Re:Ask HN: Any Christian software engineers here?
by jackpirate on Saturday July 09, 2011 @07:52PM
(#2746614)
Something that integrates with social networks rather than replaces them could work. Maybe an automated way to setup a Facebook group, G+ Circles, twitter feed, etc. Sort of like a super-blog for churches to make sure everyone gets announcements in a format that's convenient for them.
I've noticed that lots of pastors create a blog, post actively for a few months, and then never post again. 5 years later and there's still a huge link to the defunct blog on the church's website.
My email's jackpirate@gmail
Re:Ask HN: Any Christian software engineers here?
by timmorgan on Saturday July 09, 2011 @08:26PM
(#2746679)
I started a new blog at http://church.io where I hope to eventually flesh out some of my ideas about church software.
Thanks so much for your thoughts.
I agree about pastors blogs as well -- I've seen the same phenomenon.
My wife and I have volunteered in a local ~800/week church for close to ten years, managing the technology there. We've worked hard to introduce OSS in as many places as possible. Our network servers are mostly Linux, and I even wrote a SaaS (also OSS) similar to The City called OneBody (http://beonebody.com).
So I agree with your thoughts on OSS.
Unfortunately, OneBody suffers from many of the same problems as you describe of The City, only worse since I have no marketing budget, and I'm about the only guy doing the coding.
I think I might like to build a new solution for churches, possibly OSS, that integrates with social media, but is designed for use by minsters and leaders -- not another private social network, which I have decided will forever be a hard sell.
I'd like to follow you on Twitter or get your email address if possible.