Monday iPhone App Review - Datacase
Sep 1, 2008 iPhone Ap Review
People often ask me what is on my computer screen when I teach at Riv. Well, that has recently changed. It used to be that I had my entire message manuscript in a PDF file and I would flip from screen to screen as I taught. The manuscript averaged 22 pages at 14 point type and I really didn’t use the manuscript often. I memorize my messages for the most part, I just like the comfort of having the notes right there.
It’s like a blankie.
So this summer I have been playing around with a new idea which a lot of other pastors use: a mindmap that illustrates the manuscript. Using this method, I have been able to reduce my notes to 2 pages. Click on the thumbnail to see the first page of notes from this week’s teaching:
What does this have to do with my iPhone App review? Simple. Now that I am using a mindmap instead of a manuscript, I need a place to store the quotes and other stuff I like read during my message. Enter my iPhone.
Unfortunately, the iPhone notes program doesn’t sync with the computer and I don’t like typing the quotes into my phone. For awhile, I was placing them on a private blog and surfing to them during the services. That was sorta clunky.
Then I tried MobileFinder and absolutely hated it! Sure, it was easy to get files off the phone, but you had to use an FTP program to get files onto the phone. And since your IP address changes all the time, you had to re-enter it into your program each time. What a pain.
So last week I reviewed a bunch of other options and settled on Datacase.
The bottom line: it is very easy to use. And with the exception of a really dorky unMac like opening screen, it is pretty Macesque.
When you run the program on your phone, it shows up as a shared drive on your mac. No crazy FTPing, just drag and drop like any other harddrive.
Here are some screenshots:
First, here’s the goofy opening screen:
But when you click on “Documents,” it looks very clean and Maclike. The Drop Box is cool because you can let people access it without seeing your files.
This weekend I had one quote I was sharing so I put it into the documents folder and when the time came, I clicked on it and I was good to go:
Very cool. Who knows, maybe I’ll eventually scrap my computer and paper Bible and just teach with my iPhone. One step at a time, though.
September 1st, 2008 at 4:11 pm
OK, so the iPhone thing is so-so, but I am very, very fascinated by those notes. Where did you learn how to do that? Did you come up with that on your own? Is it described in a book somewhere?
September 1st, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I agree with John…the IPhone stuff is boring but I am also intrigued by the notes. Can you post page 2 as well?
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:09 am
The notes are cool, but I’m intrigued with the iPhone part. I’d love to be able to pull out my iphone and have access to your notes/quotes live during your message. If datacase can do this…it would be amazing! (besides you already had us pull out our phones this week).
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
I’m such a caveman… I’m still rocking the 3 ring binder with my sermon notes in Avery sheet covers. Been doing this for 17 years now and it’s worked out for me OK.
I noticed the screen you were glancing at on Saturday night. Very cool. I thought it was a countdown clock… other churches I’ve worked at had a countdown clock next to the audio monitor. You guys are too cool!
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I’ll try to blog more about my message prep and notes structure later this week when I come up for air.