Posts by Jonathan Smith
Can ‘The Cloud’ Simplify IT?
Few phrases have caught the imagination of computer users and IT managers as has “The Cloud.” It will impact the way your ministry uses computers and, approached strategically, it can save your ministry money while also simplifying your IT operations.
Read MoreChanging the Username on a Mac
Ever wanted to change the username on a Mac? We need to do it fairly often, and though it’s not as simple as one would think, it is easy if you know the steps.
Read MoreCopier Buying Tips
While at the NACBA National Conference last year I was talking with Rob Leacock, Christ Church Fort Worth’s business administrator. We were talking about his recent decision to replace their copier, and his process was impressive and effective! Especially how much money he saved!
Read MoreOffice 2010 & 2011
Microsoft released two versions of their Office Suite last year, and folks want to know if it’s worth upgrading to them. The bottom line is, yes! On either platform! Here are a few reasons why.
Read MoreSecurity Vulnerabilities
While at a conference recently I met a specialist in system security. He works in that role for one of the largest enterprise-class computer manufacturers. As we talked about security issues, I was surprised to learn how vulnerable many systems are! We met again by phone and video conference, and he shared some specifics with me.
Read MoreIT– Truth or Dare!
There are many misconceptions about the Internet, hardware, and software that impact the decisions people make. Let’s shed some light on a few of them!
Read MoreIT– 10 Years After Y2k
We’re at the end of the first decade of the millennium whose beginning we weren’t supposed to have survived! There were many crazypredictions– by others– that Y2k would be the end of civilization as we know it. Now, ten years after Y2k, what is the state of IT and its impact on The Church?
Read MoreStrategic IT Outsourcing
Recessions are uncomfortably challenging in many ways. However, they also help us improve our organizational health and mission focus. We find ourselves having to analyze and justify our expense choices, and when doing so the term outsource becomes a major part of our analysis. While we see it as a cost-cutting opportunity, it is really much more than that. It improves organizational health tremendously.
Read MoreThe Sky Is– er… Cloudy!
The company that created the software that makes it possible to have virtual computers running on servers, VMware, sponsors an annual conference called VMworld that draws thousands of geeks from across the globe. This year it was in San Francisco, and more than 17,000 attended! What were the takeaways that are– or will– impact churches and ministries? Here are a few of my thoughts.
Read MoreProtecting IT from Disasters
“Only the flexible survive.” It’s a phrase we’ve heard– and possibly said– many times. Life is unpredictable, and challenges do come our way, so how should uncertainty affect the way we approach information technology (IT) in our churches and ministries? We are dependent on our computers today in ways we might never have imagined. We rely on them to store contact information, process financial transactions, communicate– many of the nuts and bolts that enable and hold ministry together. Therefore we should do all that is reasonable and cost-effective to protect our organizations from being shut down by a disastrous event. Planning now gives the flexibility needed for ministry survival. And in the ever-changing legal and financial regulatory landscapes, IT disaster recovery plans are even more necessary.
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