Managing Macs in Active Directory

In one of the communities I'm involved in we had some discussions recently about managing Macs in Active Directory.  Some are adamant that it must be done, while others (me included) don't see the value.

It takes a lot of effort to manage Macs in AD, and it's hard to find benefits that make the effort worthwhile.  In a recent roundtable I asked what the benefits were, and the only response was password management, reinforcing my position that it's not worth the effort.

We already automount network volumes for Mac users, and we require that Mac users use the same username and password on their Mac that they use on the network (we set them up-- or reset them-- that way).

What do you think?  Are there benefits beyond password management?  Is password management enough to make it worthwhile?

Annual Church & Donor Management Software Article - 2011

Church management software providers continue to improve their ability to help churches fulfill their mission!  With more abilities to track and communicate with people, improved web and mobile device interfaces, and powerful database tools, this category of software is a big help and useful asset for today’s ministries in reaching many for the Gospel.

To read it click here!

Introducing MBS' New Website!

We're excited to announce our new website today!  Same address (www.mbsinc.com), but a major technology update!

We've completely re-written the site in WordPress (it was previously in Joomla).  The benefits are greater flexibility, improved social media and SEO technology (SEO is search engine optimization), and a better way to deliver published article content.

Our webhost and designer, DigiCAL, designed a special article search engine for us that will make it very easy for site visitors to find articles I've written on the topics they want.

I invite you to check it out and to let me know what you think!

'Food Day' is in 2 Weeks!

That's right!  Food Day is just two weeks away!  I don't know if I can survive the anticipation!

Am I the only one getting tired of all of the special days, weeks, and months that are being calendared?

Here's just part of the U.N.'s list of special days:

• February 21st is Mother Language Day
• March 23rd is World Meteorological Day
• September 16th is the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
• 2nd Wednesday in October is International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction

This sounds like the 'Name A Star' scheme where you pay someone to publish a document naming a star after someone.  Then, because they file a copyright claim for that document, the one charging the fee makes it sound like it's official.  But the International Astronomic Union's website states:

Q: Who is legally responsible for naming objects in the sky?

A: The IAU is the internationally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies and surface features on them.  And names are not sold, but assigned according to internationally accepted rules.

Q: What does this mean in practice?

A: Simply this: Names assigned by the IAU are recognized and used by scientists, space agencies, and authorities worldwide.  When observing stars and planets or launching space missions to them, or reporting about them in the news, everybody needs to know exactly which location a particular name refers to.  The names assigned by the IAU are those that are used.  These rules are firm where claims of property could theoretically be made, i.e. primarily in the solar system (where also treaties negotiated through the United Nations apply).  Terrestrial makers of international law have so far had more urgent concerns than creating rules for "buying" totally inaccessible corners of infinite space, so there is no written text that can be twisted and interpreted - just a plain and practical fact.

Q: But if I want to, can I buy the name of a star anyway?

A: Sure, there are people who will be more than happy to take your money....

Every organization seems to believe they have the right to own a calendar day and that everyone should dedicate it just for them and their cause!  It's tiring, and it reduces the significance of those dates that we really should focus on a need, cause, or event.

The World Will Miss Steve Jobs

That post title is a true statement, whether or not you're an Apple Fanboy.  Steve Jobs did the remarkable at Apple:

• He brought Apple back from the brinks of bankruptcy by giving computers to schools; a gutsy move that paid off.
• He had the vision to help change the computer, smartphone, and music industries.
• He helped achieve a culture in computing that is remarkable.

Steve Jobs led an inspirational life in many ways.  However, it appears he missed in one way that he'll always regret.  While no one knows for certain the internal personal decisions he made regarding faith and religion, the best I can turn up in my research suggests that he followed Buddhist teachings and was not a Christ follower.  If that is true, he is not in a happy place now, and that is a fate we want for no one.

A colleague told me this morning that it'd be a shame if he did all those great things, but if he wasn't born again, it would all be over for him now.  I don't think that's exactly how it works.  The Bible says life is eternal, and that the single gate through which we can enter into a joyous eternity is belief in Jesus Christ.  If Steve Jobs did not walk through that narrow gate, then The Bible says he is not in a joyous eternity today.  And that is a shame.  And because of that one decision, he may now be missing the world even more than the world is missing him.