The content is merely the household name, address and phone. Sometimes the phone is left off. That part isn't consistent.boomerbubba wrote:To some that might raise policy issues having nothing to do with maps or KML files, but rather the third-party server question you were posting on in this thread http://tech.lds.org/forum/showpost.php? ... stcount=59
Here I presume the content of your KML file is name-address-phone. Right? Also HT assignments? Who has password access to the files?
The file isn't password protected. Not even sure if that's possible with a KML. The e-mail account that it sits on is password protected.
Do they have a privacy policy?By GDrive, are you referring to the Firefox PlugIn that uses Google's GMail as a generalized, virtual file system? Do they and their storage partner have a privacy policy that covers this?
GDrive is a tool used to point a person to data stored on a Gmail account. The privacy policy would be at Google's end - not the GDrive extension. Unless the Church prohibits the use of Gmail accounts for Church-related e-mail, then I'm not sure of how it could be a violation of Church policy.
I am not passing judgment on those policy interpretations, just trying to elicit the facts.
No worries at all. I completely understand and getting more information is why I'm here.
Distributing the KML via e-mail is the equivalent (well, a little worse) of storing the KML on ONE Gmail account online. As opposed to a "distribution," we merely keep ONE KML file in ONE place - the Gmail account.FWIW, with our bishop's approval I distribute weekly updates of our HT/VT files , as well as a general ward membership map, in KML format to a leadership list of bishopric, PEC members, clerks and RS leaders. The content of our general ward-membership KML files -- essentially the MLS ward directory plotted on a map -- is intended to be suitable for distribution to anyone in the ward who asks for a copy, but we have not yet put that distribution into effect. The only distribuiton medium we have considered would be some kind of email list. Mostly we have not gotten around to deciding that, but I don't expect it to be controversial.
We only use the KML to setup the districts and such. It's not used on a daily basis. The district map is more relevant. Since we know where our members live (or we can easily find out by Googling them from lds.org), it shows up on Google maps which then as the district map layered on top. You Google the address and with the ward map up, you can see which district that house is in.
Easy. No fancy Google Earth that a lot of people find intimidating. They also don't mess with the KML file on a regular basis.
Another way that we have used Google maps is to set up Scouting activities with other stake units. When a bi-council triathlon took place, we mapped the triathlon out on Google maps and the other scouting leaders "collaborated" in setting the route up. The individual units could then participate by "seeing" what they were in store for.