del 2003 al sistema de Biblioteca Digital Libronix. Algunos de los títulos mas importantes en esta colección son: Nuevo Diccionario Ilustrado de la Biblia, Diccionario Expositivo de palabras del Antiguo y Nuevo Testamento de Vine, Biblia del Diario Vivir con notas, y la Biblia Plenitud con notas.

En el año 2003, Caribe produjo dos nuevas colecciones de autores reconocidos: la Biblioteca electrónica Caribe edición inspiradora, destacando los libros de de Max Lucado, y la Biblioteca electrónica Caribe edición de liderazgo, destacando los libros de John C. Maxwell.

    

En noviembre del 2004, Caribe trajo al mercado su mayor colección a la fecha, conocida como Biblioteca electrónica Caribe edición profesional. Algunos de los títulos adicionales incluyen Nuevo Comentario Ilustrado de la Biblia, Enciclopedia Ilustrada de Realidades de la Biblia, y la Nueva Concordancia Strong Exhaustiva.

Próximo: AMG

Posted by Daniel Foster at 6:00 AM | Comments (2)

January 24, 2006

Of the Making of Books (Part 7)

Today’s guest blogger is Ken Smith, General Manager of Electronic Publishing Services at Logos.

(This is the next installment in a series of articles about our nearly 60 publishing partners who market their own electronic products using our technology.)

Liturgical Press

One of our earliest publishing partnerships was with Liturgical Press, the publishing arm of St. John's Abbey and University, a Benedictine monastery and college in central Minnesota.

In 1997, Liturgical published an electronic edition of the Vatican II Papers. This was followed in 1999 by The Rule of St. Benedict Library, an ambitious project that includes numerous primary and secondary sources relating to Benedictine study. This product is a significant beneficiary of electronic technology, as the various translations of and commentaries on the Rule are able to be scrolled in parallel and set as preferred targets for keylinking.

In February of 2001, Liturgical released a set of reference titles in a collection they titled The Collegeville Catholic Reference Library, which was updated in August of 2002 to the Libronix Digital Library System. The set includes the most popular reference works from Liturgical Press: The Collegeville Bible Commentary, The New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship, The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, The New Dictionary of Catholic Social Thought, The New Dictionary of Theology, and Consecrated Phrases: A Latin Theological Dictionary.

While they are clearly a progressive organization, the folks at St. John's haven't lost sight of their roots. As evidence, take a moment to appreciate one of their newest and most ambitious print projects, The Saint John's Bible. "The first handwritten, illuminated Bible commissioned since the printing press was invented five centuries ago."

Next: Caribe-Betania Editores

Posted by Daniel Foster at 6:00 AM | Comments (4)

January 17, 2006

Of the Making of Books (Part 6)

Today’s guest blogger is Ken Smith, General Manager of Electronic Publishing Services at Logos.

(This is the next installment in a series of articles about our nearly 60 publishing partners who market their own electronic products using our technology.)

Standard Publishing

One of the most rewarding aspects of our work at Logos is when we see our technology helping people to be more consistent and fruitful in their daily study of the Bible. When we partner with a publisher who values this as much as we do, great things can happen. Such is the case with Standard Publishing.

Beginning in the fall of 2001, Standard began issuing an electronic edition of their annual Standard Lesson Commentary using our technology. As you can see from the cover, the CD-ROM was considered a "bonus" and I'm sure both companies wondered just how many of the loyal purchasers of the print edition would actually use the CD-ROM.

In those days, we didn't really have any way to track that statistic, but Standard seemed pleased enough with the reaction to continue the following year. Because the 2002–2003 edition was based on the Libronix Digital Library System, we were able to gather some information about the number of people who made the effort to take the CD out of the back of the book, load it onto their computer and complete the activation process.

Were we ever surprised. Thousands of people activated the software and gladly embraced the electronic format. The following year, the numbers were nearly identical.

    

For the 2004–2005 edition, Standard took a big step and decided to launch an electronic-only product. The product was named The Standard Lesson eCommentary and included a small library of reference books as well.

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to be more consistent in your daily Bible study, it's not too late to pick up the 2005–2006 Standard Lesson eCommentary and get started. And don't worry. Planning for the 2006–2007 edition has already begun!

Next: Liturgical Press

Posted by Daniel Foster at 6:00 AM | Comments (0)

January 10, 2006

Of the Making of Books (Part 5)

Today’s guest blogger is Ken Smith, General Manager of Electronic Publishing Services at Logos.

(This is the next installment in a series of articles about our nearly 60 publishing partners who market their own electronic products using our technology.)

Biblical Archaeology Society

From as far back as I can remember, customers were asking about making back issues of Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR) part of our electronic library offerings. We tried unsuccessfully for quite some time to license BAR from the Biblical Archaeology Society (BAS), but to no avail. (I guess they knew they had a good thing and wanted to do it themselves!)

Since we couldn't get BAR, we pursued other content from BAS, including a Biblical Archaeology Slide Set. That project never came to fruition and I think we've still got a box of several hundred slides gathering dust in our basement somewhere (which may be an interesting find for some 23rd century archaeologist).

After several years of discussion, BAS decided the time was right for them to enter the electronic publishing arena. In October of 2002, that same dust-gathering slide set was released as The Biblical World in Pictures CD-ROM, fully integrated into the Libronix Digital Library System.

Those customers who had been asking for BAR in Libronix format didn't have to wait long. In March of 2003, BAS published the first edition of The Biblical Archaeology Review Archive, containing every issue of BAR from 1975 to 2001. It has since been updated to include all of 2002 and 2003 as well.

We're happy to say that BAS has continued to expand their electronic offerings for the Libronix Digital Library System. In 2004, they released two additional collections of magazine back issues. The Archaeology Odyssey Archive and The Bible Review Archive make the BAS family of electronic products a compelling set.

    

If you have a particular author, book, magazine, or any other content you'd like to have as part of your electronic library, we want to know! Send an e-mail to suggest@logos.com. No guarantees, but we'll certainly consider any and all of your suggestions.

Next: Standard Publishing

Posted by Daniel Foster at 6:00 AM | Comments (0)

January 5, 2006

Of the Making of Books (Part 4)

Today’s guest blogger is Ken Smith, General Manager of Electronic Publishing Services at Logos.

(This is the next installment in a series of articles about our nearly 60 publishing partners who market their own electronic products using our technology.)

Galaxie Software

Back in 1999, Galaxie Software approached us about using our technology for a very interesting project. They had been electronically publishing back issues of a number of theological journals (Bibliotheca Sacra from Dallas Theological Seminary, Grace Theological Journal and several others) using a different technology platform. In May of 1999, they released Version 3 of their Theological Journal Library utilizing our technology. Version 3 contained a total of 150 years of various journals. By March of 2002, they were up to 250 years of journals in their Version 5 release.

Galaxie has continued to expand the list of included journals and now has 400 years of journals in their collections. The first 250 are still sold as a collection, now designated as Volumes 1-5. Subsequent additions have been released in 50-year collections and are sold separately as Volume 6, Volume 7 and Volume 8), which was just released in September of 2005.

The journals have proven to be one of the most appreciated additions to the Libronix DLS family. Beyond the spectacular savings in cost and space to have 400 years worth of journals at your fingertips, a large percentage of these back issues are only available in select seminary libraries, not readily accessible to most of our customers.

     

Galaxie has produced a number of other products using our technology, including Dan Wallace's Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics.

Galaxie is also a partner with the Biblical Studies Foundation in producing electronic editions of the NET Bible.

Next: Biblical Archaeology Society

Posted by Bob Pritchett at 6:00 AM | Comments (1)

December 27, 2005

Of the Making of Books (Part 3)

Today’s guest blogger is Ken Smith, General Manager of Electronic Publishing Services at Logos.

(This is the third in a series of articles about our nearly 60 publishing partners who market their own electronic products using our technology.)

Fortress Press

With some publishers, we start small and work our way up to bigger projects. With Fortress Press, it’s been quite the opposite. The first project we did with them in October, 2001 was the voluminous Luther’s Works on CD-ROM, co-published with Concordia Publishing House.

This massive, 55-volume work is one of the most ambitious projects we have ever embarked upon. Luther’s Works is one of those products, however, where the simplicity and compactness of the electronic medium vastly understates the significance, complexity and value of the work. For the price of a handful of print volumes, thousands of pages from one of Christianity’s most prolific and influential writers are yours in a format that is portable, easily accessible, and exceptionally useful.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Fortress Press has since released a series of single or dual book/CD combination products that have proven very successful in the academic market.

     

Beginning with their Christian Theology Set, they now have 17 different titles in this category, including Hanson and Oakman’s Palestine in the Time of Jesus, Walter Brueggemann’s Theology of the Old Testament and most recently, Jewish Literature between the Bible and the Mishnah by George Nickelsburg.

We’ve recently made all of these titles available for sale on our web site, both individually and in an all-in-one collection. We like to think of them as free paperback books with purchase of your Libronix-compatible electronic editions!

Next: Galaxie Software

Posted by Daniel Foster at 6:00 AM | Comments (1)

December 20, 2005

Of the Making of Books (Part 2)

Today’s guest blogger is Ken Smith, General Manager of Electronic Publishing Services at Logos.

(This is the second in a series of articles about our nearly 60 publishing partners who market their own electronic products using our technology.)

InterVarsity Press (US) and Inter-Varsity Press (UK)

IVP is an example of a “hybrid” partnership, where we have licensed certain titles from them (e.g., The IVP New Testament Commentary Series) and they have marketed others in their own product collections. As always, our primary goal is to make more quality books available to our users, regardless of how they are distributed.

After a few years of licensing books from both the US and UK branches of IVP, we were thrilled when they co-published their Essential IVP Reference Collection in December of 2000.

For the first time, best-selling and highly respected titles like The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters and The New Bible Atlas were made available in electronic format and compatible with all of our existing electronic books. All told, 13 of IVP’s best biblical dictionaries and commentaries are included in this tremendously valuable product.

In September of 2005, IVP released another significant electronic product: The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Volume I).

The first ACCS electronic collection includes twelve volumes from this monumental work in progress. Here’s a little trivia for you: What is the connection between ACCS and the Logos edition of the Early Church Fathers? If you guessed Tom Oden, the General Editor of ACCS, you know your Logos history! It was a partnership with Tom and Drew University that made possible the initial digitization of that 38-volume, nearly 19,000 page work.

Previous: Thomas Nelson | Next: Fortress Press

Posted by Daniel Foster at 6:00 AM | Comments (0)

December 13, 2005

Of the Making of Books

Today’s guest blogger is Ken Smith, General Manager of Electronic Publishing Services at Logos.

While there are hundreds of wonderful electronic books included with our “Library” products or available for individual purchase on our web site, there is also a gold mine of additional books that may not be as well-known to many of our customers.

For nearly ten years, we have been partnering with publishers to produce products for them to market using our technology. Here is one of the first products of that type, released by Baker in February of 1996:

I have had the distinct pleasure of overseeing the production of over 175 products from about 60 different publishers in the past ten years. Today’s blog entry is the first installment in a series of articles that will introduce a number of those publishers and products.

Thomas Nelson Publishers

One of our first and most prolific partners is Thomas Nelson. In June of 1997, they released a collection of more than 70 of their best reference books titled Nelson’s Electronic Bible Reference Library (NEBRL).

The Nelson Reference & Electronic imprint has gone on to publish nearly 500 titles using our technology. In March of 2002, the NEBRL product was reconfigured, updated to use the new Libronix Digital Library System and rebranded as eBible™. Their other products range from collections of best-selling books by Max Lucado, John MacArthur, Charles Stanley, Jack Hayford, J. Vernon McGee, David Jeremiah and John Maxwell to the highly-respected Word Biblical Commentary series.

Most of Nelson’s products are available for sale on our web site, either in collections or individually. In fact, we recently added a “mega-collection” of 325 Nelson titles at a huge savings over the individual purchase price.

    

Partnering with Nelson has been a very beneficial relationship for both companies. Using our technology allows Nelson to carry a full range of the highest-quality electronic products with zero investment in programming. Adding Nelson’s outstanding reference and trade titles to the Logos “family” has heightened our profile among religious publishers and given our customers a much greater selection of quality books to integrate with their existing Logos products.

Next: InterVarsity Press

Posted by Daniel Foster at 6:00 AM | Comments (4)