Marketing Gum gives some very practical advice for organizations with Facebook pages. If you didn't know it, Facebook can remove your page, all the content, and all the contacts without letting you know first. The articles states, "As Facebook says 'We reserve the right to reject or remove Pages for any reason.' And they’re not kidding. Don’t think you’ll get a warning either! Poof! One day it could just be gone."Read their list of the most commonly broken Facebook rules to keep your page up...
Technology is important to congregations. Software, social media, sound and audio visual, networks, computer equipment and websites can be useful tools for leaders, staff, members and visitors. Congregations across the state wanting to explore available technologies and how to use these tools are invited to apply for the Technology and Ministry Grants Initiative (TMGI).Who Can Apply?As a result of the success of TMGI in Marion County and the seven contiguous counties in 2010-2011, the...
Scott Thumma, through FACT (Faith Communities Today) has just released a report on the impact of the internet on American congregations. The report discusses congregations adopting and adapting to electronic communications from email to Web 2.0. From the report:Nothing has changed the world in such a short time as the Internet. Public access to the web and email is less than 20 years old while social media like blogs, Twitter and Facebook are still in their infancy, yet well over...
Anyone who's ever attended a Center for Congregations technology event knows we preach security as one of the most important (if not the most important) facets of technology management. Passwords are often the point of least security as illustrated in this article from PC Magazine of the 25 worst passwords. They point out that many of these have been on their list for years. If you recognize any of them it's time to make a change!
An interesting piece from the Religion Newswriters Association about how social networking is changing religion. It includes an excellent list of resources. http://www.religionlink.com/tip_110125.php
This article appeared in the September 13th edition of the New York Times Social Networks Exhibit Senior Appeal By ALEX MINDLIN Published: September 13, 2010 In the last year, social networking services have nearly doubled in popularity among online Americans over 50, while they made virtually no inroads among those ages 18 to 29, according to a report published by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. That spike in popularity includes those over 65 years old, who were twice as...
Almost every copier built since 2002 has a hard drive built into them. Those hard drives store a digital image of every item copied, printed, scanned or faxed from them. Watch this disturbing piece from CBS News. Thanks to Vince Miller of Sharp Business Systems for bringing this to my attention.
A friend forwarded this November 2008, Church & Worship Technology Magazine article to me, "Your Church Web Site Matters!" written by Lauren Hunter. It turns out that Lauren has an excellent blog, ChurchTechToday. Both are great resources!
Alban senior consultant Dan Hotchkiss writes about his congregation's move from a printed to email delivered newsletter. Hotchkiss confirms our belief that using technology just because it's available often causes difficulty rather than creating efficiency. He writes, "... when the "how" of a new technology meshes with the "why" of mission—then it's time to take the plunge." Check out the article at http://www.alban.org/conversation.aspx?id=8901
Almost everyone has heard of the site Wikipedia. It's difficult to do a Google search that doesn't include at least one result from Wikipedia.But Wikipedia is merely a site that uses a certain type of web technology called a 'wiki.' So, what in the world is a wiki and more importantly, why should congregations care about it?According to Wikipedia, a wiki is:A wiki (pronounced /ˈwɪki/ WIK-ee) is a website that allows the easy creation and editing of...
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