YWAM Information Technology - Communications - Comments

you're welcome

neo — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:38:26 +0100

It's a service I provide, you know.... ;)

On a serious note, I actually was wondering if there is something that could help with GENESIS. We had a link the other day with about 5 locations. One of them was using MS NetMeeting. So, after reading a bit through that discussion I thought: If NetMeeting can do it why not other software as well?
Which then also could be used for other video conferencing links as well.

I agree, of course, that appropriate equipment is necessary, no matter what software and technology is used. Echo cancellation and room design was mentioned in a few posts in that discussion, as well.

It would be great if you, or someone else, could try out some of the software and share briefly about the pros and cons. Specially in regards to GENESIS.

Greetings from the MatriX,
neo

Thanks for the tip

Mike — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:40:46 +0100

Thanks for the tip bro!
Interesting reading, and watch as it updates....
I guess I will need to download some more progs and test them.
The H323 stuff is of most interest as that is an open industry standard and is even what our GENESIS systems use..... So, you can use Xmeeting, Ekiga etc to log into a GENESIS codec too.
One key about using software videoconferencing (paid or FOSS) is in having a good camera and mic.
Skimp on that and nothing will look or sound good!

Blessings
Mike

re: Some more ideas thrown into the pot...

neo — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:36:44 +0100

Hi.
Just some additional thoughts / comments....

Donor Manager:
I'm aware of Donor Manager and there are actually a few programs more available. But my thought was more towards to having native versions of such a program for all major OS's, which should be better than having them running in a Virtual PC environment. I'm not even sure if I would trust my finances and contacts and all that with such a set up. Besides that, when Virtual PC or what ever ever other such solution is no longer produced then you're kinda screwed....
And all that actually doesn't address the problem if multiple ppl work on the finances, like Bases or what ever other organization, and those strange ppl like me who have their own server at home sitting under their desk. Hmmm, and honestly, I don't see something like happening from any of the existing ones releasing something like that any time soon. I might have missed available solutions, so I'm open to get pointed to them and I also appreciate any other comments on that idea of course.

CMS:
There are many CMS around, smaller ones bigger ones, for all sorts of stuff. But what I really meant was something that is "really" usable for non-techies. With all the existing ones I checked out so far you need to have a minimum level of knowledge. That, with a default set up, already has some typical YWAM Base related sites like Base Info, Vision, Schools, Ministries, Opportunities, Contact, Legal,.... some like this. Then someone can fill in some details in a seriously fool-proof administration area. The idea is to serve those bases who have no internet minded staff around but still give them a tool to they can work with. Then, of course, it's good to have plug-ins available for the growing needs of a Base.
I mean, it's not that I want to force all YWAM to use a CMS built by a group of YWAMers. I want it to be understood as a tool for those who are overwhelmed with Joomla, Drupal, Typo3 or every other CMS that is a bit bigger and more complex from the beginning on.

Then also, if "someone" provides a web hosting service for YWAM those Bases can start there in a trusted YWAM environment with their web site. But that could also provide a all the needs that a Base has that is choosing what ever CMS, like the needs for Typo3.

YWAM Media Server:
This is, how should I say, a very great idea. Actually I thought about something similar a long time ago.
My idea came from the area of music. I always kinda thought it really sucks that if you produce music that you kinda need to go through the music industry or you pretty much on your own. Although I know that there are many Christians (and YWAMers) around that get a lot of their support by selling CDs or of are professional musicians and earn their money through that. But there are probably more ppl then we can think of that just write songs for their church/Base and would not mind at all to release these for free to other churches/Bases.
The basic idea I had was that ppl can sign up and then upload song sheets and ogg/mp3 files of the song and what ever else might be needed. It probably would need some sort of licensing, but if I'm not totally wrong then there is a licensing thing kinda similar to OSS licenses for media stuff existing. I just forgot how exactly it's called.

Other ppl could then potentially comment to the songs and maybe even upload their own recording to the same song. Oh well, did someone say that requires a server with tons of storage? ;)
Well, of course there potentially could be a section where YWAMers who want to sell their music can offer them for purchase, if they don't want to go through the big jungle of the music industry.

BTW, I would like to hear all your comments on my ideas. Even if someone thinks they suck, I'm a big boy ;) But I really would like to hear what others have to say....

Greetings from the MatriX,
neo

Some more ideas thrown into the pot...

tofirius — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:40:48 +0100

I thought I'd throw in some more ideas to consider... maybe a little more specific...

Donor Manager - My wife & I have been using Donor Manager for several years, & we've really liked how it works. It offers several different reports to help you understand where you stand with different areas. The drawback: It's Windows only (but apparently can be run on Mac with Virtual PC running). This, of course, would just be a solution for the individual or family.

Typo3 CMS - I've mentioned a bit about Typo3 as a cms, & most of that was from my excitement of having newly discovered it when I wrote about it.

Since I started using Typo3 in 2005, I've come to realize some of it's weaknesses...

1) it's admin area & its frontend editing abilities are ok, but for some "green" users, it could feel awkward & confusing.

2) as an administrator, it requires quite a learning curve to really get a grasp on how to begin to effectively use Typo3.

3) it's important to research the right kind of webhost that would adequately support the use of Typo3... some webhosts have a knack for creating super strict permissions within PHP, thus causing some of Typo3's functionalities to not work. This usually happens with shared hosting type webhosts.

Those weaknesses said, here are some of the pros:

1) Typo3 was created by a Christian man from Denmark, so in its very core & philosophy, Typo3 is biblically-based.

2) It's 100% open source, written in PHP with a MySQL database, which means if you are comfortable with PHP & MySQL, then you have 100% control on how you can modify & customize Typo3 from the ground up.

3) It has a massive community of users & developers, so Typo3 will always stay on the cutting edge (one group is looking at an application-like way of editing websites from within Typo3). There are 100's of extensions (plug-ins) available to make enhancing Typo3 sites easy.

4) You can host multiple websites with multiple domains with one installation of Typo3 allowing for separate users/user groups per website (even down to per page).

5) Multiple languages are handled side-by-side per page & very easy to administer.

6) It offers complete separation of tasks & permissions for the administrator/programmer, designer, & content editors/contributors

On the level of enterprise usage, I believe Typo3 is the most logical solution. I think this could be a logical solution for hosting websites for smaller locations, giving them their own website, their own domain, their own logins & their own design. My opinion is that larger bases could afford to host a Typo3 installation that would benefit smaller locations & their need for advertisement & communication which comes from & through a website.

I've yet to see any other open source cms come close to the flexibility & power that I've seen in Typo3. I know of a few YWAM ministries that are currently using Typo3, one of which, based in Norway, is hosting several websites on one installation of Typo3 that are used by missionaries.

Here are a list of YWAM websites that I am aware of that are using Typo3...

Misjon.info
YWAM Restenas
YWAM Dalarna
YWAM Altensteig

and the 4 that I've personally set up...
YWAM Latvia
Valdis Indrišonoks, YWAM musician
YWAM Plzen
Step by Step, my personal website

I'm currently in the beginning stages of working with the new web admin for ywam.eu to convert that to a Typo3 based site, as well.

However, the biggest thing about using Typo3, as with any cms solution, is teamwork. A dedicated group of administrators, programmers, content editors & contributors, & designers need to come together & contribute their expertise.

YWAM Media Server - This is an idea that I started to have after talking with Calvin from CREATE International about the need for quality music for different media productions. Since there is such an abundance of incredible music coming out of YWAM, why couldn't we offer something like iTunes for YWAM use only, where you could download a song or album from YWAM musicians that you would be allowed to use in your media projects (i.e. videos, Powerpoint presentations, etc.)? This could be a low-cost solution to media content creators & also a good way to help support those YWAM musicians.

On a more general note, finding services for media hosting & streaming is very expensive, so I thought that this YWAM Media Server could also offer a backend service to YWAM ministries of hosting & serving media content, much in the same way YouTube or MySpace does, but without the legal hassles of losing your ownership of your media (in the case of YouTube) or simply risking unwanted use of your media (in the case of both YouTube & MySpace). I'm actually not talking about allowing any outside search of media, but simply to host, convert to Flash & serve up media that YWAM ministries could then embed into their websites for a fraction of the cost that a professional, dedicated media server would normally cost just one user.

Anyway, I welcome any feedback to these ideas.... It's fun to dream & to play. Thanks guys for this forum.

Blessings,
Chris Bischoff
YWAM Latvia, Communications
www.ywamlatvia.com

re: What would help us all?

neo — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:03:03 +0100

Here are some more ideas.
- A financial and CRM like software (can be but must not necessarily be browser based) that is available a desktop version for individuals and as server version for bases/communities or families. Well, if a family wants to set up up a server, anyways. This could be similar to TntMPD but of course OS independent. The server version for a base probably would need user management because not anyone should be able to see anything about anyone. E.g. only accounts ministry should have access to the financial part, registrar needs different info that school staff, ministry leaders, etc. need. An individual YWAMmer probably would appreciate a journal kind of something where he can add comments about what he wrote to supporters and friends (fund raising and prayer requests, etc.) and he probably has different needs for the CRM part than a Base would have. All that might require to be build as a basic system with modules that can be added.
Pretty big thing, ey ;)

- A secure email service for workers in countries that don't like christian workers too much. Here I'm thinking about encryption and a VPN connection and help to set it up if required. Access provided via POP3, IMAP and a web mail service, what ever is needed.

- Also I'm wondering if it's possible to set up a service that ppl can surf the net from everywhere without that it would be trackable in closed countries....

- A forum / bulletin board, however you wanna call it. This could be a public platform of course, not YWAM only. Something where ppl could discuss teachings or ask for input for a teaching they are preparing or what ever else, all nicely set up in all sorts of categories with sub-forums. Then, as soon as there are 3 or so commited people, it could be added every language as needed. To grab some vision check the Joomla forum which has an impressive 42 language section at the bottom (plus the big English part above that) about 120000 registered user and coming close to 1Million posts. All that is build with Open Source Software.

- Not every base has a web guy, I guess. So, a CMS that can serve the very basic needs of a just newly started base would probably be handy to have, including a very easy to understand administration area. As the Base is growing or for already bigger Bases with more needs modules could be added which then probably will add more complexity to the administration as well.

- A committed / dedicated YWAM IT Base could offer web hosting e.g. with the above mentioned CMS, including the help to set everything up for those Bases who have no web guy around who could do that. This IT Base could also help other Bases who want to outsource some things, email hosting, groupware, etc.

- What about a IT training school. Well, now that I write that it reminded me of something.... Anyways, a school that would help ppl to learn more about server, networking, web sites, Intranet, some programming of course. There could be tons of stuff included.

- A Wiki for YWAM. What should I say, that came into existence even before I ever spoke with someone about it. Quite a while ago I thought this would be something nice to have but now the YWAM Knowledge Base is already there.
Kinda the same happened with YWAMIT, a gathering place for IT ppl in YWAM. Although my original thought was to have that integrated into the above mentioned forum.

OK, is that enough for now?? *g*

Greetings from the MatriX,
neo

Technology serving the Kingdom

sindre.vaernes — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 11:18:54 +0100

You have got some great thoughts going there, Kevin! And inspiring!

Your closing sentence made me realize that we all seem to live with technology that we are tied to - and technology that is tied to us. Sometimes we serve technology and other times technology serves us. Who is the master? Most of us carry around portable devices that we have learned to master, and that serve us greatly. It seems like this development is just gaining momentum, and one day we will have all the things that tie us down at our fingertips wherever we are. I don't know if we will be walking around with virtual screens in front of our eyes, and a camera dangling before us constantly, but someone will probably try that too.

Okay, enough about that.

I firmly believe you are right about the benefits that GENESIS can give to the sense of community. And as you say, ministries and technologies of a broad variety can be used for this is well. There is definitely a great need for continued penetration in the understanding and the use of GENESIS. In a proper journey of integrating GENESIS with a ministry, we always ask the leadership/staff about what existing ministry expressions they have and how it can be multiplied through the use of this concept. So it is not intended to impose a new ministry expression as such, but rather multiply what God has already spoken to them/you. This is why it is so important for us that ministry leadership clearly understands and owns the vision of GENESIS.

We also firmly believe that having a person or a team that understands well how to integrate GENESIS, and that can also serve as a point person, both internally and externally, is a huge asset. The best way to gain this understanding is through a GENESIS seminar or the GENESIS school.

Having this as a foundation I believe it will be quite easy to break out of the classroom. And you will also find that these locations around the world that do have this understanding use GENESIS far beyond the traditional classroom. Every week people meet for leadership meetings, prayer meetings, worship, friendship and much more. Specific applications such as the UofN workshop preparations, UofN advisory board meetings, GLT meetings, groundwork for the GAA, including locations like what happened in Herrnhut and other things happen all the time. Mike and I sometimes just meet to catch up and touch base and stay involved. It is also funny to see how we frequently start out a conversation on Skype, but if we are both close to our videoconferencing system, we quickly move over. Somehow it just gives a much better sense of connection relationally.

GENESIS is not the answer to everything, but we continue to promote the ministry and trust that God will speak to the ones that are ready. We are prepared to serve their development and help integrate the concept locally. We cannot push these things on people, and not everybody is an innovator or early adapter, even in a mission like YWAM.

I think most of us are aware that H.323 clients are now freely available. The big issue that we have with this is that most of the users are not primarily tech people, and they need a plug-and-play solution, which these clients are not at this stage. We are then talking about issues like firewall blocking, port forwarding for dial in, bandwidth needed for good quality, support when they move around on different types of networks with different types of security, and all the things that have not yet been resolved in mobile stand-alone clients. There are centralized solutions available, but that just doesn't seem to be the word that brings good connotations among us.

We need people that are researching and trying out the solutions, but we also know that for the general public we need something that has been tested and tried and that can serve the general audience for the purpose that we have. Maybe you can help us with this!

This is a very healthy and good discussion about very relevant aspects of our ministry. As YWAM continues to move forward, to have a global vision where all parts of the body are connected, I believe we will see many more expressions that promote unity and communication. We know that we are still dealing with the hurt and the pains of the past, but God is dealing with this, and bringing us together.

Sindre

Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty

Bringing community

KevinColyer — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 06:40:22 +0100

I have been enjoying this discussion very much. Thanks for all the input and you may have a 56th location join the GENESIS network one day soon!

I have been thinking about this all week and so I thought it would be good to express what I have been thinking about. It seems to me from all the discussions above that the chief benefit of this is the sense of community it brings. The togetherness and the ability to share and help each other as we work together in the task God has called us too.

As I think about this further though I think that GENESIS needs to urgently break out of the class room and into the general life of our mission. The benefits it brings are often invested in our students (who in the case of DTS students, 75% of whom leave the mission after the school) are clear. So when we find ourselves in a time where we need to respond to the call to "heal our nervous system" surely this requires and urgent look at multiplying the benefits of GENESIS to the mission as a whole? I mean maybe this is happening but I can't see it yet.

I also wonder if the GENESIS team are responding to the fact that videoconferencing as a technology is now a freely available commodity? That is to say YWAMers like myself and many more are already using it, sometimes daily. We are also (by default and in some ways short-sightedly) using proprietary systems like Skype rather than benefit from the wisdom of the GENESIS standards compliant ways. I think we need some leadership into the mission from the GENESIS team. It might require packaging up the principles and experience gained as a sort of GENESIS-lite package to easily give away to leaders in the mission in order to equip them to make use of the cheap and everyday ways of video-conferencing. (I use a 14 euro webcam and at 10 euro mic and heatset bought from a supermarket)

Anyway these are just some thoughts. I think we urgently need to look at all ways of creating community in YWAM. We have had some: lots of conferences, IY Mag, Global Perspectives, Letters from the Chairman. YWAM-announce. Very high quality but often very infrequent too (and not co-ordinated much). We now can use many more low cost and quick technologies such as Radio programmes as podcasts, video-podcasts, magazines distributed as pdfs, syndicated news (aggregations of blogs etc), Internet Relay Chat (or Instant Messaging Chat with multiple people), free tele-conferences with Skype and other technologies, blog sites and forums like this one, wiki's, groupware software... The list keeps on growing

Of course I don't wish to be tied to my computer all day, but neither do I wish to be alone in YWAM anymore or to have to spend endless hours on airplanes for short meetings that take me away from my work for a long time!

Cheers,

Kevin

Building Family

sindre.vaernes — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 21:10:45 +0100

It is so refreshing to read the posts in this forum. I frequently read other forums where it seems like people are more interesting in tearing each other apart than building together. May the Spirit in this place also affect others!

I once heard it said that the ultimate technology is the Holy Spirit. Much of the technological development really has a twist of "God-like" characteristics, i.e. bridging our shortcomings with what we are trying to accomplish. Kevin, I am sure by now you have been convinced that the underlying technology of GENESIS really is the Holy Spirit. We love to see the Word of God released in any event that we do, as I trust is the case with all other ministry we do as well.

GENESIS was born, like Mike said, as an initiative to help serve the multiplication of an ever-growing movement. There is also a special relationship between the GENESIS Ministry and the University of the Nations, where we have a strong call to serve in the multiplication of the education that takes place - a concept to teach all nations. Around this core you can expand the circle to include basically any creative ideas you would have that would serve in multiplying your ministry.

The choice of technology was driven by the concept and values that were laid in the foundation of the ministry. Being able to interact has always been a key aspect, which is clearly supported by the ability to talk together and see each other. 10 years ago there was not much technology available that would facilitate this in a large classroom setting, so h.320 (ISDN) based videoconferencing became the solution. Inclusion has also been a very significant aspect in the development, which means there had to be a standards-based solution. Even in the transition from ISDN-based connections to IP (h.323) based connections we have been careful to make sure that we have enough locations that can bridge between the two.

One responsibility that we also take seriously is also that we can provide a level of quality in what we do, i.e. that we also use equipment that will facilitate this. Quite a few of us are more than excited when we can explore new technologies in this area. We use Skype, MSN and other clients (anyone tried Sightspeed?), yet it still remains to see technology that integrates so well in various sizes of setups. Higher-end videoconferencing technology is also becoming more available. After all, you can buy 8-10 systems today for the price of one 10 years ago. The intensity of the development in this area is quite remarkable, really in the entire range of solutions. Everything from software clients that can be installed on a computer to high-definition equipment and the so-called telepresence solutions that are being developed around the world. We still believe that God makes technology available for his people and for his kingdom, not for the world.

Yet, transcending all of this, Bill and Mike have said it so well, it is still about bringing people together and make space for God to move. The stories draw the point the best. Our friends in Venezuela stayed up from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. so they could hear Loren speak. Our friends in India got up bright and early so that Derek C. could teach in the humanities course while in Kona. The One Voice worship events where prophetic words have been exchanged among nations and strengthened unity and faith. There is a hunger among the nations to be connected together, and whether that be under the GENESIS label or any other label, I believe we are all after the same purpose; to see the knowledge of the glory of God covering the earth.

Around 55 locations are currently a part of this growing family, spread all around the world, giving people a voice among the nations. Some of the most recent additions are places like Fiji, the Philippines, and Porto Velo in the Amazon region. We are thrilled to know that they have a new way of staying connected.

I was privileged to participate in the last CRIT in India this year, and realized that God is continuing to bring together the parts of our mission so that synergy can take place. We have so much to learn from one another, and I realize that I need the other parts of the mission to move forward. Through our working together the family is being built stronger for the task that is ahead. In this mix it is also helpful that we give good definition to who we are and how we can serve as well.

Thank you for asking the question Kevin! Through it I trust you have brought us all closer together!

Sindre

Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty

Thank you Mike

bill.hutchison — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:08:06 +0100

Thank you Mike for responding. I was really hoping that you would input into this conversation.

Bill Hutchison
Reef to Outback

You are persuading me!

KevinColyer — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:46:22 +0100

Dear Mike,

Thanks for the comments - I do of course remember meeting you, I was meaning that if I had had more face to face discussions with people I would have asked these questions!

And you certainly answered them well. I think the power of being connected that you expressed so vividly is something perhaps I wish we had experienced. I don't think it is schools that need this - I think I have always experienced a need for senior leadership to come and connect to us like this. It has got my brain ticking now - after all it is very possible to do these days for us here. Recently we held a Skype video conference in our staff meeting with some folks over in Wales. It was great fun and did connect us. Let's see what happens!

We really need more of this connectivity in YWAM I think.

In the centre of things

Mike — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 23:22:05 +0100

From the 'edges' into the centre... :-)

Maybe you have a short memory Kevin but we did briefly meet face to face in Herrnhut.

Some GENESIS stories / breakthroughs...

The first DTS week I lead with GENESIS was back in '98. We had Loren teaching from Switzerland to a DTS there and to our school in Sweden. I made the mistake of thinking things were going smoothly, left the class to go and check my mail in the office. When I came back I found all the staff and students on the floor under the presence of God! Crash, bang - the Holy Spirit came in a powerful way and I was not there! That was the last time I thought this tool was just another 'babysitter' for the students instead oF a 'live' speaker!

I was part of pioneering GENESIS in Uganda. That meant many visits to the HQ of the telcoms companies to get ISDN lines installed (first time ever in East Africa by any telco!). Many promises etc and when time came for the FCD school to start with 3 months classes together with South Africa they finally admitted they could not get video over the lines. We spent 3 months together as 2 schools (actually 1 school in 2 places) with only an audio link between the classes, and our staff typing live notes onto the projection screen. For us westerners it seemed a disaster, but the students and staff in Jinja, on review at the end of the school, said it was the best experience they ever had!

Our friends in Latvia had felt isolated and forgotten by the West after WW2. When the YWAM team got connected with GENESIS in 1999 they were suddenly 'on the world stage' instead of being in the backwaters.
In 2000 I was at the LTS in New Zealand and we had this '40 years of YWAM, 40 hours of prayer' thingy. We used GENESIS to try to connect to Kona, Norway (another LTS), S Africa India and Latvia (I think it was those places?). We had some worship together etc and when we connected again at the end of the prayer time to get reports from the nations the guys in Latvia reported receiving the exact same words that we had received in New Zealand! They were so encourage to be able to bring fresh words to the global table that were also in line with what God was saying on the other side of the world!

As far as evaluated as a teaching technology..
Living and being together over a long period probably remains as the 'best quality teaching experience' as you say.
Unfortunately we live in a world where that is getting harder and harder to do. Our western societies no longer see extended families as an asset and we have become so 'mobile'.
In our mission, we are getting bigger in numbers (locations and people) and we have seen the danger of losing touch with our foundational values. Part of that has been isolation from those that have carried the vision and identity of who we are (not that other things are wrong, but they are not 'us' and we need to flow in the anointing of who we have been called to be). I believe that GENESIS is one of the tools and concepts that God has given us to help keep us in the big picture and have touch with our 'fathers'.

As a communications medium I guess nothing replaces face to face, in the flesh meetings for interactivity, touch/feel body language etc.
Live video meetings would possibly come next, then audio (as you can still interact somewhat).
Then I guess recorded video / streaming etc, and finally text

GENESIS has also enabled us to do things that would not be possible otherwise.
- Run our first DTS with only 5 students and have the best world class speakers. We kept our budget! (even with 200 hours online / 10 weeks over ISDN at per minute charging)
- Get speakers in our school that we could not get even if we had the money. Sometimes they are so booked ahead. Yet we have had Loren C, Dean Sherman, Paul Hawkins and many other hard to get speakers online. Think - they can teach an hour and still have lunch with their family.
- We could respond to a crisis in Finland where they lost the speaker at last minute. We could provide a teacher in the afternoons from here as well as be involved in our own school in the mornings (different subjects)
- Share our DTS guest speaker with the base in Kiev as a blessing to them.
and so on

Measurable benefits... On what yardstick?
I guess there is no carbon offset necessary for GENESIS teachers as it is a clean green technology :-)

'nuf said!
Blessings

Mike
aka 'flyingkiwi'

My wish list

KevinColyer — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:46:59 +0100

I would like to have an Extranet portal that all YWAMers could have as an entry point. We could have serveral layers so that for example we could have an International, National and Base/Team level. Perhaps with a webmail access to a unique YWAM email address...

News could be pushed down appropriately, forums and blogs could happen easily. Perhaps tie it in with U of N records etc.

Given admin at National/Base levels we could have stats at our finger tips on students and staff numbers. We could communicate to staff. We could deliver staff training via the internet (New GENESIS technology extensions!)

A starting point should be a directory service for all YWAMers that would also give a single sign on to all the current websites. The OpenID scheme seems very interesting and many websites can use it plus it looks like gaining Microsoft support.

I think whatever we implement has to be browser based (and browser agnostic too) to close the digital divide and avoid vendor lock in (and simple and effective encryption for those who need it). A project of the size suggested by Crit07 would benefit of in house development perhaps?

Anyway some ramblings...

DTS Search Feature on ywam.org

bill.hutchison — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:58:08 +0100

They have this feature on the www.ywam.org site already. Here is the link:

http://www.ywam.org/Searches/FindDTS.asp

It is dependent on people entering the data into their ywam.org profile. People can select the focus, region, language, location, starting month, outreach country, and a few more.

Bill Hutchison
Reef to Outback

A Useful Service

Robert — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 09:15:57 +0100

For people thinking about doing a DTS to be able to search all of YWAM for DTS (and other UofN schools) by language, by focus, by location, by outreach focus etc etc. This is part of improving the "on-ramp" for YWAM.

This would be a benefit both to bases and to people wanting to serve the Lord.

entering from the edges

KevinColyer — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:38:27 +0100

Thanks Mike,

What you wrote was very interesting. Had I ever the chance to meet you and all the others face to face this would have been what I would have wanted to talk about!

My entry point to YWAM was to a small YWAM base in the South West of England, Torquay to be exact. I was on one of those new fangled Operation Year teams and so my YWAM experience is somewhat different to many of us who entered with 30+ DTS's. I had superb teaching on my year and was able to put it into practice immediately, which is the great strength of the Op Year course. So from my perspective Genesis has been somewhat of a mystery to me as to why it would work and what I would gain from it! As you said it gives the wider YWAM flavour and that would always be nice! However Global Perspectives was good for that too!

I suppose I also have always favoured the Jesus style approach to discipleship - a small group that lived and learnt together over a long time period. That for me was a "best quality teaching" experience!

This discussion is very interesting - my little grey cells are whirring!

Some questions occur to me: What has been the most significant breakthrough in your life that you have experienced in a GENESIS teaching session? How has GENESIS been evaluated as an effective teaching technology? Has it achieved measurable benefits?