Church Tech Help

Changing What’s Not Broken

Jboreing — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:50:15 +0000

“If it’s not broke don’t fix it” is a phrase that we have heard and used many times. I have a situation in our media team where changes would make things “better”, but the current situation isn’t broken. We have two services and have different people in about 90% of the positions. I would greatly enjoy to change the schedule and have everyone for both services about once a month or less. But I have a few challenges.

1. People love their small groups and don’t want to miss, EVER. (except for vacation)
2. People serve in another area during the other service. (and forgo a small group or worship)
3. People love serving on the Media Team and once a month or less is not enough.

All three of those problems are really not problems in themselves, but coupled with each other and a desire to change the status quo we have a problem.

The solution I see is simple but hard.

Cast the reason for change in a clear vision and pray God will allow them to see it.

Comply Foam Tips Review

Jboreing — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:16:54 +0000

I was recently sent some Comply Foam Tips to review from Comply. Watch the video for my review.

I am giving away an assorted size pack of T100 tips in black.

To enter leave a comment on this post. Giveaway ends August 11, 2010 at midnight. (Be sure to include your e-mail or Twitter name so I can reach you if you win!)

Disclaimer: I was provided Comply Foam Tips to review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Drum Condo

Jboreing — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:14:37 +0000

We are just wrapping up an upgrade in our Student Ministry Center. We installed a StudioLive 24 console (post about that is coming) and part of putting in the board was moving the band to IEMs AND part of that was micing the drums.

That brings up the “problem”, young drummers who love to beat on the drums. The SMC is a gym in a metal building with a stage in it and no acoustic treatment. We could hear the drums down the hall that leads to our main worship center. An electronic kit with discrete outputs was out of the question, monetarily. So we decided to build a condo.

We have a guy who is a manager at a building supply and he was able to get the the shell built, for free. It is 2×4 and Structguard, a fire and structurally rated sheetrock like material. We have put kraft backed insulation on the walls and some foam board on the ceiling and foam interlocking tiles on the floor. I used an exterior dryer vent for our cable entry.

Here are some photos:

My "must have Mac apps"

Jboreing — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:07:00 +0000

I got a larger drive for my MBP a few weeks ago and just this weekend got it installed and fully operational. I was ready for a clean install since my MBP is 3 years old and has been migrated from Tiger to Leopard to Snow Leopard. So I set about reinstalling my apps/plugins and the following made it into my Application folder, in addition to the iLife and iWork apps.

Adobe Reader
Adobe Air
Adobe Flah
AppShelf- Keeps application serial numbers safe.
Black Berry Desktop Manager
BoinxTV- Live video production in one app
Cam Twist- Video source router
Carbon Copy Cloner- Disk cloner
Chicken of the VNC- VNC client
Cyberduck- FTP application
Deeper- Hidden System Pref modifier
Dropbox- Web based file storage
Espresso- Web code editor
FinalCut Suite
Firefox
Flip4Mac- WMV plugin for Quick Time
Formulate Pro- PDF editor
Google Chrome
Google Voice & Video Chat plugin for GMail- Enables voice & video chat in GMail
Hand Break- DVD ripper
Ice Clean-Hidden System Pref modifier
Kinemac- Real time 3D motion program
Levelaor- Levels audio
MPEG Streaclip- Video file convertor and player
Omni Disk Sweeper- Disk size calculator and cleaner
Open Song- Open source lyric presentation
Prompt Lite- Teleprompter software
ProPreseter
Sea Monkey- Browser, FTP, web editor
Skype
Soundflower- Multi channel audio router
SoundSource- Audio input and output selector for menue bar
Squeeze- Floder size manger
Team Viewer- Remote support app
Transmission- Bittorrent client
Upper Blip- Uploader for Blip.tv
Video Monkey- Video convertor
Visual Hub- Video convertor
VLC- Video convertor and player
WireTap Studio- Audio recording
Woopra- Live website analytics

Wow, Charter, wow. And I’m not even a customer.

Jboreing — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:13:00 +0000

The following is a chat log between me and two Charter reps. One in sales and one in billing. I just want a total cost including taxes if I choose their service.

Thank you for choosing Charter Chat Live! A Customer Care representative from Cable TV Order Inquiries will be with you shortly.
You have been connected to DAC Michael R .
DAC Michael R : Hello, this is Michael with Charter communications. How can I help you today?
John David Boreing: What is the after promotional period pricing for internet only?
DAC Michael R : Ok, I’d be happy to help you with that today.
DAC Michael R : To better assist you , can I start by getting your full address and zip code please?
John David Boreing: 2804 ******** Ln. TN
DAC Michael R : Thanks
DAC Michael R : Just a moment
John David Boreing: I see online there is a 2yr internet deal for $29.99
DAC Michael R : That’s right, we do offer that
DAC Michael R : That’s for our 8 mbps speed
DAC Michael R : After that price expires, the standard rate is $54.99 when not bundled with another service
John David Boreing: Is that plus taxes?
DAC Michael R : NO
DAC Michael R : I don’t have that information
John David Boreing: So you don’t know if there is tax or there is not?
John David Boreing: What are the standard rates for speeds 8, 16, 25?
DAC Michael R : No, I mean I don’t know the amount taxes and fees would add to that price…
DAC Michael R : $54.99, $64.99 and $79.99
DAC Michael R : (respectively)
John David Boreing: How would I know what the tax will be?
DAC Michael R : Get a list of the charges your city and state adds on and apply those to the prices I’ve given you
John David Boreing: If I currently don’t pay any tax on DSL internet should that mean there are no taxes on cable internet?
DAC Michael R : I have no idea
DAC Michael R : That is dependant on your area
DAC Michael R : And since it’s different for each area we service, we don’t have that information
John David Boreing: So how does Charter send an accurate bill?
DAC Michael R : Obviously we comply with city and state regulations
DAC Michael R : If you would like to learn more about the taxes and fees for your area I can get you to our Billing department
John David Boreing: but will they be able to help answer service questions if I have one after finding ou the charges?
DAC Michael R : Probably not
John David Boreing: and that means being transferred back to sales?
DAC Michael R : Probably…
DAC Michael R : Or I can help you with your service questions now
John David Boreing: doesn’t really make a lot of sense does it?
DAC Michael R : What doesn’t?
DAC Michael R : Sales answering sales questions?
John David Boreing: and not being able to answer a question about tax, which is a sales question.
DAC Michael R : That’s a billing question actually. We don’t sell taxes
John David Boreing: but you have to charge them and people want to know what they are being charged.
DAC Michael R : I don’t, your city and state does
John David Boreing: so are there any other offers beside the 2 year 29.99?
DAC Michael R : For just internet?
DAC Michael R : $39.99 would be the stand-alone price for 8 mbps Internet
DAC Michael R : Without a contract that is
John David Boreing: yes or anything under $45 for as long as possible
DAC Michael R : The next speed up is 16 mbps which is $49.99 a month
John David Boreing: for 2 years then 64.99?
DAC Michael R : No. Without the 24 month contract the standard promotional price lasts 6 months
DAC Michael R : So the $39.99 price for 8 mbps internet would last for 6 months and then revert to $54.99 a month after that
John David Boreing: what are the penalties for breaking a contract?
DAC Michael R : $75
John David Boreing: at the end of the 2yr contract can you sign another contract?
DAC Michael R : Yes
John David Boreing: the price will stay at the discount rate?
DAC Michael R : If you sign another contract…
John David Boreing: ok
John David Boreing: what is the upload speed for the 8mb package?
DAC Michael R : 1 mbps
John David Boreing: Final question, the 8mb down 1mb up connection with a 2yr contract would be $29.99 billed from Comcast at the end of the 2 yr a new contract could be signed and the price remains at $29.99 (possibly plus tax) if not the price goes to 54.99. The early termination fee is $75.
DAC Michael R : Are you asking about a Comcast contract?
DAC Michael R : If you’re stating all of that in reference to our conversation about Charter’s 24 month price guarantee that sounds about right
DAC Michael R : $29.99 a month for the 24 months of the contract, which can be resigned once it expires
DAC Michael R : And that’s for 8 mbps internet speed
John David Boreing: Yes the “Internet Specials-2 year price lock”
John David Boreing: Ok thanks for your help. Can you transfer me to billing to determine taxes?
DAC Michael R : Sure. One moment
DAC Michael R has left the session.
Please wait while we find an agent from the CHAT – DUMA – Billing Inquiries department to assist you.
You have been connected to TTD Vanessa .
TTD Vanessa : Thank you for contacting the Charter Communications Support Team. My name is Vanessa. How can I be of service? Í
John David Boreing: What would the taxes on the “Internet Specials-2 year price lock” for the 8mb service be?
TTD Vanessa : Taxes, surcharges and fees are collected by Charter and forwarded to the local, state or federal entities that impose the charges. Charter does not determine which taxes are applied to the services. If you have further questions in regards to the use of the taxes, you may contact the specific agencies that have imposed the taxes and fees.
TTD Vanessa : Is there anything else that I can be of assistance?
John David Boreing: Aren’t those charges on my bill from Charter or the ISP?
John David Boreing: If Charter collects them they know how much to collect, thats what I want to know. How much tax will Charter collect?
TTD Vanessa : I’m very sorry. We don’t have information regarding tax rate. You will need to contact agencies that have imposed the taxes and fees.
TTD Vanessa : Is there anything else that I can be of assistance?
John David Boreing: What? You can’t tell me if there will be tax charged on my services from Charter? AT&T knows there are taxes and they show up on my bill.
TTD Vanessa : There will be taxes on your all your services. However since you ask about a specific tax for your internet, that I can’t provide you.
John David Boreing: How is “all your services” different than asking about a product you offer?
TTD Vanessa : What would the taxes on the “Internet Specials-2 year price lock” for the 8mb service be?
TTD Vanessa : That is literally your question when you asked about a rate.
TTD Vanessa : There is no way I can provide you the tax since it will be automatically charge on the account.
John David Boreing: It is a product featured on your website that the sales rep confirmed.
TTD Vanessa : If you want, you can visit local office regarding your concern since we are not provide informations regarding tax rate.
TTD Vanessa : Is there anything else that I can be of assistance?
John David Boreing: there was no assistance given if the first place
TTD Vanessa : That is because we in billing department don’t have information regarding tax rates.
TTD Vanessa : Thank you.
TTD Vanessa : Is there anything else that I can be of assistance?
John David Boreing: is there a tax dept that can help me?
TTD Vanessa : Please visit our local office in your area.

Video hosting for your messages.

Jboreing — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:30:00 +0000

Are the features listed below worth the price for video hosting? Look over the features and then decide if the service is worth the cost. (Cost disclosed at bottom)

-          Our free iPhone app (has now been downloaded over 45,000 times from over 60 countries). Also, we have plans to start working on an Android app later in 2010.
-          A fully customizable embeddable player that is automatically updated once the upload is finished and you do not have to manually embed each weeks sermon every Sunday afternoon.
- No ads.
-          An aggregated network of content providers where over 40,000 unique visitors come each month to find solid, Bible-based content.
-          Being part of our growing community of churches. We have signed up over 110 churches in the last 4 weeks.
-          Future and current IPTV relationships. Established relationship with Sky Angel Network, a Christian IPTV service. We will be sending them hundreds of sermons each month for the channel. This will act as a free television ministry for the church. Long term, our parent company has connections with people at both Direct TV and TiVo, and the goal is to have a On Demand channel in one or both of those services to help expand each church’s reach.
- Purchase button where we cover all of the man-hour, material, taxes and shipping costs to fulfill an order and twice a year we send a check back to the church for 10 % of the content that is sold through the channel.
- Free unlimited bandwidth and storage.
- Eventually robust stats.

$50 per month. Is it worth it? Leave your comments below or reply on Twitter to @churchtechhelp

Intro for Compassion Sermon

Jboreing — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 04:09:00 +0000

This is an preview of a video for an upcoming service on the compassion of Jesus, it will be a message intro. We are still trying to decide on using the track under it or having our pianist play it live. Your feedback is welcome, via twitter is best.

Video Switching Equiptment

Jboreing — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:55:00 +0000

I wanted to list some of the video hardware we use in our service and for recording. The SE-500 is our recording switcher, we then digitize with the DAC-200 and record a backup to the D-R410, the main recording goes into FCP. THe OFD802 is our live projection switcher it goes between computer, dvd, and iso from center camera.

DataVideo SE-500
http://www.datavideo.us/products/switchers-mixers/se-500-video-switcher.html

Datavideo DAC-200
http://www.datavideo.us/products/discontinued-products/dac-200-digital-to-analog-converter.html?keyword=DAC+200

Toshiba D-R410
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/dvd/product.asp?model=d-r410

OCTO Fade OFD802
http://www.analogway.com/product/OCTO-FADE

Video Wall

Jboreing — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:35:00 +0000

We opened our new KIDS Town building on Aug. 2 and one of the main features in the lobby was to be a video wall. We wanted to be able to have photos of our kids and also play videos. So we embarked on a journey to make it happen. When I say we I mean our Children’s Pastor said “John David make this happen and look GOOD!!” I will be posting over the next few days that process and how we made it happen.

Great things are happening

Jboreing — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:49:00 +0000

Today after I finished up the short Friday list I headed to Franklin to have lunch with Stephen Proctor (@vjproctor). We spent almost 2 hrs at a small table at McCreary’s Irish Pub in downtown, drinking sweet tea and talking. That alone was great, I finally was able to have a face to face with someone I didn’t know before meeting them on Twitter. Read the post from Mike Sessler here about making connections and my thoughts on the same subject here.

Moving on. The main reason for this post is to being getting some of my thoughts, about a topic that has come up recently, written out. Our main discussion was on turning off/scaling down, for some period of time, the technology we love so much. Why? Exactly, why. Because we have forgotten to ask our selves ‘why am I using ________?” It’s not a “why are doing THAT” as in “thats stupid, old and so last year.” But “why are you doing that?” as in “is that the most effective, is it too distracting, or is it just right?” That in its self is enough to make your head spin.

The thought the gets my head really spinning is why has God given this spirit of change to a bunch of 20something visual media-tech guys and not a group of educated senior pastors? It’ scary and exhilarating all at the same time. Join in the conversation with us. Leave a comment and look for the tag #visualworship on Twitter.

Also read great thoughts at the following:

http://worshipVJ.com/
http://visualworshiper.com