If you know me at all, you'll know I'm a Star Trek nut. And one of the coolest things they did on those shows was talk to the computer like it was a person. The voice recognition knew exactly what you said and would do whatever you told it to do. 

When Siri first came out on the iPhone, I had high hopes. "My very own Star Trek computer, waiting for my commands!" is what I thought. Turns out it's not like that. Siri is useful, just not Trek-level computing. Yet. 

But think about how much voice recognition has improved on computers and smartphones in just the last 10 years. Now I can speak to my computer and dictate, just like I'm doing with this article right now. And most of the time, it's correct. 

Jesus says in John 10:27:

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." 

Lots of things to look at in this verse. First and foremost, we must be a part of the flock. We can't hear our master's voice if we're not in the group to hear it. Secondly, when we're in that flock, Jesus knows us. He knows who we are. He knows what our heart is. And third, if we hear his voice and obey, we will follow him. 

Voice Recognition isn't quite up to Star Trek standards yet, but it's getting there. One thing we can always depend on is Jesus' voice - if we hear it, we know we're in the right place. 

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I got to have a great conversation with Robert Hatfield over at The Light Network about Getting a New Computer this week on his show Preachers In Training. It's very similar to the episode of Ministry Bits on Moving to a Mac this week as well, only Robert said and mentioned everything I didn't and in a much more eloquent way. So that's good. 

Give episode 40 a listen over at TheLightNetwork.tv or listen in iTunes. 

In case you missed my post earlier this week, I asked the question "What's Wrong With This Picture, Microsoft?" in reference to why the iPad doesn't have Office yet. Apparently there's more than one person that agrees with me. And they said it better too. 

Ben Thompson writing for Statechery:

So to summarize, Office is not available everywhere, and probably won’t be anytime soon, because Microsoft has a devices business to prop up. Oh, and Microsoft’s business needs are a priority over user needs. 

Even Windows fanboy Paul Thurrott writing for Supersite for Windows:

The reason this happened is that while Sinofsky had the maniacal power and force of will of a Steve Jobs, he lacked Jobs' best gift: An innate understanding of good design. Windows 8 is not well-designed. It's a mess. But Windows 8 is a bigger problem than that. Windows 8 is a disaster in every sense of the word.

This is not open to debate, is not part of some cute imaginary world where everyone's opinion is equally valid or whatever. Windows 8 is a disaster. Period.

When your own cheerleaders are now condemning your products and strategies, it's time for a major overhaul. 

Or you could just switch to Mac. 

First I want to confess that no, I am not a user of anything Microsoft. I have a Mac and I use Mac-equivalent programs for such things as word processing and spreadsheets. Before you write me off as an "Apple Fanboy" who just hates everything Microsoft, hear me out. 

I know lots of people who depend of Microsoft programs and apps (like Outlook, Exchange, and Office) every single day. I know people who write everything in MS Word, and just because this is what they like to use should not mean that I should judge them. 

What got me thinking about this was a few articles posted this week about MS Office finally coming to the iPad. My question is: why wasn't this done years ago? What's wrong with this picture, Microsoft? 

I don't depend on Office, but I know lots of people who do. The iPad is an undeniable success when it comes to content creation. It's been a force in the tablet market nearly since the day it was released. So why didn't Microsoft rush in and get Office done for the iPad? 

1) Because Microsoft doesn't care about customers. They haven't for a while. They care about profit margins and making money. They care about maintaining domination in the PC market. The customer has become the casualty here.

2) They have a bunch of engineers writing their systems and programs, not designers designing user interfaces that people can actually use. 

3) They want, at the expense and convenience of the customer, to push their own OS and tablets like Windows 8 and the Surface. Don't get me wrong - these are great machines and I even like Windows 8, but it's too late to the game. Lifelong PC users hate Windows 8. Everyone who owns a tablet has an iPad or an Android device. 

It's time for Microsoft to stop ignoring what's happening in the real world. It's time for them to admit that Office needs to be on all platforms, not just theirs. Because, based upon the latest impressions of Windows 8 and Windows 8 PC and Tablet sales, customers have spoken. Loudly. 

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Well that was fast. 

I am privileged and honored to announce today that Ministry Bits, my new audio podcast, is going to be a part of the AIM Network. The AIM Network, or Adventures in Ministry, is a network run by Paul Spurlin in Montgomery, Alabama. They offer lots of free materials through their AIM Project website, as well as Podcasts, Devotional Songs, links, articles, and many other things. They work in close conjunction with Faulkner University and the Southern Evangelism Conference. 

It's a huge, wonderful step for Ministry Bits. We hope that even more people can become part of the network of ministers helping each other use the tools of technology for the betterment of the Kingdom of God. 

Nothing will change on the podcast - you'll still see and be able to listen to the shows here on the site or through iTunes. The shows will shortly be available on the AIM site as well as the AIM app. 

In addition to joining AIM's complement of podcasts, Paul and his gang are bringing me on in a design capacity as well. I hope that I can help them out and get these great materials and resources to the most ministers and youth ministers possible. 

The AIM Network is growing and expanding. I'm glad to be aboard. 

 

• Be sure to check out Ministry Bits on iTunes
• Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ministrybits
• Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ministrybits
• And soon on the AIM Network!