Hootsuite iPhone App (full version) is Now Free

I was quite pleased when I noticed this the other day. The full version of the Hootsuite iPhone app is now free.

Hootsuite is a web application for managing your social networks. You can use it online with just a browser or on your mobile with one of the mobile apps.

For "live" Twitter browsing I prefer the official Twitter iPhone app, but Hootsuite allows me to schedule updates to both Facebook and Twitter. So if I want an update to go out at a strategic time, I can use Hootsuite to schedule it.

Scheduling is a must have feature for anyone who manages social networks for an organization.

Jason
@cooperjason
Cooper-ation Resourcing

Posted via email from Cooper-ation | resourcing for ministry

Buying TV's for Your Org - Say No to Combos!

Last week I had a bit of a set back. Despite my instincts, and despite most recommendations, I purchased an LCD TV/DVD combo for my church to use in a classroom. The simplicity of having one unit instead of two (and all the necessary cords) has significant appeal. But I was quickly reminded why most "experts" in the tech world don't recommend combo units...

It was a piece of junk. It had that lightweight, cheap plastic, happy meal feel to it. The picture wasn't bad - until I hooked up my laptop to it, then it was horrible.  Unfortunately, that is one of the primary uses intended for the unit. Needless to say, I took it back the next day.

So, instead I purchased a nicer LCD TV and an upscaling DVD player.  It cost a little more, and there will be more wires and remotes, but better than a combo. (I realize there might be some quality combos out there, but I couldn't find any that I could buy locally)

BTW, if you buy equipment for your organization, read my recommendation on DVD players.

Jason Cooper (@cooperjason)

Cooper-ation Ministry Resourcing

Subscribe to this feed

Posted via email from Cooper-ation | resourcing for ministry

Picking a DVD Player for a Classroom - Get one with full front panel controls

Ok, so I know DVD players are now old school technology.  And I know there is nothing inherently "ministry" oriented about this post.  But as an adult ministry leader responsible for keeping several classrooms in order, DVD players have been one of the most annoying elements to keep in order.

Why?  BECAUSE REMOTES ALWAYS DISAPPEAR!

So what?  Why is losing a remote a big deal?  

Most DVD players to NOT have buttons for navigating DVD menus on the front panel.  If you lose the remote, you CAN'T navigate the menu.  For some DVD's this isn't a big deal, but for most DVD curriculum that is used in adult classrooms you often have to navigate through several menus to get the video clip you are looking for.

Solutions:

1.  Come up with some kind of "tether" to keep your remote physically attached to the DVD player.  You know, duct tape a cord to your remote and to your TV and call it good, right?  In addition to looking really tacky, it also defeats the purpose of having a "remote" control.  Not a good solution.

2.  Buy a DVD player with front panel menu navigation buttons.  You have to do some searching, but there are still a few models out there that have the four directional arrows and enter button right on the front panel.  No remote needed! You want something that looks like this:

But you have to be careful, as there are some DVD players out there that have a circular button layout for play/pause, forward, reverse, stop, etc., but DON'T have navigation arrows.  They look very similar, but they function very differently.  Need an example?  Look at this.

We just purchased a handful of DVD players (Pioneer DV-420V-K Multi-Format 1080p Upscaling DVD Player) for this very reason.  If we lose the remote, they can still be used in our classrooms!

There are undoubtedly other models out there, but this does a great job, has 1080 upscaling, and a USB port that supports playback of several common video formats.

If you are buying, buy with front panel controls!

Jason Cooper (@cooperjason)

Cooper-ation Ministry Resourcing

Subscribe to this feed

Posted via email from Cooper-ation | resourcing for ministry

Practically Unplugged (via CollideMagazine) - times of disconnect in a connected world

I try not to post too many things, but discovered this as a follow up to the article mentioned in my last post.

If you can't live in a tent, try some of these very practical ways of balancing a "connected" life.

Practically Unplugged

Posted by Scott McClellan on February 17th, 2010 at 1:40 pm

In our Jan/Feb issue, Sam Duregger wrote a great article about his time living unplugged — read it here. Today, Sam shares some practical steps toward unplugging:

Last month’s article, “Unplug,” was a glimpse into how I found time with God away from technology, but let’s be honest … living in a tent may not be a feasible option for you. So. I wanted to begin a conversation on how we can practically unplug from technology while still being a functioning member of society, below are some starter ideas:

• Set boundaries on smartphone use. When you’re at dinner with your significant other or friends — try to be present, forget about updating your foursquare status with pictures of your veal parmesan.
  
• Check mail only twice a day, at set times. Tim Ferris, the guy who wrote The 4-hour Work Week, encourages setting times during the day that you check and respond to emails. This allows you to tackle the messages all at once as opposed to being interrupted all day with various emails that may or may not be important. Set a schedule and abide by it — this creates efficiency and margin in your work day.
• Put the TV out of sight. Skye Jethani once told me his family philosophy on television is to, “have it outside the life-flow of the house.” This is a practical and useful strategy, as it’s no longer a peripheral distraction as you walk from your kitchen through the living room to the bedroom. Personally, my TV is in the basement “entertainment room,” and it’s true — out of sight is out of mind. This can be especially useful when kids come in the picture, as the TV can become a binky for the brain.
• Phone fast. Go outside once in a while without your phone, I know this seems unreasonable, but I believe it is important to find time free from the possibility of distraction, as I have found possibility always means inevitability when it comes to technology.
  
• Intentional time with God. My pastor was telling me about Eugene Peterson, the author and pastor, who every week takes a 3-hour walk with his wife in complete silence! Afterward, they sit and discuss their thoughts and what (if anything) they heard from God. This is an unconfirmed report on Eugene Peterson’s life, but true or not seems to be a great way to be intentional with your life partner and God.
  
• Begin your day social media-free. Don’t check your email, Facebook, Twitter, or other social media outlets until after breakfast. This one is difficult for me, but seems to be the most beneficial, as it gives me time to sit, eat, and read the Bible before jumping in the furious interaction found within the Internets.

The fact of the matter is, finding margin in your life is ultimately up to you and it is rooted in discipline and intentionality.

I want to hear from you — what other ways can we unplug and create margin?

Thanks for sharing, Sam! By the way, Sam Duregger is a talented writer from Iowa, and he’s getting married on Saturday. Keep up with him at www.duregger.net or on Twitter: @duregger.

via collidemagazine.com

Thank you Collide for some great content!

Posted via web from Cooper-ation | resourcing for ministry

Unplug (via CollideMagazine) - balancing a life of constant "availability"

Great article form Collide Magazine. Do you need to "Unplug"? Be sure to read the ENTIRE article.

Unplug

Sam Duregger - Originally posted Monday, February 15, 2010 - Comments (0)

There was a time when I was working as a Project Manager for a digital innovations team at a large church in the Bible Belt and living in a tent. It was a dichotomous lifestyle that changed the way I interact with people, the environment, and technology.

During the day I was plugged into the matrix, working on a team that prided itself on developing innovative web applications for the Church. It was a multi-layered environment, much like Grey’s Anatomy, except monogamous and straight edge. What I mean is it was a fast-paced, collaborative environment with multiple threads, all tied to an overarching meta-narrative related to creating new technology-driven tools for churches. It was sexy, it was cool, and it was exhausting.

After work, I would drive or bike to my campsite, settled among 15 acres of woodland in Metro Oklahoma City. I called it “TentLife.” It was a place to unplug and unwind, where everything took longer and nothing was easy. (Find out more about TentLife at www.tentlife.net.)

keep reading...

via collidemagazine.com

Posted via web from Cooper-ation | resourcing for ministry

A departure: The iPad - Love? Hate? A realistic review of the iPad.

OK, so I am going off my usual topics of conversation for this one, but get a little annoyed with some of the things I've read regarding Apple's new iPad.  As a Apple user, I am continually amazed by the technology they are putting out.

I have heard people praise Apple for their innovation, and others slam Apple for missing the boat on this one...

Let me make a few comments: 

1. iPad is not a well chosen name.  Others have pointed this out, I needn't explain why.  iSlate (as rumored) or iTablet would have been met with much better responses.

2. iPad is not a "tablet" like we know already.  Most tablet computers on the market previously were full fledged computers - often running a slightly altered version of Windows but capable of utilizing most of the software available for that OS.  The iPad is a new kind of tablet that is somewhere between the smartphone and the laptop.  You can't install your OS X software on it and replace your computer, but you can do more on it than a smartphone, especially given it's size.  In fact, some functions (at this point) are dependent on owning a fully capable computer (to sync with iTunes).

3. iPad will not have the broad appeal of the iPhone, the iPod, or any of the Apple computers available.  It will be a "niche" device that will only be enjoyed by the lucky few (though that could still be millions).  Let me explain.  It is too big to replace my iPod, too weak to replace my laptop, and too expensive to justify owning one without replacing an existing device.  That will be the lament of the "average joe".   So who will buy it??? (see point 4)

4.  iPad will have a market.  I don't know if it will be as big as Apple hopes, but anyone seriously considering a Kindle or other e-book reader will have to check out the iPad as it does so much more than those devices, at only a little more cost.  Again, this will be for those who can justify the expense of that "extra" device (beyond smartphone/laptop).  There also may be some out there who would like the larger format that this device brings to the "PDA" functionality available on smart phones and the iPod Touch.  Though I think that will be a small category of consumers.  I am curious how the "casual home user" will approach this device.  Personally I would love for my wife to have a simple device for her Facebook, email, browsing, etc., but for the same price we can get a fully capable Windows laptop (yes, I know that is a bit of a contradiction) that can run Microsoft Office and any other Windows program available.  Or we can get a netbook for even less, with less power, but still more options for software and functionality than the iPad...

5. iPad's "touch" based user experience is VERY desirable!  It is much more desirable than clicking a mousepad. I love my iPod Touch and how it is so easy and natural to use, but it is so small.  I would love to be able to have that same user experience on a larger scale!  Now, when it comes to typing long documents, the physical keyboard is still king, though most of us have not had the experience of a nearly full size virtual keyboard like that on the iPad. I look forward to playing with one in the Apple Retails Store when they become available!

6.  What would cause me to invest in one???  For me personally to move to an iPad would either require me to get a large raise so I could financially justify such a "niche" device.  OR, the capabilities would have to be on par with a netbook or discount laptop in the same price range (for home use).  If I could install OS X software (like iLife/iWork) on the iPad and hook up peripherals when needed, then I would really consider the move. 

So, in conclusion, Apple haters and Apple hypers both need to calm down and be realistic about this device.  Ultimately the market will determine how well it does...  First glance, however, suggests it won't have the mass market appeal of the iPods or iPhone, and it isn't the "tablets" that we are familiar with (which may be good since tablets haven't done well historically).  I look forward to future iterations of this product to see if/how it evolves. 

Jason Cooper (@cooperjason)

Cooper-ation Ministry Resourcing

Subscribe to this feed

In case there is any doubt, I have no affiliations with any companies or products above.  Though I sure wouldn't mind if Apple wanted to give me an iPad to review...

Posted via email from Cooper-ation | resourcing for ministry

Easiest Podcasting Around, and it's free - great for small ministries!

I ran across posterous.com recently and am amazed at the free services they offer. What got my attention was this claim to be able to allow you to podcast for free. Posterous.com generates all the feed related information you need for people to be able to subscribe to your podcast via iTunes or any other feed based program. You can even do it without submitting anything to iTunes or being listed in their podcast catalog. ALL YOU DO IS SEND AND EMAIL AND POSTEROUS.COM TAKES CARE OF THE REST!

Posterous also allows up to 3 posterous.com blogs per account, meaning you could create podcasts for sermons, youth, leadership, etc.

Jason

A podcast is stream of audio or music that people can automatically subscribe to through something like iTunes. Whenever an update happens, all your subscribers download your new audio post and can listen to it on their computers or iPods.

Now you can use Posterous to publish your podcast using email. All you have to do is email us an audio file attachment like an MP3. We'll automatically add your MP3 file to your posterous, and in addition to the flash player in the post, we'll make sure that the file is added to your RSS feed in a way that iTunes and other podcast players can read it.

People can subscribe to your Podcast by going to iTunes, clicking Advanced > Subscribe to Podcast... and then pasting the RSS address of your posterous, which follows the format: http://[yoursite].posterous.com/rss

If you or your friends have iPods, they can subscribe to your podcast feed and always get the audio you post to your Posterous!

Edit: Thanks to Jon Hickman for pointing out that iTunes provides a way to put links directly to subscriptions, using the itpc protocol. Just provide your users a link to this URL: itpc://[yoursite].posterous.com/rss -- it would then operate similarly to if you clicked this link (which will subscribe you to one of our best posterous users, espig-music!)

Also, if you'd like to add this itunes link to your blog more prominently, just cut and paste this code into your profile:

Subscribe to this podcast (iTunes) 

If you'd like to publish your podcast publicly, you can actually list your podcast in iTunes. See the iTunes FAQ page for more information on how to do this.

via blog.posterous.com

Posted via web from jasoncooper's posterous

Leveraging Technology...

I have spent the last couple years delving into the arena of technology and ministry. It all started with some video work back in 2002 or so that involved into working with professional grade video and motion graphics software. I quickly began producing weekly announcement loops in video format (rather than PowerPoint), pulled movie clips for sermon illustrations, and produced the occasional "creative" video for an illustration for for promotion of an event. It was a lot of fun.

Now in my current role I oversee communications and have spent more time broadening out into other avenues of communication through technology including various web 2.0 technologies. I still work with video, but also graphics, print, and web now as well.

All this to say that I plan on highlighting some ways a church or ministry can leverage technology for ministry. I do this from the "practical" perspective rather than a "technical" perspective. In other words, you don't need training in one of these technical fields (I don't have any training) to understand what I am writing.

So, the next several blog posts will be devoted to this area.

Jason Cooper