Tech Geek

This week's Tech Geek is guest written by my friend Justin Snider. We've met once or twice before and got to hang out a few weeks ago at the Council of Synodical Lutheran Youth Organization Presidents meeting in Arkansas. I am woefully ignorant about "all things Mac" and hope that Justin can help fill that void for me! -AA

Like many youth workers, my office is filled with cool youth ministry resources, music, software, videos, and all sorts of youth ministry theory books that I haven't finished reading.  Occasionally another youth worker visits me and sees a cool resource and wants to borrow it.  I say "sure," and I never see that resource again because I neglect to write down who checked out what resource.  I knew something had to change, when a full-time youth ministry intern started working with me and I would go to show her a cool resource, only to find an empty spot on my shelf where that resource was supposed to be.  My intern did some research and found an incredible resource called DELICIOUS LIBRARY 2.  This is a Mac-based user friendly cataloging program for books, software, videos, music, even tools and toys.

1. Webcam Barcode Scanning - You scan the barcode on your books by using your built in iSight camera and voila, the library connects to Amazon to download a picture, summary, reviews, and recommendation for that book!  You can also just do a normal text or ISBN search for items with no barcode, or worn barcodes.
2. Easy Checkout Using your Address Book and iCal - When you want to check out a resource to someone, simply type in their name, drag the item to their name on the left pane, and it puts a 1 week reminder in your iCal that you can drag to any day you want to be reminded.  When they return the item, just delete it from their shelf.
3. Publishing to the Web - You can publish your entire library, or even just certain shelves to a webpage using MobileMe.  People will be able to browse through your library, and even click a resource for more info.  Handy if you are searching for a last minute resource for a talk, and you know you could check one our from a neighboring youth worker!  Check out mine at gloriadeiyouth.org  and click on the Library link under my picture.  Oh yeah, and you can sync your library with your iPod, or use the Delicious Library iPhone app!
4. Price=$40 - I can't think of a better use of $40 for a software will save you that much in resources that you actually get back!
5. Easter Eggs - (Intentional Hidden Feature)  I love software that is fun to use, and for this try adding something Star Wars or Harry Potter to your library and see what happens.  One fun Easter Egg I will tell you, when you delete a book from your library, it burns up!  For more Easter Egg hints, search them on Wikipedia.