Ideas for software tools

[tractrack-online]

Hi, I am not in full time ministry, but I admire those who have chosen that path. I am a computer developer and I am working on putting together a Christian Open-source network that would develop and release FREE software for use by ministries and individual believers.

I am gethering skills sets on the technical side, but we will need ideas for projects that would be beneficial to Christians. If you could have anything in the world on your computer (pc or handheld) to make the ministry more effective, what would it be and how would it work?

(Almost anything is possible with computers so don't be shy ;-)

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Definately articles and extra-Biblical sources to help answer questions, as well as sermon sets, etc. And, of course, the basic program should be able to handle at least 20 translations, at minimum including the Vulgate, Septuigant, Hebrew Translations, KJV, and other common English translations. At least 2 should be able to be viewed at the same time for comparison. Other than that, any extra additions would be welcome.

 

[tractrack-online]

Good ideas.

Just to clarify, we're not locked into strictly Bible software. In fact at this point probably not Bible software. There is an open-source group wprking on a project (SWORD) already http://www.crosswire.org/sword/index.jsp

Ideas can be anything that would assist in the ministry. (i.e. announcements, calendar, visitation scheduling, nursery scheduling, etc.) They can also be evangelistic tools (i.e. www.tractrackonline.com, www.digitracts.com)

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Calendar, announcement, and scheduling programs are common, so maybe just a large library of sermon ideas would do.

 

[tractrack-online]

I realize there are general scheduling programs available, but is there anything that you would find lacking in them that would make them more geared toward ministries?

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

I realize there are general scheduling programs available, but is there anything that you would find lacking in them that would make them more geared toward ministries?

I don't think so.

 

[clonenomore]

I realize there are general scheduling programs available, but is there anything that you would find lacking in them that would make them more geared toward ministries?

I would like an "all-in-one" program. What I mean is that I would like a program that I use as a contact manager, scheduler, message or sermon prep, prayer list, etc. I would like this program for the PC, but my ultimate wish list would allow me to synch with my Palm.

I realize that this is a big program, but you did ask...

 

[tractrack-online]

Yes, I did, and it sounds like a good idea.

What programs do you use now? Do you have any more specific ideas about it? Would there be any benefit in integration into some kind of web portal?

Again, just throwing out and looking for ideas.