BUYING A PC OF YOUR OWN AND FOR THE CHURCH.

More than anything, you need to know what you want to use the computer for. Knowing what you will use your computer for helps you determine what type of minimum requirements the computer needs to have. For example, computers that run graphic design programs generally need more memory (RAM) than computers used for simple word processing operations. The size of the software you plan to run will dictate how much memory your computer should have. Be sure to check the inventory of what's on the computer, so you'll know what you're getting. You either have a clone or branded computer. 

Computer Terminologies that you need to know:

Here are some basic computer terms that will help you understand what the salesman is talking about:

DVD/CD-ROM Drive: 

Most new computers come with a CD-ROM drive as standard equipment. CD's store lots of data and are the normal way to install new programs.

CPU: 

The CPU, or central processing unit, is the brains of the computer and performs many of the operations. Most Windows-based programs use a Pentium processor. 

Disk Drive: 

Virtually all computers come with a disk drive that can read and save information on portable diskettes, also called floppy disks. You can use floppy disks to save information or to load new software onto your computer.

Hard Drive: 

The hard drive also is called the hard disk. You'll probably never see it because it is nestled inside your computer. It's the computer's electronic filling cabinet, and it stores the computer's operating system, files, programs and documents.

Keyboard: 

Just like a typewriter keyboard, this device is the way of inputting data into the software that you will be operating.

Megahertz (MHz): 

This is the clock speed of the microprocessor. The higher the number, the quicker the information is processed. MHz relates to how many millions of instructions can be processed per second.

Memory: 

This is the circuitry or device that holds information in an electrical or magnetic form. There is read-only memory (ROM), which is information primarily stored on a disk, and random-access memory (RAM), which is chip-based storage inside the computer. Memory is typically measured in megabytes (MBs).

Modem: 

This mechanism connects a computer to a phone line so information can be sent from one computer to another or the user can access an on-line service or the Internet. In view of the popularity of the Internet, a modem is now considered basic equipment and comes on practically all new computers. Most modems come with fax capabilities, too. Faster Internet speeds are available with DSL or cable connections.

Monitor: 

An output device that allows you to see what you are doing. we have LCD and CRT

Motherboard: 

The motherboard is the circuit board that everything in the computer plugs into. The CPU, RAM and cache all plug into the motherboard.

Mouse:

The mouse is another input device that makes getting around in your computer easier. It is a handheld object that is good for doing tasks such as moving and pointing to objects on the screen, and can replace the function and control keys of the keyboard.

Printer: 

A printer is an essential part of the computer if you want a hard copy of your work. There are three main types of printers on the market: inkjet, bubble jet and laser. Most inkjets and bubble jets can print color and graphics, and a laser printer offers the best resolution at the highest speed (and price).

RAM: 

Computers save data in two ways: on the hard drive (permanently) and in random access memory (temporarily while the software is running). 

Scanner: 

This device can input written documents, pictures or photographs directly into your computer. There are three types of scanners: handheld, hopper-feed and flatbed.

Sound Card: 

This device allows your computer to reproduce music, sounds and recorded voices. Make sure you have a sound card if you're planning to play multimedia games.

Video Card: 

The video card is the part of the computer that sends the images to the monitor.

Take note of these four issues on the computer configuration: Hard Disk, Mother Board, Processor, and RAM. If you can get these ones right, others are a bit minimal.

Many more...........

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HOW A CHURCH CAN ABUSE ICT

ICT facilities are not final answers to several delinquencies in the church and her ministries. ICT really has positive influences in churches nowadays, but care must be taken that it should not be overused. Using ICT is not a substitute for other methods of teaching or presenting sermon. Do not use visual media in worship if your reasons include the followings:

· We have an important programme/dignitaries, and we want the outsiders to know that we can be ranked as among the first when it comes to the use of ICT in ministry

· Entice guest to join the church

· Without using the latest technology, we won’t increase our congregation.

· To gather crowd since people are attracted to video.

· We want to rank equal with other church in material acquisition.

· Other churches that of the same size and year of establishment are using projectors and other ICT facilities, therefore, we must have our own.

· To show that we are of higher class if other churches are using projectors, why must be left behind.

· Making use of films to replace time of sermon when pastor did not prepare message.

· Just for entertainment

· Let us build our ICT unit, so that we attract young folks to the church.

· Not many people like walking around with their bible and hymn book, so let them be helped through projecting of the Bible passage and hymns.

· Technology will help us to expand without struggle. There is a need to know that church expansion is not as a result of technology.

You should know that ICT facilities are not:

· For entertainment

· Not means to draw crowd or a means to cure all challenges in the church

· Substitutes for good preparation.

· For personal satisfaction

Many more...........

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PC AND NETWORKING

In the world of computers, networking is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing data. Networks are built with a mix of computer hardware and computer software. 

Networks can be categorized in several different ways. One approach defines the type of network according to the geographic area it spans. Local area networks (LANs), for example, typically span a single home, school, or small office building, whereas wide area networks (WANs), reach across cities, states, or even across the world. The Internet is the world's largest public WAN.

Computer networks also differ in their design. The two basic forms of network design are called client/server and peer-to-peer. Client-server networks feature centralized server computers that store email, Web pages, files and or applications. On a peer-to-peer network, conversely, all computers tend to support the same functions. Client-server networks are much more common in business and peer-to-peer networks much more common in homes. 

Here is the networking hardware you need to set up a small network:

Network adapter cards: expansion cards that provide the physical connection between each computer and the network. The card installs into a slot on your computer, just like a sound card or modem card. Some newer computers have a network adapter already built into the system. Laptop computers often use a card that slides into a PC card slot. 

Network hub: the central connection point for network cables that connect to computers or other devices on a network. The hub has several network cable jacks or ports that you use to connect network cables to computers. The hub contains circuitry that enables each computer to communicate with any other computer connected to the hub. 

Network cables: special, unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables used to connect each computer to the hub.

This is just a bit of what you can do with networking...

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SETTING UP ICT DEPARTMENT FOR THE CHURCH

Things to note on Church ICT human resources:

· Very few churches have a standing ICT committee.

· Churches do not have paid ICT personnel and where they have they are usually audio system technicians and television technicians.

· While most churches do not have ICT personnel they totally agree that they do not need to have one.

IMPORTANT ISSUES ON ICT IN THE CHURCH

· The ICT strategy for church growth should address the ICT infrastructure in a comprehensive manner as well as promoting computer literacy programmes for members to enhance their use of the Internet as outreach to many who need to hear about the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

· To cater for the huge proportion of the younger membership, the church premises, and all the meeting halls where members congregate should have internet access. 

· The church missions committee should set up proper data centre and network operating centre. Enough bandwidth will be required for the various online programmes of the church such as evangelistic webinars, distance Bible learning and several online programmes. Counseling, follow-ups and visitation ministries will require modern call centre for counseling as well as, help desk. An institutional repository is necessary for storage of evangelistic digital content, such as sermons, Bible studies, and musical and choral recordings. The missions department should provide easy access to ICT resources such as online Christian library, reprographic centre and global classroom for Christian programmes. 

· Churches should setup a steering team to develop and oversee an Internet outreach plan along with expected needs and results. The web will continue to play great role in church communication medium and virtual learning environment might be as important and representative as a real one. 

· Best practices for hosting Church mail portals include owning a church domain reflecting the church name and ministry, providing church domain email addresses for distance Christian education and discipleship training and communication between church members should be through the church domain email addresses. 

· The benefits gained by implementing church document management system include secure storage of documents, easy retrieval of documents, excellent search capabilities to cut down on time searching for documents, controlled environment for updates to document, complex security rules to control access, increased visibility of key documents, one source and one set of rules for managing documents, reduced time and effort spent on document management, ability to maintain document history to meet legal requirements. 

· To take advantage of worldwide web church management information system must be web-based enterprise solutions. It must address areas like church membership, church outreach management system, church pastoral care management, church financial system, church document management system and church education management.

Do you have any vision you want to execute, then clarify your vision:

Clearly define what the department will look like if the idea is executed successfully. Develop a summary of that vision and communicate it to church Executive Committee consistently and often. Keep the vision in front of them; make it a part of their daily lives. People cannot and will not follow you if they don't know where you are taking them to and what will be the outcome of all their efforts. You should know what you need, why you need it and when you need.

Planning: 

Planning is essential to any vision in order to see it fulfilled. Therefore, as a pastor, you are to plan on how to carry out the vision: organize a series of training and teaching to carry the congregation along. By the time the church has got the vision, they will run with it beyond the pastor expectation. It might take time but it will be to the benefit of the pastor and the church. Part of planning involves gathering of the materials needed, the human resources, and the money to run the vision smoothly.

If you are working as an associate pastor, it is better to key into the vision of the senior pastor. Great things are achieved when you are not after the credit. 

Execution of vision:

You have to be very systematic and logical in executing your vision. Most times, several people did not have their vision accomplished because they lack the logical means of executing their vision. Most good visions that were not logically executed had brought shame to the pioneer of the vision and thus made him to look like a fool. Systematic execution of vision is part of the planning process, but its real implementation comes up at the time of establishing the vision or project. 

Take note of the following as you desire to execute the vision of having ICT Department of the church: 

- Give opportunity to others who are talented or interested to supply suggestions. 

- Harness the gift and the resources of the various professional related to ICT in the church.

- Create opportunity for training by sensitizing them on the nature of the assignment.

- Make opportunity for recruitment and donation because you cannot do it alone.

- Help them to know the significance of working in ICT department.

- Bring out a blue print of how you intend to achieve the vision. This should include equipment needed, department needed, aims and objectives. It should have a minimum of five years plan.

- Purchase the equipment as listed in your blue print or invite a consultant in that field to guide you in your purchases.

- Train your volunteers on the equipment acquired.

- Make plan for routine maintenance and check-up, also make plan for replacement.

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ICT AS A VISITATION AND MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR THE CHURCH

The church as the coming together of all believers from all works of life lives in different places outside the church. The work of the pastor does not end on pulpit but it spread to the home of the church members. The pastor needs to keep up to date database of the church members. The records of visitors, transfer, birth, date etc should be kept. This will help the pastor to monitor the growth of the church and track the record of attendance of membership.

Database: 

A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purpose in a digital form.
Visitation to Church Member
On the church database you keep record of church members, keep track about their life development (e.g. wedding) keep record of their residence, and keep information of their last contact. The details of each church member can easily be traced out as their records have been kept beforehand.

Advantages:
- It will help the pastor to visit members and assign the deacons to pay some members visit as time may require.
- It will provide the pastor with information about each family and their locations.
- It can help the church to keep record of adequate family tree
- It makes the church to be appropriate custodian of history.

MANAGEMENT TOOL

Preparing church financial record using Microsoft excel. Microsoft Office’s spreadsheet application can be used to track and analyze numerical data for display on screen or in printed format. Excel is designed to help you record and calculate data, and present it in a clear and attractive manner. Excel provides you with various chart and layout options to enhance your spreadsheets.

It is of great importance that a church keep adequate record of its resources, this can help us monitor and prevent wastage as well as assimilate income against expenditure over a given period of time. 

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ICT AS A TEACHING AID

The use of ICT as teaching aid is viable in this century of ours. ICT as teaching aid can be interpreted as Instructional Technology. Instructional Technology can be defined as exactly as it sounds, using computers, CD-ROMs, interactive media, modems, satellites, teleconferencing and other technological means to support learning.

In other words, ICT in education is any hardware and software technology that contribute in the educational information processing. That is to say, ICT in education is any Information Technology that focuses on the acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, transmission or reception of data required for the educational purpose.

Purposes of ICT in education:
· To broadcast material, online facility or CD-ROM can be used as sources of information in different subjects;
· To facilitate communication for people with special needs.
· To use the online resource like, email, Chat, discussion forum to support collaborative writing and sharing of information.
· To facilitate video-conferencing or other form of Tele conferencing to involve wide range of students from distant Geographic areas.
· For blended learning by combining conventional classroom learning with E-learning systems
· To process administrative and assessment data.
· To exchange and share ideas -among teachers for the professional growth.
· To carry out internet-based research to enhance educational process
· To explain and clarify a difficult point
· To furnish background information



Characteristics and Nature of Instructional Technology:
· It develops new concepts like programmed learning, video tape, projector and computer etc.
· It can be used successfully in teaching and instructional system.
· It cannot replace the teacher
· It is helpful in achieving cognitive objectives.
· It can meet the shortage of effective teachers
· With its help, the students can learn according to his needs and speed if maximally used.
· It can control the individual differences.
· Analysis of contents in depth is carried out in this technology.

ADVANTAGES OF THE USE OF ICT IN EDUCATION:
Quick access to information: 

Information can be accessed in seconds by connecting to the internet and surfing through Web pages.

Easy availability of updated data: 

Sitting at home or at any comfortable place, one can get the desired information accessed easily. This helps the students to learn the updated content. Teachers too can keep themselves abreast of the latest teaching learning strategies and related technologies. Connecting Geographically dispersed regions: With the advancement of ICT, education does not remain restricted within four walls of the educational institutions. Students from different parts of the world can learn together by using online, offline resources. This would result in the enriching learning experience. Such 

collaborative learning can result in developing... 

• divergent thinking ability in students, 

• Global perspectives 

• respect for varied nature of human life and acculturation. 

• Facilitation of learning.

Taking Care of Individual differences: 

ICT can contribute in caring for individual needs of the students as per their capabilities and interest. Crowded class rooms have always been a challenge for the teacher to consider the needs of every student in the class.

Wider range of communication media: 

With the advent of ICT, different means of communication are being introduced in the teaching learning process. Offline learning, online learning, blended learning are some of the resources that can be used in educational institutions. Collaborative learning, individualized learning strategies can enhance the quality of group as well as individual learning with the real society. This can ensure the applicability of knowledge.

Wider learning opportunities for learners: 

Application of latest ICT in education has provided many options to the learners to opt for the course of their choices. Many Online courses are available for them to select any as per their aptitude and interest. Students can evaluate their own progress through different quizzes, ready to use online tests. This can ensure fulfillment of the employment required in the job market thus minimizing the problem of unemployment. It can also provide more efficient and effective citizens to the society as per the changing needs.

These are other advantages:
Improved pastoral care and behaviour management through better tracking of students
Gains in understanding and analytical skills, including improvements in reading Comprehension.
Development of writing skills (including spelling, grammar, punctuation, editing and re-drafting), also fluency, originality and elaboration.
Encouragement of independent and active learning, and self-responsibility for learning.
Students found learning in a technology-enhanced setting more stimulating and student-centred than in a traditional classroom
Opportunities to address their work to an external audience
Opportunities to collaborate on assignments with people outside or inside school
ICT facilities make learning faster
ICT facilities make learning more permanent
ICT facilities make learning more enjoyable

Note these as students:
· If you are not conversant with the use of computer and other ICT facilities you are missing a great deal.
· Without adequate knowledge of ICT, you will struggle where you ought to conveniently have access to information.
· You depend so much on others to get what may cost you little or no effort and they may in turn waste your time.

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SERMON DELIVERY AND SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS USING POWERPOINT

In terms of technology there are so many things we can do in this generation that were not possible before; and now technology can also be an aid to those of us who preach the gospel. Many churches have added to their technological assets the data-projector system. And with it, effective visual presentations can be made through software presentation programs like Microsoft PowerPoint and many others. Though use of technology can be a distraction to God, to you, and to those you teach when used improperly, it can be a great asset in achieving these goals when used effectively.

PRACTICAL: Microsoft POWERPOINT Presentation
GUIDELINES TO MAKE USE OF POWERPOINT
Contrast is important: For paper: dark text on a light background.
For projection: light text on a semi-dark background. The eye is attracted to the light on the screen
Stick with a single background
– The background is the stage for your information.
– Set the stage and leave it alone!

• Don’t try to dazzle/amaze the audience with graphics or style…but with the information.
• The medium is not the message.
• The information is the message.

Balance:
• Do not center bullet points: It makes the text ragged, and hard to read and follow with your eyes.
• Generally, left-justify bullets, this keeps things neat and easy to follow.
• Centered graphics leave little room for text.
• Place graphics off-center, it makes more room for text when it is better balanced.
• It makes the presentation more pleasing to the eye.
• Left placement leads the eye to the text.

Capitalization:
• AVOID ALL CAPS
• First Cap - More Formal, Harder To Type And More Decisions.
• Capitalize only the first word, except where necessary.
• This is an example of capitalizing the first word – It is less formal.
• It is easier to type and fewer decisions.

Fonts:
• Employ only a few, stick to familiar fonts
• Stay away from gimmicky fonts unless for a theme.
• Keep type sizes consistent.

Choose Fonts Wisely:
• Italics may be more difficult to read with some fonts.
• Use bold when you want some words to stand out.
• Use easy to read font size

Avoid Text Overload:
Having too much text on the screen can defeat the purpose of using PowerPoint. The slides begin to look like a jumble of text, making slides difficult to read and unrecognizable from each other. People will either try to read everything or copy everything down or they will lose interest. List only the key points. If you have more info to include use more slides or create handouts.

• One of the most common mistakes in creating a presentation is to place too much information on the screen. This can cause the reader to become distracted from the speaker. Audiences are much more receptive to the spoken word.

Other hints:
• Use builds…don’t give them too much info at once.
• Stick with the same transition.
• Be creative but leave some color choices to professionals.
• Six words per line.
• Six lines per page.
• Stick with power point defaults.
• What may look good on your computer may be unreadable in the church.
• Remember to use strong, contrasting colors.
• Light colors on dark background.
• Dark colors on light background.
• A few excellent graphics are better than many poor ones.
• Photographs can be powerful, use sparingly!

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SUITABLE ICT TOOLS TO COMPLIMENT SPECIFIC MINISTRIES IN THE CHURCH

Every field of life is becoming more simplified by the use of ICT and church ministries also interject into the technology in order to meet the development of the world. Church ministries become more influencing, penetrating, meaningful and powerful when reasonably flow with the advancement of technologies. Unless we
Computer applications for churches

There are several computer applications that can be supportive to ministry:

1. Word processing

2. Financial applications,

3. Processing lists,

4. Application for coordinating Bible studies and discipleship

5. Applications for scoring songs.

All these can be handled with a personal computer having the right peripheral equipment, provided you have the right type of software.

Word processing: Almost any personal computer on the market today has software to make it a word-processing system. A system that will adequately handle word-processing needs for most churches will include at least a floppy disc, a screen, and a type writer-quality printer.

Financial applications: A number of financial applications are appropriate for a personalized computer, provided you have storage capacity to cope with the size of your church membership. A steward ship system can help keep track of giving by category and provide members with itemized statements of their year-to-date gifts, offering and tithes.

Processing lists: There are many types of lists that a church handles, and by careful organization of data, it is possible to minimize storage of these lists in a computer system. This can be accomplished by associating multiple types of information about each person. Thus it is possible to select lists that meet certain criteria—for example, all deacons, all elders, all individuals who have contributed to the building fund in the past six months.

Discipleship and Bible Studies Coordinating: Keeping track of where individuals are in a Discipleship or Bible study program can be useful to enlarge evangelistic endeavors. The computer can be used to process and coordinate the name of each individual who is involved in Bible studies and discipleship programmes with the person who is giving the studies, and the date that each study is completed. The system can also provide lists of individuals who have not completed a lesson for a long time, as well as lists of persons who are nearing their last lesson and should be visited by the pastor.

Applications for scoring songs: There are several applications that can be used to score songs and hymns more easily than before. The list may be inexhaustible, it includes: musescore, pyro, reason propella head, cake walk etc.

PRACTICAL: Word Processing
The church has different ministries through which she ministers Christ to several people and fulfills the mandates given her by God. Some among these ministries are: Teaching Ministry, Evangelism and Mission, Music Ministry, Media Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry and many others.

THE TEACHING MINISTRY
This ministry is very important to the church and so we cannot afford to do less teaching. It is an aspect that leads to the growth of the member of the church in all aspect of life. Some of the ICT facilities needed for this aspect of church ministry are indicated below:
· Organized Electronic Library: this is a virtual store of educational materials. That way the church members can have access to different material.
· Making use of materials such as E-Sword, P. C. Bible, Illumina, Power Bible and so on.
· Projector
· Audio Bible

CHURCH PUBLICITY
ICT helps the church to propagate its programme to the outside world. Advertisement of programme serves as evangelism mean to reach the unreached and to be a blessing to several others outside the church. The church should be careful not to present what she does not have. Advert should promote and point to Christ and not to man and the church. It should be done with a right motive.

Some of the mediums and gadgets that can be used in publicity of church programme include: megaphone, billboard, jingle on television and radio, etc.

EVANGELISM/OUTREACH MINISTRY
The resources that can help the church to fulfill her evangelistic purpose include:
Communication Methods through Prints: Magazines, documentary, tracts etc that will touch a particular area of people’s need. It should be hat will really touch the heart.

Radio Programmes (audio): This can be carried out in different forms, marriage seminar, health talk, youth oriented programme, career guidance and counselling.

Television Programme (visual): The same as in Radio Ministry

CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY
In order to prepare correct material resources or gadgets for any ministry in the church there is a need to understand the need of the age-group, their philosophy, psychology and the likes so as to able to maximize any period or resources to spend for them. Children auditorium is neglected in compared with the way the adult auditorium is given priority. If we lay good foundation today, it will surely help their tomorrow.

Projectors, television, e-library, good public address system and many other ICT facilities and materials you can mention are needed for children ministry. There is a need to put the children as first in the church priority in order to prepare them for the future that is awaiting them, at least they are the future of the church.

MUSIC MINISTRY
There are various ICT and electronic equipment that can help this ministry to effectively carry out its mission and ministry in the church or wherever it will be needed to propagate the gospel of the Christ. Some among other equipment are:
Sound System: This is meant to help projecting the sound produced by whosoever is singing or speaking without struggle.
Musical gadgets: guitars, pianos, etc
Computer: Songs can be scripted and transcribed using the computer, thereby saving the time of the music minister. They can help create staff notation and also be used in composing songs. Some software that can help are Nuendo, fruits loops, pyro, reason propella head, cake walk etc.. Some of them can help us improvise electronic gadgets thereby saving money example is the guitar rig.
Projector:

MULTI-MEDIA LIBRARY/MINISTRY
Every church ought to have a multi-media library. It is a place where people can access both the print and non-print materials. It is made up of visual and non-visual materials, printed copies, and play-back tapes. Although, it purpose is to train and educate people, it is also serves as the store house for the education, multimedia materials.
A multi-media (ICT) unit can be attached to the pastor’s office. The pastor can engage the service of a pastor who is well knowledgeable in ICT who can also do multi-task such a person can help the pastor to keep inventory of the church ad maintain church’s database.

Advantages of Multi-media Library
- It serves as curator to a denominational heritage.
- Your church library is also a place where outreach can happen naturally while talking about a book or video.
- Church library is a tremendous ministry opportunity. It can reach all age groups, and it can support the outreach into the community. It has the potential to strengthen, counsel, and encourage, all while being a financially sound investment.

Starting a Multi-Media Library
- Conceive the Idea/vision
- Sell the vision/idea to the church.
- Discuss with the church, inform them about the importance
- Tell them of the resources needed such as books, video tapes, recorded messages etc.
- Wait till the church see it as her vision – i.e. buying the vision
- Get a location to be used for the library
- Place chairs and tables in the class
- Arrange the books in the Library
- Create a catalogue of the book
- Get a volunteer/employ someone who will work to attend to people from time to time
- You should endeavour to make the place closed during worship times
- Announce the time of operation to the church
- Keep proper record of the resources there.

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VARIOUS ICT FACILITIES USED IN THE CHURCH

Churches in Nigeria these days are now moving to the next level in ICT, church members are more used to media in the church for easy access to many things, like writing sermons, songs etc. churches use software like easy-worship and other applications.

Church ICT infrastructures for growth include:
VSAT: Short for Very Small Aperture Terminal, an earthbound station used in satellite communications of data, voice and video signals, excluding broadcast television. A VSAT consists of two parts, a transceiver that is placed outdoors in direct line of sight to the satellite and a device that is placed indoors to interface the transceiver with the end user's communications device, such as a PC. The transceiver receives or sends a signal to a satellite transponder in the sky. The satellite sends and receives signals from a ground station computer that acts as a hub for the system. Each end user is interconnected with the hub station via the satellite, forming a star topology. The hub controls the entire operation of the network. For one end user to communicate with another, each transmission has to first go to the hub station that then retransmits it via the satellite to the other end user's VSAT. (The second component of VSAT earth station is the indoor unit (IDU). The indoor unit is a small desktop box or PC that contains receiver and transmitter boards and an interface to communicate with the user's existing in-house equipment - LANs, servers, PCs, TVs, kiosks, etc. The indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit with a pair of cables.)

TV station or TV production: Some denominations are already having TV stations. It helps in delivering the Christian message of hope around the globe via television, internet and mobile devices.

Computers: Through this several of church information can be manipulated and kept for future generations.

Bulk SMS: SMS means Short Message Service. Bulk SMS is simply a way of sending simple text messages to numerous contacts at once using the internet instead of your cell phone and you need not go through your telecom service provider.

Internet bandwidth: Internet bandwidth can be thought of as an electronic byway that connects the Internet to your computer. Increasing bandwidth (widening the lane) allows more traffic to flow, increasing speed. Having a little or a lot of Internet bandwidth available makes the difference between watching a graphic-intensive Web page load in phases over a period of several minutes, or having it pop into your window like a flash of lightening. The more bandwidth your connection has, the faster it will load and the more time you will save.
Internet bandwidth test meters are available online to test your connection speed. The hosting site will upload blocks of data recording the amount of time it takes to complete the transfers. Speed is a measurement of how much data can be transferred from the Internet to your computer per second. A graph will reveal the results, allowing you to see if your connection is performing as expected. Close unnecessary background processes and programs before you start, and take several bandwidth tests from several sites to establish an average, true speed.

Local Area Network (within church buildings): A local area network (LAN) supplies networking capability to a group of computers in close proximity to each other such as in an office building, a school, or a home. A LAN is useful for sharing resources like files, printers, games or other applications. A LAN in turn often connects to other LANs, and to the Internet or other WAN. Most local area networks are built with relatively inexpensive hardware such as Ethernet cables, network adapters, and hubs. Wireless LAN and other more advanced LAN hardware options also exist.

Wireless Network Infrastructure: Church members, staff and guests will have shared access to wireless network resources to support the Church’s mission of teaching, research, and outreach. Anyone who wishes to connect to the Church network with a laptop or other wireless device must use wireless network infrastructure devices that are owned by and centrally managed by the church to ensure integrity, security, and availability for appropriate educational and spiritual activities. Any wireless network device that would extend the church network, and is not managed by the church network, will be considered a rogue device (A wireless network device that spoofs or interferes with the day to day legitimate operation of central wireless services.), and will be subject to detection and immediate removal from the network.

Optical Fiber Cabling: A fiber optic cable is a network cable that contains strands of glass fibers inside an insulated casing. These cables are designed for long distance and very high bandwidth (gigabit speed) network communications. Fiber optic cables carry communication signals using pulses of light. While expensive, these cables are increasingly being used instead of traditional copper cables, because fiber offers more capacity and is less susceptible to electrical interference.

Call Centre or Help Desk: It is meant to communicate and relate to people both in person and via phone/email. It is a team sort of ministry. Those that are involved in this section of church ministry are creative problem solvers and passionate Christ-follower with a clear calling to support ministry. Those that are in this section of ministry should know how to troubleshoot PCs. They should be able to provide one-on-one support for end-users. They should be able to support the technology needs of the church with global impact.

Church Internet Domain: This is the internet address of the church where the mission, the vision and the ministry of the church is spelt out and with the aim of encountering souls for Christ daily.

ICT Resource Centre: The ICT Resource Centre is a place that is equipped with modern Personal Computers for one-on-one learning opportunities to the students.

CD/DVD production studio: We have all been to services where we wish we could go back again and watch it all over again. Many churches record their service in audio format to make available to its members or anyone else for that matter. CD/DVD recordings add another level to this by letting the viewer see what is actually going on. The CD/DVD production studio is another means through which church programme and pastor message can be kept. It can also be of help to produce CD/DVD for church members and outsiders that are saddled with one ministry or the other to their generation.

Printing Press or Publishing House: Print media is the oldest mass media and is one of the most useful instruments for Christian ministry of today. Some believe that literature is the most effective and far reaching, and is used by all churches or missions to spread the news. In print media we can include devices like newsletters, newspapers, booklets, tracts, magazines, books, and other information letters, which are very commonly used by today’s church organizations. Some of them work like a channel for information and inspiration, some like a signal which are delivered by the people of other places, some printed media act as missionary that spread the sermons, articles, songs and other writings about the word of God. People can be imparted and informed through these writings by which they could see the reality of life and words of Jesus Christ.

Projector

Photocopy machine

Public Address System –

And many others… stay connected.

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POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO FRUSTRATING AND SLOW INTERNET SPEED

INTERNET LOADING……. LOADING FAILED



INTRODUCTION TO INTERNET
Internet, from computer dictionary is the worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another, is not new in Nigeria; so many people are used to the internet. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational, and other computer systems, that route data and messages.

Nduka Dagbue of Getachus Nigeria Ltd, said “the Internet, sometimes called simply "the Net," is a worldwide system of computer networks - a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission, get information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other computers).”

One or more Internet nodes can go off line without endangering the Internet as a whole or causing communications on the Internet to stop, because no single computer or network controls it. The genesis of the Internet was a decentralized network called ARPANET created by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1969 to facilitate communications in the event of a nuclear attack. Eventually other networks, including BITNET, Usenet, UUCP, and NSFnet, were connected to ARPANET. Currently the Internet offers a range of services to users, such as FTP, e-mail, the World Wide Web, Usenet news, Gopher, IRC, telnet, and others.

TYPES OF INTERNET CONNECTIONS IN NIGERIA
There are many ways to connect to the internet world wide. The three most popular ways in Nigeria are Wireless Broadband, Satellite (Vsat), and Dial-up.

Wireless Broadband Connection
Wireless, from computer dictionary is pertaining to, or characteristic of communications that take place without the use of interconnecting wires or cables, such as by radio, microwave, or infrared light.

Wireless Internet or wireless broadband is one of the newest Internet connection types. Instead of using telephone or cable networks for your Internet connection, you use radio frequency bands. Wireless Internet provides an always-on connection which can be accessed from anywhere — as long as you are geographically within a network coverage area. Example, in my class we can connect to the wireless, but if we travel distance from the network, we will not have access to the wireless network again.

Most wireless Internet sites offer content as basic text with limited graphics. Wireless communication is limited by how far a system's signals can reach. Wireless LANs use small cells, called micro cells to extend their system's range. This is similar (as the name would indicate) to cellular telephone technology. At any point in time, a mobile PC equipped with a Wireless LAN adapter is associated with a single access point and its micro cell, or area of coverage. Individual micro cells overlap to allow continuous communication within wired network.

According to Nduka Dagbue of Getachus Nigeria Ltd, Wireless Broadband internet connections are becoming very popular in Nigeria right now as a result of ease of connection and wide availability. The only draw back to it is that most of the providers operate from unlicensed frequencies with its attendant issues of interference. The Licensed frequencies are even not spared. As a result of this, service qualities can not be guaranteed.

Satellite (Vsat) Connection
This allows a user to access the Internet via a satellite that orbits the earth.

A satellite is stationed in geosynchronous orbit that acts as a microwave relay station, receiving signals sent from a ground-based station (earth station), amplifying them, and retransmitting them on a different frequency to another ground-based station. Initially used for telephone and television signals, communications satellites can also be used for high-speed transmission of computer data. Two factors affecting the use of satellites with computers, however, are propagation delay (the time lag caused by the distance travelled by the signal) and security concerns.

According to Nduka Dagbue of Getachus Nigeria Ltd, A dish antenna, measuring about two feet high by three feet wide by three feet deep, transmits and receives signals. Uplink speeds are nominally 50 to 150 Kbps for a subscriber using a single computer. The downlink occurs at speeds ranging from about 150 Kbps to more than 1200 Kbps, depending on factors such as Internet traffic, the capacity of the server, and the sizes of downloaded files.

Dial-up Connection
Dial-up Connection is a remote network through the use of a modem. Dial-up networking is typically used in reference to telecommuting, although the term is equally applicable to connecting to the Internet. Dialup Connections are mainly analog connectivity which requires dial-up access. This means that every time you need to access the Internet, your modems must dial a number to secure a connection. Communication Companies in Nigeria provides such modem for home use and office use.

According to Nduka Dagbue of Getachus Nigeria Ltd, Dial-up connectivity offers several key advantages. It is most inexpensive solution and it is available anywhere there is a phone line. On the other hand, it is the slowest connection available, particularly when there are many users on the network needing remote access, and it requires waiting while a dial-up link is being made.

CAUSES OF SLOW AND FRUSTRATING INTERNET ACCESS
High speed Broad band Internet connections run at a much faster rate than any dial-up connection. It helps to download high capacity of anything, and it’s very fast. However, if you are looking for a specific connection rate, be cautious.

Causes 1: If your Hard Ware equipments were not properly installed, do not expect high level of efficiency from it. You can lose up to 70% efficiency from your equipments if not properly installed.

Causes 2: If your ISP (Internet Service Provider) did not follow the terms and conditions and provide low bandwidth, you can always use some bandwidth testing website to verify the actual bandwidth you have, most ISP already provided such service, you can get the bandwidth testing feature or ask them to check for you.

Causes 3: If your Windows or router is not compatible with each other, it can cause extra overheads and slow down internet access dramatically. If you have a router older than 2 years, your router may not be compatible with your windows, prepare to replace it.

Causes 4: Your Internet Explorer is not optimized, too many checking and fancy features delays everything, and you may want to use a faster browser! Like Google Chrome, Fire Fox etc.

Causes 5: Your system may be infected by Virus and Spyware, and they constantly consume Internet bandwidth to send private information or establish a connection to the hacker's computer, this will breach Windows firewall because a port has been open and used to allow the hacker to gain access to your computer anytime.

Causes 6: If too many people are trying to access the same site at the same time, it could cause congestion and slow down the entire site. Like the Jamb web-site, at times could not be accessed, many people checking their result at the same time. If a Web site has particularly high traffic at the time you are trying to access it, your slow connection speed could be the fault of the Web site.

Causes 7: Your Internet browser was hijacked by unauthorized BHO (Browser Helper Object), and using the bandwidth to send your privacy data to the hacker. The constant connection will dominate your computer bandwidth and eventually freeze up during Internet connection! (Nduka Dagbue of Getachus Nigeria Ltd).

Causes 8: Bandwidth choices, this is very important, most people complain, they just got a bandwidth and its finish just in a week! You cannot use a bandwidth designed for the home user to run a cyber café of office, they are designed to perform optimally during off peak periods. Also you do not expect dedicated Bandwidth to perform like shared bandwidth. Your bandwidth choice must be done in accordance with your work load. Always remember that there is no free lunch on the internet. If your choice of bandwidth is inappropriate, there is no way you will get more than you have paid for.

Causes 9: The installation of your Local area network is also important, it could be frustrating when working online and the connection stop due to bad LAN, as soon as your internet service provider terminates internet at your location, the rest is up to you. If your LAN is not properly installed, do not expect to get high internet speed from your connection.

Causes 10: Heavy downloads can cause delay, during periods of heavy downloads on your network, do not expect to get high internet access speed, mind you most providers constantly monitor their networks and will immediately notices a site with very heavy downloads and place some restrictions on it. If you want to be constantly downloading big files, then you must subscribe for the appropriate bandwidth.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR SLOW AND FRUSTRATING INTERNET ACCESS (Nduka Dagbue of Getachus Nigeria Ltd)

Step-1: Check what is the speed provided to you? Let us understand what exactly is kbps. It is nothing but Kilo Bits per second. Let us take the example of 512kbps.

When you download it shows the speed in KBps i.e. Kilo Bytes per second. And one byte is equal to 8 bits. So if you have a connection 512 kbps then you will get a speed not more than 64KBps. (i.e 512/8) .If you getting above 50KBps download speed than its pretty good speed. If you are getting less than 20KBps speed while downloading then you have to be concerned about it.

Step 2: You are really getting less speed.
If you are getting less speed, than ask yourself a few questions?

Q1. Do I have good antivirus software whose virus database is up to date?
Q2. Do I have good anti-spyware software installed which has the most recent updated spyware definitions?
Q3. Do I have a good firewall like that of zone alarm to prevent external intrusion by hackers?
Q4. Do I have sufficient hardware to support the high speed internet connection? Like sufficient RAM and CPU speed?
Q5. Is my computer fully optimized for a good speed?

If all the answers of the above questions are yes then you have the rights to concern about your internet provider (ISP).

Step 3: Suppose everything is in place and you want some tweak to enhance the internet speed then follow the following steps.

Did you know a whopping of 20% bandwidth is reserved for Windows update service? Of course it will slow down your internet speed when the update process is going on in your computer. You can disable it. So that window can’t act like a king and ask for a reservation in bandwidth share.

For this follow the following steps.
1. Log into the Administrator account. (Remember to log into
"Administrator" account, this is important)
(How to log into Administrator account: Log off from your account. After it logged off press Ctrl+Alt+Del then log into the Administrator account using Administrator as user name and the password given during the installation of the windows XP)

2. Click on start - click run - type gpedit.msc
3. Expand the "local computer policy" branch.
4. Expand the "administrative templates" branch
5. Expand the "network branch"
6. Highlight the "QoS Packet Scheduler" in left window
7. In right window double click the "limit reservable bandwidth" setting
8. On setting tab check the "enabled" item
9. Where it says "Bandwidth limit %" change it to read 0

Reboot the system.
Most probably it will not slow your internet connection while windows service updates its program. Because now windows can't ask for a reservation in bandwidth, it has to share internet with other programs.

Step 4: If you have not taken a high speed connection then it is a good idea to block java and flash components of a web page. Because these components use a lot of bandwidth. Set up your IE not to download or show images during browsing. It will help to open up pages much faster, which enables you to read articles and blogs without having to wait ten minutes for the page to load. In Internet Explorer this can be done by going to Tools / Internet Options / Advance Tab / scroll down until you see “Show Pictures”; just uncheck that.

Step 5: Delete Index.dat files
These files will significantly slow down your computer's speed on the internet in most cases. These were designed to re-record all your internet history. These files can grow up to 100MB! Microsoft claims the files were designed to increase internet speed .But many times it does the opposite. Again it may expose your browsing activity to spy ware soft wares, which is a security concern too.

Index.dat are files hidden on your computer that contain all of the Web sites that you have ever visited. Every URL, and every Web page is listed there. Not only that but all of the email that has been sent or received through Outlook or Outlook Express is also being logged. The file names and locations depend on what version of Internet Explorer you have. If you are running IE version 4.0 or above, the file name is "index.dat". Microsoft has not supplied an adequate explanation as to what these files are for or why they have been hidden so well.

According to Microsoft, these files are used to cache visited Web sites to help speed up the loading of Web pages in Internet Explorer. Obviously this cannot be the case because when you clear the Temporary Internet

Files the "index.dat" files remain behind and continue to grow. If you delete or clear the Temporary Internet Files, there is absolutely no need to index the URL cache because those files no longer exist.

Don't waste your hard earned money on soft wares to speed up internet connection. They simply remove your internet history and index.dat files and just change few registry setting.

How to Delete Index.dat file Manually?
The index.dat file is used by Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer.

You cannot delete a file that is in use by a running program. If you feel you need to delete the file, you will have to shutdown all instances of Explorer and IE. This includes applications that may host the Web browser control: Outlook, Messenger, IE, Product Studio, Visual Studio, Help, Windows Media Player, etc. Your best bet is just close everything. When you are left with a desktop and a start menu, you will still need to shutdown Explorer. To cleanly shutdown Explorer: Start->Shutdown->CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+Click 'Cancel'. You can use Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, File->Run...) at this point to open a command window. You should be able to go delete the index.dat file.

Step 6: Always use a download manager to download. You can go for Free Download Manager. This is free and has really good features. I personally like this software.

Step 7: If your internet speed is hampering your browsing activity then, always make the automatic update features of all software disabled except for Anti-virus and Anti-spyware programs. But don't forget to update those manually on a regular basis when internet is idle. It definitely increases your internet speed. Even make the windows automatic update as manual. Don't forget to update it regularly by manual process.

Step 8: Reduce Web Cache Space: You need to reduce your web cache space to the minimum because this way your browser does not need to search much in the temporary files. For this you need to do the following:

Click Start > Click on Control Panel > Double Click on Internet Options >
Click on Setting option under the Browsing History [Delete temporary files, history, cookies, saved passwords & web information].
Click Start > Click on Control Panel > Double Click on Internet Options >
Click on Setting option under the Browsing History [Delete temporary files, history, cookies, saved passwords & web information].

Now reduce the cache size to the minimum recommended disk space which is normally 50Mb disk space. This way your internet connection speed will increase to some extent.

Step 9: Internet Service Provider Issues
Internet speed ultimately depends on the service provider. Your ISP may change their network's configuration, or suffer technical difficulties, that inadvertently cause your Internet connection to run slow. ISPs may also intentionally install filters or controls on the network that can lower your performance. Don't hesitate to contact or change your service provider if you suspect they are responsible for a slow Internet connection and cannot resolve the issue.

You need fast connection, to connect to the world...................... stay connected.

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INFORMATION ON FINACLE

FINACLE
Finacle from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia is a core banking software package developed by Indian technology corporation Infosys. It is used by multiple banks across several countries among which is Nigeria, it can handle multi-currency transactions.

In addition to the core banking, finacle also perform other financial and banking needs which includes: CRM Solution, e-Banking Solution, Treasury Solution, Wealth Management Solution, Direct Banking Solution, Mobile Banking Solution, Rural Banking Solution, Inclusion Solution, Alerts Solution, Digital Commerce Solution, Operational Data Store, Catalog Solution, Payments Solution, Liquidity Management Solution e.t.c

WHO ARE THE DEVELOPERS OF FINACLE

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Original author(s)                    Infosys
Developer(s                            Infosys
Initial release                          1999
Stable release                        10.2.09 / November 1, 2011; 4 years ago
Development status                Active
Written in                               Java, C/C + +
Operating system                   Cross-platform
Type                                      Banking Software
License                                  Commercial
Website                                 www.infosys.com/finacle

FINACLE IN NIGERIA
Finacle is the latest generation of banking applications developed by Infosys form india, the world’s leading developer of banking applications.

According to The CEO, UBA Africa, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka in Punch Newspaper dated April 9, 2015. He Said “The system will enhance our multi-country operations by facilitating new levels of process integration across our diverse African footprint spanning 19 African countries, enable rapid innovation and expand our capacity to offer a comprehensive set of products to meet the specific requirements of different segments of our diverse customer base.”

According to him, the new platform will improve all segments of the bank’s operations including; retail, trade and corporate banking, deposits and loans management, product development and enhance customer information management.

The Director, Group Information Technology, UBA, Mr. Rasheed Adegoke, said “Innovation and cutting edge technology will continue to shape banking operations in the increasingly competitive banking industry.

“Our new IT platform will enable us to be at the forefront of innovation and efficiency in the banking industry, and position UBA for global competitiveness.”

The bank, however, warned its customers to watch out for ‘phishing emails’, stating that it would never contact customers by e-mail to change or confirm their data.

The lender urged its clients not to respond to e-mails purportedly from the UBA requesting the confirmation of their bank details.

I think Nigeria is getting to the era of high information communication technology, this implies that all need to develop him/herself to gain access to all the latest information. Stay connected…

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Maintenance - How To Clean Your Computer Keyboard

Your keyboard is one of your most important peripherals, but it’s bound to get caught with dirt and malfunction as a result of accumulated dirt over time. Dust off, scrub down, and clean up your number one input device safely with these tips.

The Computer Keyboard

There are various system in cleaning your computer keyboard. Let us break it down one after the other:

1. Unplug Your Keyboard!

Some of these cleaning methods can theoretically do some damage to your keyboard if there’s power going to it, so be sure it’s unplugged and the batteries are taken out.

2. Deal With The Dust

A common Computer keyboard problem is the dust around. It can be found anywhere in offices, homes, schools etc. dust can really make typing unpleasant. It’s an easy fix, however. For daily maintenance, you can use a small soft-bristled dusting brush, like the one below. 

 

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