To flash or not to flash … that is the old tired question
I have a confession — I once developed websites that included flash elements.
Though it’s good to get that off my chest, I’m pleased to say that I never developed a site completely in flash. And in my defense, I have been developing websites for a number of years - and it wasn’t too long ago that a little flash “bling” was the fashion. Just like the avocado-colored appliance, every trend has it day.
While I firmly believe that there are times when the use of flash can increase usability, I would argue that in most cases there is always a better alternative. Somewhat dated articles, I still refer to the Alertbox articles written by Jakob Nielsen as a reminder: The first encouraging me to seek the alternative; the second offering guidelines when there is no other option.
Flash 99% Bad
Jakob Nielsen’s Alertbox, October 29, 2000
Although multimedia has its role on the Web, current Flash technology tends to discourage usability for three reasons: it makes bad design more likely, it breaks with the Web’s fundamental interaction style, and it consumes resources that would be better spent enhancing a site’s core value. Keep Reading
Making Flash Usable for Users With Disabilities
Jakob Nielsen’s Alertbox, October 14, 2002
Flash designs are easier for users with disabilities to use when designers combine visual and textual presentations, minimize incessant movement, decrease spacing between related objects, and simplify features. Keep Reading
Faith Voyeur
Photo Credit: Tyla'75
A gentleman this past weekend at our Ministry 2.0 Kansas City event asked a very interesting question that got me thinking. We had been discussing social media tools and how they can be used to enhance ministry. Many of us, including myself, were touting how a pastor could use Twitter and Facebook to keep an ear to the ground – staying connected to the needs of his/her congregation without having to actively engage in every living moment of their lives. Then came the question, and I’m paraphrasing, “I’m uncomfortable with the invasive nature of social media in the lives of church members. Should the church be involved in this practice?” I have to admit, the question caught me off guard. I responded with, in retrospect, what was a non-answer – explaining that the etiquette of social media is still in its infancy and that questions like his will be answered over time. I also sweetened my answer with some jargon about how the millennial generation is transparent online.
So Sunday, during my 9 hour drive home, I spent some time pondering his question. This is the beginnings of how I would have liked to have responded.
I do believe that the etiquette of social media is being established and will continue well into the future – much like the rules of online bulletin boards were established years ago. I’ve found that each social media tool has its own rules for the road. I tend to be much more open about my personal life in Facebook than I do in say LinkedIn. For me, Facebook is for connecting with family and friends – LinkedIn is for business associates. And from experience, I know that many of my friends and colleagues have their own gauge of openness. It’s up to each individual to set their gauge – knowing that there are consequences for their actions.
Years ago, I was responsible for managing a directory of pastors and their contact information. From time-to-time I received requests from pastors asking that I not display their contact information – keep in mind that we were only displaying church contact information, not their personal contact information. The same contact information that they displayed in their yellow page advertisement. While I would comply with their request, my views on the role of pastor as public servant were solidified during this time. My view … a pastor lives in the public eye – a calling they have chosen to answer. As such, the public ought to have a way to be in contact.
Each of us makes a choice to open our lives to the world online. Some tweet every living moment, others opt to not participate. It’s not my job to judge which is right or wrong. I do firmly believe that the role of pastor has become much more complex and is an uphill battle to keep people focused on Christ’s Message. Call me a hardliner on the subject, but if you’re willing to share your life online – be prepared for the world to be watching … including your pastor.
Counting my blessings
Ella Carlisle
Every few months I flip through the photos that have accumulated on my cell phone. This is mostly an exercise to weed for the out of focus, or the “I think I closed my eyes” photos. But this time I ran across the grainy photo that you see above. It’s a photo of my two-year-old daughter, Ella — at the time the photo was taken she was 18-months old. It was also taken on the most humbling day of my life.
On May 29, 2008, Ella was diagnosed with hip dysplasia – a deformation or misalignment of the hip joint. In layman’s terms, she was born without a hip joint. The photo was taken about thirty minutes before my wife, Shannon, and I heard the news. Needless to say, we were devastated and totally unprepared.
Over the course of 2008, our lives changed significantly. We were in and out of Nashville’s Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital for procedures and check-ups. Many of our friends and family halted their lives to help us cope — which we will forever be grateful. The doctors and nurses at Children’s were amazing – always willing to answer our questions, thus easing our concerns along the way.
A year later, I’m humbled by the experience. In one day I learned how precious life is and since have been reminded how blessed I am to have an amazing wife and loving family. Ella still isn’t out of the woods; she’ll have the pins removed from her hip this fall – I am assured though knowing that my family is surrounded by loving arms. We are blessed.
How a campaign should work
In recent months, I’ve seen more and more companies developing highly creative ways to express a message. The use of technology to share these messages are a welcome change to a very tired marketing landscape. They are setting the bar very high. Seems to me that the days are numbered for organizations who have gotten away with masking their irrelevancy with what looks to be relevant branding. Once you open the door and you look in, it’s all smoke and mirrors. Check out what Honda has done with their “Let is Shine” campaign.
Honda Insight - Let It Shine from Honda on Vimeo.
Now learn how the “Let it Shine” spot was made.
Honda Insight - The Making of “Let it Shine” from Honda on Vimeo.
Is your church prepared for a flu epidemic?
View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map
As news of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico City surfaced late last week, I naturally began to consider steps I would take to protect my family. My first inclination, isolate, keep them in the house to reduce contact with others. As a father, it’s natural for me to react this way. As a Christian, I’m charged to reach out and help others. So I’m left in a quandary. Isolate and keep my family safe, or seek ways to help those in need?
This morning’s news shared how the people of Mexico City have been advised to stay home and not gather in groups. A city of 4 million is now very quiet. Traffic has been significantly reduced and people are isolating from the outside world. Church was cancelled and businesses shut their doors.
In 2008, I consulted with a congregation as they developed their first disaster response plan. Specifically, they asked that I work with them to coordinate their communications plan. Before coming on board, they had brainstormed all the likely scenarios: tornado, fire and flood. Never once was flu epidemic discussed. It’s not something we see on television or in our daily lives, so it can’t happen to us, right?
When I heard that Catholic congregations in Mexico City were encouraged to cancel services, it opened a flood-gate of questions. Mainly, how can a church be in ministry when the most effective means to reduce spread of the flu virus and keep the community safe is to not congregate? So many churches rely heavily on the model of congregating in a “place of worship”. I’m not defying this model, but am challenging our notion of congregation.
Imagine weeks of quarantine, where you and members of your church are potentially unable to meet on Sunday morning or during the week. Lots of questions arise. How to deliver a message and stay in contact? How to support those who are dealing with death and sickness? How do you coordinate relief efforts? The questions can be endless.
I am not an alarmist, and that is certainly not my goal with this blog post. And I am not going to give you the traditional top 25 list of things to do in case of emergency. Search Google, you’ll find them aplenty. Plus, it’s my experience that every congregation has their own set of unique needs. I’m sharing this message in hopes that church leaders wake up and understand that communications is no longer an afterthought. Tools of the Internet and messaging may be your only means by which to effectively reach those in need during times of disaster like this.
Is your congregation prepared to communicate with one another and gather online during times of disaster? Does your church disaster plan include steps for flu epidemic preparedness? There’s no harm in preparing for what could be an unlikely circumstance.
Finally, I hope you’ll join me by including those who are dealing with the affects of the swine flu in your prayers. Blessings.
Remembering Columbine: A view from my office chair
Photo: Matt Brett
This morning I find myself sitting in my office chair working as I reflect on the tragic events at Columbine High School ten years ago today. Though our view of violence has been amplified since 1999, the continued threat has only increased. Unfortunately it seems, news reports like the one I heard this morning on NPR are all that shake me from the lull. It’s easy to fall into the responsibilities of life and forget that the world is ripe with children who are screaming out for someone to listen and love them.
My office chair has become a metaphor to me. That’s where I heard the news of Columbine, and watched as planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers. I also found myself in the same spot as I filed my report on the Timothy McVeigh execution. The full cycle of violence, all from an office chair.
Columbine hits hard because I grew up near the school. I attended Lakewood High School, one of many high schools in one of the nation’s largest county school systems. I played basketball tournaments in the Columbine gym and football on their grass fields. I’m no different than any of the other thousands of kids that recall similar memories of Columbine. I suspect deep down everyone who lived, worked, or played near the school represses the sense that I/we could have done something to prevent what happened that day.
For ten years I’ve lived under the assumption that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were deeply disturbed psychopaths who met by chance. Dave Cullen’s new book Columbine depicts a very different story. While Harris was a textbook psychopath, Klebold’s makeup was very different. His diary shares the story of a deeply depressed young man who is constantly writing about love and a world not willing to show him any.
So here I am ten years later blogging from my office chair about the tragedies of Columbine. That voice I hear deep inside during times of prayer and reflection is telling me to get up from my chair and go hug my children, and tell them how much I love them. I hope you will do the same today and every day. Blessings.
Churches reach out to those facing sudden unemployment
Like so many of you, I too have many friends who have recently lost their job and now face the difficult task of paying their bills and finding employment. When your life is turned upside down, it’s natural to turn to those you love for comfort. Many find solace from their church family as well. Numerous churches are not only taking the opportunity to offer support for the spiritual and emotional toll that comes with job loss, but are playing an active role in helping with job training and employment assistance. I wanted to lift up two churches specifically who have fully embraced this very important ministry. Both have developed programmatic ministries that employ full use of Web-based technologies, training opportunities, as well as emotional and spiritual nurturing support. If you or your congregation intends to develop similar support programs, I lift up the following as models:
- Church of the Resurrection | Leawood, Kansas
- North Point Community Church | Alpharetta, Georgia
While I gleaned many great ideas from both sites, I especially liked how they incorporated online job boards, event details and pastoral contact information (i.e who can I talk to?). If you have additional ideas or church examples, please share them by commenting below. Blessings.
Guide shares story of congregations embracing Web 2.0 technologies
I have to be honest, when a friend of mine directed me to The Networked Congregation: Embracing the Spirit of Experimentation, I was very skeptical. I still am. To be fair, after quickly scanning the introduction, I do believe it’s worth investigating further, and I will in the near future.
According to the author, The Networked Congregation is intended to help churches navigate the ever changing climate of emerging Web 2.0 technologies.
“This booklet is meant to be a guidebook: a short introduction to the digital world of Web 2.0 technologies and a friendly, informed voice to help you navigate its challenges, promises, and pitfalls. As you will see, there is no quick answer: Social technologies are neither all bad nor all good, and deciding which fit your own congregation will necessarily be a process of trial and error.”
For years, I have seen numerous books and guides pass my desk making grand declarations. I’m usually disappointed. The reason for my initial skepticism came as a result of the author’s credentials. Andrea Useem is a highly credentialed reporter, not a practitioner. She’s not writing from experience, but sharing what she learned from the practitioners. When I see “resource guide,” it’s my expectation that it is written from the perspective of someone with working experience. I am willing to overlook and did deeper. To the author’s credit, she has certainly included the voices of many who are breaking new ground. I am also looking forward to hearing perspectives of those who pioneered faith-based web exploration. I will be open-minded when reading, I promise. Look for my review in the near future.
An ode to my first computer
Yeah, that snaggle-toothed kid with the bed-head haircut is me at my eleven-year-old birthday party. It’s hard to tell, I tend not to get overly excited, but I am absolutely overwhelmed with joy having just received my first personal computer as a gift, the Timex Sinclair 1000. The Timex Sinclair weighed a nimble 12 ounces and supported 64K of ram. Data was stored on audio cassette tapes and you were able to plug it into any black and white television – that’s right, no expensive monitors needed.
I grew up in Grandview, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus). Circa 1983, Grandview consisted of hard-working, close-nit families. There were two kinds of computers that people in my community were buying. If you had money, you bought the Apple IIe. The rest of us went without or bought the $99 Timex Sinclair.
In 1980 my life had been transformed by Star Wars, most specifically, The Empire Strikes Back. Two weeks prior to the moment captured in the photo above, I had seen War Games with Matthew Broderick. It was the world’s first glimpse at the power of personal computing – I was absolutely amazed by the possibilities. Many of my colleagues point to War Games as a foundational point in their life as do I.
The Timex Sinclair certainly wasn’t the most stellar of personal computers. But looking back now, the developers captured a simplicity that has been lost. The Timex Sinclair was small and nimble and could be plugged into a multitude of devices from television sets to cassette players. You weren’t limited by its bulk, brand, version or costly updates. It did what it needed to do and nothing more.
I’ve hung this photo on my office wall. Whenever a project begins to get out of scope or I’m feeling exhausted by bureaucracy, I look at that 11 year-old smile and remember the optimism of 1983.
If you have fond memories of your first computer, don’t hesitate to comment below.
Registration for Ministry 2.0 Kansas City opens
Registration for Ministry 2.0 Kansas City opened yesterday. Ministry 2.0 is an interdenominational event all about helping churches and ministries do more with blogging, social media, web design, and all things involving the Internet in ministry. A variety of workshops will be offered at Indian Creek Community Church on Saturday, May 30. Some of the top web professionals from around the country (inside and outside the ‘church’) will be leading workshops and sharing their experiences. I hope you will plan to attend.
If you would like to learn more, check out http://www.ministry2.org. More specifically, the Kansas City event page is http://www.ministry2.org/kansascity.
