Mobile Ministry Magazine

Hopefully, you all aren't too tired about this subject. There is certainely room for improvement with Bible applications, and this makes for a great forum to discuss how they can be enhanced and improved.

With the introduction of the iPhone, Apple also announced a service called MobileMe. Much like Microsoft Exchange is in the workplace, MobileMe allows users to sync and use information such as email, calendar, and contacts, across several devices. My interest in MobileMe though is what it was made from and how that speaks to another way of thinkning about mobile web applications.

MobileMe uses a JavaScript framework (skeleton) called SproutCore. Now while the framework in and of itself is ok, the fact that it is so powerful makes it possible to explore desktop-like functionality on a web application. This would mean that folks like Laridian (iPhoneBible), eBible, and YouVersion can do more than just make a mobile Bible application, they could also make one that leverages the browser's inbuilt ability to be a Bible reader across several types of devices.

Of course, I've been panned a good bit recently with an article that was publised at Brighthand last week stating that Apple made a mistake in backing off of the idea of just doing web-based applications. A framework like SproutCore, in addition to browsers supporting offline functionality, makes the idea of web-applications that can be used online and offline more of a possiblity and less of an exception.

For example, you already have a group like the SWORD Project that already utilizes some open source development. Adding something like SproutCore to it, along with some offline ability (Google Gears or an advanced browser) would really make getting into the Word easy and a piece of cake.

Considering the range of this particular discussion, I'd like to hear some of what you all think. Because not every mobile device has a browser, let alone a good one. And not every user feels comfortable with applications that constantly talk to a server - though that is what every web page does, go figure. What can the Body look at in this area in terms of a solution towards not just making yet another iPhone or mobile site but something that really does blurr the line between web and offline in a way that makes us all better for it?

Labels: Apple, Bible, browser, JavaScript, MobileMe, offline browser, software, web application

I unintentionally tend to sit on some news stories. Hoping to speak about some things when there is an open slot or the chatter on the interwebs isn't so loud about it that it would get lost in the shuffle; some things just get pushed to the back a bit. Here's some of those items that aren't too flaccid in terms of timing, but definitely useful for various applications.

• Logos post address Spanish-oriented resources.
• The latest GMPSoft newsletter has several deals on various electronic resources for your PDA or smartphone including a Bible Bundle which includes the Greek UBS4 module.
• Something to make you think on how to approach little ones with the subject of hearing God and prayer even when its something that the Bible may/may not talk about ;)
• Palm Addict has a random giveaway of a 15 inch Mac PowerBook going on right now. The rules are to send in a post relevant to how you are using mobile tech. If not something that you need, definitely enter for someone in your circle who could use a computer but may not have the means to attain one.
• Swerve, a ministry of Lifechurch.tv, has two post titled 10 Things.... The first deals with Introspection and the second Ministry. Hands down, a very solid read and meditation piece for the weekend.
• And finally, the Carnival of the Mobilists at Mobilestance has plenty of readings from the past week in mobile tech.
• Forgot this one: YouVersion has done some updates that have improved performance and added a few new versions to the fray. Unless you are on an Internet Tablet like me, it really should work very well in connected settings as both a journaling and group Bible study tool.

Don't forget that we published MMM Issue 5 earlier this week. Several articles and insights there as well for your own mental scratchpad.

Labels: accessiblity, Apple, Bible, Carnival of the Mobilists, community, devotion, family, issue 5, mobile accessories, mobility, Spanish, stewardship, study, tech, worship

In giving tech, I've always tried to maintain a standard where I would only give to a person that has need, and to a situation where the person can take advantage of the item with as little negative disruption as possible. For that reason, I find it fun to give away devices that I no longer use. For one, it keeps my gadget closet pretty empty, but also provides a means for someone else to gain accessiblity that I've enjoyed. For example, my recent move to the N75 left my Treo 680 without a user. I ended up giving it to an entreprenur in Charlotte who had been struggling with having a working calendar and phone solution for her endavors.

Two people in the blogsphere also seem to carry this mantra of gifting are Sammy McLoughlin and Tim Samoff. Sammy McLoughlin runs the website Palm Addict is is quite frequent in giving away devices that he no longer uses in frequent give-aways. From smartphones to laptops to memory cards to mobile accessories. He's got a ton of things that come across his desk, and does an excellent job in making sure that others are empowered towards not just using their devices, but talking about how they use it so that a community of users can benefit. The current giveaway is of a 15in Apple Powerbook. Considering all the folks I know who like Apple, I'm sure that he will get a lot of solid feedback towards mobililty for this one.

Tim Samoff is another who's recently jumped into the giving game. Tim recently received a Nokia N810 Internet Tablet from the good folks at Maemo (the Internet Tablet developement folks). The thing is, he already has an N810 and so has decided to donate it to a deserving software developer. Tim's asking for comments at his blog and the Internet Tablet Talk website towards whom might be the deserving receipient.

Its really neat to be associated with people who understand that technology means more when you can give it to someone who'll do something really cool with it. That's one of the reasons for doing MMM on my end, and its good to know that those gifts become gifts all around.

Labels: Apple, community, gifts, internet tablet, N800

My bro had pointed me to the Logos blog and a post where they are speaking on an upcoming version of Logos for the Mac. From a usability and user experience aspect, it looks just great and really looks that it will make studying on the desktop a bit easier for those that prefer to do studies electronically.

This got me thinking (again) about using electronic devices for study, and what really is effective about it. For example, one can have a lot of resources at their disposal, but unless used correctly, you will not get much good out of it.

In looking at the Internet Tablet and how I want to use it for reading and study, I've settled on only wanting two Bible versions: one for casual reading (the ESV) and another for more indepth studies and discussions (the NET Bible). Because of the connected nature of the IT, anything else that I'd need would be accessible though websites such as CARM, eBible, YouVersion, etc.

I'd like to be in the position of studying effectively more often than not. Using a few materials as a gateway that have solid user interfaces and resources makes that possible. After that its just a matter of using it. I'd like to get to the point of linking within my notes to verses, bookmarking/tagging sections of the Bible for easy retrieval, and then effective search capabilities that go beyond just looking for a verse - but all the tags, bookmarks, and verses that correspond to the search term. Its my hope that such will enhance and make reading more like there being a slew of offline documents right in front of me.

Lately also, I've been looking into the resources at the Sword Project website. Besides being open and mostly free; the development there is just on the content, not on an application in particular. This means that instead of worrying about whether I will be able to use the content again, I can just concentrate on reading (on most devices) and go from there. Notes, tags, and bookmarks are another story, but that'll come.

If I can get Rapier installed on my tablet, I'm pretty sure that I can get there. But with products like OliveTree, Laridian, Logos, Wordsearch, and others, its pretty cool to know that there's some means to use electronic resources effectively. Its just a matter of studying on the tools and methods that would work best.

Labels: Apple, Bible, Bible+, internet tablet, Laridian, Logos, Olivetree, software, Sword Project, WordSearch

Was at Mobile Read a bit ago and they have an interesting (lively) discussion going on speaking on a quote from Steve Jobs (via the NYT) where he says:

It doesn't matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don't read anymore," he said. "Forty percent of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year. The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don't read anymore.

Jobs was speaking on the Amazon Kindle eBook reader and its goal of being the "iPod of books." But the comment does bring to light something that many of us in tech have to assess often?

Does using electronic reading devices (eBook, laptop, PDA, smartphone, etc.) help or hinder your Bible reading?

Labels: Apple, Bible, community, reading

This is what happens when I should not be peeking in on news from the Apple releases today...

Anyways, more than most things techie, music has been one that is mobile in both how we carry it and how it moves us in various capacities. Simply speaking, if music doesn't move you, then its not worth listening to.

So you can imagine a bit of a surprise when looking at the Apple front page seeing a news post about Gospel great Andre Crouch and Apple's Logic Pro software. It even goes as far as talking about how he is using it to teach:

Crouch is a preacher, and preachers love to teach. In the section of the church that he transformed into a studio/theater, Crouch plans to teach kids about music making and recording. And when they've learned enough, they'll get to perform and record in the space. "Most of these kids have never been to a professional studio," says Crouch. "We're going to teach these kids to run Logic and all this gear. They're going to record their own tracks and learn how the pros work. It's going to be great because we have some brilliant kids who already know computers like the backs of their hands and they want to make music, but they haven't put the two together."

Now, don't think me a musician by any means. I cannot play anything except air instruments. But to take technology that he knows and then put it in a position to extend the exisiting knowledge of youth is pretty encouraging to me.

I've always seen MMM as leading into that for myself at some point down the line. I've seen how others who have been in various web-based ministries have also gotten the chance, or soon will, to extend what they have been doing online and [if you will] make disciples through the teaching of the Spirit-led uses of talents and abilities. To me, that seems a great way to share and live the Gospel; even if it does mean an Apple is taken here or there.

Labels: Apple, community, gospel