Uses for Ward Computer Besides MLS

[russellhltn]

I notice most people don't use the Post Titles. And it doesn't affect the Thread Title at all.

I think it's a case of the latter causing the former. If there was a view that took advantage of that, then maybe that would be a good way to deal with it.

However, I see your point. But we read every word of every post anyway, so I'm not sure it would really be that beneficial.

For now. If we hit that 10,000 goal, I don't think that will be the case. Then we'll start seeing complaints that a "dull" topic has drifted into one of interest but it was missed because the thread hadn't been broken off with the new topic. It's a common problem. I'm not sure how to fix that other then to come up with a forum that learns your interests and guides you to those posts. (Or learns what you aren't interested in and hides those.)

[greenwoodkl]

I imagine that the number of moderators will have to increase to match the growth in users. Perhaps the moderators will take into consideration the possibility of breaking off threads and moving them to new forums or new threads as they've done occasionally before. Unless a module or script or feature can dynamically work on navigating users as Russell suggests.

[garylm-p40]

If you could explain what a non-MLS user might do on the computer, I would appreciate it.

Troopmaster or Scoutmate software for tracking Boy Scout rank advancement.

Calendar Creator.

By the way, I think there might be a need for an LDS-specific calendar program...something with LDS clip art, and recurring events, and a drop-down list of meetings with their official names, and a master calendar for coordinating building use for multiple units.

[bhofmann]

If you could explain what a non-MLS user might do on the computer, I would appreciate it.

We've used it for labels, creating forms (reimbursement, etc.), any-other-last-minute-thing-the-Bishop-wants- but-can't-wait-until-next-week-for. Also, there are still a few people that don't have computers at home.

[russellhltn]

Calendar Creator

We used to use that from way back in the DOS days. We dumped it in favor of the LUWS. While LUWS calendar features leave something to be desired, it's always current and any of the leadership can check it anytime they want.

With CC it gets printed when someone gets around to it and quickly out of date, not to mention the horror stories about folks in October still following the one printed in January and then wondering why there's all these conflicts.

[aaronleishman-p40]

This may be telling a lot about me - but as a full-time missionary I would often start in a new area by manually typing in a ward list into a spreadsheet (often on a Church or public computer). I would then sort by street and address number so as missionaries we could go down a street and hit everyone on that street. The alphabetically-sorted ward list was not in the format conducive to missionary work. However once this street-by-street list was created, we could insert referrals or investigators and really maximize our time and value in each area without bouncing all over town. This was done from MIS data from free-form text fields mind you, but hopefully if it is not currently available in MLS, a mix of the map API and new editions of MLS can have enough consistency in formatting street names, separating house numbers and directional indicators from the street name, etc... that perhaps a custom report could accomplish what often took me hours of manual work.

I noticed the Member Directory on the Ward Websites has a link now called CSV which formats the Membership Directory directly into a spreadsheet. And since the Member Directory on the website are tied to the info on MLS. it saves a lot of typing. It is kind of sweet.

[thedqs]

Another benifit of LUWS is the abilityfor a vCard download so it goes straight into your address book.

[techmom-p40]

I have not used the ward computer before being called as the RS secretary. The clerk showed me how to log in and access MLS and then left me alone. Since I have no frame of reference to how a ward computer is typically set up I wanted to ask a few questions....

There is only one Windows logon used, there's no password, and the user name is the name of another ward. The clerk told me 'oh, the wrong computer was delivered to us, but we don't know how to change that.' So, is that a big deal or not? Should there be different Windows user accounts for different users, or not? Should there be a password on the Windows user account(s) ?

Who is responsible for maintenance of the ward PC? Desktop image updates, MLS updates, chkdsk/defrag, etc. As far as I can find out, it is not being taken care of regularly. Are there guidelines for that sort of work to be done? A ward technologist was recently called, but his duties are confined to the unit web site and doing the Sunday bulletin. I had thought he could take this on, but when I asked I was told, 'oh, we don't want that position to have too much authority.'

Also, there seems to be a very low number of MLS user accounts compared to the number of members with callings who use the program. For example, the previous RS pres gave her account info to the new pres to use. Are there standard security practices that need to be followed?

I'd appreciate any feedback here and who to go to.

[russellhltn]

There is only one Windows logon used,

That's policy from CHQ. Certainly not what I'd like to see, but there it is.

there's no password,

Their bad. It wasn't shipped that way.

and the user name is the name of another ward. The clerk told me 'oh, the wrong computer was delivered to us, but we don't know how to change that.' So, is that a big deal or not?

Eeeeh. Don't worry about it. It would be nice to be correct, but I don't think that's a big deal.

Who is responsible for maintenance of the ward PC? Desktop image updates, MLS updates, chkdsk/defrag, etc. As far as I can find out, it is not being taken care of regularly.

Primary rests with the Stake Technology Specialist. (Used to be Stake Clerk over computers.) But the duties can be delegated out.

Are there guidelines for that sort of work to be done?

Yes. However, MLS Updates are automatic. There should be no need for regular Chkdsk and Defrag is to improve performance. So there isn't a whole lot that needs real regular maintenance.

Also, there seems to be a very low number of MLS user accounts compared to the number of members with callings who use the program. For example, the previous RS pres gave her account info to the new pres to use. Are there standard security practices that need to be followed?

Yes. Someone (usually the ward clerk) should have rights to set you up with a MLS login. At that point they can delete to deactivate the old RS login. Having you log in under someone else's name is not policy.