Jason Bedell Online

And so it continues... the love hate relationship between Mac & PC users that has spilled over into the church world. "How do we learn to talk, share, print, function and just be compatible in the office & at our services we do?" After hearing Aaron's "Apple Hate Speech" to the question, "What is on your iPod?" I figured now is as good a time as ever to battle out the current question of "Should I switch?"

It's completely a valid question, and one I asked myself for over 10+ years of doing ministry and life with a PC. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks and how will I be able to get work done on one of "those" things?

Let's address question #1 that many people has asked:
1. Will I seclude myself from the rest of the office/church/world?

Even though Apple’s latest advertising campaign for Macs is very convincing and pokes fun at PCs (view the commercials here) you might still be having some reservations. Now I know the ads make a funny attempt to win you over and they make note of things you already were thinking, but there is a part of you that is still like, “Hey, hold on a sec! That's great, hip, cool and all... but will I seclude myself from the rest of the computer world at the office/church/world with a Mac?"

Short Answer: Yes. But you should be counting your blessings. You will seclude yourself from a large amount viruses, spyware and other malware. This is something I haven't missed a bit with ditching my PC system and moving to a Mac OS. Days spent on IT help lines have virtually disappeared and left with me much more time to do ministry.

Long Answer: No, no you will not seclude yourself from the rest of the office/church/world. Most of the reasons for this deal with compatibility and usability with a Mac. They're built to "play nice" with a wide array of computer/tech/gadgets around the world as have TONS of free open source software to use and keep productivity flowing.

So will you be able to "play nice" with the network, printers, ms office and more? Yes, and we'll get into that in the next post in this Great Church Tech Debate.

Until then, J-del **over and out**


[discussion/article adapted from entries by Chris Howard]

Alrighty then, lets get rolling with question #5:
5. What are the advantages of using a Mac when it comes to Creativity/Productivity?

So you're in the PC world using Power Point, Media Shout, Photoshop, MS Publisher, Windows Movie Maker, Pinnacle Studio, Adobe Audition and more. You all in all love the experience of creating your content and making it available to your church. You're doing a pretty good job and the senior guy is loving the stuff you put out... well take all that and put it on steriods when you introduce a Mac.

Apple just makes everything fit. From iPhoto & iMovie to Pages & Numbers, you have a seemless experience with your Mac. Currently I run Photoshop CS2, Final Cut Express, iMovie, Pages, Keynote, Pro Presenter & Pro Video Player to meet all of my needs for video & graphic content on my Mac (I use some higher end programs to get other things done for video/graphics, but lets talk simple for a bit). I just give a brief rundown of the programs you use on a Windows PC vs the programs you would turn to on a Mac.

PC: Microsoft Power Point
Mac: Keynote
Power Point has some great features, but Windows has made it too overwhelming for the everyday user and it's text, transitions, and content makes most presentations look a little bloated. Keynote (which can import your PP files) has a slick, simple interface and has movie quality transitions for message slides, visual games for youth, staff presenations, etc. Keynote works great with inserted video, images, and web clips. Hands down a better program than MS Power Point.

PC: MediaShout
Mac: Pro Presenter or ProWorship (formerly iWorship)
MediaShout, is perfectly named for what it does; you insert your media and then spend the next hour and a half shouting at your computer for not being able to do what you want. Seriously. When I arrived at Forefront, they were using MediaShout for all their services. I tried to jump in, but coming from a recent mac switch I couldn't deal with it. MS drove me nuts! We were going to multi-site a few months later and I suggested switching to Mac and using Pro Presenter. We've never regreted it since. Our volunteers love it. Easy to use, edit options are very user friendly. I've taught people how to use it in 5 minutes flat (and they didn't miss a beat during service). I highly recommend it when you switch to a Mac system. Your presentations will look amazing. It also works hand in hand with Keynote to provide a great Sunday morning experience.

Another new comer to the market a few months back is ProWorship. It was created by the group at Granger and has the potential to do great things in the Mac church world. I purposely didn't mention Easy Worship for PC, but I've looked at it and it's a very expensive paper weight.

PC: Microsoft Publisher
Mac: Pages
So I LOVED Publisher when working on PC and still have to use it when friends send files they want me to look at. It's a great program for the everyday church to make publications. But it's very bulky and the updated version is just too cluttered for me. In comes Pages. With a simple screen view, various options from basic documents to full on newsletters. One thing I love to mention is the templates are beautiful and eye catching. Publisher is just such an elementary looking program while Pages can help the most novice person pump out an amazing looking document, flier, postcard, etc. Now don't get me wrong there is a learning curve, but it takes hours, not days and you will be glad when you get it.

PC: Windows Movie Maker
Mac: iMovie
I personally like Windows Movie Maker. It's an easy program with not much to it. Simple easy interface with basic text, clips, and editing. Not really too much bad to say about the Windows based program. iMovie on the other hand has some of the very same traits. They both work well and allow you to make a basic video for church/YouTube or online video service.

The only difference is how iMovie works with other programs on the Mac. It integrates well with iPhoto, Keynote, and other open source programs to allow more creativity to flow. So I like both, but if I had to make a collage of images to music or a quick web video; iMovie just steps it up a little bit more.

PC/Mac: Photoshop
There is no question that you want to use Photoshop for editing images and creating graphics. It is the industry standard in making images for print, web, design, etc. If you look to the #2 post you will also see a free online version of Photoshop as well as a free alternative for Mac.

Either operating system runs Photoshop well, but (and there seems to be a lot of buts) Macs are built for creativity. I work with PC and Mac, both running Photoshop CS2- the mac just processes and runs faster. Same hardware/guts/RAM... but it gets the job done faster. Sorry Aaron.

******************************************

Overall, the ministry that we do at Forefront has been upgraded by moving to Mac based products for our creative arts. Many people don't know, but Apple has for years been the industry standard for photo & graphic design. In recent years, they have stepped up their game in the video industry to become what students learn on for film editing at places like Full Sail (known for pumping out amazing film students as well as design and web gurus).

To continue the discussion, I'll be posting some great Apps that I use frequently on Mac to keep things moving personally and professionally (and all for under $100, most of which is free). We'll also take a look at some of the cons for the work environment when trying to move a Mac into a PC based world.


Until then, J-del **over and out**

So you've read that your future "Brand Spakin' New Mac" won't seclude you from the rest of the office/church/world. You'll be able to get Outlook meeting requests, send email, word processing, spreadsheets, print documents, presentations and send them back and forth with your Mac to a PC/Mac.

You might be thinking, "Jason, it sounds too good to be true and I'm sure your glossing over the issues. They're has to be some snags in the set-up compatibility."

Ok, so let's address question #2:
2. What about compatibility?

The compatibility question really looks at three main areas. The one that is most important to you as a potential switcher, is not so much the hardware or the software, but data. "Will my existing files be compatible on my new Mac?" This can touch a little with software, because if the same application is available on both platforms, there’s no compatibility issue.

Can A Mac run Microsoft Office? Yes. (MS paid version or free alternatives here and here)

Can a Mac run Adobe Photoshop? Yes. (Adobe PS or free online version here or an alternative here)

Can a Mac run iTunes? Yes. (silly question since it's an Apple program)

Can a Mac run MSN Messenger? Yahoo Messenger? Skype? AIM? Yes. (check it out here, here, here and here)

And that’s just the beginning my ministry friends. There is an abundance of applications available that run both on PCs and Macs. Check out CrossOSS which specializes in listing applications that run on both platforms. Otherwise search MacUpdate or Version Tracker for applications that are the same or similar.

Files or data that don’t have an application available on a Mac, can usually be exported to a common format and then imported into a Mac application.

But what if you are using an application (like MS Publisher) whose files you can’t convert to the Mac? Good news –- the new Intel based Macs can boot up Windows (next post will dive deeper into running Windows on your Mac). Consequently you can make a steady transition to a similar Mac application (such as Pages or The Print Shop).

If I'm being honest, there is not anywhere near the amount of software available for Macs as for Windows. But fortunately that fact doesn't hurt your switching over to a Mac... and here's why. Windows might have hundreds of thousands of applications, as opposed to the Macs tens of thousands, but how many applications do you need to do a certain task? One. One word processor, one photo editor, one email application, and so on. The programs written for Macs work faster, allow more options and have great built in features. This helps you keep less programs loaded on your computer, but you still have the same array of capabilities. Less is more and Mac users love it.

Hardware-wise, virtually all digital cameras and video cameras talk to Macs. Likewise most modern printers. USB memory sticks and other portable storage are also no problem. In almost all cases (except printers) you don’t even have to install a driver. This is not the case when plugging in most external devices to your PC. Jumping through the hoops of constantly loading software for your external devices is drastically lowered when switching to a Mac (I have connected 7 different printers and/or scanners and have only had to load drivers for one of them, all the rest worked automatically. Try that on a PC, ha). And that covers the majority of peripherals most people use nowadays.

The time saved in ease of use with programs and compatibility is something every person in church work can appreciate. It's all about people and the more we can accomplish in a shorter time span on the computer, the more we can get out with people.

Speaking of ease of use, we'll hit up the "How easy is a Mac to learn?" question in our next post as well as discussing running windows on a Mac.

J-del **over and out**


[discussion/article adapted from entries by Chris Howard]

Finally, question #7 to put this debate to rest for now:
7. Are Macs more expensive than it's comparable PC?

For years when I looked at getting a Mac (I just thought they were cool and wanted one because no one else did) and when I saw the prices my jaw would drop. Seriously. I woud walk away going I am never going to pay that kind of money for a computer. Now Way.

And truthfully, that was the case for quite awhile... until about 5 years ago. Apple made a break through with their colored iMacs and iBook series. People looked at them as a valuable alternative to the PC world. Since then laptop prices have risen while Apple has been able to keep their prices relatively the same. Research has shown that buying the comparable laptops to items like the iMac, Macbook & Macbook Pro will run you about the same if not in some cases less. What are some of the factors?

-Macs last longer. So you spend a little more, but you aren't spending as much during the life of the computer on upgrades, software and replacements.

-Macs resale value is great. People are still looking to buy old iMacs, Powerbooks and iBooks to do basic word processing and more. Try selling an old PC to someone for more than $100 bucks (you'd be lucky to get that much).

-Macs have less trouble. You won't be spending money on ridiculus virus software, Geek Squad repairs and overnight stints and Best Buy or Circut City. Macs just have less problems which saves you money and time.

I've included some articles by people who know WAY more than I do about sales, figures, numbers, and life span of money spent when looking at your personal/ work computer. Check these links out, decide for youself, but the experts are saying it's going to cost the same or possibly less for the time you have the computer. So why not go with something that gives you less hassle? Or maybe the learning curve just isn't something you're trying to deal with and it's easier to just stick to your guns (which is completely cool too). Share your thoughts in the comments section peeps... what do you think?!?

Article Links/ Research:
PC World Finds Apple Laptops Cheaper Than PC Laptops
Is It Time To Finally Turn To The Dark Side?
Mac vs. PC cost analysis: How does it all add up?
Apple Macs really are cheaper than PC
Mac vs. PC: The Final Frontier

J-del **over and out**

Let's jump right in to question #3:
3. How easy is a Mac to learn? (and what about running Windows?)

You've debated the in your head the question of “Ok, will I have to re-learn everything?” Reasonable question. And the truth is there is a learning curve but at least 80% is the same or very similar.

Buying a Mac is like moving to another country that speaks the same language as you do. Like if we here in the good ol' U-S-of-A decided to up and move to Australia. We all speak the same basic language, but if you move to Australia, you are going to have a bit of a learning curve. Things like the art of swearing; to drive on the right side of the road, which is the left for Aussies (yep, left is right there); to write your dates the right way around; to eat a cold Christmas lunch; to learn to spell all those “z” words with an “s”; and put a “u” between “o” and “r”. And the hardest thing—you have to learn to walk upside down.

It doesn’t take long to familiarize yourself though.

And so it is switching from Windows to Mac. There are some programs you will be familiar with, such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, iTunes and Photoshop, others that will be familiar enough, like Safari, Mail and Address Book; others that might take some a little time to learn, like iMovie, Garageband; and others that will make you glad you switched like iPhoto, iChat, and iCal. And the operating system itself, OS X, is even easier to learn.

But maybe your a little scared and still can't cut the apron strings from your Windows baby. No need to fear, Macs can do Windows too (and in most cases a little faster).

There are currently 4 different alternatives for running Windows on a Mac easily. Here we go!

Bootcamp: This will allowed you to install Windows on your computer and when you boot your computer up you can select which operating system to run. The only draw back I see with this is that you have to restart your computer to go between Mac's OS X and Windows XP (I wouldn't even fathom putting Vista on a Mac, or any electronic device for that matter).

Parallels: This program ($79) was the first to really put mainstream Windows running smoothly on Intel based Mac machines. It has received rave reviews and people seam to love it. Parallels is currently in the 3.0 design and unfortunately does not yet support Firewire connectivity, but there is a work around for that (see discussion thread here). Unlike Bootcamp, you can run Windows and Mac OS X at the same time without interfering with one another.

VMware Fusion: Like Parallels, this program ($79) is another alternative for running Windows and PC based programs on your Mac. It does almost all the same things Parallels does with some different features. To each his own and if you want to compare VMware & Parallels, check out this article.

Virtual Box: Unlike Parallels and VMware, this program is FREE! Yes, I said free. It's an open source project that allows you to do almost everything Par/VM can do, but doesn't hit you in the pocket. It's come a long way and allows you to run Windows and OS X at the same time. Virtual Box is definitely worth checking out and seeing it it meets your Windows needs.

So whether you're learning the new easy-to-use Mac OS X or jumping onto the Windows side of your computer to use your staple... Mac gives you the best of both worlds without having to keep that clunky PC around. Ministry is looking up my friends. Next time we'll take a look at the question of, "Is a Mac more secure than a PC?"

J-del **over and out**


[discussion/article adapted from entries by Chris Howard]

So Bryan Gratton asked a great questions during the Church Tech Debate series,

"I was wondering if you guys do any stuff with multiple screens and projectors? We're looking to move to that and i was interested in what you guys use if you do that."

Great question Bryan and the short answer is no we do not. Forefront does not use multiple screens, but this is something we aim for in the future. There are a few different ways to accomplish this:

#1. VGA Powered Splitter

And so, for question #6: (more of a 2 parter)
6a. Can you share a few cool apps to use on a Mac?
6b. What are some CONS for moving a Mac into a PC based environment?

As for cool Apps, man the list could go on and on, but I'll narrow it down to my Top 10 (in no particular order) with a brief idea of what it is.

1. Delicious Library 2- $39/ it catalogs everything, books, tech, DVD, clothing, etc. Ever lent out a book or movie to never see it again? not with this baby.

2. You Control Tunes- Free/ embeds itself into the menu bar to completely control iTunes while you work. I love it.

3. Adium- Free/ Chat client that incorporates all your chat profiles into 1 interface. Brilliant.

4. Wallet- $14.95/ Keep all your passwords, accounts, credit cards, serial numbers all protected so you don't lose or forget them.

5. Handbrake- Free/ DVD ripping program to put on iPod, use clips in a video editor for services, get my movies on my laptop for trips. It's a must have.

6. Cyberduck- Free/ FTP Client & Loader with an easy to use interface. It's wonderful.

7. Gawker- Free/ Time Lapse recording through built in iSight camera or screen capture. Saw Los use it a couple of times and now I'm hooked.

8. Fluid- Free/ Allows you to take your favorite websites (i.e. Blogger, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook) and turn them into their own program window. It saves a ton of time.

9. Tooble- Free/ Allows you to rip YouTube Videos directly into iTunes.

10. iAlertU- Free/ Ever been at St. Arbucks, needed to pee, but had your laptop there? How about a low jack for your laptop. Genius

Alright, now for the CONS of bringing a Mac into a PC world. Here we go:

-Macs don't natively run windows video. You can use Quicktime Plug-ins and Flip4mac, but if you don't load that stuff on, WMV files won't play (and there are a TON of .wmv files out there on the web)

-Macs sometimes have a hard time with exchange servers. This is not because they can't, but mostly because IT departments run a PC system and some (not all) IT specialists are not trained on Mac compatibility issues. So if you have an IT team based around PC netowork and throw a Mac at them... chances are they are going to tell you tough luck and find a PC to work with at the office. It's too much work to expect them to meet your Mac needs by jumping into an operating system they don't know much about.

-Macs don't work well with old network printers. Forefront has a printer that is kind of old but still is going strong... it took me awhile to get the correct drivers (circa 1997) to get it rolling. I am willing to bet there are a bunch of churches out there with some old printers, so it might take more than you think.

-Macs just don't run a lot of PC hardware. Yes you can run a Virtual Machine (bootcamp, parallels, virtual box, vmware fusion), but who really wants two operating systems on their computer? Seriously.

-Macs have an awkward control key placement. Windows has done a much better job and it makes more sense. It takes some getting used to (it's that 80% learning curve).

-Mac accessories & programs tend to be higher priced. (I will get into this on the next and final post in this series). You are paying for quality (and the silly Apple logo).

-Mac Memory. When you switch from PC to Mac you will have to break the habit of buying the cheapest RAM you can buy and/or cannibalizing old/dead machines. You will have to buy quality pieces of hardware. Quality hardware is expensive when one is used to bottom of the barrel and freebies.

So with those last two CONS you might be thinking, "Holy Crap! I am never getting into that if a Mac is going to be more expensive." Well, I don't want to burst your bubble just yet, so you'll have to read the next post...

Until then, J-del **over and out**

Alrighty then, lets get rolling with question numero cuatro:
4. Is a Mac more secure than a PC?

So Mac "fan boys" continually rub it in the face of PC users that the security record of the Mac’s operating system, OS X is just sooooo amazing. Some debate it’s a case of Apple's small market-share not attracting the miscreants, hackers, and virus writing geeks (even though the number of Mac users is growing rapidly). If large market-share means more problems, where are all the viruses attacking iPods that work on both Mac and PC systems? And why were there so many more viruses for Apple’s previous operating system (Mac OS) when Apple’s market-share was significantly lower that it's current state?

Apple has learned a thing or two and completely stepped up it's game with OS X. The Mac is inherently more secure, and that cannot be argued. As a result, the chances of a virus infection on your Mac system is quite low. There are security holes in OS X that could be exploited by a virus or a trojan, but these would be few and so much easier to address and patch.

Windows on the other hand, is like a levy that has broken and there is no one there to repair it – there seems to be too many holes to patch. As soon as one is, another hacker has created an even more threatening virus to take it's place.

Security could be more of an issue in the future for Macs as they grow in popularity and are becoming a feasible alternative to PCs, but you can take your bets now that you won't be having anywhere close to as many issues as your PC did.

In the next post, we'll dive into the "creativity side" of the Mac and look at: Presentation Software, Graphic Design & Video Production.

J-del **over and out**


[discussion/article adapted from entries by Chris Howard]

So the series has come to an end and if you missed it, no worries. Here is the link to the entire series in one post. Enjoy. http://tinyurl.com/churchmacorpc