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My Digital Backpack

February 3, 2011 in Personal, Technology with 5 Comments

Hi. My name is Jonathan and I’m a nerd. I’m comfortable with this, and you should be too! I want to share my nerdiness with all the other nerds out there reading this blog; so below I present my current (as of February 3, 2011) Digital Backpack.

What are the tools exactly:

Online Backpack:

  • Google, Google, Google. -> I live with gmail, google docs, google reader, google calendar, google voice and google maps almost every day of my life.
  • WordPress -> I’ve tried Blogo, and Marsedit as an offline blog editor, but I always end up back at my WordPress Dashboard for all my blog editing and creating.
  • YouVersion -> I use this for all my online bible study, and any bible links I use at jonathancliff.com
  • Vimeo -> I use it to host videos for everything I do videos for.

Macbook Backpack:

  • Tweetdeck -> It’s still my preferred way to sort, manage, and contribute to Twitter. I don’t love it, but always come back to it.
  • Chrome -> I made the move to Chrome as my browser of choice this past year, and love it’s speed and agility online. If you’ve not used it before, or aren’t using it currently you are only missing out on the best, fastest, plug-in rich browser known to man.
  • Woopra -> I use the Desktop Application of this blog site statictics program, and refer to it daily for a free, real-time statistical update on everything related to the three blogs I manage online.
  • Syncplicity -> I use this desktop app to keep my files folder backed up online at syncplicity.com and it automatically syncs to my Google Docs account. It’s an awesome tool!
  • DavMail -> Something I use because a I have to. At the church we are still using Exchange 2003 for all our mail and calendaring. DavMail allows me to use iCal for calendaring, and Postbox for all my church related mail. The moment my church upgrades their mail and calendar setups this program is toast!
  • Postbox Express -> I’ve transitioned to this program for all work-related emails. It’s so much easier to use than Apple Mail, and integrates nicely with iCal.
  • Evernote, Wunderlist, and Things -> I’m trying to pick one to go with…but can’t yet endorse one over the other.

iPhone Backpack:

  • Instagram -> This is one of my favorite apps at the moment. So many fun things to do to pictures, and it’s like a totally new online community of photos.
  • Facebook -> Because I want to be cool with people like you.
  • Twitter -> I’m an original Tweetie app fan, and now love it’s newest incarnation.
  • Pandora -> I’ve almost forsaken all my purchased music for Pandora instead. Almost….
  • Google Voice -> I don’t know how all you iPhone users live without voicemail transcription. You need Google Voice!
  • Rowmote -> Totally worth the price to have control over my Macbook when I connect it to the Television.
  • Alarm Clock Pro-> I use the iHandy version, and use it to wake up to everyday.

So that’s me. But what am I missing?

Anything that helps your digital life run seamlessly, that I’m missing out on?

What’s In the Bible? Christmas Tour

December 16, 2010 in Ministry, Technology with 17 Comments

This is video 12 of 12 in the What’s in the Bible? 12 Questions of Christmas Blog Tour. Check out www.whatsinthebible.com each day to find the location of the next video in the series.

Ian asks a final, important question.

What’s in the Bible? is the new 13-DVD series from VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer designed to walk kids and families through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. DVDs 1-4 (Genesis – Ruth) are available now. Check out www.whatsinthebible.com to learn more.

I know, I know…But Jonathan.  You don’t like puppets!  Why are you linking to this?  First of all, I’ve clearly written in the past that I’m only against BAD puppets.  The What’s in the Bible? series is genius.  It’s funny, educational, and funny.  My kids have been fans of Jelly Telly in the past, and now they love the WITB DVD’s just as much.

WE have some winners!

Visit http://www.jonathancliff.com/2010/12/whats-in-the-bible-contest-winners/ to find out who won what, and see if you were one of the lucky winners!

Let My Kids Introduce the Cue Box

November 16, 2010 in Ministry, Technology with 23 Comments

My kids and I have loved the new Cue Boxes that accompany the Orange 252 Basics Curriculum.  In October, we used the electronic version; but in November we stepped it up to the physical Cue Box.

We’ve had it in the house for a few days, and it’s a big hit.  My boys at age 7 and 8 are the perfect age for the Cue box, and are loving it.  I’ve been trying to think of a creative way to let my parents at the church see what the Cue Box is, and how they can get it.  I thought of doing a video review, or maybe a long 500 word review of what I like and what I don’t like.  Instead I created this…

Thanks to Dan Scott for the video idea.

We have our winners!  // http://www.jonathancliff.com/2010/11/cue-box-winners/

Manage Your Online Reading with Google Reader

September 23, 2010 in Technology with 2 Comments

I have long been a user of Google Reader to keep up with the dozens of blogs and websites I follow.  I’m a HUGE advocate of learning to use the Internet to connect you with mentors all around the world.  Google Reader will help you manage all this information in one place.  One of the most asked questions I get about all these Internet stuffs is, “How do you keep up with everything happening online?” I’m constantly amazed at how many people have yet to use the greatness of Google Reader.  This video will give you a great introduction to all that Google Reader can do for you.

I will say that I’m an non-traditional user of Google Reader and do not, except in rare occurences; actually read my feeds within Google Reader.  I love to view websites in their original environments.  Google Reader lets you do this with the “Next” button.

As Google explains in the original post announcing the feature, “The ‘Next’ bookmarklet allows you to use Google Reader through just one link — clicking on it takes your browser to the next unread item in your reading list (marking it as read in the process). I like to use it to go through my photoblog folder. It’s also useful for subscriptions that only include snippets, or when I want to read an article in context.”  If you’d like to grab yours, just go to “settings” and then “goodies” inReader. It’s the best of both worlds: RSS in context!

And of course you should follow me in your own Google Reader account.  You can even receive updates from this blog in your email account if you don’t want to follow along in Google Reader.

People I’ve Met Online: Starr Cliff

September 14, 2010 in Personal, Technology with 3 Comments

I know this is silly, but the last one in my long list of people I’ve met online is my wife.  She’s got one of the most well written blogs around.  If you visit www.lostinlaundry.com you’ll know it’s true!  I know you hear husband after husband say that about their wife’s blog, but this one time it’s really, really, really true.  She used to write so much more, but has sent much of her best stuff to a collaborative effort with others at www.prize31.com.  That is a great site to see…if you’re a girl.  Prize31.com is part of the Women’s Ministry at our church here in Lubbock.  Today I’d like to introduce you to some of my favorite writings from my favorite person!

On her much less written upon blog I now present here my favorite posts:

  1. Sinking // I love, love, love, love this post.  I have asked her to submit it to something like a magazine for months now!
  2. Falling in Love // In this post, Starr shares how being married to me is like climbing a really treacherous mountain. :)
  3. India: Family Night // This is a great recap of one of our favorite family nights.
  4. Widen the Circle // Yes.  Even my wife thinks orange.
  5. Should Mom’s Quit Volunteering? // This is a thoughtful post, that solicited some great conversations in the comments.

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