Ideas brought to the attention of church leadership

[completed] Wireless Bridge - Wireless Distribution System (documented)
[research] Improving wifi speeds in fellowship hall
[research] Skype Video conferencing

[in progress] Web Page Content Management System Training on how to add content (must document!)
Steps: http://reviewwebapps.blogspot.com/2010/06/cmst-formalize-steps.html
Web site: http://isschristian.org/

[Time Consuming] Document Video Recording Process
[on hold] Bringing back Computer Labs to operational use

[in progress] Desktop Refresh for Sunday Plus machine in production
Steps: http://networkproject.blogspot.com/2011/03/currently-researching-new-technologies.html

Interesting Article about Securing Wifi

"Experts say the more savvy hackers can go beyond just connecting to the Internet on the host's dime and monitor Internet activity and steal passwords or other sensitive information."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110424/ap_on_hi_te/us_wi_fi_warning

Documentation Hunting

Must find documentation for the majority of equipment used for future reference.

I wear this hat, too: "Sound Engineer"

In general terms, a sound engineer is someone responsible for some aspect of the sound at live shows. Many people think of the sound engineer as the person who stands behind the big sound desk (aka mixing desk) at a show and mixes the sound the audience hears, also known as front of house (FOH) sound. There are other roles for sound engineers at shows.

Source:
http://musicians.about.com/od/qz/g/soundengineer.htm

Interview with a Sound Engineer
http://musicians.about.com/od/otherindustrycareers/a/qandawithkas.htm?once=true&

The devices used and steps taken to obtain wireless bridge

This is a list of devices I used:

Netgear N150 Wireless Router WNR1000v3

Belkin 54g F5D7230

Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router

For the Belkin and Linksys to work with a wireless bridge, I disabled the QoS option on the Belkin router.  It was on for the netgear access point, but for the Linksys router, I turned if off for it to work correctly.  The only way to impose QOS is to have the belkin doing routing. If it is bridged by some means, it cannot impose QOS.  In this case, the Linksys is the router and the Belkin is the wireless bridge.

Set the Alternative Configuration for the wired TCP/IP to match with the repeater.  These are the steps to get the wireless bridge working with WEP encryption for a Belkin and Netgear:

1) Set netgear to be the access point
2) Assign netgear a wireless WEP password on the router
3) Make sure the netgear router knows the MAC address of the belkin repeater
4) Set belkin to be the wireless bridge by listing netgear MAC address
5) Set the belkin wireless WEP security to match with netgear wireless WEP security
6) Wait for the netgear signal to reach the belkin repeater for the wireless bridge to work
7) The DHCP server should be on the network access point

I tested the connection speed by downloading firefox, flash player, and going to youtube to play worship songs.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Bridge

Netgear Wireless Bridging Overview

"Wireless Bridging is usually used to extend network coverage to locations physical cabling cannot conveniently reach.

As of July 2005, NETGEAR access points supporting WDS are WG302, WAG302, WG602v2, WG602v3 and ME103. WDS is supported between any of them, except the ME103, which can only WDS to another ME103. (The Wi-Fi Alliance do not certify WDS, so there is no guarantee that one model of access point can do WDS to a different model of access point.)

• Technical Support does not provide free help setting up WDS between NETGEAR access points and non-NETGEAR equipment.
• It is not possible to create wireless bridge between NETGEAR wireless routers and NETGEAR wireless access points."

http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/960/~/wireless-bridging-overview

Network repeating allows two distant sections of a wireless network to communicate. This explains how to do wirelessrepeating with NETGEAR access points.

Other models and firmware may work similarly to this example:

• WG602v2 access point, firmware version 3.2 RC6.
• WG302 access point, firmware version 2.0.3.
• 64-bit or 128-bit WEP (optional).
• Access control list (optional).
• No WPA/PSK— This type of WPA security will not work with repeating.

http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1016/kw/wireless%20bridging

Researching this idea to perform a Skype call to others or even another country

Researching this idea out there to see if we have enough resources to performance a Skype call to others or another country.
http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/video-call/

Needs:

Does your home church’s missions conference not coincide with your furlough?  Do your supporters want to talk to you after a major event on your field?  Skype can help bridge the gap between you and your supporting churches.  It is not high quality video conferencing, but it is easy to do.  Here is what you need to get started.

The church needs:  (this may take some time for the sound technican to set up)

• video projector
• computer
• webcam (if you want to see them)
• internet connection (wired is better than wireless)
• audio connection from their sound board to the microphone jack on the computer
• audio connection from their sound board to the headphone jack on the computer
• video connection from their projector to the computer

You need:

• computer
• webcam
• microphone (many webcams include a microphone)
• internet connection (wired is better than wireless)

Tips:

• choose a quiet place, where family members, collegues, or pets will not interrupt you
• turn off all noises (alarms, mobile phones, house phones)
• check your webcam and microphone position
• check your background and lighting (more lighting usually helps)
• dress appropriately
• use a wired internet connection, not wireless (speed matters)
• have an outline of what you plan to say
• write out your first and last sentences word-for-word
• ask the church for a list of questions they will ask and prepare your answers
• look at your webcam, not your screen
• test it with the church a few days before the interview (talking to a large auditorium is different than talking to a friend on Skype)

Source:
http://missionaryhelp.com/?p=449

Requested need, but not required

Correction, requested and must decide which is required

Improve wireless speed in fellowship hall
upgrade laptop (OS, RAM, MS Word)
Service Packs
Remote Access to fellowship wifi router

myTouch 4G hotspot?

[testing] came from a phone a member uses, but may disrupt the wireless mic

http://www.ehow.com/info_8036166_causes-wireless-interference.html

Upgrading Computer by adding more ram and implementing wireless router

- PC Lab Removed 2 stick of 256MB RAM from two desktops
+ Church Library (1 stick of 256MB RAM)
+ Church Office (1 stick of 256MB RAM)
[Complete]

[retest] Attempting to access Content Management System from home, but probably a setting is not done right.  Do not forget to set the gateway on the server using the CMS.  Need to test it with others willing to put in the IP address.

[Complete] setting up wireless router
[Diagnostic] Wifi internet connection drops in and out
[Diagnostic] If there is no wifi signal, there will be a i8042prt buffer overflow and the ps2 mouse will freeze from time to time.  Disable the wifi connection on the computer.
[Improving Wifi Strength]  The encryption must be disabled from access point, move access point away from computer screen, radio and ssid must be broadcast, and keep sending pings to a random internet address.

[Tested] Wireless Bridge with Belkin and Netgear router and it works.
Configuring two routers as one acts as the access  point and the other access as a repeater bridge

In this example, the netgear router was acting as the Access Point / Wireless Base Station while the Belkin router was acting as the repeater.  The Access Point and Repeater must have the same channel and same encryption protocol to be able to communicate.

PURCHASE NETGEAR REPEATER TO STRENGTHEN WIRELESS SIGNAL

[future] probably a best idea to get a repeater and increase the signal strength of the access point as seen in the picture example below http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2745/~/how-to-set-wds-(repeater-function)-on-wndr3300%2Fwnr3500%3F

Rethinking Tech Refresh

"IT managers might look at tech refresh from a different perspective today than they did five years ago when they ask themselves, Would a tech refresh dramatically improve the company's competitive position? What would be the real costs of waiting an extra two years to update users' computer desktops? "


http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/94370/Rethinking_Tech_Refresh?taxonomyId=14&pageNumber=1

Wifi Speed Boost

"Wireless LAN or wi-fi kit is getting everywhere these days.

And you’ll likely find that like most folks, your wireless surfing has slowed of recent especially if you’ve had it running a while.

The likelihood is that if you live in a densely populated area or you’ve made internal changes to your living space then either or both these (and more) could impact on your wireless surfing speed.

So what can you do?"

source:
http://www.churchtechy.com/2010/06/wifi-speed-boost/

Greg's obsession de' jour
In my efforts to add the words "wireless savvy" to my network admin resume, I've been reading books and web pages on radio propagation, antenna theory and design, and building wireless networks with 802.11 (WiFi). One of the first things that got me excited was the Pringles Can Antenna.  Published on the internet and in a fine book by Rob Flickenger, the net admin for O'Reilly, this design for a do-it-yourself, VERY inexpensive antenna made from a recycled junkfood container is as cool as the other side of the pillow.  It seems that everyone is building and using these.  The various community wireless network groups all talk about them and folks are reporting that they do the job.


source:
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/has.html

Installing Ethernet Jack for home network

"The home network is extended to the basement game room by running Cat 5e cable and installing a new Ethernet jack. A “wired” network connection was needed at this location due to a weak WiFi (wireless) LAN signal. This was a “high priority” according to my teenage son for better Xbox Liveperformance."
http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/01/19/how-to-install-an-ethernet-jack-for-a-home-network/

Must Document the Process of Church Operations

Need to create documentation for Sound, Visual Aid, Video Recording, DVD / CD Rendering, and powering up the sound plus putting away equipment.
[IN PROGRESS]

Currently Researching New Technologies for an Infrastructure Refresh

[IN PROGRESS]


Microsoft Open Charity License


Dell Outlets

April 2011 Proposed equipment to get in specified budget
May 2011 Gather materials and man power
June 2011 Implementation and training
July 2011 Due date equipment must be refreshed


Update 4-22-2011

[IP] Use available resources and still research possible technology needs in the future.

[IP] Refreshing only the Sunday Plus machine used on Sunday mornings

Working on three machines!

Sunday Plus Machine In Production

Requires divine intervention to keep it running and will be decommissioned for testing

[x] has wifi capabilities, but must be disabled in order to keep machine from freezing

[  ] add more ram, requires disable another unused dell machine  Probably at max capacity of ram

[x] two dual head graphic card

[x] msoffice is required!

[x] sunday plus is required!
[ip] created a list of all files that need to be transfered

[  ] transfer files via network Use Sneaker Net and Zip Drives to Transfer Files

[  ] move devices and routers

Sunday Plus PC Dell, Machine Refresh One
This machine use to be the Dell Desktop Children's Church Sunday Plus Machine


[x] machine is placed in the storage room and ready for files to be copied
[x] two dual head graphic card
[x] msoffice is required!
[x] sunday plus is required!
[  ] add more ram, requires disable another unused dell machine
[  ] transfer wifi card from production machine to this desktop
[  ] transfer files via network Use Sneaker Net and Zip Drives to Transfer Files
[  ] move devices and routers

NOTE: IT IS POSSIBLE TO CLONE THE "MACHINE REFRESH ONE" ONTO THE "MACHINE BACKUP TWO" WHICH REQUIRES CLONING SOFTWARE AND EXTRA HARD DISK

Sunday Plus PC Dell, Machine Backup Two
This machine was obtained from storage from 3rd building

[  ] add more ram, requires disable another unused dell machine

[IP] two dual head graphic card

[  ] msoffice is required!

[  ] sunday plus is required!

[  ] transfer files via network

[  ] move devices and routers

5-6-211 Update:
The Sunday Plus company called Grass Roots closed its doors:  http://www.sundayplus.com/
5-14-2011 Update:
Place where I can get support for Sunday Plus: http://www.churchmedia.net/forums/sundayplus-freepath/

How to capture computer screen for training

http://camstudio.org/
Open Source - Free Streaming Video Software

Purpose of computer lab

I am revisiting the reason why I wanted to help build and maintain this computer network for the church. It is meant to be an out reach program and I cannot handle it alone. "In life, we are given a talent and we are meant to share it with other people."

The network will:

Service the community with internet access for job searches
Service the children in school to work on their homework
Provide computer technical support to other offices and ministries on the church campus.

Limitations:

Restrictions will be enforced on what type of websites they can access
The Computer Lab is not a place to do a start up business, but it can be a place of learning

Update 4-22-2011:


Supporting Operations:

This project also supports the operations part of the organization.  Some of the issues that have to be addressed is documentation, knowledge transfer, training, and finding willing people to help.

No Internet Connectivity Network

INCIDENT REPORT PER SP34RS
5-5-2010
8:00 PM, reported no internet connectivity since noon on Monday. Restarted routers and still no connection. Need to stop by in the morning to more checking.

Teaching Computer Programming in a 3D environment

Alice.Org


"Alice is an innovative 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share on the web. Alice is a freely available teaching tool designed to be a student's first exposure to object-oriented programming. It allows students to learn fundamental programming concepts in the context of creating animated movies and simple video games. In Alice, 3-D objects (e.g., people, animals, and vehicles) populate a virtual world and students create a program to animate the objects.

In Alice's interactive interface, students drag and drop graphic tiles to create a program, where the instructions correspond to standard statements in a production oriented programming language, such as Java, C++, and C#. Alice allows students to immediately see how their animation programs run, enabling them to easily understand the relationship between the programming statements and the behavior of objects in their animation. By manipulating the objects in their virtual world, students gain experience with all the programming constructs typically taught in an introductory programming course."

Upgrading your computers components

"It is commonly assumed by many struggling to keep up with technology that a computer has reached obsolescence the day it is purchased. However, while year-old or even five-year-old computers may not be able to run the latest feature-ridden applications, they can be perfectly adequate for working on a network, browsing the Internet, producing documents, and doing other nonprofit work. Sometimes, those older computers can perform even better with the right adjustments.

Upgrading your computer's RAM, hard drive, network card, or other hardware can be a cost-effective way to improve the technology available to your organization and increase productivity when your budget is tight. While it is always nicer to be able to purchase the fastest computers on the market, sometimes it may not be necessary. Here are some guidelines for deciding when to upgrade."

http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/hardware/page4789.cfm