in-tra-net: a private network intended for internal communication.
Through a few plugins, Wordpress can be an effective intranet. You can require users to login, use passwords, and post comments to communicate information that shouldn’t be aired in public. (”Mrs. Bessie DoGood sprained her third toe while working in the corn field and her hospital room is 857.” - not desirable for public consumption.)
I just came across a free application called OfficeZilla. In their own words, what does OfficeZilla do for you?
OfficeZilla allows you to centralize information in a single web-place and provides collaboration features that improve group work efficiency. Create and manage your own private intranet!
How?
Through 16 possible modules, here’s some of the features:
- share files
- create a telephone/email directory
- email the entire group at once
- collaborate on projects
- post a calendar
- host an internal chat room and/or message board
- create a knowledge base
- communicate announcements
- invite users
I’ve never used OfficeZilla, but it could be a good solution to fully leverage the power of the internet with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. A similar application (though not free) is BaseCamp. I’ve used this at work and it’s pretty good.
Stereotypical So What?: Whether you use this application, your current site, or another piece of software, your ministry would be served well by having a place for certain pieces of communication to be spread internally rather than externally.
The Post Office currently handles most ministries’ communication among members. As more folks go online, not to mention the increasing price of stamps, online solutions will ensure timely and effective communication.
Thoughts?
on Oct 9th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Nathan,
This somewhat gets at the heart of what I want to see in our website, not just a place to receive information, but a place to see info exchanged and ministry moved forward. I don’t know that we’ll utilize our site in all of the ways you’ve posted above, but the concept is much the same. Thanks for your work and ministry!
blessings
Bryon
on Nov 25th, 2008 at 4:04 am
Good post, I like your writing style! I’ve added http://bridgevisionweb.com/ to my feed reader, and will be reading your posts from now on. Just a quick question - did you design your header image yourself, or have it done professionally? If you had it done by a professional, who was it?
on Nov 29th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
John, I designed the header text and the photos are all mine. Nearly all of them were taken as part of projects for churches.