Youth Ministry Geek » Media

David Crowder*Band – Give Us Rest or (a requiem mass in c [the happiest of all keys])

Chris — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:31:06 +0000

The end has finally come. I had blogged about the David Crowder Band ending their run (READ HERE), and this week, we saw the release of their final album, Give Us Rest or (A Requiem Mass In C [The Happiest of All Keys]). It’s a great closing act. I recommend taking the time to listen to it all at once, I think you’ll like the journey that David and the boys take you on. They will be missed.

If you haven’t gotten it yet, you can get iton iTunes:

What did you think about it? Thumbs up or Down?

SOPA – What is it? – Video

Chris — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:51:57 +0000

You may have noticed a lot of sites on the web went “black” today. If you tired to find something on Wikipedia you were met with a black screen telling you that the internet must remain free. I’ve talked to many people that have no idea what this is talking about. Someone told me today, “The Internet isn’t free, I pay for it with my cable bill.” I had to explain that what this bill was talking about was the freedom to post and share what you want on the internet. At the heart of the matter is piracy, or the illegal sharing of copyrighted materials on the internet. That’s where SOPA comes from, Stop Online Piracy Act. Now, I need to say upfront, that I’m not in favor of piracy. People that create the movies, music, and books that we enjoy deserve to be paid for what they create (even the ones we don’t enjoy deserve it too). But where SOPA goes a little off track is that it doesn’t really accomplish what it says it wants to do.

I’d love to be able to explain it all in a way that makes the issue perfectly clear, but it’s complicated and there are people smarter than me that have already set out to do that. So if you’d like to know more about the issues that people have with SOPA or why people say it will “break” the internet, watch these videos. I thought they did a great job laying out the issue. Once you know the background and the how things work, you can decide for your self what you think.

Defend our freedom to share (or why SOPA is a bad idea)

Kahn Academy – SOPA and PIPA

What do you think?

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10 Favorites from 2011

Chris — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:49:47 +0000

Here are some of my favorites from 2011:

1. Apple MacBook Air MC969LL/A 11.6-Inch Laptop (NEWEST VERSION)">MacBook Air - I love this little computer. Great for travel, and super fast.

2. Sticky Faith - These books have really made me think a lot about youth ministry and being a parent. I highly recommend them. Plus check out StickyFaith.org for more insights in their articles and blog.

3. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson – I found this book to be a difficult read. He could be so harsh with people. It really made me think about leadership, success, and family from someone who did great things, but failed at so much too.

4. iPad 2 - This continues to be a device that changes the way I interact with content. I love it.

5. Kindle Fire - You probably didn’t expect to see this after I listed the iPad, but it’s a different device for me. It’s a great reader that also does some tablet functions. Plus, I love that there’s someone pushing the iPad to be better.

6. YSnetwork - This one is personal, but we launched it this fall at YS (where I work). It’s a great way to connect with other youth workers, join a network or build your own. It’s free to join, and if you sign up join the Youth Ministry Geek network to stay connected.

7. Flipboard - This is probably the app I use the most, and with the addition of the iPhone version a month ago, I just use it even more. It’s by far my favorite news reader.

8. GoPro - I got one of these cameras to take on our vacation to Hawaii this year, and it’s so much fun. We use it under water, on water slides, in the pool, the beach, on the trampoline. It’s a great camera to take when you don’t want to risk you full size, expensive one. Sure it has it’s limitations, but you get an amazing picture that can go anywhere. It’s my Flip Camera replacement.

9.Timbuk2 Control Laptop Case - After about 7 years, my old shoulder bag finally wore out. This was my replacement. Things I love about it: separate sleeves for laptop and ipad, TSA compliant so I don’t have to take my laptop out, not too big, but big enough.

10. Tech News Today - I love podcasts and increasingly over the last year, this has been my #1 to go to. It’s about 45 minutes every week day covering the lastest in the world of technology. Entertaining and informative, perfect for this geek.

What were you’re favorites from the last year?

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2011 Told Through Twitter – Year in Review Video

Chris — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:48:58 +0000

This is an awesome video retelling 2011 in tweets.

ht Brandon Early

David Crowder Crowd Source Christmas Video | Youth Specialties

Chris — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:11:14 +0000

Over at YS we did a little experiment. We told the 4000 youth workers at NYWC in Atlanta to all record a David Crowder Band song and then upload it to YouTube. The genius that is Brad Sitton then took all the footage and made this incredible video out of it.

Enjoy! Merry Christmas!

Video: The Hobbit Trailer

Chris — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:18:21 +0000

OK, this one is definitely on the geeky side, and I know it’s a year away, but I’m super excited.

Maybe Peter Jackson will visit Comic Con again this summer with some Hobbit goodness. Dare to dream.

Vader, Did You Know?

Chris — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:08:24 +0000

This is such a great mashup of two things that I love, Christmas and Star Wars. The song “Mary did you know?” and Star Wars seem an unlikely pairing, but it’s awesome.

Thanks to Marko for posting it.

Video: Bethlehem Rhapsody

Chris — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:31:50 +0000

I saw this from a number of people today on Facebook, so you might have seen it already, but if you are looking for a fun video to show for Chirstmas, this might be it:

If you need a few more try these Digital Nativity and Mr Bean.

Free Digital Film School

Chris — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:17:22 +0000

Have you ever wanted to learn more about movie making even if it’s just to make your Youth Group videos better? I just saw this class over on iTunes U that might help. It’s an 18 part class to help jump start your digital movie making. It covers both iMovie and Windows Movie Maker, so no matter what platform you use, you should be covered. It doesn’t appear to be the complete class but a crash course to get you started.

The iTunes description:

Have you ever wanted to pick up a video camera and make a short video or film, but felt intimidated by your lack of knowledge? The explosion of film-making for websites and mobiles gives people and organisations the opportunity to tell their stories and show what they have to offer, at low cost. This collection of exciting videos features the Open University’s experienced team of filmmakers, who will show you some of the craft secrets that underpin good filmmaking, and how professionals stay up to date. You will learn the basics of editing, how to conduct an interview, the role of the producer and other crew members and how to archive your finished project. This material forms par

Best part is, like all iTunes U courses, it’s free. It may be a great way to introduce some students to film making so they can help you out by making some awesome youth group videos for you.

Chick here to check out the course.

Xtranormal Video

Jon — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:07:07 +0000

Xtranormal is a digital animation company that allows you to create your own movies! Just think of the applications: camp rules, announcements, topic teaser, discussion starter, mid=week shout out. These are so easy to create and incredible versatile. Check em out at www.xtranormal.com

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