Sound like you have the situation covered. I've used MIS and MLS data for what seems like forever. Having MIS on a test computer early on when I was learning and crashing the machine over and over (old dos days) was helpful. I have not had a crash in years. That said - Other than training, I really have never really "needed" (really really needed) MIS or MLS in order to function. Membership data I need - output to a file or paper has worked and continues to work. I've found bandwidth with paper to far exceed the bandwidth I have through a screen (I use computers all day every day).
The Bishop/president(s) can work just fine on paper and then have a good secretary to record everything (by entering it in to the computer). I liked having a Palm but as reference only - as a workspace I need a lot more room than a Palm or a CRT can provide. I like working across multiple pages to organize my thoughts and to see the big picture or sometimes just to take notes. Since I only have copies of the reports provided by MLS and not the MLS program I have no conflict about MLS. Guarding the data/reports MLS permits is far easier to deal with and protect than dealing with possible copyright conflicts and the datasync problems etc etc etc. It has just been easier to deal with reports/data than executables, databases, etc. If I were still clerking and the Bishop had a laptop/palm I think the easiest thing for me and him would be for me to borrow his machine for a few minutes and copy a set of reports into a folder for his use. USBsticks are very nice - you can setup multiple folders, they hold a lot of data, they are fast, and fit in a pocket. The setup I would like to see is a linux server supporting thin clients and secure wifi in the building. We often have a waiting line to use the Ward computer. The members have been great working together. The computer is quite central to operations in the Ward. It would really nice to be able to do the financials, update HT/VT districts, update memberships, etc and print phone lists all concurrently. The linux terminal server project with a nice web interface into MLS would be really nice. I'd love to be able to really collaborate in a meeting and have everyone be able to see a central screen and personal with current and proposed changes. Having a "terminal" in the library with a serious printer (HP4SI, 5si or 8100 etc) or usb port AND a link to lds.org to get talks or other info like genelogy info. Being able to web cam a class into another room or building would be great. A scanner in the library would also be great - then I would not need a photocopier. For teacher development class it would be great to webcam or record the student teacher for later review. Also we have a number of home bound members. I would love to be able to have them be able to "attend" and participate fully in various classes. A web interface and the ability to send & receive video & audio would be a huge blessing to those bed bound and home bound members. I doubt now is the time. Still I'd love to see it and help in any way I could. oscar On Sunday 18 September 2005 15:48, Penguin Migration Computer Serices wrote: > I just spoke to a member of the Stake Presidency about it today. To sum > up, he said that the direction they had been given, was that the > information contained in MLs "should" not leave the building (emphasis is > his). However, given our situation (Branch President is 25 minutes away > from the chapel in one direction, and I am 20 in the other), putting MLS on > the laptop would be fine under one condition, after proper security > concerns are looked after. > > His condition is that there must be no financial information on the laptop. > So if I can find a way of zeroing the financial information, or wiping it > completely then I have the Stake Presidency's aproval to put MLS on the > Branch President's laptop. I'll make sure to double-check before > performing the work, but it does need to be decided by someone not within > the local leadership. > > On Sunday 18 September 2005 02:24, you wrote: > > Richard, > > Did you receive sufficient counsel ? > > I would strongly suggest you suggest to your President he contact Salt > > Lake and the Stake President for counsel AND permission. Without the > > permission to use the software in that manner both of you are putting > > both the Church and yourselves in an awkward situation. > > I have had the same basic request - the counsel I received was the > > software is not to be used in that manner. > > > > Good luck > > oscar > > _______________________________________________ > Ldsoss mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.ldsoss.org/mailman/listinfo/ldsoss _______________________________________________ Ldsoss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.ldsoss.org/mailman/listinfo/ldsoss
