Search engine giant Google is announcing its new Fast Flipthat will allow you to browse through news sites like flipping through a magazine.It’s going to help you see things even faster! (read the article:http://tiny.cc/LV30n )
Can we cram information faster?Will we think faster?Articulate faster?Will flipping and crunching high-speeding connections make us soar?
Let’s see:
How did we soar in the past seven days?
A Congressman cried out at the President, “You lie!”; a incredible highly-praised tennis pro lashed out at a innocent line judge wanting to cram a ball down her throat; and a rapper stole a moment of glory from a deserving teenage country singer to be disrespectful and rude.
Are we cramming so much information in to our brains that the only processing, judgment and discernment we can muster creates over-loaded and short circuited verbal meltdowns?
If we can flip faster, will we be able to flip out faster?
“Let’s your fingers do the walking.” That was the slogan for Yellow Pages for many years. Yellow pages? Do you still use the Yellow Pages to find things; businesses or churches or doctors? Or do you use the search engine on your computer?
A new thick Yellow Pages book lands on my doorstep about once a year. Then another and another until I have 4 or 5 yellow-paged books from different companies to clutter my phone book cubby hole on my desk where the Yellow Pages are supposed to live. Do you know what all of these “yellow pages” have in common? You can’t find what you’re looking for. At least, that is my experience. I get frustrated locating the right subject heading to eventually find a phone number that is disconnected or a business that lists their web address where I in turn, go to my computer and type in the URL to learn about their business. In truth, my fingers walked right off the yellowed-page to my keyboard.
My new strategy is paying off; I now toss those yellow paged books in my recycle bin and begin my searches on the Internet. It pays off almost every time. I might only find a phone number from the Online Yellow Pages that has popped up in the search engine, but I FIND something. If you spend much time with me, you know this is one of my mantra’s …..How are people going to find you if you don’t let them know you are there?
Where do your fingers walk? If you only use the Yellow Pages or Encyclopedia Britannica as your resource, you’re an exception. Today’s fingers are running over keyboards and smooth-lined hand-held objects to locate everything imaginable. Search engines are really incredible pieces of technology. Once you obtain your URL (your domain), and use the proper tagging, your site will begin to populate the search results and fingers can walk right to your door to learn about whatever you’ve published at any given hour of any given day. My June 23rd blog, “Hide It Under a Bushel, No! I’m Gonna Let It Shine!” emphasizes the importance of being part of the web community.
It is one of my quests in life, to see every church have a web presence. It’s why I revisit this subject. I will continue to beat this drum as the message is so critical. Why do you think Microsoft launched Bing, their new search engine? It’s how people find things. Can they find you?
Today, September 2, 2009, the Internet turns 40.Can you believe it?Didn’t we just learn about this mystical cyber entity?Back in 1969 when two very bulky computers passed meaningless test data through a 15 foot gray cable, did those present known the scope of what they were unleashing?
The Internet as we know it today didn’t kick into gear until 1990, but I still say, “Wow!”I didn’t own a computer until 1996, a Macintosh Apple.I was very much a fledgling on the Windows PC the winter of 1997-98 after taking my first job as a church secretary.I barely knew how to stumble my way through WORD and Microsoft Publisher. And here we are eleven years later with me owning my own web design business and blogging.
I read a brief article out of New York stating the idealism of open access and free-flowing information that was the birthing idea of the Internet is eroding due to security needs against viruses and credit card transactions;purchases being taxed where unregulated times were without taxation of any sort. The article bemoaned the restrictions that are beginning to harness the Internet. For the most part, the Internet remains our wild frontier where laws are scarce and your personal protection is left up to you. Laws or no laws, I enjoy the place.I’ve educated myself to be able to roam around out there in cyber-land.You should do the same.
The greatest barrier between the generations of today is the knowledge to fluently use technology.I don’t believe there’s a specific age marker to throw down as a gauntlet.Suffice it to say, it’s the haves and have-nots or applicably the knows and knows not; a teeter-totter marker of those who Email, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, text, YouTube, etc. and those who do not.It’s not important you use and interact with all those methods.It is important you know what each of those terms mean.It is important to reach out and learn to function with today’s tools in order to be an effective communicator.
Stealing from a current acronym WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?), I think he’d allow folks to put him up on YouTube .I think he might be on Facebook.He’d definitely have a cell phone to text all the disciples to meet him at the shore in Galilee.Because when you think about it, Jesus used unconventional means to effectively communicate his message 2000 years ago.Hmm, how’d that turn out for him?
I just finished watching another news clip about hacking into personal computers and folks getting scammed or losing information. I shake my head as I'm guilty of some laxed habits but I learned in my computer education that the big World Wide Web (aka: www ) is a DANGEROUS place.When you were a little person, a kid, I'm sure your Mom or some "big" person told you about looking both ways before you crossed the street. Well, I'm always advocating technology so I feel my due diligence is warranted with this post. Stop reading now if you feel you know it all.
Things to think about when you log in:
Are you logging on to the Internet at someplace other than your home computer?If yes, are you at work? Does your boss or company have access to your email inbox? Your keystrokes? Are you saving online passwords on this computer? (bad if at work. REALLY BAD if on a public computer like the library , car wash or coffee shop).
Do you shop online?If yes, believe it or not, it's one of the more safer places for your credit card. I have been a victim of credit card abduction from a restaurant. Yes! Just remember, you hand your card to a person who in turn walks away with it. Where does your card go for those magical minutes? Chances are, if you're credit card is going to be compromised, it's not because of your made a purchase online; instead, because someone working at the restaurant is a thief. Online fraud happens more when you purchase from a fake website. Know if the company is reputable before submitting your information.
Another thing about online shopping, I suggest not saving your credit card to the site. This service is often available. If your computer gets compromised, this is a risk.
IMPORTANT! Do you participate in a social networks?I have encouraged people to use social networks such as Facebook to use for forums and groups. I still advocate this. Just remember: you may be sitting in your bathrobe in the privacy of your home office or slouched on the couch in your underwear, BUT you are in the most public place you can ever be in when you enter a social network arena. Make sure your settings are closed to friends only or friends of friends, if you feel comfortable. Signing up for a service like Facebook has default settings that allow everyone to read and see your information. Head straight to account settings and make those changes to safeguard your interaction.
But even MORE IMPORTANT..... Do you answer the questionnaires on social networks? Let me help you with this one. Have you ever answered any of the following:
Which Book of the Bible are You?
What is Your Personality Type?
Which Female Grease Character Are You?
Which 1980's Television Show Are You?
What Dead Rock Star are YOU?
Twenty-five things no one knows about me?
Etc., etc, etc......
I'm guilty! Let's all make a pack to stop, okay? Why? Have you ever thought about who created this fun little application? Have you ever thought about where your answers go? Have you pondered what secrets you are innocently imparting to entertain yourself?
Folks, This is the single-most easy way we give away the farm. We innocently allow copious information about ourselves to be released into the sea of the unknown. This one simple non-threatening act opens the door for hackers to know far too much about us. You may think I'm nuts stating this... so let me ask you this? If you have filled in one of these fun little questionnaires, has any answer been related to protected information? Such as the secret answer to the question you must to give your credit card company to retrieve the password you forgot? Ah-ha! yes.
I won't start preaching about the information and images on your website. That's for another blog. But please, be mindful. There's no one "big person" in cyber to hold your hand or remind you to look both ways when you open the Internet door. Just remember... there's a lot of traffic out there and you never know how fast or how big the cars and trucks are because you can't hear their engines or see them coming. Play nice, share sparingly, and WATCH what your fingers say! Peace-
Last week I wrote in my blog about saving money by “going electronic”.I continue this topic again this week by pondering eBooks.Hey, I’m old school.I love the tactile feel of a book in my hand; the experience of starting to doze off as I scan the words and the weight of the book slipping slowly, then quickly, on to my stomach, or worse, tumbling to the floor to jolt me awake.
Your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents had to learn to adapt to Henry Ford’s new assembly line that rolled out all those cars.I’m old enough to remember folks who didn’t have telephones in their homes.The list is infinite of the many objects and gadgets in our lives today that just weren’t there a few years ago.
What’s my point to this?It’s a question back to you:What steps are you taking to move yourself and your congregation in to tomorrow?You don’t have to run out and buy eBooks for your pews, but think about what you can do to help those around you , maybe including yourself, recognize where today’s tools need to replace outdated ones; where today’s processes and thoughts need to change and adapt;kind of like new wineskins.Hmm.Seems like there’s some scripture about that that….maybe I’ll ask Santa for an eBook for Christmas to read up on it.
A couple of weeks ago I mention in my blog adding credit card transactions to your website (July 21: “Donation$: Is Ca$h a Four-Lettered Word?”). Have you considered other steps you could take toward making our electronic world work for you? Have you thought of eliminating your paper newsletter and going exclusively to web-driven readership? Instead of sending out letters on upcoming events, do you have an email distribution system that helps cut cost on postage? I can feel your squirms and cries from here…… read on.
This isn’t a cold turkey thing. You’re not going to just stop all delivery. There is going to be a contingency of people who absolutely, positively will NOT get information any other way than through mail distribution. But consider the possibilities… Not only will you eliminate some debt, you will maintain connections with your congregation outside of scheduled meetings and Sunday worship. Making this move does require some administrative effort. You must encourage it. Promote it. Keep it in the forefront until it is a natural part of your congregation.
Here’s a test: How many congregants know your web address? Can tell you the last time they went to your website?
Promotion is the key. Get them interested in going to your site for information like newsletter and announcements or looking through recent photo of events that have occurred in the life of the church. Add forms to sign-up for activities; or better yet, receiving electronic communication!
In time, your efforts will produce results. We’re a busy and a scattered people. An email mid-week or a visit to the website jogs our short-term memories that we are a part of the people of God.
Just a few features a website/emailing can provide --- even for the smallest of organizations:
Information that may have been forgotten.
Forms: sign-ups, enrollment, requests: such as prayer requests
Blogs- a personal thought process
Links to group forums: Facebook is free. How about an online Bible study??
I began VTG Enterprises about 4 years ago as I saw a need to reach out to small-to-medium sized churches for internet needs. There are tons of sites and hosts willing and ready to grab your money and let you create pages from templates. I tailor designs and pages to the individual church's needs and do so in a cost effective manner.
Listening. That's the majority of my business. Listening and consulting with people who still find the internet, emailing and computers confusing, monstrous entities that have invaded their lives and are not sure if that's a good thing thing or not. These folk are recognizing the power and impact of technology in today's world and taking steps to enter the 21st century. I'm just here to lend them a helping hand.
http://www.freerice.com/index.php (active link below)
Feed the Hungry
For each word you get right, FREE RICE donates 20 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program to help end hunger.
http://www.freerice.com/index.php
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