Five top Favs...
Recently I asked 10 guys who know and/or use tech tools to give me their Top favorites in Five areas. I thank them...and you will too:
- Adam Faughn, minister of the Lebanon Road congregation in Nashville. My co-host on iPreach, one of the most consistently excellent bloggers around and a good friend:
1. My favorite blog: This changes every so often, but right now Chuck Webster's blog is my favorite. The articles are short, but very thought-provoking. http://www.chuckwebster.org/
2. My favorite site: I would have to say that blueletterbible.org is my go-to site overall. I find myself on that site studying for nearly every lesson at least once. It is a great "starter" site for word studies.
3. My favorite gadget: My Android phone. It has truly taken the place of my iPhone, and the camera is tons better. Use it all the time for all sorts of things.
4. My favorite app: I don't really have a favorite. I don't use a lot of apps, except for things that I need (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). I don't experiment with apps all that much. (dj note: I can't believe you didn't say Evernote!)
5. On my “want list” - What product is out there that you don't have that you would get if you could or what product is NOT out there yet that you would like to be able to see!: A car with the ability to stream podcasts for free...and the tens of thousands of dollars to buy it.
- Joey Sparks: Youth Minister at the Midway congregation in Jasper, AL. Joey co-authored "Tech In Ministry Ebook with Scott Bond, JR. Friend and fellow board member of Exposure Youth Camp (makes A+ videos):
1. My favorite blog: Seth Godin (http://sethgodin.typepad.com) Seth engages me in a brainy way, yet emphasizes brevity and action, two things I often find challenging.
2. My favorite site: Lifehacker (http://lifehacker.com) Gawker-group site that emphasizes tricks, tips, and resources which simply make life easier. Posts tend to be tech-related, but often include organization, productivity, nutrition, exercise, and other areas of improvement. One of the first I started following via RSS and it still remains a favorite.
3. My favorite gadget: Verizon MiFi card. I don't have all that many gadets, but my MiFi (is "my MiFi" redundant?) card enables me to access internet from anywhere on both my computer and Kindle Fire.
4. My favorite app: Instapaper. Increases productivity by allowing me to "archive" interesting articles I want to read but don't need to read at the moment. Syncs across multiple platforms enabling me to read them in-browser or on my Kindle. Can share articles via Twitter/Facebook and/or archive them via Evernote.
5. On my “want list” - What product is out there that you don't have that you would get if you could or what product is NOT out there yet that you would like to be able to see!: Pen and tablet. I'd love to use one for my artistic projects in Illustrator and try digitally "handwritten" brainstorming.
- Aaron Cozort: I don't think he'd be offended to be called a Tech Geek. Preacher in Rocky Mount, NC. Knows his stuff. We got to spend time together at a tech meeting in east Tennessee last year and he knows his stuff. Plus, he's one of the "grumpy muppets!":
1. My Favorite blog: I actually don't read blogs much at all. I read Adam Cozort's more than any other http://cozortcontemplations.wordpress.com. I actually prefer podcasts and follow MinistryGeek This Week and Engadget.
2. My Favorite site: Newegg.com for knowledge, reviews, and purchasing tech products.
3. My Favorite Gadget: My custom built Desktop Computer. It still does so much more than any portable/mobile device could dream of. While I could not be a productive without my laptop and my iPad, after a long time on them, returning to my desktop is like coming home after a long trip.
4. My Favorite app: TED, Gmail, and G.B.N. - TED because I learn a lot from its presentations. Gmail because I spend so much time with email, but it makes email easier and more organized. G.B.N. because its good and going to get a lot better.
5. On my “want list” - What product is out there that you don't have that you would get if you could or what product is NOT out there yet that you would like to be able to see!: A Windows tablet/phone that is designed as well and works as flawlessly as the iPad/phone.
- Daniel Howell: Daniel runs one amazing blog (http://www.mdanielhowell.com/). His Tech Tip Tuesday is wonderful. Daniel preaches at the Hardin church. He is also the master behind the camera and editing of the Hash Tag Youth series - check it out. Daniel is expert in audio:
1. My favorite blog: CNET - keeps me in the loop with technology. ArsTechnica is a close second.
2. My favorite site: Lifehacker - work smarter, not harder.
3. My favorite gadget: iPad - So handy for study, and "guerilla office work" (hospitals), along with a dozen other things.
4. My favorite app: Zite - You can connect it to Google Reader, as well as Twitter. It "learns" your preferences as you read and brings you blogs and access to feeds you might not otherwise find.
5. On my “want list” - What product is out there that you don't have that you would get if you could or what product is NOT out there yet that you would like to be able to see! iPen - an active stylus for iPad which let's you rest your hand on the screen for handwriting. Also infinitely more accurate than a standard stylus.
- Justin Gerhardt: Justin is the preacher at the Round Rock Church of Christ in Austin, Texas. Justin breaths style! He and his wife form a great ministry team and when they talk tech you should listen:
1. My favorite blog: Honestly, the blog I never miss is actually my wife's: http://www.jlgerhardt.tumblr.com. Always insightful and beautifully written. And for a bonus, I try to get over to Ben Arment's blog every few days: http://www.benarment.com. Super-creative, innovative, and thoughtful guy who seems to care about following Jesus well.
2. My favorite site: I'm going to count this as my favorite site (though I use the app much more often than the actual website), because I want a chance to mention it here: Evernote. If retaining and recalling various bits of information is important to you, you've GOT to check this out. I use it most often for sermon ideas/thoughts--typed notes, voice memos, images, web clippings, article pdfs, you name it--it all goes into Evernote, gets quickly tagged, and is available from then on for instant recall (it'll even search photos of your handwriting, if it's legible). I'm able to graze all year, gathering bits of thoughts and references for sermons months in advance this way.
3. My favorite gadget: Apologies for going with the predictable answer here, but mine's gotta be my trusty iPhone. Second favorite gadget: a sharp kitchen knife. I love to cook.
4. My favorite app: Pulse News. Fabulously useful news/info/feed aggregator with a clean and highly functional interface.
5. On my “want list” - I'm all set. Mo' gadgets, mo' problems. :)
- Scott Bond, JR: Scott makes my days better. He is my co-worker and is invaluable to the work at Spring Meadows and to me personally. He is creative and a great visionary. Scott loves to "think next." He has been the master behind The Jenkins Institute webinar ads and the BETTER! graphics.
1. My favorite blog: The Scoop Blog at The Jenkins Institute - every preacher's favorite (dj note: You better not be looking for a job :)).
2. My favorite site: http://www.amazon.com/
3. My favorite gadget: Every Apple product ever made. (iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro, iMac)
4. My favorite app: Evernote for work. Temple Run for play.
5. On my “want list” - What product is out there that you don't have that you would get if you could or what product is NOT out there yet that you would like to be able to see! Every Apple product I don't own yet. :)
Just so you will know. I asked 10 but heard from 7 in time to print. So, if your favorite tech guy isn't on here - I probably asked him. They are listed in the order I heard back from them. Now, add your answers below..share what you enjoy to use.