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With that, Issue 5 of Mobile Ministry Magazine (MMM) is now up for your reading.

If you are a frequent reader of Mobile Ministry Magazine, you will notice that the stores are quite familiar and recent. This is completely intentional. Pass the link along to those who don't know about MMM, or whom you might have occasional tech conversations with. This issue is designed to keep that conversation going forward.

Thanks to all who constantly support MMM: Palm Addict, Trailblazin Ministries, and a host of others. Thank you all, and I hope that this issue encourages you to keep moving forward - not just in the use of mobile tech, but in being like Him as you do.

Read Mobile Ministry Magazine Issue 5: keep Moving Forward

Over at Mobile Ministry Magazine, I've been on a bit of a run all week. Mostly because I'm finding it hard not to speak my passions in blunt and direct ways. This is not to say that I dumb down content there, but I do seek to not speak over the heads of the readers, and give those who never visited before a reason to come back.

It was very refreshing this week to get several posts off my chest. The latest one speaking in more detail of what I'd like to see out of me and MMM: the ability to connect with mobile tech and bring Christ into the lives of people around me to the point of them feeling like they can do the same. Its what I titled "The Mobile Christian Lifestyle" which went up recently. Here is a snippet if you find yourself a bit in the "not wanting to read a long treaste now mode:"

If Paul had a blog, what would he have done more of or more effectively?

I've explored this question here many times (the original thought, part 2 of this thought, part 7 of this thought, part 9 - eh, I think you get the picture). Each time I come to the conclusion that [aspects of] mobile technology is/are taking us to the definition where people will want to define church not as what happens or is confined by the four walls and a monologue service, but what happens in the context of connecting to other people that leads them to repent to God, and be a life in Christ that speaks to that worship He spoke of to the Samaritan woman (John 4).

Read the rest of The Mobile Christian Lifestyle at MMM.

Having just written that post before I started this one, I feel a lot better. Not so much because I know what will happen after I hit publish on that post; but because I left it on the floor. My friend told me earlier this week that I give people "me with no masks." I prefer it that way. As to what God can make of a man who is different to himself "without the masks," well, I'll just have to have the faith that He's doing something that I cannot quite see.

For as long as I can remember, I've been like this though. Pushing a different view, doing things in as many different ways as possible. Just to see if it is possible, or what the road looks like from another angle. Lately though, I've been noticing just how different I am. Partly because it hurts in some areas, but mostly because its like I;ve gone so far in a different direction that wanting some semblance of "being mainstream" just doesn't seem possible.

The interesting part is that I think it does help in terms of mobile technology. Articles like this one at Nokia Creative challenge established norms of thinking for the sake of a more fruitful engagement of tech in our lives. I like that. I think like that. It makes sense to in my opinion. But man is it a lonely road.

For a time, a long time, I had been looking for someone to walk with in terms of this different lifestyle. Someone that shared some of my passions, someone who I could learn about theirs and develop new ones. But you know, I don't think that person exists. We are unique and to think in that wise has caused me more sad thoughts than peaceful ones. Its a shame too, because I think in looking for something that wasn't different might have made me turn away some solid experiences.

Ah well. I've learned to live with my decisions. Some of them I'd like to redo form time to time; others I am just settled that some kind of move was made. My only question is if I will ever find in God that peace of having a unique view on life that leads to me glorifying Him with no strings attached. If you will, I need a lifestyle different that says that He is my portion...

What this means for you is that I might write here a bit more about conversations and chance encounters. But it will also mean that I'm helping a company better understand the pulse of what is going on in this area of the US with their devices. And if Nokia can make folks happy with their devices and services (such as the woman spoken about here), then I'm sure that speaking about them online and offline will be pretty neat.

For some more insight as to what I am doing with the S60 Ambassaros Program, stay tuned to the following sites and read the noted posts:

• Conversation: Internet Tablets and Ministry Use (posted at MMM)
• My Ovi Share Page
• Post: Adding Ovi Share to My Connections
• Post: noBounds Might Be Closer to It
• Post: Moving to Symbian/S60: PIM Data Fun
• Post: Mobile Assessing

Many developers that I've met have this one-track mind when it comes to programming. It's first and formost fun. And if in the mist of fun it can do something to make things easier for someone else, and is not a burden to develop, then they will continue with it.

Many programs come from this hobbyst mentality, and our lives are richer for it. Yet, as I scrape the landscape of mobile and web applications, I tend to wonder what the point of all of this is in the long term, if all we are doing is having fun.

I was reading a Brighthand article where I had spoken about moving to the N75 because I wanted a richer mobile experience. For the msot part, I think that I have had that. The addition of 3G has assisted a great deal in just getting things done online. And I am slowly getting used to the T9 aspect of typing for longer than short messages. That being said, I left a very good user interface - that solved the problem of connecting and communicating - for one that is more phone-centric and has considerable UI issues that have made things harder. I have more features yes, but the problem of connecting with people is not necessarly addressed.

For example, I asked a question on Jaiku about why the application screen doesn't list the programs in alphabetical order. While I was given some reasons, no one could really answer why. I wondered then what the reason for an application screen was then, if it was not condicutive to logical searching. Note: one can order the icons however they choose to. This can only happen one icon at a time, and the default and selectable views are those I am speaking of.

Nevertheless, without the fun, a lot of the things we've come to know as problems were not even problem we knew of to begin with. The availablity of new devices has made for a new toy box where we can explore and do things like we have not before. Its only in the mist of playing that we find that there could be issues. So I guess that fun is part of addressing problems to begin with. Without fun, we'd probably not even know problems existed.

Ovi Share is a multimedia-themed sharing community website from Nokia. Based around the same ideas as MySpace, LinkedIn, Jaiku, and Flickr; it looks to help people connect via the multimedia and multimedia computers - aka Nokia's N-series mobile phones - that connect us.

Now, mentioning the N-series phones, one might assume that this is something that is just meant for Nokia's phones, and a small group of them at that. This isn't the caseat all. Ovi Share is accessible and highly usable from mobile devices and desktops/laptops alike. Its versatility comes though in that its not limited by the hardware, only by what you upload and share - therefore your imagination is the only boundary.

I've only been on it a few days, and already I see some good and bad with it. But the good so far isn't outweighed at all. Most of that good can be summarized in the word portal. For the most part, Ovi Share is a multimedia and contacts portal. Between viewing profiles, and images/multimedia of various users, you can comment and connect with people.

I dig the location features of Ovi Share. The location features of Ovi Share include the ability to tag your profile with a location (shown on a Google Map snippet); tag images and other multimedia with location information; upload images that already have location information embedded within them. This latter feature is more or less something that you will find on Nokia's latest mobile devices, and some very high end cameras. But it is nonetheless nice and impressive.

One of the really cool notes of Ovi Share is in the use of channels. These are basically public or private subsections of your space on Ovi that you can share information and communicate. To date, I've not had a reason to do a private channel, but I can imagine that if I were to do special product reviews, or have a relationship that I wanted to keep some things private, that this would be pretty neat.

Some of the bad points of Ovi Share have to do with the interface design. While a lot of it is based off of Flickr in terms of use; the general design is more complicated. The use of greytones for action items tends to blend them into the background a bit too much. Though that same use of greytones does make photos stand out all the more. I was kinda shocked that my N75 was not considered a supported phone for the mobile integration aspect, but I could still email photos and so that was just more of a let down than a negative.

If there was anything that I'd like to see improve is the availability to Series 40 Nokia phones and other Series 60 devices for the mobile client. I would love to also see some integration with the Contacts application on Nokia's devices (similar to how Jaiku does) - though that might require some rewriting of that application. I don't mind that the mobile site is mobile friendly, but it too suffers from being a bit too dark and not having that visual pop. That being said, Ovi Share needs just more use than anything else. Maybe I can be one that helps to push its use into the mainstream audience a bit.

Ovi Share is just another one of those ways that one can connect with people aronud the world on common interests and the like. The mobile integration is probably the feature that gets me excited most. Connecting has to come not when I sit in front of a big screen, but anywhere that the data is relevant. With Ovi Share, Nokia seems to be realizing this, and pushing things a bit towards helping people take advantage of it. That's a neat ability they are sharing with us to have, isn't it?

Additional Notes:

• Ovi Share was previously known as Twango. Twango was purchased by Nokia in 2007 and has been absorbed into Nokia's Online Services offerings called Ovi.
• View my Ovi Share Profile

Starting with what the mother remarked towards, the Internet Tablet is small and capable. Despite its screen-size, it really is usable for all but the most daunting of tasks. In addition to that, the battery life and community-driven nature of its architecture lends to a lot of solutions coming when the device is well past its last-sold-date.

Per the usual when I pull out the N800, I was asked everything from "what is it" to "how do you type." These questions and observations I really like because they give me insight into the mystery that is still mobile computing. Despite the popularity of the iPhone, its still a far-out thought to have a computer in the palm of your hand. And adding things like wi-fi, touchscreens, and solid battery life seem to defy what should be possible.

What I told the mother though, to her disappointment, is that in its current form, the Internet Tablet isn't exactly what she is looking for. Its close though. Very close. And this is where I see a solution like noBounds taking the idea of a tablet, and making it (like the smartphone) a lifestyle device.

The Internet Tablet series, for all intents and purposes, is a full mobile computer that just happens to be driven by Linux (Maemo). Its not Windows, and that will be readily apparent to the person who looks for the "E" in order to get on the Internet. The other thing is that being a Linux device, it is very open to development from a worldwide community of developers (whether they are of a large company or not). noBounds is a product of Nokia's Research Center in Germany and takes this concept of an Internet Tablet, and makes it an accessory that just so happens to be your computer.

Think about it like this: you are that mother taking courses in your home. Instead of sitting with a laptop when the kids are asleep, you wired/wirelessly connect the Internet Tablet to your TV and work with the tablet playing the role of computer and keyboard, and the TV plays monitor. When the kids wake up, you disconnect the TV and then continue to work form the smaller tablet screen right where you are.

This is a lot closer to the idea of computing anywhere than most other solutions, and personally speaking, Nokia is well ahead in this regard because of their seeing the mobile device as a link to one's life, not as a spoke that life is linked to. I'd personally like to play with noBounds some before making final declarations, but in mind of the needs of computing in urban areas, this is one solution that is not just suitable, but also innovative enough to empower and change.

For more information about noBounds see:

• Mobile Ministry Magazine's coverage
• The full story on the noBounds project at Internet Tablet Talk
• View the noBounds Demonstration video
• This woman I met at a cofeehouse some weeks back does user experience and interaction design using the Internet Tablet in educational and accessiblity settings. noBounds works along the lines of what she does.

If there is anything that I have learned since starting MMM, it is that innovation in mobile tech in the Body has come faster in places where either the Word is curtailed or resources are just not there. This again, is that areas where well off members of the Body need to plant, water, and listen to what is going on in developing areas of the world, and then be Spirit led in learning, using, and applying mobile user experience lessons to their own appendages to the Body.

Read parts One and Two of the MEX Manifesto Through Christian Lenses at Mobile Ministry Magazine.

What was once awake with tears
Finds a place of peace heightened
Comfort and consoling
Softly speaking yet smiling
We were built to engage this moment together
A tasteful rest overtakes us both
For the chance to stop and release
Eyes meet and my smile ensues

Running gladly to the knee
Pulling arms to meet your view
Exposing the imagination we all once knew
Taking in every word and movement photographically
Even still life doesn't contain such depth
Smiles proudly showing what only youth truly sees
A tasteful place aside other memories
The tedious days worth it for this moment
Where smiles meet never ending eyes
And children yet born adorn my dreams

...I understand that mobile devices, like automobiles, come in different shapes and sizes to fit nearly any type of user. This is a good thing. But where I don't ever see these niche devices stand out is in making big improvements in the user interface. With the exception of Apple, Palm, and HTC, no one really digs into why their devices are easy to use... or why not. And only Apple seems to make a big enough deal out of it that people care when they are making the purchase...

Read the entire editorial at Brighthand.

When it comes to mobility, I am pretty much just a bit ahead of things in some areas, and not far enough ahead in others. I am not a programmer (by the strictest of definitions) but I can see the flow and goals of programs after interacting with them after a short time. I understand what users want, and the fun that developers need when it comes to various applications. And I am not slack in expecting from myself to understand and sensibly apply what I know to my life and help those around me.

Suffice to say, I am ok, but never content there. Which is ok. Because if I judge my heart in mobile versus something I read in my college's alumni magazine, I am 6-8 years ahead of where most want to be anyways :P

Then there is that side of me that is infrequent in reading and prayer, but quick to encourage. I am quick to hear the Word, but I have a very low tolerance for blatant ignorance of the foundations of our faith being taught and received. Even as I sat on the phone with my bro discussion "Father forgive them..." there was this excitement that I had in just digging into Jesus' heart, and the sensibility of how His life played out. I understand that, even if it means that I get peeved when others don;t see what I see. I thank God though that He's been patient with me. I'm in a very hard place right now, and the be all end all of things is to trust Him. I write all day, trusting Him for my day to day needs, and attending to those things He's placed in front of me.

Living mobile is hard. Things just are not where I see them. Living by faith is hard. Things just are not where I'd wish they be. In both cases I am being examined to walk in faith and trust that God knows what He is doing. I have no clue what the conclusion of this will be, but I know that this is the test that I have to walk out.

• What was the signifiance of Jesus stating on the cross, "Father forgive them..."
• What kind of mobile user are you?

Something to think about this week as change, in more ways than one, is upon us all.

Instead of making this a primer for what RSS is, I'll leave that to Wikipedia and others who've expounded on this plenty already. I'll hit more on the benefits of it, and how to take advantage of it. And I plan on keeping this short, aka you will need to play and explore to know more.

RSS Is For...

RSS is basically a file format that is used for storing information that will be read in any number of types of containers. The most popular use is to keep track of websites such as blogs which publish new information frequently. RSS can also be used as a sort of digital channel (where you subscribe to a site and get a specific type of information only). And in extreme uses, it can actually serve as a replacement to common documents such as HTML, DOC, and XLS. Essentially, its just formatted information. One needs to use a feed reader in order to get anything out of it.

Access RSS With...

RSS files are read with feed readers. These can be websites, programs, or web browsers. By and large, using a web browser as a feed reader is the easiest method. In this case, any website that has an RSS feed available will show the orange RSS icon (See here) either in the address bar, or next to the address bar. Then by clicking this icon, one would be able to bookmark the site, and essentially see headline updates of it without having to physically visit the website.

Feed reader applications and websites work in the same way. With Feed reader applications, one would get several features and customization options that might not be present in browsers. Web services that have the ability to be an RSS reader usually are easier to use, but require one ot be online all the time (except in the case of Google Reader with the Google Gears extension for some browsers)

Then Take It All In, Simply

After you have subscribed to a few RSS feeds, the next thing to do is to just take it all in. Like email, RSS can be flagged/starred and categorized. And like email also, there can be a lot of things that come up that you don't want to read. Using RSS optimally means understanding that you don't have to read everything, that you don't have to subscribe to every RSS feed you come to. And that you can get away form the computer and the data will still be there.

When I opened Google reader on my tablet when I was in PA, I had over 1000 posts not read. There was no way that I would read all of those. I read those from the last 2 days (a few hundred probably) and the rest just marked as read and kept going. There's a lot to take in when it comes to reading online. RSS helps. But like everything, one has to use it efficiently in order for it to be effective.

One of the areas that I know that I need to improve in is my ability to stay with a project until it is finished. I have always been one to start out fast, but then fade later. To mitigate that lately, I have made a better effort of starting out slower, but still working hard, and then keeping a consistent effort no matter if I need to go up or down.

I'd like to be a bit better in terms of understanding complex issues faster, but I see my speed in processing things as a strength as it leads me to not make hasty decisions on major issues.

I see the visionary, and the hard-worker; the person not ashamed to see something he didn't know before, but OK with bring wrong from time to time. I am not one who cares to be pigeon-holed; but I will acquiesce to the greater good when God's heart and His ethics are not compromised.

But probably the most notable reason that I can see for me doing well in a position such as the CEO at OLPC: I see computing as a means to an end, not as a means to extract the end of a person's patience. It has to be a tool that works in concert with social, spiritual, and economic needs to empower and edify. And while my religious ends might not be a great thing for the OLPC group, maybe there is a place where I can use my strengths and grow stronger in my weaknesses towards making this world a place that looks more like God's grace has spilled all over all of us.

Yesterday, I spent time in York and Lancaster, PA with friends. Had a great time with my bro; and then spent some time at my former college. I got caught up with another solid bro there for some convo and eats at the Sugar Bowl, and a few other folks as well. Kinda neat that they redesigned the website. There seems to be a lot happening there.

The day before that, I had a meeting in NE Philly, then drove around a good chunk of the city. After that visited a friend and her 3 kids. Had a great time and got a cheesesteak from Jim's.

Teh day before that was rest; and today is just a little bit more rest before another meeting and First Friday Fundamentals.

In other words, I am all over the place same as usual, but doing what I do to connect and drive crazy milage.

For example, I took a trip to my old neighborhood yesterday and saw an older lady whose dog I used to walk. She told me that last year that she had to put him to sleep as he was just broken and sick all over. If you would have ever seen this dog though, you'd swear that he and I were built from the same cloth. Champ was a half German Shepard/half Siberean Husky and was every bit 100% of both of those. I used to walk him for a few years before moving out of the neighborhood. It was good to see her though, and see that she is doing well.

I had one of those moments at Franklin Mills Mall where I remembered that "I was back in Philly" a bit too well. I commented to a woman at a store and she said that I must not be from here because I spoke to her with manners. Then she remarked that I must want something, becaues of the words that I used. Something that I forgot about Philly was that men and women carry a lot of hurt towards one another here. There's a lot of mishandled brotherly love in this city. I am one of many whose done his share, but it was just interesting to get that back in my first few minutes back here.

I kinda feel like Santaigo in coming back here. As if I am here, but that I will find something in this trip that I didn't know was here all along. Getting a good long drive in and some sleep will do that for you I guess. Weird, but now I'm rested. Who knows what will happen.