Software, Services and the Gospel (Part 3)
It's been a bit since posting of parts 1 and 2 of the series Software/Hardware, Services, and the Gospel, but here we are back into the swing of things with a look at two similar items, that can have far reaching effects(see part one and part two to catch up).
Online Office/Collaboration Applications/Services
The hottest area of online anything is in the area of online applications (reference TechCrunch40, and some of online applications profiled there). The most famous by far is Google Docs, which is part of the Google Apps suite. Built like MS Word, but having the kind of collaboration features that anyone can pick up, as a tool for keeping a team within the same vision without the overhead of software licensing, there is not muhc better. Other very comparable (and sometimes better) options are Zimbra (just purchased by Yahoo) and Zoho.
The key with online office applications is to use them to foster the kind of collaboration and work environment that frees people from having to do admin work more than they are out and working. For a church planter or pastor, leveraging online office applications can be an extra layer of functionality when working outside of the office, but wanting to say plugged into whatever might be going on.
Google Maps
If MMM's recent story about how GPS was used to connect with community wasn't enough to sway you, then maybe using the Google Maps web application is a more convincing case in knowing where you are can be a precursor to knowing where to be usable. Google Maps came on the scene a few years ago and has since become the preferred mapping service for several users. Google has even managed to integrate Google Maps into their other services. Whether to get directions on your laptop, or via the SMS service on your phone, or even via the mobile application, Google Maps can do a whole lot and simply.
An additional piece to Google Maps that is not frequently talked about, but when done is very slick, is the ability to use the API (application program interface) within Google Maps to create custom maps. One can do something as simple as just make a map for their fellowship's location, or taking it to the ends of the earth and mapping everywhere you and your community has fellowshipped.
Online Office/Collaboration Applications/Services
The hottest area of online anything is in the area of online applications (reference TechCrunch40, and some of online applications profiled there). The most famous by far is Google Docs, which is part of the Google Apps suite. Built like MS Word, but having the kind of collaboration features that anyone can pick up, as a tool for keeping a team within the same vision without the overhead of software licensing, there is not muhc better. Other very comparable (and sometimes better) options are Zimbra (just purchased by Yahoo) and Zoho.
The key with online office applications is to use them to foster the kind of collaboration and work environment that frees people from having to do admin work more than they are out and working. For a church planter or pastor, leveraging online office applications can be an extra layer of functionality when working outside of the office, but wanting to say plugged into whatever might be going on.
Google Maps
If MMM's recent story about how GPS was used to connect with community wasn't enough to sway you, then maybe using the Google Maps web application is a more convincing case in knowing where you are can be a precursor to knowing where to be usable. Google Maps came on the scene a few years ago and has since become the preferred mapping service for several users. Google has even managed to integrate Google Maps into their other services. Whether to get directions on your laptop, or via the SMS service on your phone, or even via the mobile application, Google Maps can do a whole lot and simply.
An additional piece to Google Maps that is not frequently talked about, but when done is very slick, is the ability to use the API (application program interface) within Google Maps to create custom maps. One can do something as simple as just make a map for their fellowship's location, or taking it to the ends of the earth and mapping everywhere you and your community has fellowshipped.
posted by Antoine @ 9/21/2007 09:40:00 AM
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