458 – CreateSpace

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This week on WELSTech the summer self-publishing series continues with a look at the steps to format and configure the WELSTech project management book, With All Your Heart, for print publishing. Microsoft delivers some Edge anniversary goodness, and there are three new years of Christian Worship lectionary available in the Google Calendar!

The discussion:

CreateSpaceFormatting for print – Martin takes WELSTech-ers behind the scenes at CreateSpace, an Amazon company where writers can turn their digital book, in .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .pdf format, into a printed book. From there, is should be an easy next step to post for sale in print-on-demand format on Amazon.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 459 – Tune in for the last installment of the summer self-publishing series and a discussion of distribution channels. Release date: Wednesday, August 24

Get involved:

457 – Sway

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On WELSTech this week we kickoff the last of our Summer 2016 series. The series topic is self-publishing, and we’re using With All Your Heart, WELSTech’s book on project management, to explore the steps involved in digital, print and audio publishing. Plus, we look at the recent Pokémon GO fad and why churches and schools may want to find out more about it.

The discussion:

SwayI’m swayed! – In the first of a three-part summer series on self-publishing, Marin and Sallie share the pros and cons of working with Microsoft Sway to create mobile-friendly digital eBooks.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 458 – Part two of the WELSTech series on self-publishing will have Martin and Sallie exploring Create Space for on-demand print publication via Amazon. Release date: Wednesday, August 17

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456 – ISTE Afterglow

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This week on WELSTech Rachel Pierson and Perry Lund join the conversation to talk about the ISTE conference and what’s new in educational technology. Teachers, prepare for the new school year with information that might shape how you use technology and how it might help your students learn. Plus, listen for the winners in the year-long WELSTech Photo Challenge!

The discussion:

ISTE 2016Round table – Teachers and STEM enthusiasts Rachel Pierson and Perry Lund share their impressions and take-aways from the premier annual edtech conference, ISTE, which was held during June in Denver.

Photo Challenge winners:

After an exciting year of receiving 939 photos from 40 different photographers in the WELSTech Photo Challenge, Martin and Sallie announce the winners of the fabulous Photo Challenge prizes:

Picks of the week:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 457 – Join Martin and Sallie for the kick-off of our final summer series which will focus on self-publishing. Release date: Wednesday, August 10

Get involved:

455 – Security Policies

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This week on WELSTech we complete our month-long look at security with a discussion of security policies – not the most exciting topic…until you wish you had them! We take a quick look at some of the ones most churches and schools should have. Sallie shows off a cool new forms tool, while Martin gives a thumbs up to the Apple Watch.

The discussion:

Security PoliciesSecurity Policies – Clearly communicating and enforcing technology behavior expectations to those who work, volunteer and attend your church and school is the topic du jour.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 456 – Two things you won’t want to miss on next week’s show – an ISTE round table recap from several who attended this summers’ conference and the announcement of three WELSTech Photo Challenge prize winners. Release date: Wednesday, August 3

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454 – Virus Protection

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This week on WELSTech we explore computer viruses and hoaxes as well as behavioral and software protection steps you can take to avoid falling prey to them. Martin shares a new challenge he’s part of, and we hear from listeners on everything from secure web sites to online manuals.

The discussion:

SecurityVirus Protection – Martin and Sallie discuss today’s phishing and social engineering hoaxes and the defense systems needed to avoid falling prey to them on your computer.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 455 – Next week we close out the WELSTech security series with a discussion of all types of security policies. Release date: Wednesday, July 27

Get involved:

453 – Backup Please

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WELSTech is back with week 2 of our summer series all about security. This week we share a lengthy list of tools to assist with the important backup function. And we share a fun photo shout out from our edtech (a.k.a., teacher) friends at ISTE2016 in Denver.

The discussion:

StorageBackups – Imagine trying to recover from the loss of your personal or work computer or mobile device. And then imagine how happy you will be if you have backups of your important data. Martin and Sallie share resources to help you set up a backup security blanket for your important data.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

  • A special shout out to the WELSTech-ers who attended #ISTE2016! We can’t wait to learn from you!!

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 454 – The security series continues with a discussion of online threats and virus protection. Release date: Thursday, July 21

Get involved:

452 – Password Please

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WELSTech kicks off the second of our summer series this week. During the month of July, the discussions will be all about security. For starters, we share tips and tools for securely managing your growing list of passwords including the use of password managers, taking the extra step of authentication and how to provide access to your accounts when you are gone.

The discussion:

KeysPasswords – There aren’t many who don’t have a love/hate relationship with their passwords, and most lean heavily to the side of hate. Let Martin and Sallie motivate you to use good password hygiene and supply you with tools to make managing your passwords easy and secure.

Picks of the week:

WELSTech Photo Challenge:

This month’s WELSTech Photo Challenge is summer, outreach and Isaiah 52:7. Visit the challenge album!

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 453 – There’s no better time than now to setup a backup system for your important files. Tune in as Martin and Sallie tell you how. Release date: Wednesday, July 13

Get involved:

451 – Getting Ready for Mobile

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The month-long WELSTech series on “mobile ministry” concludes this week with some considerations for your growing digital audience of mobile device users. Are you serving up a great web experience for those smartphone and tablet users? We discuss a number of tools and templates that will help you to do just that.

The discussion:

Responsive DesignResponsive design – Martin and Sallie finish up the June focus on mobile ministry with a discussion of web design that looks good on every screen size.

WELS now:

Read about Naomi Green’s contributions to the WELSTech Photo Challenge in the July issue of Forward in Christ magazine, page 22 (sneak peek).

  • There’s still time to participate in the June challenge. Share your photos of travel and vacation, VBS and Matthew 11:29.
  • The July challenge will be summer, outreach and Isaiah 52:7.
  • Visit the challenge album!

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 452 – In July we’ll be talking about all aspects of online security, and we plan to start the conversation next week with a discussion on a topic we all know and love, passwords. Release date: Wednesday, July 6

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450 – Devices

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The WELSTech summer series on “mobile ministry” continues with a fun discussion of the many ways mobile devices both make our lives easier and can help our ministries. Martin does an unboxing! Also tune in for some great community feedback, especially if you have a church or school library that needs to be cataloged.

The discussion:

iPhone145x125Mobile devices – Martin and Sallie share tips for purchasing a mobile device and all the extras.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 451 – Next week we wrap up the “mobile ministry” series with a discussion of mobile friendly web sites. Release date: Wednesday, June 29

Get involved:

449 – Fur the Love of Photos

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The WELSTech summer series on “mobile ministry” continues as Martin and Sallie explore photography. The cameras we carry on our smartphones can be powerful tools for ministry. Listen in for good camera apps, tips and accessories. Plus, Sallie shares some TechSmith love, and Martin has a square jellyfish for his phone.

The discussion:

Martins iPhone PhotoMobile photography – As the old saying goes, the best camera is the one you have with you. And your smartphone camera may be just the thing you need to accomplish more ministry goals than you realized.

Picks of the week:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 450 – Mobile hardware, operating systems (iOS vs. Android) and peripherals will be the topic of next week’s podcast. Release date: Wednesday, June 22

Get involved: