After a lot of attempts, Episode 12 is finally up. On this week's episode, "Programming a Mistake", "Photoshop Elements Tips & Tricks", and "Directing IMAG" and much, much more. Bogen Tripods Bert Monroy.com Gimpshop Photoshop Elements Related links: My Article on IMAG Wacom Tablet Paul

I found a site with free text books and more specifically Photography Textbooks. I haven't read them myself, but thought some of you might want to read them. Paul

I talked to someone who wanted to start a podcast and wanted some gear recommendations. So here are three possible solutions starting with the most preferred. Simple Podcasting set-up: Compressor (to even out loudness differences) iRiver iFP 799T (for recording mp3s) Behringer UB502 mixer Shure SM-58 microphone XLR cable Sony MDR-V150 headphones Record mic only: XLR to mini cable iRiver iFP 799T (for recording mp3s) Shure SM-58 microphone Sony MDR-V150 headphones To record onto your computer (instead of the iRiver): I use the Griffin iMic (capture audio via USB) instead of the iRiver to record my shows, but I have to filter out the sound of the computer's fan. Editing Software: PC: Adobe Audition Mac: Apple Soundtrack Either (and it's free): Audacity Also recommended: iTunes Paul

I have something recorded and it really will be up (soon I hope). I know I've been promising this for a while, but soon. Sorry for the delay. Paul

It won't be out tonight, but I've got two coming. One is a regular episode; one is a special "fly on the wall" recording of Quest's production meeting for this week. One side issue, we recorded this for the tech director, so the audio isn't great, but I'll do my best. Paul

Thanks to the generousity of one of my listeners, I've been able to do a couple of fun things. The only one you'll really notice is this--I registered TechNoBabelShow.com. It just points back to good old TrinityDigitalMedia.com (which is where you are, if you're reading this from the page and not the newsletter or RSS feed) for now, but that could change. Anyway, for the podcast (and maybe soon vidcast), just check "Tech, No Babel" at TechNoBabelShow.com. Paul

If you've watched deleted scenes on a DVD before, you might have noticed just how putting in or taking out a certain scene can really change a movie. I don't advocate doing this or hosting it, but someone took "The Shining" and turned it into a romantic comedy. It really does work. I'm not hosting this movie, but here it is: The Shining (as a romantic comedy) Thanks vimeo.com for this gem. Paul

Take a listen to "Tech Podcasts This Week", a show from the Tech Podcast Network. It tells you about what's happening on other tech podcasts, kind of like "Talk Soup". Paul

I was watching Command N and Amber said she'd read a blog entry rating free video hosting services. Tech Crunch has rated what it calls, "The Flickr of Video". It's a great little article. I suggest it to any of you that are planning on posting video for yourselves or your church. You might be curious which one I like. Well, I'm looking into Vimeo.com. They use Quicktime, make an RSS (iTunes compatible) feed for you, and don't want porn on their site. The limit is 20 meg a week, so the videos have to be short, but that's the only downside I see. Paul

As I write, I'm at a conference hearing from national speakers on a subject. Who they are and what they're talking about is unimportant. What is important is that a lesson I'm learning. In all media, speaking, etc., it's necessary to know who you're talking to so that you can know what to say. Think of it this way. You talk to children differently than adults. They know different things and have different places that they start. You speak differently to atheists than Christians. When you make mistakes in knowing your audience, you loose effect. This is at the heart of what we do at Quest. Most churches address Christians primarily in their services. We address people who are not. This is a portion of why we're successful. If you talk to a person from their point of view, you have places of commonality. Jesus did this in his discussions. The saducees, in an attempt to throw Jesus off, asked who would be married to a woman who was a remarried widow after all parties died. Jesus responded from Genesis, a book that the Saducees believed was scripture. In modern times, that would be like arguing with an atheist using the Bible. They don't believe the Bible, so any evidence from it is suspect at best. Keep the audience in mind as you create your media. Paul

As I write, I'm sitting in my house wishing I could do a podcast today. Unfortunately, there's a squawl line encompassing the part of Kentucky where I live. So I could try and record it, keeping in mind that lightening might knock out power at any time and it would be noisy b/c my home studio isn't yet sound proofed. I think I'm going to not do that. Instead I'll try to record it tomorrow. So tune in tomorrow when we'll discuss "Programming a Mistake", "Tips and Tricks in Photoshop Elements", "Directing for IMAG", and much, much more. Paul

I used to wonder the difference between these two. It seems to me that both speak authoritatively about a given subject. Both attempt educate. Each might be confused for the other, but there are differences. An expert is hungry for knowledge. He wants to know all there is to know about a subject. As such, he listens to input from others on a subject to see if there's something new or undiscovered about a suject. Experts can seem humble because they can be slow to chime in, preferring to listen to a problem before offering a solution. An expert will take the time to say why something can't be done. He'll also be willing to acknowledge when he doesn't know something. None of these are true of the "know-it-all". He's quick to offer advice, slow to listen. Instead of learning from an expert, he'll be the one to point out any of the expert's short-comings. Case in point. I was in a uniform store. A woman, in training to be a nurse's aide, walked in to buy her first set of scrubs. Despite being surrounded by people who work with them everyday, she kept disagreeing about the nature of the fabric, the cut of the clothing, etc. The people who clearly knew better about the suject, were forced to be quiet or risk a confrontation with someone assured of her wrong opinions. In the end, no one learned anything. That's the difference. With an expert, you'll learn something and feel more intelligent. With a know-it-all you'll learn nothing and feel stupid. Paul

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." Psalm 127:1 (NIV) On my podcast, I talk about how to improve your church's tech ministry. There's another piece that I haven't talked about before. You see, there are many people that do the same things, but get totally different results. Some call it luck. I call it followership. If God doesn't want you to have a prevailing tech ministry, you may build and build, learn and learn, but you'll not accomplish what you could have doing what God has for you to do. I trust that God wants what's best for both me and the universe. Such is my trust of God that I look at everything through that lens. I also realize my own limitions. As I direct the video on Sunday mornings, I'm keenly aware that I'm not the greatest director in the world. I'm an editor who directs. With that said, there are occasions, moments really, when everything works out just right. There are times when, despite my best efforts, the shots hold layers of meaning that I don't intend. It is during those times that I know I'm not the one whose really doing the directing. I'm the technical director, but there is another Director calling the shots. Conversely, I've had times when I've done everything humanly possible to have the best shots. I've listened to audio of the music. I've studied the shot suggestions from the music director. I've attended all practices with a full compliment of camera people and it's gone HORRIBLY. I forgot to ask God to fill-in for my short-comings and it's shown. My efforts aren't what make a great production, but what God does. Paul

I just realized that I referenced an article I wrote for "Church Production Magazine" in my latest podcast, but didn't have a link to it anywhere on the site. So here it is. IMAG isn't for everyone, but if it's for you, this article will help you with the implementation of it. It includes some tips on both equipment and people needed. I'd add what I said in the podcast about three camera being really helpful. Oh yeah, for reasons outlined in the podcast, I disagree w/what the "editor's note" says about the size of churches needing IMAG. Paul

On today's "Tech, No Babel", editing a testimony video, how to know if your church needs Imag, explaining the need for new equipment, and much, much more. Click here for this week's show. Paul

I've fixed the comment section, so you can now leave comments. Paul

Go to the Wiki if you're curious about the definitions of some video terms. I've started an article that I've entitled "Glossary". Check there if you want to know the definition of a term. Since this is a Wiki, if you don't see the term you want to know about, just login and add the term. I'll take some time and define words that are posted there. Additionally, in the FAQ section, I've posted one question to get us started. This one explains the name of the show--"Tech, No Babel". If you have other questions about the show or about video and graphics, post it there and either I'll answer it or one of the other people here will. I want the wiki to be a resource for ministries all over the world. It can only happen with your help. Paul

As promised, the "Tech, No Babel" wiki is up and running. Feel free to add your articles, Questions for the "FAQ", etc. Paul

Click here for episode 10. On today's "Tech, No Babel", brainstorming creative, culturally relevant services, church website "no, no's", your questions, and much, much more. PowerPoint Producer Paul