Review: OpenOffice.org productivity suite

Title: "OpenOffice.org 3.1"
Author: Sun Microsystems
Format; Electronic download
Website: http://www.OpenOffice.Org


PROS
Download is free and unlimited
No license fees
Easy to use
Various languages and operating systems are available

CONS
Some (very) small learning curve for users of other suites.

SUMMARY

Originally called StarOffice and acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999, OpenOffice is a suite of software products which includes a word processor (Writer), a spreadsheet program (Calc), a presentation program (Impress), a graphics program (Draw) and a database program (Base). It is known 'on the street' as "OpenOffice", but the official name is "OpenOffice.Org" since "OpenOffice" is held as a trademark in the Netherlands by another product.

The suite is "open source", which means that it is maintained and improved by volunteer programmers. The program is available for free download for various operating systems, including Windows and Linux. Best of all it is completely compatible with other large productivity suites, such as Microsoft Office., so you can share files with other users easily. There are no license fees, installation can be on as many machines as you want. The programs were written to be as easy to learn and use as possible, so it bears a great deal of resemblance to other mainstream packages. A user of Microsoft Office will have very little difficulty moving between the two applications.

I have no difficulty in giving this suite of programs a 9.5 out of 10. Looking for a viable way to save your church money? This is a way to save hundreds of dollars and not sacrifice anything in terms of functionality.

Review: "www.Handheldministry.org"

Title: "www.Handheldministry.org"
Format: Website
Website: http://www.handheldministry.org/index.html

Site offering tips, tricks and ideas for using a handheld device in ministry.

PROS
In-depth reviews for what is available.
Good tips, tricks and ideas.


CONS
Website appears to be badly out of date. Most information is rather old.

SUMMARY
I would give this one an 5.0 out of 10.0. There are alot of great tips and ideas here which are applicable despite the age of the material. However, the site is out of date and no new reviews appear to be forthcoming. Visit this site, glean what you can from it and move on.


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Review: "Facebook for Pastors"

Title: "Facebook for Pastors"
Author: Chris Forbes
Format; Electronic download, PDF
Website: http://ministrymarketingcoach.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/facebook-for-pastors-by-chris-forbes.pdf

Chris Forbes has written a 31-page electronic book on how to use the social networking tool "Facebook" to market the local church. He discusses such things as branding your ministry, using Facebook to 'touch' your congregation, make your connection to people more immediate and personal, how to best use the Profile page and how to use Facebook to promote church events.

PROS

• Download is free
  
• Content is very relevant and timely
  
• Author writes well and the eBook is well done
  
• Associated Facebook account, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18403101472
  

CONS

• Some of the newer features of Facebook are not covered as yet. Hopefully an update will be coming soon.
  

SUMMARY
I would give this one an 9.0 out of 10.0, a truly hearty recommendation for any pastor to read and profit by Chris Forbes experience and wonderful writing. This is especially useful for the bivocational pastor who has to make the best possible use of time, and who is not free to physically drop everything and talk to or see their parishioners.

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