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17 posts from May 2008

May 28, 2008

Church IT/Web/AV Biggest Loser #2 starts May 29!

image REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Here are our guidelines/rules based off the last biggest loser contest we finished up in April...

Eligibility
Any church IT, Web, AV, Tech/Production Arts staff (full or part-time role) ... If you fill these roles as a volunteer you're eligible too.
$25 to register ... no refunds period! 

Dates

  • Start May 29 ... but you can join at ANY TIME.  Just means you have less time to burn off the flab. 
  • Ends August 28 (13 weeks)
  • Winners get a split of the total registration pot less paypal transaction fees (~2.5%) ... breakdown of 75%, 20%, 5% ... if we get vendors to kick in prizes those well be in the mix to choose from as well.

Ready to get in the game?  Hit the link to register http://citpodcast.wiki.zoho.com/Biggest-Loser-Contest.html

UPDATE: 10 registrations in the first 20mins of the registration link going live!

May 22, 2008

Church IT/AV/TECH's Biggest Loser #2 starts next Thursday (May 29)

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Sorry for the lack of updates on our next round of Biggest Loser ... I've been pre-occupied with lots of other tasks and even as I write this I'm out of town in Detroit for the ITEC conference.

 

This contest was originally scheduled to start today ... but we're pushing it back a week to May 29th ... now you can enjoy your long weekend :-)

Here are our guidelines/rules based off our last contest ... these WILL be altered slightly as the contest gets underway.

Eligibility
Any church IT, web, AV, Tech/Production Arts staff (full or part-time role) ... If your church doesn't have any staff assigned to these roles and you fill that role as a volunteer you're eligible too.
$25 to register ... no refunds ... period!

Dates

  • Start May 29 ... but you can join at any point later. Just means you have less time to record weight loss.
  • Ends Sept 4th-ish ... soft end date
  • Winners get a split of the total pot ... possibly 80%, 15%, 5%
  • Possible small award(s) at the halfway point

Weigh Ins

  • Weigh ins must occur each THURSDAY at the same time of day.  You can only miss a weigh in or 2 before you'll start getting nasty emails from me ;-)
  • The same scale must be used for each weigh in.
  • The same clothes or lack thereof must be worn at each weigh in.
  • Weigh ins will be recorded in whole pounds. If your scale reports partial pounds just drop the fraction.
  • There will be a cap on how much weight you can drop in a given week period ... to keep away from large dehydration techniques ;-)
  • Participants will record their weekly weigh in our online Google Spreadsheet (you'll get an email after you register).

Winning

It's not fancy, but whoever has the largest weight loss % wins. (max weight - min weight) / max weight

Honor System

The contest assumes that all participants will follow the teachings of the Bible ... you know, don't lie!  If you are dishonest God will deal with you justly!

Spread the word ... let's help make the world a lighter place to live!

Official link to register to follow in a few days.

May 20, 2008

New Site for the Fall 08 Church IT Roundtable launched!

Just released for public consumption: the Fall 08 Church IT Roundtable site is now live!  This will be your one stop shop for all things related to this event.  Go grab the RSS feed to stay up to date with all the juicy details from dates, to hotels, to pre/post activities, etc.

South Carolina in the fall with a bunch of Church IT geeks?  Oh yeah baby!  I'm there :-)

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May 17, 2008

International Conference on Computing and Mission June 6-10

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I'm bummed my schedule isn't going to allow me to attend ICCM this year.  I learned about it via my old pal and floormate TR Knight who was the only other Physics major graduating Taylor University in '93.  TR is now the head IT honcho at TU and hosts the ICCM each year.

What's the ICCM? 
The International Conference on Computing and Mission (ICCM) is an
annual informal (NO ties allowed) gathering of women and men who have
a common interest in computers and mission. We share a vision cooperation
for effective use of technology bringing the Gospel to every nation.

June 6 - June 10, 2008 ... with Registration Closing May 23rd!
Taylor University
Keynote for 2008 is Ron Fleming, Global Chief Information Officer for the International Bible Society .

News|Schedule|Registration

May 16, 2008

Watch Where You Buy Microsoft Office for Mac From

imageSo some of our Mac users have been asking about upgrading to the new 08 version of Mac Office.  They were telling me the upgrade price was $228 and standalone was $380 ... and that was even off the discounted Willow Creek Association site.

I couldn't believe it could be that high considering Microsoft's great charity pricing so I went to look for myself.  Sure enough $228 and $380!!!  We even have our own GCC Apple webstore so I checked their too ... same pricing ... what the?

I fired off a quote request to my Dell rep.  He came back with an initial quote of $52!  So I shoot an email to our Apple enterprise rep, BTW he's a great dude, asking what's up.  After a while he sent back this reply ...

"Unfortunately, Apple doesn't offer the [MS] charity licenses. I hate to say this, trust me, but go to Dell!"

So the moral of the story?  ALWAYS make sure you are getting charity pricing for your Microsoft software ... even the mac stuff!!

This is not to slam the WCA site ... they get their pricing from Apple and thus are helpless.  Nor is this a slam on Apple ... though it's disappointing they aren't offering charity pricing.

For MS charity pricing you might try: CDW, Zones, Insight, CCB ... but honestly in my experience Dell consistently beats everyone else on software pricing.

My buddy David has a lengthy post about charity pricing well worth the read if you're new to purchasing charity licenses.

May 15, 2008

Church IT Podcast canceled today Thursday May 15th

I was hoping this wouldn't have to happen, but regrettably it does ... podcast for today canceled.  Counselors will be standing by for those too grief stricken to go on.

May 14, 2008

Office 2008 for Mac now available via MS Home Use Program

I just noticed Office 08 for Mac is now available via HUP ... our Mac users will be happy ... $20 for Office 08 is sweet! :-)

What is the Home Use Program?  The Home Use Program is a benefit of Software Assurance, one of Microsoft® ’s volume licensing programs. It provides a simple way for employers to enable employees to work at home with the same Microsoft® products they use at work.

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IT Opening At GCC: IT Specialist

Here's the follow up to my prior job opening post (make sure you're read it before sending emails)

IT Specialist

Position: Full Time Support Staff Reports to: Information Technology Director

Summary:

This person’s primary role will be to live and die for the helpdesk. Ridiculous customer service and attention to detail are a must for this position. A Secondary role will be to provide assistance to the Network Administrator for server and network related tasks. We only hire sled dogs--someone who will pull with all their worth to further the mission, vision, values of GCC and the IT Department.

Primary role:

Support users by resolving 1st-3rd tier desktop support requests for help with desktop/laptop computers, Windows, Office and other desktop applications, Fellowship One church management software, network issues, and telephony issues

Secondary role:

Manage servers, server applications, networks, security, and phone systems

Qualifications:

· Current A+, Network+, MCSE certifications or actively pursuing certifications a plus.

· Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field or actively pursuing degree completion.

· In-depth technical problem solving skills with the ability to support a wide range of technologies and escalate to vendors when necessary to resolve issues.

· Ability to support and train users on Windows XP/Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 applications; familiarity with Fellowship One church management software a plus.

· Ability to troubleshoot PC/Server hardware problems and perform repairs.

· Apple and Linux networking, hardware, software troubleshooting experience a plus.

· Ability to manage information security including permissions, passwords, firewall, anti-malware, anti-spam, and content filtration systems.

· Ability to manage business phone systems, voice mail, desktop phones, and the associated wiring infrastructure.

· At least two years current experience managing Windows 2003 server, Active Directory, Exchange server, and Windows networking.

· At least two years current experience installing, configuring, and supporting managed network switches, routers, firewalls, wireless access points, and the associated wiring infrastructure.

· Strong ability to take initiative, manage workload independently, multi-task, prioritize, document, and follow through with great attention to detail.

· Excellent personal communication skills including ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical end users.

· Ability to work under pressure, to work in a fast paced environment--going above and beyond when needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Actively monitor all incoming support requests, prioritize, and respond as appropriate providing weekly helpdesk reports/trends

· Maintain a high volume of completed requests with accuracy and efficiency, and provide follow up with end users to ensure satisfactory response and resolution.

· Diagnose and resolve computer software and hardware problems, escalating issues when necessary.

· Complete adds, drops, moves, and upgrades for computer, network, phone, and voicemail.

· Install and support approved desktop application software.

· Provide on-the-spot user training in software and procedures as needed.

· Develop, follow, and/or implement guidelines, strategies, standards, and procedures in conjunction with IT Staff.

· Manage Windows 2003 servers, Active Directory, Windows networking and printers, Exchange server, and other server-based applications.

· Manage information security systems including firewall, anti-malware, anti-spam, and content filtration.

· Install, configure, and support managed network switches, routers, firewalls, wireless access points, and the associated wiring infrastructure.

· Manage phone and voicemail systems and the associated wiring infrastructure.

· Maintain up to date hardware and software inventory including software licensing.

· Other duties as assigned by the IT Director.

IT Power Consumption con't: Intel Servers

Finally got around to measuring the power usage of one of our main Intel servers ... ~326W combined across both power supplies.  Frankly, I expected this to be less considering our EqualLogic arrays pull 300W and they are spinning 14 disks and big blowers.  Oh well, it's more data for the power project.

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0514081309

Dell EqualLogic Auto-Replication and VMware Site Recovery Manager

Oooo, more new stuff for EqualLogic customers!  Now if only GCC were using VI3...

Dell EqualLogic Auto-Replication and VMware Site Recovery Manager

Simple, Affordable, Automated Disaster Recovery

New Solutions for Automated Site Recovery from Dell and VMware: The virtual infrastructure enabled by Dell EqualLogic and VMware VI3 technologies now automate disaster recovery planning and execution by natively integrating the PS Series Auto-Replication feature directly into VMware’s Site Recovery Manager software.
VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) is a new product that is tightly integrated with Dell EqualLogic PS Series to offer centralized disaster recovery management, automation, and testing for the entire virtualized datacenter. Using the PS Series’ native Auto-Replication feature integrated directly into Site Recovery Manager using specialized storage adapter software storage adapter software.  MORE

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Disclaimer

  • Jason Powell is the Information Technology Director at Granger Community Church. The views and opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of GCC ...
    or are they? Hmm???

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