Interactive Sermon

First Week: Bliss!

It's been one week since my Macbook Air arrived. I couldn't be happier with it. I've already mentioned my very first impression which was right out of the box--see here.

With each day I've discovered more I love.

The day it arrived I managed to migrate all my document, picture and music files over. To be clear, I didn't move much music, choosing rather to keep most of that on my external drive quite honestly because I don't listen to much of it often. I plan to add in newer music as I go, sort of refreshing my collection.

Migrating my email over happened on day 2, and without so much as a glitch. I used a tool called O2M (Outlook to Mail), converted the data, and loaded it up. Voila! The coolest part for me was that I was able to put all of my email accounts into Mail without difficulty, and create rules and files adequate to sort, clear and archive it all. I'd been trying unsuccessfully to do that with Outlook for the last several years. Yes!

I've gone easy on the apps so far. As I mentioned in a Tweet earlier this week, Evernote is a keeper. I also have enjoyed one called Fluid, which allows me to turn sites into stand alone browsers launched from my dock. Very cool. I used it for Google Reader, for instance. Slick.

I set up YouVersion as a stand alone browser. Works like a charm. 

While I've mentioned Google Reader, let me also tell you that I've synched iCal with my Google Calendar, the church's Google Calendar--and most importantly, Shari's Google Calendar. Very easy and it works great. And for those who spread the rumors that Mac and Droid don't play nice--couldn't be further from the truth. They fell hard and fast for one another. I had wondered if I'd need to switch to an iPhone before I bought the Mac. Not a chance.

I'm still experimenting with Scrivener. Jury is still out, but it's growing on me. 

I'm still looking for a blogging app. I took a look at Blogo (waste of time) and Ecto (double waste of time). The reality is, Windows Live Writer was one fantastic piece of work, and I'm not finding an Mac equivalent. I still have a few more to try, but the price tags are going up, and Windows Live Writer was free. Ugh!

I didn't bother to look at Mac apps for Twitter and Facebook, as I downloaded my longtime friend Tweetdeck and it runs better than ever on my Mac. Why change? On Tuesday, by the way, I caught a tweet that a brand new and updated Macbook Pro would be released on Thursday to coincide with Steve Jobs' birthday. I shared that news with my daughter Katie who has been saving to buy a Mac for her college adventure. Thursday morning we were at the Apple Store. Guess who else drank the kool-aid? And a couple of nice nerds helped Katie set up her new machine.

I have managed to work, write, blog, and create using this new machine just about from the moment I unboxed it. I can't say enough. I'm a convert. I can't believe I fought this for so long.

A week in--so far, so good. No, actually, so far--EXCELLENT experience. Two happy Mac users in this house. More as it comes.

First Impressions

My Macbook Air arrived yesterday. My first impression was 'out of the box.' I unpackaged it, set it on my desk, turned it on and VOILA! Reminds me of another classic PC vs Mac commercial. Perhaps you remember...

I'm telling you, these commercials speak so much more clearly to me now. More observations and fun to come. Oh, and this is my first blog post via Mac. Cool.

So Much More Funny To Me Now...

...that my Mac is on the way!

What a great series of commercials. It's funny how I see my PC experience so clearly represented in the PC character and script. The whole freeze/restart thing--been there!

Your Pastor & Social Media

At our weekly gathering of local pastors this week, several of us talked again about whether or not pastors should utilize Facebook, Twitter, blogging and other social network outlets. Opinions run strong in both directions--pastors who utilize it all and very effectively, and pastors who shun it all as if it were sin. 

I thought I might share some thoughts here, where I can pontificate a bit.  I'll take it in slices.  First up: Facebook.

Why am I on Facebook?

First of all, I'll answer the question with my pastor hat on.  (Noting earlier reference to pontificating, imagine me in one of those really cool looking hats like the Pope or one of his Cardinals wear!)  An informal survey of the congregation at Christ's Church--I'm thumbing through a directory as I type--and it is clear that nine out of every ten households is active on Facebook.  Within the majority of them there are more than one household member who is very active.  Simple math: If ninety plus percent of the congregation I am called to shepherd can be found often in a certain venue--I think it's pastoral malpractice if I'm not a regular there.  Facebook offers me a voice into their worlds, but more importantly it offers me a chance to share in their world that I wouldn't otherwise get.  Be honest, pastor: Members of your congregation don't call you multiple times a week to give you status updates.  You couldn't handle it if they did.  But (here's where I'd advocate for some great technology to help you filter and manage... a later post, perhaps) through these social media portals, you are, at least, far more dialed in.

Though I don't particularly like this development, telephone calls and even email are beginning to take a backseat to the Facebook message.  Several folks, for me, are more accessible through Facebook messages than email--in other words, they don't check and respond to email as often as they are active on FB.  Again, it's where people are.  If you needed to leave a message for a friend, would you leave that message someplace he would check in several times every day, or at a place he might show up next Wednesday?

Let me switch and put on my fathering hat (it's not as opulent and ornate as the Pope hat, but it's well broken-in and feels good on my skull).  I have four teenage girls.  My girls are all on Facebook.  Perhaps even more importantly, all of their friends are there.  See?  Dads?  Hello?  Again, recall that I said I have four girls.  Virtually all boys are on Facebook.  Ahem.  Get it?  Dads?  You who were boys once upon a time?  Why, yes, young man!  I believe I'll be your Facebook friend! 

Lastly, let me put on a personal ministry hat for a moment.  (Perhaps a simple servant's hat... or maybe a big white Hoss Cartwright cowboy hat... always wanted one of those.)  In the last couple of years, much personal ministry interaction has happened for me through Facebook.  I'm not talking about pastor stuff now.  I'm talking about a friend struggling within some life circumstances dropping an instant message or a Facebook note.  I'm talking about connecting with acquaintances and using the connection as a means to become closer--acquaintance to friendship.  I'm thinking about my becoming aware of circumstances I might not otherwise have known, and being able to act/minister/care because of it.

A waste of time?  It could be.  That's why I use the aforementioned tools to filter and manage.  But it can also be a very wise and resourceful use of time.  I'm a proponent.  Pastor, what are you waiting for?  What is your objection? 

Next time: Why YOU should tweet.

Wannabe Geek

Still making every effort to maximize and minimize in my life via technology.  Here are some of my latest ramblings and ruminations in that department.

  Social Media:

Facebook ~ As you know, I've moved almost all of my Facebook interaction through Tweetdeck and Seesmic on my PC and Droid.  I've downloaded Hootsuite for the Droid this week.  I'll let you know if I wind up liking it.  Truth be told, Tweetdeck and Seesmic have done so well for me I might be content.  Where Facebook proper is concerned, I've deleted a few more "friends" who were really acquaintances at best... and they annoyed me by littering the feed with @#$%.  Be gone!

Twitter ~ Ditto.  Tweetdeck and Seesmic = happy, happy, joy, joy!  I dropped a few feeds there too.  I had a couple of people scheduling tweets every thirty seconds--trust me, NO ONE cares to read all that.  You're done! 

I'll say this: if you're serious about maximizing your social media experience while minimizing the time wasted, you really need to make this a commitment.  You drop your guard and it sucks you back in.

Droid:

Astro File Manager ~ Added this program for file management.  I'm populating a few folders now.  My hope is that this is going to allow me to take more data on the go with me, and access it more easily.  I'll let you know how it works in a few days. 

iMusic ~ Song search and sample.  Of course, you know me... first song I sought out and downloaded: Jesus Freak!  I'm all throw-back, now.  I can tell, I'm going to love this ap.

Solo Lite & Guitar Scales ~ I might just learn more than 3 Chords.  Cool aps, both.

So, what technology are you presently enjoying, and what technology is helping you maximize and minimize these days?

My Technology

Updates on my never ending efforts to maximize and minimize:

YouVersion ~ I've synched my Droid's Bible Application to YouVersion, and I'm digging it.  You should check out YouVersion.  It's an online Bible reading community.  I have to tell you that my initial take is that I won't be engaging too much in the community aspect (as I have my own community involvements in bible reading and study), but the tools of tracking my reading, journaling and even creating contributions look very useful. www.youversion.com Check it out and let me know what you think.

Seesmic for Android ~ I'm also using Seesmic more and more on my Droid as a personal browsing tool, managing my Twitter and Facebook accounts.  It's ironic that on Facebook this week everyone has been whining about a new Facebook page--I hadn't noticed!  Seesmic still looks like... Seesmic.  I like it.  I also like that they are continuing to develop new tools and toys for guys like me, wanting to maximize and minimize.

Typepad ~ You all know of my love and affection for Typepad in the world of blogging.  Yes, I have worked with every major blog platform out there numerous times.  Typepad is home for my main blogs Interactive Sermon and Big Buts of the Bible.  I spent a bit of time the other day checking out a Typepad / Droid portal.  It interested me but I couldn't imagine that in its present state (a sign in via web browser) I would utilize it.  When they turn it into an app like they have for iPhone, maybe.  Jury still out on this one.  I've yet to do any blogging from my Droid--too easy to do it on the laptop.  Perhaps if I were stranded away from my pc...

Pandora ~ I know, Pandora is nothing new.  But WOW!  Where has this been all my life?  I had no idea how much I would use (and enjoy) this when I dropped the app on my Droid.  Pandora is supplying my daily soundtrack.  As I type this the David Crowder channel is playing.  When I hit the road with the kids I can switch to the Drop It Low channel (and give the subwoofer in the car an astounding workout).  I'm not sure my Baptist friends would approve.  When they are in the car I can switch to my Hymns channel.

These toys are (1) helping me maximize and minimize and (2) adding ease and (3) smiles to my day.

This is the Church, This is the Steeple...

Open it up, and... where's all the people?

Well, studies suggest that they're all online.  I'm amazed at the number of my pastor friends who question the relevance of social media, web presence and blogging.  Read these numbers.

Where are the people, pastor?

Interactive Sermon Remixed

Welcome to Interactive Sermon remixed.

Come on in.  Take a look around.  Kick the tires.

You'll find that the remixed version of Interactive Sermon is simpler.  Simpler in design and simpler in navigation.  You'll find that it's friendlier.  Friendlier to read and friendlier to interact through comments, borrowing, favoriting and tweeting.  You'll find it's refocused.  Refocused where content is concerned to be more meaningful and resourceful.  Gone is the clutter.  Here is the remix.

You may have noticed the more streamlined list of categories.  Let me give you a primer: Behind the Scenes will take you... well, behind the scenes of my life and ministry.  Big Buts speaks for itself.  Chapter & Verse are bible study and theology posts.  Christ's Church is where you'll find CCA related material.  Church & Culture covers the missional and not-so-missional.  Darin Michael Shaw--hey that's me!  In this category you'll find segments of my attempts at writing and art.  Did you see that? is a humor and whacky news items category.  Hot Topix is what's buzzing in conversation.  Inner Geek is my "I am a tech wannabe" channel.  Scariest of all, World Inside My Head is... um, proceed with caution.

Part of the remix isn't visible to the naked eye.  In refitting the blog I've also made some (here I go with that Inner Geek stuff) programming tweaks to make the page more efficient, to better connect with others of my social media and blogging endeavors, to improve Interactive Sermon's SEO, and to set the table for future features.  Too much information?

Please allow me then to sum it all up.  It's really all about one thing: I am so very thankful to YOU for sharing this journey with me since 2005.  I look forward to many more miles together.  Blessings to you this New Year!

Remix

Fifty-two months worth of blogging; fourteen-hundred-thirty-two posts; eighteen-hundred comments; one-hundred-four-thousand-three-hundred-forty-seven blog visits--and only one overhaul during that time (that in April of 2007).

It's time.

Blogging has changed.  So have you.  So have I.  Interactive Sermon Remix debuts January 2nd.

A new look ~ Simple.

A new approach ~ Simpler.

A new decade ~ Simply Interactive.

Thank you for sharing the journey with me.

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon,Blog,Typepad

Droid Data

Three weeks ago I added Droid to my technology stable.  Yes, me, the guy who has lived by the mantra "telephones are for calling people" went robotic.  I could blame it on my brother Dave.  At our last family get-together he was teasing me,  "You?  With all your blogs and writing and Twitter and... What?  You carry a cell phone to call people?"  You'd have thought I was still sporting a 1980s mullet or something.

I also blame in on Motorola's advertising.  The Droid commercials caught my attention.  "Oh, you mean like R2D2?"

But in the end, it was my desire to maximize AND minimize that finally drove me Droid.  It's been three weeks.  I'm SOLD! 

Here are my favorite FREE apps so far:

Twidroid ~ A Twitter app that allows me to choose how I'm informed, what I'm informed about, and who I'm informed about.  It also allows me to post, search, follow and find, as well as offering up all the normal Twitter functions--@, D, and RT, etc.  While I like this app and am somewhat satisfied with it, I'm hearing that Seesmic has an app out there, and as much as I've liked their functionality on my PC, I plan on trying them out on the Droid soon.  I'll let you know.

Facebook for Android ~ The Facebook app... functional but not the wow factor.  Again, Seesmic may be my future here, too.

Pandora ~ Internet Radio via Pandora is awesome.  I've set up my channels and love them.  As I type this I'm listening to a Nat King Cole holiday music channel.  YES!  Of course, the Droid allows me to run Pandora in the background while many other apps are open simultaneously, so music is my companion throughout the day.  (Try that with your iPhone Dave.  Wait... you wearing a mullet?)

MyPOD ~ I've selected MyPod as my podcast player.  It's a new app for me (just a few days old).  So far I love it's functionality.  I've organized the podcasts I subscribe to, as well as having search features I can use--I'll be adding more, soon.  What a great thing!  (By the way, in setting up MyPod I noticed the stats on my Historical Fiction podcast Chronicles of War--up over 4000 subscribers.  WOW!  I better get back to producing more episodes soon.)

Andread ~ This is a RSS Feed reader for Android.  Pretty basic.  I loved it initially, but have noticed a couple of quirks just today.  I'm still getting to know this app.  The idea, however, of gathering blog RSS feeds (and other feeds) in the Droid for convenience and sorting is a welcome tool for me.  In addition to writing a flock of blogs, I regularly view dozens of them.  Remember--maximize AND minimize.

Aldiko ~ This is one of many eReader apps available.  I tried it first because it was listed as "five stars" among users.  No complaints so far.  I've added a small library of books and I've used this app a few times when I've been caught in a waiting room or holding pattern.  It's making me rethink my desire to purchase a reading device like Kindle or Sony Reader.  I might just hold off on that purchase if I can get more use out of Droid in this manner.  Time will tell.  I hear many ePublishing companies are developing apps.  I may give a few more a test drive.  Will keep you informed.

Action Complete ~ This is a task planning and personal managing app.  I've utilized it so far in organizing my daughter's college application process.  It's been useful.  The jury is still out on whether I would get regular use out of such an app.  And, I about freaked when I was driving down the road and heard a British woman's voice say "You have work to do!"  Took me a minute to realize it was Action Complete talking to me.  Thought at first I was hearing voices.

Google Maps, Google Street View, Google Earth and GPS ~ Utilizing the Google OS, I have all the navigation I could ever imagine needing.  So far I've used Google Maps a dozen or so times to find my way out of holiday traffic jams, and I've used the GPS twice.  I give both high praise.

Key Ring ~ I haven't had luck with this app yet, although a friend of mine swears by it.  You're supposed to be able to add all your "keys" into your phone and flash them at the cash register scanners in stores to avoid carrying all those discount cards in your wallet or on your key ring.  I've only got two of those anyhow.  And I tried one at Stop and Shop.  Didn't read it.  One of these days I'll play with it to see if I set it up wrong.  But in the meantime... maximize AND minimize... going back over the set up isn't high on my priority list.

Movies ~ Times, locations, viewing trailers, prices, ticket ordering and more all in one... awesome.  Where has this been all my life?

Barcode Scanner ~ This app allows me to scan barcodes in a store and have a product description, details, and even competitive pricing displayed in the blink of an eye.  Awesome when I'm in one of those "we match our competitor's pricing" situations.  "You will?  Well, my robot tells me that Target sells this thing for a dollar less than your price!" 

Bible ~ By Lifechurch, A ton of versions, really every one you could ever imagine using, as well as notation possibilities (preachers like this).  I couldn't be happier with it.  I've used it a lot already.

I'll share more in the coming weeks.  So, what technology finds can you recommend that are helping you maximize AND minimize?

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon,Droid,Social Networking,Technology