Full disclosure: I’m a Covenant Eyes affiliate and receive payment if you purchase Covenant Eyes using my promotional code embedded in the links. I did not, however, receive any payment for the production of this podcast.

This episode is not a full feature review of Covenant Eyes. I only use the monitoring and accountability features for reasons I will explain.

Key features:

Provides always-on monitoring of all Internet activity.
Stays out of the way, no annoying pop-ups.
Hotspot access for use when traveling.
Scores pages rather than blocks them so you can teach your children to make wise decisions.
Works great in tandem with OpenDNS FamilyShield
Optional filtering available if you wish to block high-scoring sites.

Pricing for Covenant Eyes’ services:

Accountability:
$8.99/mo. for the first username
$2/mo. for each additional username
Add Filtering to a username or a Filter-only username to your account for just $1.50/mo. (You save $3.49/mo.)
Choose an annual subscription and save $10.89 on the first Accountability username (with or without Filtering).

Filtering:
$4.99/mo. for the first Filter-only username
$1.50/mo. for each additional Filter username
Note: filtering is currently only available with Windows operating systems.

You can find other blog posts and podcasts where I’ve mentioned Covenant Eyes by searching the blog.

Next week I will do a feature review of X3 Watch. If you’d like to leave feedback about this or any other episode you can call and leave a voice mail by calling 518-290-0228, send email to wiredhs [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave a comment on the blog. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @theOJG.

Subscribe to this podcast:

I used notes from PCMech for this episode.

Jesus Geek is a Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group andCleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Subscribe to this podcast:

I think I have a bad connection

This week’s podcast was supposed to be a feedback episode but I didn’t receive any. Instead, I decided to cover a few tech news items that I thought would be interesting to homeschoolers. Links are below:

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100825174102.htm
• http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/09/insect-eggs/oeggerli-photography
• http://www.expeditiontitanic.com
• http://gizmodo.com/5550365/i-accidentally-invented-electronics-in-1906

What’s next?
Next week I’ll give my feature review of Covenant Eyes. If you’d like to leave feedback about this or any other episode you can call and leave a voice mail by calling 518-290-0228, send email to wiredhs [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave a comment on the blog. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @theOJG.

Subscribe to this podcast:

Here’s a little more information about Roland from his website:

A true Southern boy, I was born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Mississippi. I spent my high school growing up years in Brandon, Miss., where I graduated from Northwest Rankin. I attended Hinds Jr. College and then transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi where I earned my B.S. in English/Creative Writing.

I broke into comics in 1989 as a writer of indy comics, where I wrote such titles as Cat & Mouse, Miss Fury, Rocket Ranger, Demon’s Tails, and others… I started freelance editing in ’90 when I saw there was a wealth of untapped talent in the South Mississippi region, that, and to help talented friends get work. Shortly after, I was hired as an editor with Malibu Comics located in California.I edited the Genesis line of comics ( Protectors, Dinos for Hire, Ex-Mutants, etc). Then Malibu bought Image and shortly wanted a “high profile” superhero universe to replace Image once they’d gone.

So, Ultraverse was created and the Genesis line was cancelled. For UV, I editedSludge, Night Man, Strangers, Prototype, Rune and others. When Marvel later bought Malibu, I was made Managing Editor of the Malibu Division.

A year later, Marvel canned the entire Malibu division.

I moved back to the South, earned my M.A. in English from the University of North Alabama and started teaching English at both the University of North Alabama and Northwest Shoals Community College. I taught until 2005, and then an opportunity came up to try something different–selling collegiate furniture. It was a disaster.

After that, I became the editor of a weekly newspaper in Northeast Arkansas. The opportunity came to move to the small town where my family had been for 150+ years and so I took it. I did that for a year and decided I wanted to return to the classroom.

Now, I live with my family in Oxford, Miss., am in the MFA program at Spalding University and am writing and editing and mentoring and speaking!

Jesus Geek is a Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group andCleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Subscribe to this podcast:

Why is this important?

In this episode of The Wired Homeschool I discuss why a homeschooling family should use filtering and accountability tools and what I feel is the best combination of tools to protect your family from undesirable and accidental exposure to objectionable content.

There aren’t going to be a lot of notes for this episode. I was speaking freely and felt it was necessary to convey my feeling naturally rather than script out my passion for this topic. Here are the products and/or websites I mentioned in the podcast:

• Covenant Eyes (Disclosure: I’m an affiliate and get paid if you purchase this product)
• X3 Watch
• Safe Eyes
• XXX Church
• OpenDNS
• Family Shield

What’s next?
Next week I’ll provide a general overview of content filtering and accountability. If you’d like to leave feedback about this or any other episode you can call and leave a voice mail by calling 518-290-0228, send email to wiredhs [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave a comment on the blog. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @theOJG.

Subscribe to this podcast:

Here’s a little more information about Roland from his website:

A true Southern boy, I was born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Mississippi. I spent my high school growing up years in Brandon, Miss., where I graduated from Northwest Rankin. I attended Hinds Jr. College and then transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi where I earned my B.S. in English/Creative Writing.

I broke into comics in 1989 as a writer of indy comics, where I wrote such titles as Cat & Mouse, Miss Fury, Rocket Ranger, Demon’s Tails, and others… I started freelance editing in ’90 when I saw there was a wealth of untapped talent in the South Mississippi region, that, and to help talented friends get work. Shortly after, I was hired as an editor with Malibu Comics located in California.I edited the Genesis line of comics ( Protectors, Dinos for Hire, Ex-Mutants, etc). Then Malibu bought Image and shortly wanted a “high profile” superhero universe to replace Image once they’d gone.

So, Ultraverse was created and the Genesis line was cancelled. For UV, I editedSludge, Night Man, Strangers, Prototype, Rune and others. When Marvel later bought Malibu, I was made Managing Editor of the Malibu Division.

A year later, Marvel canned the entire Malibu division.

I moved back to the South, earned my M.A. in English from the University of North Alabama and started teaching English at both the University of North Alabama and Northwest Shoals Community College. I taught until 2005, and then an opportunity came up to try something different–selling collegiate furniture. It was a disaster.

After that, I became the editor of a weekly newspaper in Northeast Arkansas. The opportunity came to move to the small town where my family had been for 150+ years and so I took it. I did that for a year and decided I wanted to return to the classroom.

Now, I live with my family in Oxford, Miss., am in the MFA program at Spalding University and am writing and editing and mentoring and speaking!

Jesus Geek is a Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group andCleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Subscribe to this podcast:

Please note: before cleaning any part of your computer you should make sure it is turned off and unplugged.

Keyboard and Mouse

The keyboard and mouse are the two components that you touch the most. Each of these items get a lot of grime and gunk from your hands and the environment.

The first thing you want to do with your keyboard is shake it out every two or three weeks. This dislodge dust, staples, food, and anything else that accumulates inside your keyboard. You may also want to use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner and pass it over the keyboard a few times.

Never wash your keyboard in the dishwasher! There are a lot of stories and anecdotes on the Internet about people washing their keyboards in the dishwasher but this could potentially ruin it.

The mouse doesn’t require as much maintenance as in the past. Older mice have a ball and rollers inside them that needs to be cleaned every once in a while. Now all you need to do is keep the optical sensor clear of dust and dirt.

Monitor

The monitor is the window to your computing world and you’ll want a clear view of the technical landscape as you sit at your desk. Please note: you should never use glass cleaner or any cleaner with ammonia in it to clean your monitor. These cleaners will strip the anti-glare coating from your monitor over time and make it very difficult to view.

Instead you can use a lint-free cloth or paper towel moistened with water to remove fingerprints and dust from the monitor. That’s really all you need. If you have an stubborn fingerprints on your monitor use a cleaner designed for LCD monitors or HD TVs.

Never spray any water or chemical directly on your monitor. You should always apply the cleaner to your cloth before wiping the monitor.

If you have an old CRT monitor you should never stack anything on top of it. This blocks the ventilation slots and can cause your monitor to overheat. LCD monitors have ventilation slots too so make sure those are clear of dust bunnies.

Printer

Printers can get pretty nasty. Laser printers can accumulate toner inside of them, especially if you’re using cheap or refilled toner cartridges (which I highly discourage you from using). Get out the vacuum and gently clean out the inside. Make sure you put your toner cartridge in a box to prevent the light from damaging the imaging drum.

Ink jet printers sometimes need the print heads cleaned. Most printers have the ports built-in to the cartridge itself and don’t require any maintenance other than running the cartridge cleaning utility. If you do have separate inkjet ports you can usually soak them in alcohol or ammonia.

PC Case

Your PC’s case is the most important thing that needs to be kept clean. Dust acts as a insulator and can cook the components inside your computer. You want to be very careful cleaning inside your PC. If you’re uncomfortable with this part. Ask a friend who is a techie to help you.

You’ll want to vacuum out the fans and any ventilation slots. Get that dust out! Be gentle and careful vacuuming the motherboard. You may even want to get an attachment specifically designed for use on a computer for this, possibly even a vacuum cleaner designed for computers.

I do not recommend using compressed air inside your computer’s case. It can shove dust under the components. If you have some fans that vacuuming couldn’t clean, remove them from the case and use the compressed air outside and away from the computer. If you must use compressed air, turn the computer so that any dislodged dust falls out of the computer.

What’s next?

Next week I’ll provide a general overview of content filtering and accountability. If you’d like to leave feedback about this or any other episode you can call and leave a voice mail by calling 518-290-0228, send email to wiredhs [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave a comment on the blog. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @theOJG.

Subscribe to this podcast:

Security Updates

Most security updates for your operating system are automatic no matter what platform you;re using (Windows, Apple, Linux) and this is a good thing. However, you should keep an eye out for any “out of cycle) updates that may arise which could require you to download and install a patch.

Not only are your OS updates important but your software that you use with the operating system is important too. Applications like Adobe Reader and Flash, Java, CD/DVD burning software, office productivity tools and more need to be updated. These usually do not come automatically but you can use Mozilla’s online plugin check to make sure the majority of these applications are up to date.

Secunia’s Online Software Inspector is also a great resource for checking for any security updates that may be available for software you’re using (Windows only).

Anti-virus/Spyware

Anti-virus and anti-spyware detecting software is critical for all Windows operating systems. With over 90% of the PC market share they are the largest and most often attacked when it comes to security vulnerabilities. I always recommend that people use Microsoft Security Essentials because it’s free and made my the company that wrote the operating system. It’s not nearly as intrusive as packages from McAfee or Symantec and doesn’t bring your computer to a grinding halt when a scan is in progress. Another great tool is SuperAntiSpyware which will scan and remove any spyware that may be present on your computer. It’s free and easy to use.

While anti-virus software isn’t essential for OS X, I do recommend using it if you interact with a lot of people who have Windows computers. It’s irresponsible to pass along an infected file and using a product like ClamXav will help to prevent you from passing along little nasties to unsuspecting colleagues. CNet has a great list of anti-virus software for the Mac if ClamAV isn’t your cup of tea.

Disk Maintenance and Back-ups

Disk maintenance and backups are important for everyone. These tools will make sure your hard drive is running in top shape and if there is a problem, you’ll be able to recover your data.

Windows comes with a few disk maintenance utilities built-in: chkdsk and defrag. I recommend that you run both of these tools once a month. Another tool you may want to check out is Microsoft’s online repair tool: Fixit.

OS X doesn’t generally require you to be as diligent about disk maintenance. However, there is the built-in Disk Utility that you can run if you’re experiencing problems with your disk.

Backups are important too. I won’t go into too much detail except to say that both Windows and OS X have built-in tools for backing up your data and you should use them regularly. Time Machine for OS X and Microsoft’s Backup (for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7) are the tools you’ll want to use.

I also recommend that you make online backups of your critical data like photos, school records, tax information, important email, etc. To do this you can use any number of automated online backup tools like Mozy, Carbonite, or Back Blaze. These are available for a monthly fee.

What’s next?

Next week I’ll discuss basic PC maintenance as it pertains to hardware. If you’d like to leave feedback about this or any other episode you can call and leave a voice mail by calling 518-290-0228, send email to wiredhs [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave a comment on the blog. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @theOJG.

The Wired Homeschool is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share-Alike 3.0 License.

Subscribe to this podcast:

I also provide you with another code word for the Summer of Podcasts II contest.

Also, if you’re wondering why there was no podcast week then listen in.

I also provide a tip for using the software gate in GarageBand.

Links mentioned in the podcast:

• Apple’s latest software patent debacle
• Pledge to Give Away Half Gains Billionaire Adherents
• Halo 2600 Retro-port
• Dr. DRE thinks he knows what the planets sound like
• Bible.is lets you read and listen to the Bible on your iPhone
• Jim LePage’s “Word” project
• Tech Camps for Kids and Teens

Jesus Geek is a Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group andCleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Subscribe to this podcast:

Links mentioned in the podcast:

• Homeschool Tracker
• My YouTube channel
• FamilyShield
• Classical Astronomy and Signs and Seasons

What’s next?

Next week I’ll discuss basic PC maintenance as it pertains to software. If you’d like to leave feedback about this or any other episode you can call and leave a voice mail by calling 518-290-0228, send email to wiredhs [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave a comment on the blog. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @theOJG.

The Wired Homeschool is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share-Alike 3.0 License.

Subscribe to this podcast:

Purchasing a computer for your home can be a daunting decision. I hate having to buy new hardware. It’s especially difficult if your computer suffers a catastrophic failure and you need to make a purchase quickly. Hopefully with these tips you’ll be well-armed (or armored) the next time you walk into the big, box store to make a computer purchase.

General or Purpose-built?

The first decision you need to make is whether or not this will be a a general-purpose computer for the whole family or a computer used for a specific purpose like gaming or multi-media production and playback.

If it’s a general-purpose computer the typical computer you find at a store in the $300-$500 range is fine. This type of computer can be used for Internet browsing, office productivity, watching DVDs, email and other general tasks.

If you’re looking for a computer with a specific purpose in mind things get a little trickier. Maybe you want a computer just for Internet use and checking email; a netbook might be the right choice for your. If you want a computer so you can play the latest 3D-accelerated games then you’ll be looking at things like clock speed, graphics cards, RAM for both the main system and the graphics card, and hard drive seek times. In this case the faster the better. Expect to pay at least $1,000 for a basic, modern gaming system.

All of this can be very overwhelming and since technology changes quickly I’m not going to make any specific recommendations. Cnet has a great buying guide that I’m sure will get updated as technology changes.

Desktop or Laptop?

Now that you’ve decided how you want to use your new computer you’ll need to decide what level of portability you need.

Is this a computer for the family room? You’ll want to go with a desktop. Looking for a Windows media extender? A small form factor desktop would be best. Want to be able to take the laptop on field trips or the family vacation? A laptop will be best.

A word of caution: a laptop will increase the cost of your purchase by $300-$500 if you want the same performance as a desktop. I don’t recommend you pay less than $1000 for a laptop if you plan to do video or photo editing. That $500 laptop may look appealing but it’s not really made to edit or watch video. Granted, processors and video technology have improved but you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. You can do that by sticking to major brand names like Dell, Apple, HP and Toshiba. Again, CNet has a great laptop buying guide that you’ll find useful.

Finally, whatever you do, get an extended warranty from the manufacturer not the reseller. WHEN (not if) something goes wrong this will cut out the middle man when it comes to making repairs. You’ll pay about $100 to extend the warranty to 3 years but it’s money well-spent in my opinion.

Mac or PC?

This age-old debate will go on forever. As a general rule of thumb I recommend that you stick with what you’re accustomed to using. You won’t have to purchase new versions of your software and it will make the transition to a new machine much easier.

I will say this: you’ll get the most bang for your buck buying a Mac. Apple offers an educational discount to homeschoolers (check out their education store for details) and they offer the best tutorials for using their products I’ve seen online.

If you’re looking to switch from Windows to Apple then you’ll want to do that before you purchase any digital curriculum so that you’re sure the media will work with your new computer. This is generally not a problem these days but there are still some companies that only produce products for Windows operating systems.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Purchasing a new computer can be quite daunting. Hopefully I’ve given you a few guidelines to help you with your purchase. When in doubt, ask a knowledgeable person you trust. Sales associates (especially if they’re paid on commission) will always try to up-sell. If you go into a store knowing exactly what you want then you may be able to avoid any hard selling.

One thing I didn’t go into detail about is peripherals like printers and scanners. For the most part what you have should be compatible with a new computer if it was purchased in the last 3-5 years. No guarantees, however. Don’t be surprised if you have to replace that 10-year old scanner.

Finally, I’m going to go out on a limb here and make two specific recommendations for a general purpose family computer (something I don’t normally do). If you’re looking for a Mac and already have a monitor, keyboard and mouse you can reuse go for the Mac Mini. If you’re looking for a suitable Windows desktop computer the Dell Inspiron 580s starting at $599 is a great choice (ask for a educational discount since you’re a homeschooler — it can’t hurt). Both of these computers can be tweaked to your heart’s content but the base configurations are fine for the average family.

What’s next?

Next week I’ll respond to some feedback I’ve received from listeners about Twitter and Facebook as well as some general feedback I’ve received since starting the podcast. If you’d like to leave feedback about this or any other episode you can call and leave a voice mail by calling 518-290-0228, send email to wiredhs [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave a comment on the blog. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @theOJG.

The Wired Homeschool is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share-Alike 3.0 License.

Subscribe to this podcast:

Facebook is another social media website homeschoolers can utilize to connect with like-minded home educators.

What is Facebook?

Unlike Twitter, Facebook let’s you interact more with others through chatting and applications. Facebook is all about sharing your information and interests with the world. Security can be applied so that only friends or certain groups of people can see specific information.

How will Facebook benefit my homeschool?

Besides allowing you as a parent to connect with fellow homeschoolers around the world, Facebook will allow your children to connect with other homeschoolers. Your homeschool group could even host their “website” on Facebook. Access can be controlled so that only people in the group can see specific information and limited information is provided to the rest of the Internet.

Is it right for me and my family?

Just like Twitter and any social media or technology that is a decision you will ultimately have to make on your own. Don’t let it intimidate you. However, if you have any doubts, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

How do I get started using Facebook?

I used Jeff Roney‘s free e-book, Marketing with Twitter and Facebook as a guideline for these instructions. If you have a homeschooling product you’re trying to get people excited about then check out Jeff’s tips in this book.

1. Go to Facebook.com and sign-up
2. Fill out your profile information
3. Find friends by searching for their names or email address
4. Let people know you have a Facebook account so they can connect with you

Where can I get more information about Facebook

Tips and tutorials about Facebook are all over the internet. Here are a few links to get you started:

• Facebook’s “About” page
• Facebook for Parents
• 5 Tips for Using Facebook
• Google search for Facebook tips

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @theOJG. If you want to leave feedback about today’s podcast you can call 518-290-0228, send email to wiredhs [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave a comment on the blog. If you’re using Facebook in your home school I’d like to hear about it. If there is enough feedback I’ll put together a feedback show about how YOU are using Facebook.

The Wired Homeschool is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share-Alike 3.0 License.

Subscribe to my podcast:

I also give out the code word for the Summer of Podcasts contest and the WordCross iPad contest.

I’m planning to get some interviews recorded soon. Once those are recorded shows should be released on a regular schedule again.

Links mentioned in the podcast:

• 11 Ways to Speed Up WordPress
• Tron for iPhone
• Phone Disk Mounts iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad as USB Disks in Finder (Mac only)
• Solar-Powered Plane Flies Through the Night For the First Time
• ID3 Editor

Jesus Geek is a Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group andCleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Subscribe to this podcast:

Twitter is one of the many social media tools that homeschoolers can use in the home school to not only connect with other homeschoolers but also learn about other homeschooling opportunities.

Your children can use it to keep in touch with friends while on vacation or other kids they met at camp or a conference.

If you lead a homeschooling group or co-op, use it to update your homeschool group with up-to-date information or just to keep them appraised of any progress concerning upcoming events.

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a micro-blogging platform that allows users to communicate with one another through 140 characters messages. You can send a message to everyone on Twitter, to an individual, or message privately between another user and yourself.

Twitter is self-described as:

Twitter is a real-time information network powered by people all around the world that lets you share and discover what’s happening now.

Twitter asks “what’s happening” and makes the answer spread across the globe to millions, immediately.

Twitter updates containing the word homeschool

“What’s Happening” is at the core of this social media service.

People share news, current events, and even details about their personal lives on Twitter. Think of it as a snap-shot of your day in 140 characters. Some people take a lot of snap-shots while others are content to post once or twice a day (or week). You can use it any way you choose. Keep in touch with friends and acquaintances or advertise your latest blog, website, or homeschooling products.

Is it right for me and my family?

Ultimately, that is a decision you have to make on your own. If you are uncomfortable sharing information online than Twitter is not for you you. If you find that you don’t have time for any extra “noise” in your already crowded and hectic day then Twitter is not for you.

How do I get started using Twitter?

I used Jeff Roney‘s free e-book, Marketing with Twitter and Facebook as a guideline for these instructions. If you have a homeschooling product you’re trying to get people excited about then check out Jeff’s tips in this book.

1. Sign up for an account at Twitter.com – This is pretty obvious. You need an account to participate.
2. Download and install a client to send and receive updates on your computer and/or phone – You can do this via the website but most people use software for convenience. Tweetdeck, Seesmic and HootSuite are some great options.
3. Find someone to follow – Add your friends and family. You can search for other people at Twitter’s website or TweepSearch.
4. Start ‘Tweeting’ – Let the world know your there. People will find you and most people you follow will follow you back.

Where do I go from here?

The sky’s the limit! This episode isn’t meant to be an instructional podcast about Twitter, just a general overview. If you’re looking for more information about Twitter and tips on using it check out the following resources:

• Scott Williams has great tips and blog posts about Twitter
• TwiTip helps you “get more out of Twitter”
• Mashable has a great Twitter directory

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @theOJG. If you want to leave feedback about today’s podcast you can call 518-290-0228, send email to wiredhs [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave a comment on the blog. If you’re using Twitter in your home school I’d like to hear about it. If there is enough feedback I’ll put together a feedback show about how YOU are using Twitter.

The Wired Homeschool is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share-Alike 3.0 License.

Subscribe to my podcast:

In this inaugural episode I talk a little bit about myself, why our family homeschools, and discuss why I’m creating this podcast.

What is a wired homeschool?

A wired homeschool is any homeschool that seeks to leverage technology to improve upon their homeschooling experience. Maybe you use the computer as a way to provide the primary instruction for your children or just as tool to enhance your homeschooling.

When will episodes be released?

This is a weekly, topical podcast. As far as length is concerned, each episode will be between 10 and 12 minutes. Hopefully I can provide you with clear, concise, and complete information within that time limit. Show notes will be much more prolific than on my other podcasts.

What topics will you cover in the podcast?

I’ll cover topics such as:

• Online security
• Social media
• Purchasing computers
• Cell phones and smart phones
• Online resources

…and more!

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been at it for years there’s something here for you and your family.

The Wired Homeschool is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share-Alike 3.0 License.

Subscribe to my podcast:

Links and podcasts mentioned in the podcast:

• Original ‘Homeschool Tech’ podcasts
• Word Cross contest
• Word Cross iPad app
• Summer of Podcasts
• Generally Speaking Podcast Network (Help I Got a Mac, Business Tech Weekly, and more!)
• Podcast Answerman
• Windows Weekly
• Security Now!
• Noodle Mix (The Audacity to Podcast, The Ramen Noodle & Are You Just Watching?)
• Podcasting for Compassion
• Is it OK to Twitter in Church? Part 1 and Part 2
• Spirit Blade Underground Podcast
• The Jesus Geeks
• Two Blind Squirrels
• The Jen and Dave Show
• It’s Just Us Cast
• Snark Tank Radio (Here’s the one I wrote)
• On the Edge of Darkness
• Jesus Geek ONLY feed
• The Wired Homeschool ONLY feed

Please consider supporting the podcast by either sponsoring a show or purchasing an ad in the sidebar.

Jesus Geek is a weekly Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group andCleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

I am participating in the Summer of Podcasts again this year. Listen for the code word to enter to win some great prizes. Follow the contest: @podcastmadness

Check out these other great podcasts involved in the contest:

Geekazine
Indie Radio Chattanooga
Kevin’s Oblast Radio
Meet The Talkers
Midwest Wasteland
Mike Dell’s World
Mike Tech Show
Mobileocity.net Radio

News articles mentioned in the podcast:

• 10 Christian Podcasts You Should Be Listening To
• iPhone 4 not so scratch-resistant
• FamilyShield is a No-Setup Adult Content Blocker for Your Router
• FamilyShield by OpenDNS
• A Month Without Java

Please consider supporting the podcast by either sponsoring a show or purchasing an ad in the sidebar.

Jesus Geek is a weekly Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries Network: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group and CleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

This is a promo for a new podcast I’m starting in July. Feel free to share and play in your podcast if you’re so inclined.

The Wired Homeschool is a weekly, topical podcast about using technology in your homeschooling efforts.

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been at it for years there’s something here for you and your family.

I’ll cover topics such as:

• Online security
• Social media
• Purchasing computers
• Cell phones and smart phones
• Online resources

…and more!

I hope you’ll listen in when the first episode releases next month!

Here’s a hint: there will be a new weekly podcast and other “Jesus geeks” involved with the current podcast.

I also share my opinion about the anticipated iPhone 4 and iOS4.

I am participating in the Summer of Podcasts again this year. Listen for the code word to enter to win some great prizes. Follow the contest: @podcastmadness

Check out these other great podcasts involved in the contest:

Geekazine
Indie Radio Chattanooga
Kevin’s Oblast Radio
Meet The Talkers
Midwest Wasteland
Mike Dell’s World
Mike Tech Show
Mobileocity.net Radio

Please consider supporting the podcast by either sponsoring a show or purchasing an ad in the sidebar.

Jesus Geek is a weekly Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries Network: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group and CleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

I am participating in the Summer of Podcasts again this year. Listen for the code word to enter to win some great prizes. Follow the contest: @podcastmadness

Please consider supporting the podcast by either sponsoring a show or purchasing an ad in the sidebar.

Jesus Geek is a weekly Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries Network: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group and CleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

I am participating in the Summer of Podcasts again this year. Listen for the code word to enter to win some great prizes. Follow the contest: @podcastmadness

Please consider supporting the podcast by either sponsoring a show or purchasing an ad in the sidebar.

Jesus Geek is a weekly Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries Network: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group and CleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

I am participating in the Summer of Podcasts again this year. Listen for the code word to enter to win some great prizes. Follow the contest: @podcastmadness

Please consider supporting the podcast by either sponsoring a show or purchasing an ad in the sidebar.

Jesus Geek is a weekly Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries Network: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group and CleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

On April 24th, 2010 I will be embarking on a 40 day social media fast.

So what will this entail? Here’s a run-down:

• No Twitter
• No Facebook
• No recording podcasts (including Compassion365)
• No commenting blog posts
• No calling podcast voice mail
• No forums
• Limited email

Why, exactly am I doing this?

I feel like there’s something missing in my life. Social media is filling that void and I don’t like the fruit being produced.

Also, I need a personal revival. This is a way for me to dedicate more time prayer and devotions.

I will be journaling this fast

At the end I hope to provide 40 daily audio updates. At the end of each day I will record a brief audio journal entry. It will not be available until the 40 days are over. As much as I would like to share the experience online, I fear that doing it during the fast would tempt me to fall back into my regular routine.

What about Compassion365?

I really feel like God is calling me to do this now and not in another 200 or so days. I’ve emailed the CNMG and asked someone to step up and coordinate the podcasts for the next 40 days. This is the hardest thing for me. My pride is scratching at the back of my brain telling me that I cannot stop. Unfortunately, for 40 days I cannot participate.

In the end I hope this will give me a clear vision

I’ve struggled for years with why I continue to podcast and my presence online. I need God to speak to me in a way that I haven’t experienced in a long time. Hopefully in the end I will have a clear vision of what God wants me to do in the social media space and purposefully re-engage in a way that will be more balanced and profitable to the kingdom of God.

See you on the other side!

I played promos for On the Edge of Darkness and No Show.

Links mentioned in the podcast:

• iPhone 4G kerfluffle
• Opera Mini available for iPhone
• My rant on Compassion365 about the Apple’s rating system
• Star Wars: Uncut
• Are You Certifiable?
• Steve Jobs says to buy an Android phone if you want porn
• Podcasting survey

Please consider supporting the podcast by either sponsoring a show or purchasing an ad in the sidebar.

Jesus Geek is a weekly Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries Network: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group and CleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Ryk has previously published 3 other books with Baen: Boundary, Digital Knight and Mountain Magic.

Ryk will be doing a two book signings for the release of these books at Flights of Fantasy in Albany, NY one on April 13th, 2010 and another on May 25th, 2010.

You can also connect with Ryk on Facebook.

Please consider supporting the podcast by either sponsoring a show or purchasing an ad in the sidebar.

Jesus Geek is a weekly Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries Network: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group and CleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Ryk has previously published 3 other books with Baen: Boundary, Digital Knight and Mountain Magic.

Ryk will be doing a two book signings for the release of these books at Flights of Fantasy in Albany, NY one next week on the 13th and another on May 25th, 2010.

Please consider supporting the podcast by either sponsoring a show or purchasing an ad in the sidebar.

Links mentioned in the podcast:

8-bit Dr. Horrible “Game”
WD VelociRaptor 600GB: Fastest Hard Drive Ever
TPN Weekly

Jesus Geek is a weekly Christian technology podcast with news, how-tos and a little bit of spiritual know-how hosted by John Wilkerson. Jesus Geek is a member of the My Life Ministries Network: a community of ministries that views the everyday Christian life as a ministry and seeks to encourage Christians in their daily walk with Christ.

Jesus Geek is a member of the Tech Podcast Network, Christian New Media Group and CleanCasts.com. It is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.