As many of you know, I am a huge fan of technology. I’m a big believer in utilizing technology in the church.

For example, I love seeing all the things that can be done with a macbook pro, a digital camera, and a green screen. The video that welcomes people to the Bikers’ Church website is shot using a green screen. The church logo was placed behind me on my MBP.

Because I do have limited experience with video technology, I am a little more aware of how fake much of what we see in television truly is. However, the average person is not aware of just how often this technology is utilized. As a result, when we see something, we naturally assume it’s real. Chances are, it’s not.

I say this because as technology continues to blend with reality, it will be even more important for us to be wise in what we believe and don’t believe. Be careful not to take a report at face value simply because you “saw the footage on your local news.” Remember, what you see isn’t necessarily real.

Just to bring home that point, and possibly blow your mind, check out this very cool video that shows how green screen technology is used in many of your favourite television programs:

The past few posts have demonstrated the diversity of my blog. I’ve shared some very personal thoughts about the loss of my mom and the loss of my daughter. I’ve updated you on my 2010 resolutions. I’ve shared my thoughts on the tragic death of Brian Burke’s son. And, I’ve whined as I looked at my naked bike hanging out in my garage.

Today, I want to be a Geek. And I want to try and convince you to switch to Google Chrome as your web browser of choice. Actually, I wont try to convince you. I’ll let Farhad Manjoo do it. This blog post can be found here.

I like to think of myself as the Dick Cheney of the Browser Wars—an unyielding proponent of greater and greater hostilities between the developers working on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Opera. As all these programmers compete with one another to make faster, more stable, and more intuitive browsers, we Web surfers keep winning. Just two years ago, nearly half of the folks online used Internet Explorer 6.0—the slowest, buggiest, most security-flawed browser on the market. Since then, Microsoft, spurred by its rivals’ advances, has released the very good I.E. 8, which is now the Web’s most popular browser. I.E. 6 is still around, but now that many sites (including Google) are dropping support for it, its share is sure to plummet. All hail the great Browser War!

Another benefit of this ceaseless conflict: Browsers keep getting faster. Mike Beltzner, the director of Firefox at Mozilla, told me recently that his browser’s “javascript engine”—which runs complex, interactive Web applications like Gmail or Google Maps—is 20 percent faster in the new Firefox 3.6 than in the previous version. Keep in mind that the previous version was released just last June. Can you think of anything else in the world that can get 20 percent better in only a few months? When I asked Beltzner how coders managed that feat, he pointed to his rivals. “Were there not other competitors who were just as interested in making Web browsers faster, I don’t know if we’d be able to find the gains that we can find,” he said. “Now it’s a game of one-upping each other.”

With apologies to Beltzner, though, I’m not going to recommend that everyone jump to the new version of Firefox. To be sure, Firefox is a fantastic browser, and if you’re a fan, you’ll do no wrong by upgrading. But even though I’ve been a Firefox devotee since its release, and even though it has long been my default browser, today I’m declaring a new allegiance. I’ve decided to switch entirely to Google’s Chrome. You should, too.

This is not a recent infatuation. I’ve been using Chrome side-by-side with Firefox since the Google browser’s debut in 2008. From the start, there was much to love. Chrome was deliciously fast—it started quickly, loaded pages in a flash, and never stuttered while playing Web videos. Chrome was the first browser to keep its different computational “processes” separated—each tab or browser plug-in is given individualized access to your computer’s resources. That means that if one open tab encounters an error, the rest of your browsing session remains intact.

I also loved Chrome’s minimal interface. Most browsers have two input bars at the top—an address bar and a search box. Chrome has one. Type in an address or a search term and Chrome will figure out what you want. Indeed, Chrome does something even better—it gives you search results right in the bar. Type in “jd salinger” and the first result in the drop-down list is the Wikipedia entry on Salinger. Want to visit your favorite political blogger? Type in “nate silver” and you immediately get a link to Silver’s site, Fivethirtyeight.com. This is a terrific way to navigate the Web—you never have to remember URLs, or even the names of sites, and you don’t even have to make a stop at Google to find what you’re looking for.

But Chrome originally had a few shortcomings that kept me from signing up full-time. Firefox’s main virtue is its flexibility—it’s got a huge gallery of add-ons that give it many fantastic powers. There were many Firefox extensions that I couldn’t do without, including ones that blocked ads and kept my bookmarks synchronized across computers. Until Chrome added these features, I couldn’t leave.

With Chrome’s latest upgrades, all that has changed. Late last month, Google released Chrome 4, the latest “stable” version of the browser. Bookmark syncing is now built in: Turn it on and your bookmarks are available on other computers running Chrome. The browser now also runs Greasemonkey scripts, little bits of code that allow you to change how certain Web pages are displayed. (For instance, here’s a script that turns all Google pages black, purportedly to reduce “eye fatigue.” Here’s another that lets you accept all your Facebook requests at once.) Finally, and most importantly, Chrome now does extensions. It’s already got a huge library of Firefox-style add-ons that improve many different parts of the browser. I installed several of them in one gulp, including AdBlock—a great though dubiously ethical way to keep lots of tabs open without slowing down your computer.

Now, some caveats. We all browse the Web differently, so your mileage may vary. I think Chrome is perfect for high-volume consumers of the Web—idiots like me who keep several browser windows open concurrently, each populated with dozens of tabs, and don’t restart the browser for days and days on end. More casual Web users may find its unusual interface—and its lack of support for third-party interface add-ons like the Yahoo Toolbar—hard to get used to. Also, Chrome has far fewer extensions than Firefox does, so it’s possible that you won’t find a certain add-on program that you consider indispensible. And then there’s Mac support—although Google did release a great Mac version of Chrome last year, it still lags slightly behind the Windows and Linux version, and will only get extensions support in a forthcoming release.

Still, most people would do well to switch, or at least to give Google a try. Chrome makes browsing a dream, and it just keeps getting better. The teams at Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Opera should take notice: Chrome’s now the one to beat.

What are you waiting for?

I really enjoy the Stuff Christian’s Like blog. Today, Jon asked the question about whether God was a Mac or a PC. Here’s the post, but I encourage you to check out his site.

Is God Mac or PC?

That is, up in heaven, is he cranking away on a Mac or a PC? Does he love the iPhone or is he currently listening to Michael W. Smith’s greatest hits on a Zune? Does he have a little apple sticker stuck anywhere?

I feel like lists work well on blogs, so let’s break it down list style and weigh all the facts.

1. Macs are beautiful and glimmery white in their design. Christ and God are always represented as the “light of the world.” PCs are often dark. God is definitely a Mac.

2. As soon as you own an iPhone you start to feel a potpourri of pity and shame for anyone who does not own one. Someone whips out a Blackberry and you immediately, smugly think inside, “That poor person. Pushing on physical keys. The horror.” God doesn’t like that arrogance. God is a PC.

3. Apple makes real efforts to improve the planet and recycle their products. God loves that. God is a Mac.

4. Apple is notorious for rejecting apps that people try to put on the iPhone. God doesn’t reject anyone. God is definitely a PC.

5. PCs are often plagued by viruses and crashes. Much like sin, God hates that. God is definitely a Mac.

6. Mac commercials are constantly mocking people who use PCs. God hates mockery. God is definitely a PC.

7. You don’t have to learn a complicated operating system to use a Mac. You turn it on and go. Same with God. Repentance and salvation are not complex systems designed to confuse people. God’s a Mac.

8. PCs are constantly needing to be upgraded and updated with the latest software and operating systems. Just like sanctification. You are constantly changing and being renewed. God’s a PC.

9. Macs take a very holistic approach to computing. There’s iLife and iTunes and iPhone. They all work together seamlessly. Just the way God wants to be integrated into every part of our life. God’s a Mac.

10. Some people treat Apple’s Steve Jobs like he’s God in a mock turtle neck. Turns out God is not cool with that. God’s a PC.

11. Macs are very intuitive. When you want to do something, you don’t look up how to do it, you just do it. With a PC, things are often backwards. When you want to shut down for instance, you have to click “Start.” The Bible is very intuitive too. Proverbs lays out pages of simple wisdom that just makes sense. God is a Mac.

12. Macs are all about outside appearances. They look fantastic. But God cares more about what’s inside. Macs are too vain. God’s a PC.

13. Macs make music easy to enjoy. They’re more artistic and often the choice of graphic designers and photographers. God is a great fan of the arts, as evidence by the colorful sunsets and sunrises he paints each day. God’s a Mac.

14. Macs are really expensive. God’s not. He paid the cost. He paid the debt we owed to him. God’s a PC.

15. The Mac logo, an apple with a bite out of it, is reminiscent of our fall from grace in the garden of Eden and God’s forgiveness of us. God’s a Mac.

16. The Gates Foundation has given millions and millions of dollars to help people around the world. God’s all about generosity. God’s a PC.

17. Apple stores are not designed like traditional retail outlets, but are more like aesthetic sanctuaries. They’re practically consumer churches. God’s a Mac.

18. Mac is constantly teasing us with information. There is a tablet. There’s not a tablet. God, on the other hand, is much more direct with his love and purpose in our lives. God’s a PC.

There’s the list and I’ve got to tell you, I’m stuck. I have a PC desktop and an Apple laptop. I don’t know who to score this one as anything other than a tie. How about you?

Is God a Mac or a PC?

What evidence would you offer to support or deny either decision?

William Kamkwamba was 14 when he built a windmill from scrap parts in order to provide enough electricity to power 4 lightbulbs and 2 radios in his home in his tiny village in Malawi. I travelled through Palm Springs, California during my road trip. I saw the windmills, but I don’t think they meant as much to me as they did to William.

Watch and be inspired:

There are a lot of amazing videos online. Many are designed by companies to go viral. That’s not to be confused with virus. These videos wont cause any damage to your computer, but they may inspire you, make you laugh, make you cry, and likely pass them along to others. I’d like to share some of my favourite ones with you.

This first video is a long one. But trust me, you’ll love it if you hang in and watch all of it. It’s a love story … with very few words.

Okay, I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog. It’s been a busy few weeks. I may not be doing much in August, but will get back to it more fully in the Fall.

In the meantime, someone sent me this on Facebook, and I thought I’d share it with all of you. Even if you’re not a geek, you’ll appreciated the special effects.

Evan Williams is the founder of Twitter. He started it as a “side project” the same way he started Blogger. He never expected either to be a focus for him, but he’s learned that sometimes you just can’t predict where the “next thing” will come from.

Here’s his talk from TED. If you’ve ever wanted to understand the power of Twitter, take 8 minutes to watch it.

Interesting article on Barna’s webiste. Thanks to Church Forward for posting it:

February 23, 2009

(Ventura, California) – Technology is fast becoming the latest driving force behind what is often called the “generation gap.” While Americans of every age have become quite comfortable with and dependent on technology, a new study by The Barna Group explores how technology is shaping different experiences and expectations among generations.

Although all Americans – both young and old – benefit from technology, the generational divide brought on by digital tools is significant. The key findings of the research include the fact that each successive generation is adopting and using technology at a significantly greater pace than their predecessors. Yet, the study also shows the exponential reliance on digital tools among Americans under the age of 25.

Importance of Tech

Technology usage is not the only chasm between the young and old. Another gap is each of the generation’s perceptions about technology. Not surprisingly, younger adults are more likely to admit “gadget lust” than is true of older adults. For instance, among the youngest adult Americans – those ages 18 to 24, a group the Barna Group labels Mosaics – more than one-fifth (22%) said they consider owning the latest technology to be a very high priority in life, compared to only one out of every 11 adults over the age of 25 (9%).

Mosaics are the biggest technophiles. However, when taken together, America’s two youngest generations (Mosaics and Busters) are significantly more likely than the two oldest cohorts (Boomers and Elders) to say a desirable lifestyle is being at the cutting edge of technology.

Mainstream Technologies?

The Barna study categorized “mainstream” technology as those weekly activities relied upon by 50% or more of computer users. For example, the use of email and Internet search are mainstream because they are used by more than half of all computer users each week, regardless of generation.

Among Elders and Boomers, of the 14 activities assessed in the research, the only mainstream digital activities are email and search. Among Busters, four behaviors qualify as mainstream: email, search, text messaging and hosting a personal website or homepage (such as MySpace or Facebook). The Mosaic generation doubles this by reaching mainstream status on eight different technologies. These eight elements overlap the same four as Busters but also include: instant messaging, posting comments on other blogs, watching videos online and downloading music online (both legally and illegally).

Emerging Technologies?

“Emerging” technologies were classified by Barna research as those used by at least 20% but not more than half of computer users. These are technologies that have gone beyond fringe activities but have failed to become a weekly digital ritual of the majority.

One example of an emerging technology is online purchasing. It is a common denominator of all four generations of computer users, but fewer than half made a purchase online in the last week (22% of Mosaics, 26% of Busters, 29% of Boomers and 24% of Elders).

Several spiritual elements were classified as emerging among the youngest three generations: listening to church podcasts and visiting their church website (measured for past year, not the past week). For their part, Elders have yet to move beyond limited digital access to spiritual content.

Other emerging activities among Boomers were texting and watching videos online. Among Busters, emerging uses of digital tools included instant messaging, watching videos and downloading music. Mosaics added to their considerable technological footprint by qualifying as budding bloggers. While millions of older adults are active bloggers, realize that just 11% of Busters and 5% of Boomers say they maintain a personal blog.

There were only two areas of limited technological expression among Mosaics: their admittance to viewing online pornography and downloading movies.

Deciphering the Results

The survey data points to a number of conclusions, according to David Kinnaman, president of The Barna Group:

1. Even though young people are sometimes called the “Net Generation,” every age segment is becoming dependent on the Internet. In fact, because Boomers and Busters represent about two-thirds of the adult population, they are far more numerous users of technology than are adults under the age of 25. For instance, the majority of online purchases are made by those between the age of 30 and 55. And many of the bloggers, music downloaders and users of social networking websites are from the Boomer and Buster cohorts.
2. Still, despite the preponderance of middle-age technology users, the nation’s youngest adults (Mosaics) are light-years ahead in their personal integration of these technologies, even blazing beyond the comfort of Busters. While Busters differ dramatically from their predecessors, Mosaics are even further down the path of integrating technologies into their lifestyles. On effect of this is that younger adults do not think of themselves as consumers of content; for better and for worse, they consider themselves to be content creators.
3. All Americans are increasingly dependent on new digital technologies to acquire entertainment, products, content, information and stimulation. However, older adults tend to use technology for information and convenience. Younger adults rely on technology to facilitate their search for meaning and connection. These technologies have begun to rewire the ways in which people – especially the young – meet, express themselves, use content and stay connected.
4. For church leaders, it is notable that a minority of churchgoing Mosaics and Busters are accessing their congregation’s podcasts and website. While technology keeps progressing and penetrating every aspect of life, churches have to work hard to keep pace with the way people access and use content, while also instructing churchgoers on the potency of electronic tools and techniques.
5. Since technology is pervasive, many of the age-old questions about human development and human flourishing are taking on new dimension. How does technology help or hinder communication, or for that matter, relationships between the generations? Are social skills better or worse? Are reading and writing skills improving or not? And what does adequate preparation for tomorrow’s workforce look like? Educators, parents, youthworkers and other leaders must continually fine-tune their responses to these issues.

I borrowed this article from Resurgence and adapted it a little, great reasons for going with a feed reader. Personally, I use NetNewsWire (for Macs) because it syncs with my iPhone nicely, but Google Reader is also an excellent choice.

Four Reasons You Should Get a Feed Reader

Mike Anderson

1. You never miss a blog post from your favorite sites.

Once you subscribe to a feed, your feed reader will make sure that
you see every new post from that feed. Whether you want to read your
websites once a week, once a day, or every ten minutes, any unread
items will be saved for you.

2. You can scan a ton of articles quickly.

When using a feed reader, you can quickly filter through the
articles that you don't want to read. When surfing the web, you have to
shuffle through different interfaces, type in web addresses, and surf
bookmarks. This takes a ton of time. It’s much better to have the
content you want delivered to you than to have to go find it every time
you get online.

3. Stew-pot learning.

One of the great side-effects of using a feed reader is that you begin to learn about various memes in a stew-pot fashion. You'll learn new ideas over time, and understand the relationships between them.

4. You can save articles for later.

Feed readers allow you to save articles to read for later. In Google Reader,
you can put a star next to items you like and come back later to read
them in full. You can also tag articles and search for them later.

What is an RSS Feed?

What is Google Reader?

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