Brandon EarlyMore Posts#FAVEFIVE…

favefive5 tech resources from youth workers like us.

Scott Tinman is a youth pastor at First Free Church of Moline and has has been in the trenches for 19 years. Here are his #FAVEFIVE 

1. Website – www.simplyyouthministrytools.com
I am always looking for ways to save time yet communicate and administrate our Student Ministry well. SYM TOOLS has made things much easier for me. There is a FREE Contact Tool that is basically your rolodex (for those of your that are younger ask your parents what this is) or online database. So everything is accessible on “the cloud”. I have also used the Communicate Tool as a way to utilize group texting for updates and we even have a group that gets a Bible Verse texted each day. Events is a new tool that allows you to track attendance, promote events with online registration and follow-up with students. Team Tool is a great way to recruit, train and develop your volunteers. I have used all of these tools and they have been made my administration simpler!

2. App – Evernote
without a doubt has been the best app for me. Basically think of it as your online notebook and they are always coming out with new ways to improve this app. You can use it on your computer, mobile phone and tablet. Make as many different notebooks as you want and organize them with tags. You can even take a picture with your mobile phone for those great pictures you want to use in your next message. I use this more than Microsoft Word or for you Mac users even Pages.

3. Gadget – Got to go with my iPad
I have an iPad 2 and with the newer ones that come out this would be a good one to get for price right now. Want to be lighter in your bag and not drag your laptop around get a cover/keyboard from Zagg and you practically have a Macbook Air. From basic computer uses to using it to teach/preach from at Youth Group and even reading some e-books this is a great gadget to have in your bag.

4. YouTube Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybDKfGEw4aU SNL Tech Talk Skit
Came across this video from @gregstier a few weeks ago and for an SNL Skit this is pretty clean. I am a MAC user and love my Apple products…I have drank the Kool-aide! But this skit pokes fun at the new iPhone 5 and gets at the issue of complaining…a great one to use in your ministry!

5. Other – Cases
I am a Case Junkie…love to have different cases for my stuff. I currently have 3 different cases for my iPhone & iPad and a bunch of different bags to carry my laptop, ipad and accessories in so here are my favs…

iPad -
Keyboard/Case – ZaggFolio 
Book Book – a great disguise for your iPad in church
Targus – Basic Leather Case

iPhone -
Book Book – Fun to have but not always practical
Charging Case (case with battery) – Found one on Woot Search
Basic Protective Case – Black Bought a basic black incase cover

Bags-
Ogio Backpacks – Got one free from Dare2Share
Timbuk2 Messenger Bag

 

scottScott Tinman has been married to Terri and has 3 boys ages 14, 11 & 6. Born and raised in the Chicago area and loves the Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls. Also likes technology and knows enough to be dangerous.

@ScottTinman
www.scottctinman.com

Brandon EarlyMore PostsTEXT EXPANDER…**UPDATE**

url-1One of my favorite features on my iPhone, expanding text through shortcuts, is available on my Mac.  I wrote about the shortcut feature in the phone here.  A friend of mine told me that he used something similar for his mac called “Textexpander.”  This app is robust, it can do so much more than expand common, simple text like email address, home address, name, etc…that is acually all I use it for and I feel it is worth every penny.  Find a list of features here, and tutorials here or watch this review from Mac Apper. Grab the free trial, play with it, you will see it is worth the $35.

I have a free copy of Textexpander for a random reader this Friday. SYMC is coming quickly, comment below with the topic of a worship you are planning to attend. If you are not able to join us in Indy, comment below what workshop topic would you be most interested in attending. Comment before noon on Friday!

 

**UPDATE**

Seth, look for an email from Textexpander next week, you are our winner.

Comments 4 View Comments January 29, 2013

Brandon EarlyMore PostsFREE Scanner

plugin.video.vimeoI do not use a scanner on a regular basis which is why this DIY tutorial is so useful.  The quality of this DIY scanner app is incredible. Watch the video and download the app.

FREE VERSION of JotNot.

If you like it enough to buy it I recommend the iPad and iPhone app in one (JotNot Scanner Pro).  It is usually $1.99 but right now I see that it is 50% off. Are you using a scanner app?  Tell us about it in the comments below.

Brandon EarlyMore PostsSong Meanings…

songmeaningssongmeaning-longHave you wanted to use a mainstream song in your message or you have been confused or curious about the content of a song kids in your ministry are listening to?  Check out SongMeanings.net. This website is crowed-sourced, meaning that users like you and me can add what ever comments we want.  While not flawless (no “actual artist” input) is might be a good place to go to gain a little insight on a song you think might fit in your next message.

Brandon EarlyMore PostsFree Downloads from SYM…

SYMC2013

SYMC is around the corner and I am super exited.  I was browsing around the SYMC website and found some cool downloadable freebies. Check out these free Devotionals and MP3 from Simply Youth Ministry Conference.  If you are not signed up and want to learn more click here!  Hope to see you in Indy!

Brandon EarlyMore PostsLife Before & After Cell Phones [Comic]

imgI was this comic over at churchm.ag (who found it at 20px.com), this defines too many students in our youth ministry (and me too). Enjoy.
cellPhones

Brandon EarlyMore PostsTV on the BIG SCREEN!!!

project

Let’s pretend there was a super huge sporting event that you wanted to watch on the “big screen,” maybe on a projector in your home or youth room (I am not sure the laws pertaining to public showings of over the air broadcast TV, please check into that, this blog is in no way recommending or encouraging you to break any laws) and you do not have cable or satellite at your location. Most projectors do not have TV tuners built in, this would be a cool feature…seeing this event on a big screen instead of a TV would be a little more exciting for a crowd.  You could find an old VCR or DVD recorder with digital tuner and filter the antenna signal through that, but maybe you are looking for something a little more portable…maybe something for your computer, you already have all right cables if you are using computer and projector for your presentation.

The answer…EyeTV!!!  I have been using EyeTV, a USB TV tuning dongle that’s compatible with Mac and PC. The software that comes with it, EyeTV 3, not only helps you dial in all your local digital channels, it is also a DVR sending recorded TV directly to your harddrive.  Want to watch that game on a delay? Perfect! What to rewatch big plays? No Problem! What to cut out all the commercials?  Me neither!

I do not recommend buying a used EyeTV product expecting the software to be good.  It may come with a used or bad serial code/license.  EyeTV is pretty strict with how many users are using one license. If you buy a dongle cheap or you already have one the software is $80 form EyeTV’s website…maybe in the long run used could be a winner. Do your research and enjoy the Sports Games!

 

Brandon EarlyMore PostsSave $$$ on SYMC…

SYMCI have a buch of FREE stuff…not just free stuff…FREE TECH STUFF to give away. I have some of the hottest tools that help me do what I do in youth ministry (Don’t get too excited, no iPads or  robot elephants, but hundreds of dollars of STUFF!!!).

I am doing the work to bring to life some tools that are  practical, affordable, and doable for youth ministry and demoing them (and giving many of what I am showing away) at SYMC. Here’s the info on the workshops I am teaching. If you are crunching your ministry budget to get there do so today! It is the last day to register for SYMC at advanced registration pricing!! YIKES!!!!

Hope to see you in 43 days!

Register now and save!!

Brandon EarlyMore PostsFREE NIV BIBLE…

NIV

If you have a mobile device YouVersion is a must have.  I have tried several other Bible apps and this have been the best for the price.  If you are looking for a hard core study tool I would ask you to research Logos…but that is not why I am writing.  There are a ton of Bible translations that you can download in YouVersion and a handfull that are only available while your mobile device is online.  Today through January 21 you are able to download the NIV which is rarly available for download (they have allowed users to do this a few times in the past).

Why is this a big deal? Well, if you have Wi-Fi or data service everywhere you use your YouVersion Bible it’s probably not a huge benefit but for the rare times when Wi-Fi is or cell service is not available and you want to access your NIV it’s good to have it downloaded. Checkout YouVersion’s “Bible” on your mobile device today.

The Site Link

 

The App Link

P.S. The NIV is also available for download in the Bible Gateway mobile app.  Click Here.

Thanks Bill Ver Velde for the heads up!

Brandon EarlyMore PostsMust Have Simply Products…

indexSo, by now you have probably heard that SYM is giving away $2500 in AMAZING prizes. For every $50 you spend, you get one entry to WIN all of this:

  • ALL LIVE lines ($1800 value)
  • SYMC Reg ($400 value)
  • 1 Year of Simply All Access ($300 value)

If you are looking for some suggestions of great resources from the Simply Store here’s a lost of a few favorites in bundles big enough to get some entries into this contest.

Bundle #1 – $54.94 = 1 ENTRY
Group Magazine
One Minute Bible Curriculum

Bundle #2 (TEACHING) – $113.95 = 2 ENTRIES
Developing HABITS
One Hit Wonders
26 Teaching Outlines Vol 1
26 Teaching Outlines Vol 2
26 Teaching Outlines Vol 3

Bundle #3 (GAMES) – $112.95 = 2 ENTRIES
The Challenge
Spin That Wheel
Game On 1, 2, and 4
Power Play Vol 5

Bundle #4 (SMALL GROUPS) – $503.99 = 10 ENTRIES
LIVE High School (I know, you could win this, but it is a quick 10 entries and it pretty great!)
99 Thoguhts for Parents

Mix and match or buy everything…Just Hurry! This contest expires at midnight on 12.31.2012!