I was reading something the other day that suggested that all new technology is controlled by the young. They cited the example of text speak and how adults don’t understand that kind of thing. They also cited the usual cry of the technologically challenged that if they were a 12 year old they would be able to do it. I don’t agree with this idea.
It is true that young people like to make up languages so they can talk to each other without adults understanding, but this has always been true (as far as I understand it). It is also true that many (not all) young people understand technology that baffles a lot of adults. However isn’t it also true that young people often fiddle with technology a lot more than adults and that many young people don’t think of the consequences of what they do as much as adults do (that is they are far more confident around technology).
I have a 14 year old and a 12 year old and a 10 year old and a 7 year old living in my house and I know and awful lot more about technology and how to use it than they do. This is because I have to deal with it every day and they don’t. I fully admit that I’m not adept with a mobile phone but then I hardly every use one, if I did I would be know how to use it.
This brings me back to the web. Of course there are some things that suit the younger web user rather than the older one but that doesn’t mean that older people are less able to make use of the web. Young people do drive certain ideas and technology forwards as they use it more but this doesn’t mean that they have control over the technology.
In my experience the web is open to all both young and old. There are plenty of older web users that are involved in the development of its new tools and new directions. It is something of an outdated cliche to suggest that young people are the only ones who know about technology and the sooner we can get over this idea the better.
So the next time you are tempted to excuse your ignorance of something technical because you are not young please think again.
admin Thoughts
What are the values of your web site? This may seem like a bit of nonsense asking what values a web site has but bear with me a while. A web site is the public face of an organization or an individual. As the public face it should reflect the values of the people/person behind it. There are several reasons (especially for Christians) as to why this might be important.
1. Other content on your site
If you allow others to post content on your web site (maybe adding comments or even contributing articles) do you make sure that they reflect the values of your web site? If you don’t have your values clearly defined how will you know if they do? Do you offer any guidelines to writers as to what content is acceptable? Do you proofread things to make sure people are sticking to the codes?
2. Adverts from third parties
You might have a site that will display adverts from other people, this is becoming particularly important with the popularity of things like syndicated adverts that you can display on your site for some income. Do these adverts always reflect the values of your web site? It is easy to persuade yourself that it doesn’t matter because you are not in control of them but anything that appears on your site says something about the site itself. Have you even considered if it is appropriate to have adverts on your site in the first place?
3. Your own content
It helps a web site user if the content of a web site is always in line with its values. It is hard to trust the content of a site that always seems to changing what it is about and what its values are.
4. You represent Christianity
Do you think about who you are representing with your web site? Like it or not people will judge Jesus and Christianity on the basis of what you web site says. If you proclaim yourself a Christian and then use your blog to attack every one you disagree with you are reflecting badly on Christianity.
Understand your values
There are many good reasons for understanding your own values and these reasons are just the same for a web site. You need to appreciate that your site is viewable by many people and whatever you say on your sight should reflect the values you hold. I’m not suggesting you should stop expressing yourself but simply that understanding your own values and the values of the organisation you represent are important.
Why not take some time to reflect on your values?
admin Thoughts values
We all like to think that we are in control of things and the web might seem an ideal way to push the world in the direction we would like the world to go – even if we can only push a little. Yet, perhaps things aren’t so easy as all that.
admin Thoughts Christian, honest, honesty
I’ve been reading about a study that was taken about people listening to speeches via video conferencing. When people are removed from direct contact with a speaker (this was in a public speaking context where the main speaker was broadcast to other locations) where they don’t think the speaker can see, or even hear, them they react very differently than if they were in the room with the speaker.
In the room with the speaker people pay more attention and tend to react more positively to the speaker, whereas those who are not in direct often move around, get cups of coffee, have conversations with others, react with noises to bits they don’t like (sighing, tutting, negative comments).
I think that has implications for trying to get worship on to the Internet. We are mistaken if we think that people are going to be paying as much attention to a sermon, say, or singing, or prayers. The removed nature of the experience will create a different response in the listeners.
I think this also raises important questions about virtual worlds (e.g. Second Life) and how effective they can be as a way to communicate the gospel. The different kind of relationship that such places create complicates things.
I am becoming more and more convinced myself that the Internet can only ever be seen as a tool in mission and evangelism. There will always be a need for face to face relationship building and that the web is simply the tool that will help that to happen.
Relationships seem to be the prime way that people become Christians and although online relationships can be formed they will never replace the kind of relationship that physically meeting creates.
admin Thoughts
I was listening to a TV programme the other day about Islamic terrorism and it focussed in on the Internet and how it was used to radicalize young Muslims. I was struck by a comment made by one of the young men. It ran along the lines of saying that his parents would never talk about their faith with him and so where else was he going to go for information?
I was struck by this because it seems to me that Christians are in the same boat here. Parents often find it difficult to talk about Christianity with their children and so children will increasingly look for information about Jesus on the Internet.
I guess we should learn:
- that children want to know – they want to know about all kinds of stuff
- that children will increasingly turn to the Internet for answers
- that parents often don’t know themselves (this is either through ignorance or not wanting to know)
- that people of any faith need to wake up to the fact that this is happening – that the prime sources for young people learning about something is from the Internet and if the Internet is full of bad stuff then this is what they will believe
- that we should encourage Christian young people in their Internet use (they often discover new sites through friends and so the more Christian friends know about good sites the better) – not discourage them
It’s time to get on the Internet!
admin Thoughts internet, young people, youth
Do you ever pray for the Internet? Is this important area something that ever finds its way on to any prayer list? My experience is that it doesn’t – at least not in any church service I’ve ever been to (of course there are an awful lot of services I don’t get to so perhaps someone has prayed for it somewhere).
Here is a list of things you could pray about some time connected with the Internet:
- People who use it every day – that God would use the Internet to bring them closer to God.
- People who use the Internet to feed their addictions – that God would release them from the addiction and heal them.
- For those who are trying to help the addicted through the Internet – that God would guide them and give them wisdom.
- Christian webmasters/webservants/etc. – that God would give them the inspiration and the gifts they need to do their jobs
- Christian web designers and developers – that God would use their gifts for His glory
- Governments – that they would help the Internet to grow and be a resource for all
- Christian leaders – that they would use the Internet for God’s glory
- Christian web sites – that they would reach out to many who are seeking
- Those who are seeking – that they would be lead to the right web sites and find Jesus in those sites
- Charity web sites – that they would inspire people to be generous in helping others
I’m sure you could add a few yourselves.
admin Thoughts internet, ministry, prayer
This is one of those questions that interests me, especially as a Christian web master. What influence does the Internet have? I read somewhere that what we read has a great influence on the way we think. This was put down to spending more time thinking about something when we read it that we would spend if we saw it on T.V. for instance.
The Obama political campaign to get elected used the Internet extensively and many credit this use with his election.
In fact it is hard to find any research that would refute the Influence of the Internet to change the way people think.
Given this simple fact I think we then have to ask: who is providing the material for the Internet?
In general such people are technically savvy and keen to try new things. They tend to be the people who want to spend nearly all of their time in front of a computer. I guess if we are using generalisations then we might say they were Geeks.
From what I understand there is a slightly higher level of liberal beliefs and atheism within this group of people. Don’t misunderstand anything I’m saying as being political here.
But Christians should take note that the people who contribute most to the Internet (and therefore are able to have a greater influence through it) are not going to be promoting (in general) things that are positive about Christian beliefs and values.
Where does that leave us? Well, I think it must be a challenge to Christians. We must not set ourselves up with our only little online spaces and never venture outside them. It is very important that Christians engage with others online and in the kind of places that people more generally congregate.
admin Thoughts
Do you ever visit web sites only to find that the page you wanted is missing? It happens when web masters (web slaves – or whatever you want to call them) either move a page so the site is less cluttered or because a page is now so out of date that a new one is required. If you change from a static site to a dynamic site (html to php or something) then you will inevitably mess up every link that existed prior to the change. Sometimes, of course, the link was never right in the first place.
So there are a couple of things it is wise to do to avoid such problems:
1) Be careful with your links and do your best to make sure they work – perhaps have a rolling program of checking your links (there is software that will do this and if you sign up for Google webmaster tools you get a report on duff links but my experience is that they are never perfect).
2) Set up a special 404 page. You can see the one I have made for this web site here (opens in new window). It is just a very simple page and you could put in a lot more detail (make sure you use absolute URLs though – e.g. full web address to any images etc. There are various ways of setting your site to use these pages and most good hosting companies will have a way to enable this to happen. Here is a way to do it if you are looking for the technical stuff (opens in new window).
So, there are ways around the problem and it pays to put in that little bit of extra effort to help your visitors.
admin Thoughts church website, Custom 404, internet ministry, online ministry, web ministry, website
What are your plans for your web site over the coming year?
This is a very important question to ask and you should think carefully about your answers. It is the nature of the Internet that things change quickly and often, however the basics of what makes a good web site remain the same: good content, clean design, easy navigation.
Why not take some time to think about what you intend to do with your site and make a plan for doing it. If nothing else I would recommend committing yourself to doing some work on your content.
admin Thoughts church website
When it comes to webdesign – Christian or otherwise – there are no rules. Everything you read on this website will be for guidance only and you should remember that about anything you read.
Of course some guidelines are very strong guidlines but you will always be free to break them.
One of the great joys of the Internet is that it is a place you can experiment. There are no web police making sure you follow the rules of good design and if you have a good reason for doing something then you can just go ahead and do it.
The only thing I would say though is that if you decide to follow your own rules you have to be prepared for others not to like it – and to quite possibly comment on it. If people don’t like it then they will be very tempted to just click and go somewhere else. Most people’s temptation threshold on the Internet is very low indeed.
So follow your own rules but don’t neglect to understand the guidelines.
admin Thoughts web design guidelines, web design rules