Happy 25th Birthday, Mac!

The Mac was introduced to the world in a SuperBowl commercial 25 years ago today. It took awhile for it to make a dent in my universe, as Steve Jobs hoped it would. But, alas, I'm now a Mac user.

I admit I like many aspects of the Mac, but it is not a perfect computer. You can read my articles and blogs on it to see what I mean. But I like it! And I'm talking with Apple about issues like better support for the enterprise which would make it much easier for churches and ministries to embrace.

The original Mac commercial is available on YouTube... and here it is, embedded for your convenient enjoyment.

New Article on Blogging & Social Networking-- & Twitter!

I just released an article for publication on blogging and social networking. I had fun with it and quoted Andy Rooney from CBS' 60 Minutes too! Here's one of my favorite Andy Rooney bits about Bill Gates.

Palm is Still In The Game!

Not surprisingly, Palm has come out with a new smartphone to try and stay in the game. What is surprising is how good a job they've done!

More Than the Usual Stuff
Like all the other smartphones being released these days, the new Palm Pre has an elegant touch screen. But beyond that, they've got a slideout keyboard (I like those better than the way the Blackberry Storm works) and an application called Synergy that's awesome.

Synergy
Synergy takes all your contacts from Outlook, FaceBook, Google, etc and brings them all together! It also consolidates calendars and task lists. And it eliminates duplicates! For instance, if I was in your Outlook contact list and your FaceBook list, it would only show me once but would show that it's pulling / combining information from both! Someone had to come up with a way to simplify all the lists and social networks we work with today. And, if you're like me, you get notified of new social networks weekly.

Way to go, Palm! I'm glad you're still in the game, and look forward to trying one of your new devices soon. I hope they work on Verizon's wireless network...

Shocking News! (Not Really Surprising Though)

According to CNN Politics.com the adult porn industry will be asking Congress for a $5 billion bailout today because their DVD sales have been off a bit. Foe Francis (Girls Gone Wild CEO) said, "the US government should actively support the adult industry's survival and growth, just as it feels the need to support any other industry cherished by the American people."

Frances and Larry Flynt (publisher of Hustler magazine) said the industry is not in any danger according to CNN Politics.com. But their reason for the request, according to Flynt, is "People are too depressed to be sexually active. This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex."

I've got news for Mr. Flynt. America doesn't need Hustler or Girls Gone Wild to be sexually healthy. What America needs is a return to its Judeo-Christian morals regarding sex and marriage... and everything will be just fine. Better yet, we need a revival!

2009 - The Year for Change!

2009 will be a year of many changes. Some changes bring with them a lot of hope; we like those. Some changes make us feel uneasy; we'd like to avoid those.

Wireless Microphone Change
One change that is making many in church ministry uneasy is the fact that most wireless microphones used in church services will have to be replaced soon. The FCC has changed the spectrum in which these devices can legally operate in. This 'White Spaces' decision will cost many churches a lot of money during a time when funding may be limited due to the recession.

Shure has put together a web page summarizing the 130-page legislation with links... click here to get there.

Yes, 2009 is sure to be a year of many changes. Fortunately, for those of us in ministry, it will also be a year of many ministry opportunities.

New Sidebar Article -- Five Things To Do

The Clergy Journal asks me to oversee the IT focus of their Faithful Finances section once each year. I often include a Five Things To Do sidebar for them. They’re five simple things that can make a difference for your team.

Click here for a free PDF download it.

New Article on Phone Systems

Christianity Today’s Your Church magazine asked me to write an article about phone systems for churches. I wrote it for those of us who are unfamiliar with most of the acronyms and terms that folks in that industry use (they get my eyeballs glazed and spinning!).

Click here for a free PDF download of it.