Posts by Jonathan Smith
Who’s In Charge Of Your Website?
The advent of the website and the technology it involves has forced most organizations to react quickly to get something “up and running.” As is true with most new technologies, best practice strategies follow their introduction based on lessons learned. An issue we’re just beginning to put our finger on that can cost or save an organization tens— or even hundreds— of thousands is: Who is in charge of your website?
Read MoreSorry, Charlie!
Charlie the Tuna® is, according to StarKist® (his “sponsor”), America’s favorite tuna. Growing up we saw Charlie left behind in the water time after time only to be told, “Sorry, Charlie!” Too many are hearing that same kind of disappointing line these days because someone has “phished” (pronounced fished) their identity information and taken all their cash and assets before moving on. This has become the number one threat to consumers and financial institutions on the Internet. What exactly is phishing? How can we recognize it? What can we do about it?
Read MoreNew Building Strategies
Growing churches and ministries often find themselves in the building / up-sizing process. While such business essentials as telephones are usually factored into the planning process, computer systems are often forgotten. Yet today’s ministries are dependent on the digital storage and movement of information we affectionately call data. What needs to be considered when designing new buildings?
Read MoreEvaluating Technology’s Costs & Benefits
Bill Gates once said, “Why would anyone want more than 640k of RAM memory?” That was a couple of decades ago, and a lot has changed since then. Today’s PCs process more information faster than anything imagined in the early days of computing. The software is demanding, however, and needs a lot of resources to work well. The question is, “When is it good stewardship to upgrade computers?” At what point does it cost more to work with older computer technology than it costs to upgrade?
Read MoreHow To Avoid a Bad Church Network
Many disagree about the best way to design church computer networks. Someone once said that if you ask three network engineers how to build a network you’ll get four answers! But is there a way to tell if a design strategy makes sense? I think so.
Read MoreThe Ups & Downs of Network Cable
Churches are about program, not administration. During church site development projects we focus on program-related needs— auditorium, classrooms, etc— that’s only natural. We look ahead with vision to meet our growing needs in these areas. What often gets left behind is a balanced look at our growing administrative needs. One of those is setting our campuses up for data communications— our network. Networks run best when their infrastructure is solid. Let’s look at a few network cable issues worth keeping in mind as we plan our new site.
Read MoreQuit Sending Me Viruses!
Are you tired of getting those emails too? Most people don’t realize that modern viruses are able to spoof the From email address. That means you may not have been the source of the virus you’ve just been told you sent.
Read MoreTraining– A Simple Strategy That Really Works!
Many ministries ask our firm to evaluate their use of computer technology and make recommendations. Part of our process includes interviewing team members and asking a wide range of questions. One of the needs they consistently express is the need to learn more about how to use the tools they already have. They want to be efficient and effective, and they’re sure that training would help. We call training the most neglected component of ministry computer systems. There is a simple strategy we saw in place at one client that costs little, is easy to accomplish, and produces great results. And doing it will help your ministry accomplish more, in less time, and for less!
Read More9 Ways for IT to Bless Your Ministry
We’re learning to change our game face as IT professionals, finding new ways to serve our teams and reduce our intimidation factor. With that in mind, here are some ideas that can help.
Read MoreThe Latest in Evangelistic Trends: International Arms Trafficking!
Some time ago an article caught my eye about folks going to jail because they took computers outside of the U.S. The problem was that, because of computer processor capabilities and the built-in cryptographic capabilities of common off-the-shelf software, it violated Export Administration Regulations. The article went on to describe the maximum fines and penalties associated with the export of these items: $1,000,000 plus 10 years in jail for each criminal violation, or $500,000 plus a 3-year export ban for each civil violation. A few days later a colleague who works for an international ministry told me he had just sent software updates to their overseas field offices. Click— the light went on. I told him about the article I had just read which applied to the software technology he just sent overseas. We were both shocked as we discussed the impact these regulations could have on similar international ministries.
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