- A good laptop. I hate laptops for their price, limitations, and difficulty to repair. I prefer desktops. But laptops are a necessary solution for a missionary. My choice: MacBook Pro.
- Software (what I use is in parentheses). A photo program (iPhoto), video creation program (iMovie), word processing/entry-level desktop publishing program (Pages, Word), database software for info on churches/supporters (Bento), website creation (iWeb), Skype, mass-mailout program (www.constantcontact.com).
- Camera. I was given a camera with 7.1 megapixels and 4x zoom. My take on this is that I don't need to spend money on a lot of megapixels, since most of my photos will be used for websites or presentations and need to be lower quality anyway. But I wish I had more zoom. Personally I dislike taking photos of people because I don't want anyone to feel like I am exploiting them. So if I can be a long-range photo sniper, that serves me better!
- A video projector is important for deputation, but on the field it might not be necessary unless you are doing open air meetings with videos. I do use one of these from time to time, and guard it with my life ... the lamps are expensive and not available in many countries, so if you're buying a projector, budget and buy a replacement lamp(s)!
- I was given portable speakers last year. Fender PD150 Passport Deluxe Portable PA System. $500. Awesome system and great for open air meetings or film showings. Get two microphones too; beware of cordless mikes.
- A church also bought and brought me an "evangelist backpack" which has been helpful in remote locations.
- A generator would eventually be needed if you are running a projector and films regularly in remote areas.
- A video camera is also great, but you might be able to shoot decent enough videos off your still camera. This is primarily for updates to your supporters.
- If you know you'll have lots of power outages in your home, you will want a battery backup power system. This requires you to buy a big truck battery (buy this on the field) and a TrippLite or similar power inverter system.
- An iPod with two important accessories: speakers (boom box) and a cassette or CD adaptor for your car.
23 April 2009
The Tech Equipment Missionaries Need
A friend of mine in college recently asked my opinion for a project he is doing for a missions class. He was given a good sum of "pretend money" and told to spend it on technological equipment he would need for his ministry. Here were some ideas I sent him:
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5 responses:
Ok. Hos...for all us no-Mac people, what MS software would you use for # 2 :)
Word processing is no-brainer: Mcrsft Word (although a simple text program is usually all we need and takes much less memory).
Email mass mailouts with Constant Contact is just Internet-based.
Powerpoint is fine (Apple's Keynote is far superior, but I use PP for compatibility-sake).
For photos, website-creation, desktop publishing, database, and video creation on a PC ... nothing comes to mind that is basic, high-quality, intuitive, and reasonably priced; but I've been out of the PC loop now for two years.
Perhaps others can comment about good PC programs for these needs.
I still remember telling you the downsides to Macs when trying to "sell" you on them and you telling me that I was not helping my case... but apparently the strategy paid off, since you are now advocating them too, it seems. :)
Programs that I am using are as follows:
-website - wordpress.com (you can go to lh2u.org to see mine) - cost $0 ($7/year domain cost at godaddy.com)
-video creation - pinncale - cost around $100
Hey,
Do you know about the solar charged projector equipment by Renew World Outreach?
www.renewoutreach
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