Posts by Jonathan Smith
Managing Your Email Mailbox
While talking with a colleague I realized that many people don’t have a good email storage strategy; one that improves their productivity and avoids being an overwhelming distraction. While mine is not necessarily the best, it is a strategy that keeps my mailbox fairly lean. And it helps me be more productive and focused… maybe it’ll help you too!
Read MoreInternet Stability in 2009
It’s only February, and we’ve already seen more Internet problems this year than I remember in all of 2008! Yet many churches and ministries are deciding to put their most important data on the web… data that, if unavailable, could shut them down. Let’s talk about how to protect your ministry from Internet outages and the havoc they can wreak.
Read MoreBlogging & Social Networking
Today I’m feeling a little like Andy Rooney on CBS’ 60 Minutes. While I’m not anywhere near 90 years old (he turned 90 on January 14, 2009), I sometimes share his skepticism of some current trends. Today I’m thinking about the incredible amount of communication we do with technology, and am feeling a bit overwhelmed…
Read MoreOne Ringy Dingy! An Article about Phone Systems
One of my favorite characters from the 1960s Laugh In television show was the telephone operator Ernestine created by Lilly Tomlin. Playing the role of an AT&T operator sitting in front of an old-fashioned PBX, she would make, receive, and connect calls by using patch chords and dialing her rotary phone. Telephone communication has changed dramatically since then, and the PBX is no exception! Phone systems used by churches and ministries come in all sizes and prices! There are many worthwhile options; in this article we’ll look at phone system features and options to help prepare you for identifying the system that’s right for you and your church.
Read MoreManaging IT in a Tight Economy
The economy has taken a serious downturn. There’s no more disputing that fact, and it’s affecting church and ministry budgets. Are there some things you can do to keep your computer system stability and reliability growing when finances are tight? I think so. It’s true of churches and ministries like it is everywhere else: when budgets are growing, waste is more prevalent. That’s not a judgment on our stewardship; it’s just that we’re focusing on tasks that sometimes keep us from being able to look for the best economic strategy. The good news is that in this tight economy there are some ways we can cut expenses without cutting quality, reliability, or impact.
Read MoreMobile Phones & Devices
There are many new phones available, and some are not just cool; they’re also powerful tools. They might even be fun to use! I was asked recently which phone I use and why, and thought answering those questions might add to the discussion of what phone is a ‘best fit’.
Read MoreWiFi Stability & Other Tips
This week I made a quick trip to South Bend, Indiana to attend Granger Community Church’s IT Forum. That event and others like it are great places for good fellowship and for sharing ideas and solutions common to most in church and ministry IT. Following are a few things I picked up that may be helpful!
Read MoreReasonable Network Security
Church and ministry networks have unique security needs. Many mistakenly approach network security in our niche like they would a club or hobby, and thus don’t go far enough to protect our data and our team. Others mistakenly go so far they impede the team and increase their support call volume unnecessarily. We have worked or consulted on hundreds of networks in churches and ministries, and we have developed an approach that protects and empowers while minimizing support needs. I’ll share it with you so you can enjoy the same results.
Read MoreMac Tips & Tricks
Macs and PCs do mostly the same things, but they do them differently. Each platform has its quirks, and since I now use a Mac I’m learning some good tips and tricks that make me more productive on it. A couple of these have been in my previous Mac articles, but most haven’t. They may help other Mac users– especially those who are former PC users or who primarily support PCs– understand how to make the Mac work a little better.
Read MoreMBS Customer Satisfaction Pledge
Many who serve churches and ministries require that their clients sign a contract. We at MBS have never done that! We believe we should do our best to earn your business every day, and if we don’t earn it you have the option of simply terminating us. We’ve been serving churches and ministries since 1986, and we understand your corporate culture.
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