What is The Best Computer For Ministry?

Maybe some of you are planning to buy a computer that you can use for your ministry. The problem is, there are so many brands and so many models to choose from. Which one is the best?

We really can't tell which one is best by just looking the physical nature of the models and brands that you are looking at. But I enlisted here some factors that you may want to consider in choosing the best computer that will deliver your needs for your ministry.

Before I start, let me just describe you general terms so that you may not get lost. Allow me to use the “high-end” computers for pc's that cost at least $1000 and up, “low-end” for $300-500.

Ok, let's go to the real issue.

Mobility

I think in our days now, mobility is one of the most important thing to consider in buying computers. If you always travel, I suggest that you buy a laptop instead of a desktop computer. On the other hand, if you seldom travels and you want to get the most out of your computer, then get a desktop PC.

Desktop PC's though imobile, they are more flexible in terms of upgrades and capabilities. Due to the ease and cheapness to upgrade, it gives more flexibility for its users as to purpose.

Purpose

This is a very important factor that you will have to consider. “Where will you use your computer?” Are you going to use it for graphics? How about for simple encoding and plain office purposes? Video editing? What?

If you will simply use it for encoding and office purposes, then I sugges that you just get the low end pc's or laptops. If you will be using it for video editing and graphical editing, I strongly suggest that you get a high-end computer.

Just a note, the main key for graphical and video editing includes a good RAM, good Video Card, and a HUGE harddrive. So if you have bought a brand new, low end computer, upgrading your RAM, video card and harddrive will probably do the job.

Price

How much is your budget? I guess this the least of all factors that you need to consider. Acquiring a computer will certainly cost you something. But you do not have to spend a lot for something that will not deliver its purpose in its fullest.

However, if you just have a good budget and you can afford to buy the high-end computer, then why not go for it. If you have a limited budget, don't worry, I believe that with a limited budget, all the more that you can get the most out of your computer.

Operating System To Use

There are 3 main operating systems that PC's usually use, WINDOWS, LINUX, MAC. But I will only discuss Windows and Linux since MAC usually comes with their own customized computer units. Now, which one are you going to use? This is also a very important question to answer.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 which is the current trend are RAM and Video Memory greedy. So if you are planning to install them, then I suggest that you follow their system requirements:

RAM 1 G (minimum)
Video Memory 128 mb (minimum)
and several Gigs of Hard drive

If you are planning to use LINUX, particularly Ubuntu, then you don't really need a high-end pc. Linux usually have a very minimum requirements. The latest edition of Ubuntu can already run well with the following specs:

RAM 256 MB
Video Memory 64 MB
and about 1.5-2 Gigs of Hard drive

Model

For laptops, I suggest DELL, Compaq, Acer, HP and Lenovo. These brands have a better feedback than other brands. Just a quick tip. Try to upgrade the default RAM if there is still extra slot. This will make your laptop run faster than what you are expecting from it.

For desktop computers, I strongly suggest that you do not buy a “one brand” complete package. If you can assemble your own desktop PC (which will I also teach you later how to do it), the better. This will give you more room for customization and further improvements in the future that will sooth your needs.


Well??? I hope these factors can help you decide what PC will really give what you want.

Why Do We Need To Change To Ubuntu?

A friend of mine has a window 7, and he said window 7 still have lots of bugs and is hard to find suitable drivers for it.

If you are really looking for a fully licensed, fully functional operating system for your office, I strongly suggest that you switch to Linux particularly Ubuntu.

Here's the common reasons why people are hesitant to change to ubuntu:

1. They cannot use their Window based softwares particularly games, and in our case as ministers, Bible softwares. But then again, I already have discovered a solution on this as I have posted in my tech blog.
2. They cannot use the "Web Cam-Audio" feature of their laptop. This is because Ubuntu hass no "Client Messenger" that really supports this. But when it comes to messenger, there is completely no problem. This is also the only negative feedback that I can say against UBUNTU.
3. They are already satisfied with what they have learned at first. Changing to UBUNTU is like changing a cellphone. You will have to get used to the arrangement of buttons, words used inside the system, etc.

But they are almost the same basically. It's just you need to get used to it. Once you get used to it, you will really enjoy it.

Reasons Why Change To UBUNTU

1. Ubuntu is simply more secure than that of Windows. I am not saying that it is a hacker free OS, but simply more secure.
2. Does not require tremendous amount of RAM. If you have a laptop about 2 years old, that has 80G HDD, 512MB RAM, you can still run the latest edition of UBUNTU, but these cannot run ViSTA and windows 7. In short, it has a very low requirement.
3. Ubuntu is 99% Virus Free. It's not 100% because there are some virus that exists in linux world, but it is very rare.
4. More stable. In my personal experience for almost a year of having ubuntu in my laptop, I really didn't have problem of slow down despite of the fact that I am already using 75% of my total hard drive. Try that in windows and it will take eternity for you just to boot up.
5. COMPLETELY FREE. Are you a minister or a pastor? If you are, are you using pirated software of windows? If you do, then here is a replacement, completely free, completely legal. Why don't you change?

It's a step of faith to change in UBUNTU if you are already used with Windows. Hehehe... Hope this can be a blessing!!!

So far, for about a year now in my use of Ubuntu, I really haven't got a realiable Bible Software for Ubuntu in comparison to the famous E-Sword. I tried searching the net for any Bible Software that I can use. There are two that I have found, the Bible Time and the Gnome Sword.
Bible Time has a real good interface as that of the E-sword. My only problem with this is that the Bibles used here are not reliable. I have found several errors in comparison to the printed version. One of my friend said that developers probably copied it manually from the Bible that is why there are lots of typographical errors in it.
Gnome Sword has a more reliable versions of the Bible. My only problem is that, the interface is difficult to dicipher. I feel like I am totally using a different software with totally different format. Furthermore, I find it hard to understand the “how to's....” of Gnome Sword.

My desire is to install E-Sword. The best FREE Bible Software on the net. But how am I going to install this in my Ubuntu when it only function in Windows.

I scanned the net for answers and I only found ONE answer among the blogs I have read. They say that you can install E-Sword using WINE. However, as I tried reading the instructions, it will be very difficult for the non-geeky people to install it. There are several file extentions that you will have to download in order to allow it to run. Furthermore, the reviews are devasting. Some says it runs, but very slow.

Today, I will be presenting another way in installing E-Sword under UBUNTU.

Before we start, let me tell you this, I would say that WINE sucks. It only gives an immediate solutions to light Windows softwares but cannot run heavier ones, not even Chikka, Publisher, and other Window programs.

Let us begin. The main answer to your agony is the use of VIRTUAL BOX. First and foremost, you must install Virtual Box. Virtual Box is a virtual engine where you can install a totally different operating system that will run under UBUNTU. The main advantage of this is that, you can run more programs, without any problem because when you run it, it will just function “JUST LIKE” you have a Window OS.

Though, it still cannot be the ultimate answer for running programs since it still cannot run heavier programs especially the one that uses enormous RAM like games and graphical softwares, still, this is the best that you can have, FAAAAR.... better than WINE.
Installing virtual box is very easy. Just follow this instructions.

1. Click Application> Add/Remove
2. In the search box, type in “Virtual Box”
3. Click the Virtual Box, be sure that it has check on the box.
4. Click Apply Changes.

Now, that you have Virtual Box you need to install Windows. You need a fully functional Window installer. But before that, be sure that you have the right settings.

In your installation you will be asked with many questions, it is very simple to answer so that it would not be a big problem. Furthermore, you can always make changes later on.

Let's set up everything first before inserting your CD.

1. Click Virtual Box OSE
2. Click Next.
3. Follow instructions. Type in “Windows” for the name, OS Type “Windows XP”, Base memory 500MB (depend on your will), Video Memory 64 MB (again, it's up to you how much will you allocate). Harddisk, 10 G (automatically expands), CD/DVD Drive installed, Audio ALSA driver.

If everything has been set up, you are now ready to install Windows.

1. Insert CD/DVD installer.
2. Click “Windows” (the name of your virtual OS) > Click “Start”
3. In a short while, you will be brought up to the page as if you are installing a Windows. Follow instructions and the way it go.
4. After installation, I strongly advise to also download and install the “Install Guest Addition”. It will enhance your usability for Windows. It's a kind of bug fixer, so don't miss it.

Now that you have installed Windows in your virtual drive. All you have to do is to run it under the Virtual Box OSE. Once the window is running, then you can freely install now your E-Sword exactly as if you are installing it in “Real Window” OS.
Some Few Things To Remember

In running Windows with Virtual Box OSE, put it in mind that you are really running windows in a new computer and you have to shut it down properly.

Secondly, the Virtual Box OSE that I am talking about, which is also downloadable using UBUNTU does not come with the auto-detect program for USB. So if you are thinking that you can install something in it using USB, just an info, you CANNOT do it. BUT, there is a way. I haven't tried it yet so far, but you can. Just Google “How to use USB in Virtual Box OSE”. You need to be a little geeky though to succesfully run it.

Another solution for this is to burn your softwares first in a CD/DVD, then insert it to your ROM for it. Virtual Box OSE detects and read it.

Now, I am enjoying UBUNTU a lot better. Why? Because I can now use Chikka, work with Publisher, use E-Sword, play Window based games (the slower ones), etc. using Virtual Box OSE.

Getting help with your computer software can be easier when you know the correct terms to use. One of the biggest problems that new computer users have with technical support is not knowing how to correctly describe the problem that they're having. And it isn't fair to expect a tech support person to automatically know what a "thing-a-ma-jingy," or "whatcha-ma-call-it" is.

The following describes the correct names for common components of software so that when you experience a problem, you can effectively describe an issue that you're having and a technician can readily resolve it.

User interface - this is the visual design of a program. It may contain squares, boxes, words, icons, and buttons. If you're experiencing insufficient memory for example, you might see black rectangles across the user interface of your software programs.

Title bar - this is the top-most part of a program that displays its own name or it may describe the contents displayed in another part of the interface. If a program is incorrectly coded, you may see a wrong description in this part of its interface.

Menu bar - this part of a program displays menu items and menu options. Some of the most common parts of a menu bar grants access to File commands, Open commands, Save commands, and Print commands. An example of an error in this part of an interface would be if an option was missing or grayed out (lighter in color).

Tool bar - this part of a program displays small icons across the top which represent tools. Clicking an icon will open a tool or process a command that might also exist on a program's menu bar. Problems in this part of an interface are uncommon, however if you find yourself repeatedly clicking an icon with no results, you can correctly describe the problem by referring to the toolbar.

Minimize, Restore, and Exit buttons - these three buttons are usually located on the right-most upper part of a program's interface and each allow you to minimize a program's screen, restore it to its original size, or shut down the program completely.

Scroll bar - this convenient tool allows users to move data up and down the computer screen.

Status bar - this part of a program is located at the bottom-most part of its interface, and it usually displays small messages that indicate the progress of a command or task. If programmed incorrectly, an application might display the wrong information in this area.

Context menu - like the menu bar, a context menu displays when a user right-clicks on something. It displays commands just like what you see on a File menu or a Help menu.

Input box - input boxes are usually small rectangles that allow you to type data into a simple interfaces like a webpage or browser window. If you find that you can't type information into one of these, you can effectively resolve the issue with a technician by calling it an input box, rather than a "white rectangle," or "place to put in text."

Button - buttons perform a command after a user clicks them with a mouse. Problems occur when the text of a button is grayed out or if it doesn't appear to sink into the screen when clicked.

Check box - a check box is a small box that allows a user to indicate several choices among many. When clicked, a small "x" displays inside a box. Similar to the check box, a radio button allows a user to indicate a single choice among many. Problems with radio buttons and check boxes occur when a user makes one choice, but the interface reacts as if the user made many choices (or none at all). When describing a problem to a technician, be sure to indicate whether the problem occurs with a check box or a radio box. Computer novices mistakenly interchange the names of both of these controls.

I just hope that these short list of Software Terminologies will be a good help in understanding your software.