Cool Tools

Cool Tools

  • One of the problems bloggers face when changing domain names is that this removes all recorded social shares.

  • workflowy

    This is a nifty tool. Not sure if I will use it much yet but a lot of productivity people seem to really like it.

     

    It is billed as a way to organize your life. I currently use Last Pass, Evernote, Google Drive, and GQueues for that purpose. I use Last Pass for secure things like passwords and codes; Evernote for a notes database (including sermon illustrations and journaling); Google Drive for docs, scans, writing drafts, preaching and teaching outlines, etc; and GQueues for tasks and projects. I don't currently use a Gantt or Mind Map tool because I found them more trouble to keep updated than they were worth for me. And I could accomplish most of the same things with other tools. I do value Mind Mapping for collaborative brainstorming but try to get the conclusions into a more useful linear format as quickly as possible.

  • For several years I directed a missions ministry that sent hundreds of people all over the world on missionary adventures at the same time. Of course, that got rather confusing at times! I created scores of spreadsheets to help manage the flights, trains, buses, and car rides. The tricky part was managing time zones. What happens when something going on in one time zone needs to correspond with something in another time zone? I wish I had World Time Buddyback then!

    worldtimebuddy


    In true web 2.0 fashion, World Time Buddy lets you interact with the site to add time zones based on their acronym or city name. Once you've selected your zones, you simply move your slider to see how different times will stack up across the globe. We had online tools that helped us compare times. But those were clunky and limited. You could only compare a couple of zones and didn't get to see the full time spectrum for fast analysis. When making decisions about transportation for hundreds of people, speed and accuracy are key! Back then, my spreadsheets trumped any online tool I found. If I were doing it again, I would definitely keep World Time Buddy in my back pocket. The free version only allows for four time zones but that should be plenty for most people. I would have needed the paid version which is just $2.99/mo.

    So I'll share this in case there are other missions leaders, pastors, or youth pastors looking for a way to keep their sanity while coordinating adventures across several time zones and keeping it all manageable.

  • Ever want to create really high quality custom name badges? I started researching the possibility when revamping our Greeters Ministry and being unsatisfied with the bland, generic, expensive, and cheap-looking options currently available. My breakthrough moment was realizing credit cards are the perfect size for a name badge and they are so commonly used as ID badges that there must be a way to print these cheaply and one-at-a-time.

    Adam Bowers Name Badge ID Print Your Own  Adam Bowers Name Badge ID Print Your Own



    The finished product is exactly what I wanted. A high quality plastic name badge with a magnetic attachment that won’t damage clothes printed in-house for less than $1 per piece. When searching for this project I found nothing like what I wanted. It wasn’t until I made the mental jump to printing credit cards that I found the solution. Here is the process in case this will be useful for your ministry (or business for that matter).

    You’ll need a printer with a CD/DVD printing tray from Epson or Canon. We happened to have an Epson R220 already. Click the model of your printer to see the tray designed to print ID cards:

    epson r200 printer tray for name badge id cardBuy a PVC ID card printing tray for Epson R200, R210, R220, R230. epson r280 printer tray for name badge id cardBuy a PVC ID card printing tray for Epson R280, R260, R27, R280, R290, Artisan 50. canon printer tray for name badge id cardBuy a PVC ID card printing tray for Canon ip4980, ip4600, ip4700, ip4810, ip4820, ip4850, ip4840, ip4910, ip4920, ip4950, MP980, MP990, MP630, MP640, MG5220, MG5240, MG5250, MG6120, MG6140, MG6150, MG8120, MG8140, MG8150.



    Buy a PVC ID card printing tray for Epson R200, R210, R220, R230. 

    Buy a PVC ID card printing tray for Epson R280, R260, R27, R280, R290, Artisan 50.

    Buy a PVC ID card printing tray for Canon ip4980, ip4600, ip4700, ip4810, ip4820, ip4850, ip4840, ip4910, ip4920, ip4950, MP980, MP990, MP630, MP640, MG5220, MG5240, MG5250, MG6120, MG6140, MG6150, MG8120, MG8140, MG8150.

    You will also need these premium, inkjet printable PVC ID cards.

    And buy some neodymium magnets to attach the name badges to clothing without damage.

    Once you have the printer, tray, and cards, its time to design your name badges. You can design your graphics in Word to keep it simple or use Photoshop or other graphics software. I made a template for Photoshop, Word, and a JPEG that can be imported into most design programs. Just make sure when using the JPEG that the graphic template fills the entire page. Some programs will shrink it to fit the printable region but the JPEG is designed to be exactly 8.27” x 11.69”.

    Download the Photoshop template.

    Download the Word template.

    Download the JPEG.

    I’m using Photoshop, so here are my graphics using our new church logo:
    adambowers pastor name badge id printer software tutorial guide
    If you want a bleed edge on your graphics, take them right to the red line so they print beyond the edge of the PVC card. The green line is the safe line to keep important content inside the printable area. Placing your graphics in the top and bottom design folders will automatically trim them with vector masks so you don’t waste ink and print all over your ID card tray.

    When printing, make sure you use the CD/DVD option for your printer and choose the A4 size. I recommending selecting the highest quality print settings for better looking name badges.

    On our Epson R220, the CD/DVD tray doesn’t pull into the machine at the right time, so I have to listen for the sound of the printer trying to retract the tray and help it in. If your printer is newer or in better shape you may not have that problem.

    I love finding really inexpensive ways to make premium products - especially when they can be used for ministry. If you have any tips for making the ministry dollar go farther but keeping a professional look and premium performance, leave a comment below!

  • Here's a simple way to send SMS text messages to cell phones without paying a cent. Just remember, the person receiving the text will pay for it unless texting is part of their cell phone plan!

    Cell phone providers have email servers that can send emails as text messages. To use this service, you simply have to know your recipient's carrier and their email server's address. You can even mass text by creating an email distribution list or using a spreadsheet with mail merge. If you mail merge, you can even include personal names and other info in your text message for each recipient. 

    Here's how it works: Verizon's email server is located at vtext.com. If we know that our recipient is a Verizon customer and their phone number is (123) 555 - 1234, we can enter this email address into the "To" line in any email program:
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    Then we can type a short subject and a brief message and send the email. The message will travel from our computer to the vtext.com email server, convert to a text message, and arrive at our recipient's phone in seconds. Just remember that most phones can only receive messages of 140 to 160 characters including the subject, so write carefully! Also, keep in mind that your recipient's might be charged for receiving your text messages if they do not have texting on their cell phone plan.

    Warning:Unsolicited texts may be illegal in your state or may be considered illegal by a court of law. Always get permission from your recipients to text them before sending messages, especially mass texts! It is a good idea to get permission when you ask for a recipient's provider (you'll need that information for the email server anyway). For added protection, have recipients fill out a short form that asks for their phone number, carrier, and permission to send texts to their cell phone.

    Here's a list of several providers and their email servers from livejournal.com. Some have since merged or closed but I'll leave them in case they are of some value.

      Aliant (NBTel, MTT, NewTel, and Island Tel) (from: 11, msg: 140, total: 140)
      Enter your phone number. Message is sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Alltel (from: 50, msg: 116, total: 116)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Ameritech (ACSWireless) (from: 120, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Arch Wireless (from: 15, msg: 240, total: 240)
      Enter your phone number. Sent via http://www.arch.com/message/ (assumes blank PIN)

      AT&T (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      AU by KDDI (from: 20, msg: 10000, total: 10000)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      BeeLine GSM (from: 50, msg: 255, total: 255)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Bell Mobility Canada (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter your phone number, including the 1 prefix. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Bellsouth (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      BellSouth Mobility (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Blue Sky Frog (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Boost (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Cellular South (from: 50, msg: 155, total: 155)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      CellularOne (Dobson) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      CellularOne West (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Centennial Wireless (from: 10, msg: 110, total: 110)
      Enter your phone number. Sent via http://www.centennialwireless.com

      Cincinnati Bell (from: 20, msg: 50, total: 50)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Claro (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Comviq (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Dutchtone/Orange-NL (from: 15, msg: 150, total: 150)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Edge Wireless (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      EinsteinPCS / Airadigm Communications (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      EPlus (from: 20, msg: 480, total: 480)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Estonia Mobile Telefon (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Sent via webform.

      Fido Canada (from: 15, msg: 140, total: 140)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Golden Telecom (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number or nickname. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Idea Cellular (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Kyivstar (from: 30, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Sent by addressing the message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      LMT (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter your username. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Manitoba Telecom Systems (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to @text.mtsmobility.com

      Meteor (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Metro PCS (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Metrocall Pager (from: 120, msg: 120, total: 120)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      MobileOne (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Mobilfone (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Mobility Bermuda (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      MTS Primtel (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Sent via web gateway.

      Netcom (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Nextel (from: 50, msg: 126, total: 126)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Note: do not use dashes in your phone number.

      NPI Wireless (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      NTC (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Sent via web gateway.

      O2 (formerly BTCellnet) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter O2 username - must be enabled first at http://www.o2.co.uk. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      O2 M-mail (formerly BTCellnet) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter phone number, omitting initial zero - must be enabled first by sending an SMS saying "ON" to phone number "212". Goes to +44[number]@mmail.co.uk.

      Optus (from: 20, msg: 114, total: 114)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to @optusmobile.com.au

      Orange (UK) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to @orange.net. You will need to create a user account at orange.net first.

      Oskar (from: 20, msg: 320, total: 320)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to @mujoskar.cz

      Other (from: 15, msg: 100, total: 100)
      If your provider isn't supported directly, enter the email address that sends you a text message in phone number field. To be safe, the entire message is sent in the body of the message, and the length limit is really short. We'd prefer you give us information about your provider so we can support it directly.

      Pagenet (from: 20, msg: 220, total: 240)
      10-digit phone number (or gateway and pager number separated by a period). Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      PCS Rogers (from: 20, msg: 125, total: 125)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Requires prior registration with PCS Rogers.

      Personal Communication (Sonet) (from: 20, msg: 150, total: 150)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your number in the subject line.

      Plus GSM Poland (from: 20, msg: 620, total: 620)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Powertel (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Primtel (from: 20, msg: 150, total: 150)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      PSC Wireless (from: 20, msg: 150, total: 150)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Qualcomm (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter your username. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Qwest (from: 14, msg: 100, total: 100)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to @qwestmp.com

      Safaricom (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Goes to @safaricomsms.com

      Satelindo GSM (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Goes to @satelindogsm.com

      SCS-900 (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Goes to @scs-900.ru

      Simple Freedom (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Goes to @text.simplefreedom.net

      Skytel - Alphanumeric (from: 15, msg: 240, total: 240)
      Enter your 7-digit pin number as your number and your message will be mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Smart Telecom (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to @mysmart.mymobile.ph

      Smarts GSM (from: 11, msg: 70, total: 70)
      Enter your phone number. Sent via http://www.samara-gsm.ru/scripts/smsgate.exe

      Southern Linc (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your 10-digit phone number. Goes to @page.southernlinc.com

      Sprint PCS (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your 10-digit phone number. Goes to @messaging.sprintpcs.com

      Sprint PCS - Short Mail (from: 15, msg: 1000, total: 1000)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to @sprintpcs.com

      SunCom (from: 18, msg: 110, total: 110)
      Enter your number. Email will be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      SureWest Communications (from: 20, msg: 200, total: 200)
      Enter your phone number. Message will be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      SwissCom Mobile (from: 20, msg: 10000, total: 10000)
      Enter your phone number. Message will be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      T-Mobile Germany (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your number. Email will be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      T-Mobile Netherlands (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Send "EMAIL ON" to 555 from your phone, then enter your number starting with 316. Email will be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      T-Mobile UK (from: 30, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      T-Mobile USA (from: 30, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      T-Mobile USA (Sidekick) (from: 30, msg: 10000, total: 10000)
      Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Tele2 Latvia (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Telefonica Movistar (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Telenor (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Telia Denmark (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      8-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Telus Mobility (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      The Phone House (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      TIM (from: 30, msg: 350, total: 350)
      10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      UMC (from: 10, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Sent by addressing the message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Unicel (from: 10, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Sent by addressing the message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      US Cellular (from: , msg: 150, total: 150)
      Enter a 10 digit USCC Phone Number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Verizon Wireless (from: 34, msg: 140, total: 140)
      Enter your 10-digit phone number. Messages are sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Verizon Wireless (formerly Airtouch) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This is ONLY for former AirTouch customers. Verizon Wireless customers should use Verizon Wireless instead.

      Verizon Wireless (myairmail.com) (from: 34, msg: 140, total: 140)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent via to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Vessotel (from: 20, msg: 800, total: 800)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Virgin Mobile Canada (from: 20, msg: 140, total: 140)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Virgin Mobile USA (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

      Vodafone Italy (from: 20, msg: 132, total: 132)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone Japan (Chuugoku/Western) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone Japan (Hokkaido) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone Japan (Hokuriko/Central North) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone Japan (Kansai/West -- including Osaka) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone Japan (Kanto/Koushin/East -- including Tokyo) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone Japan (Kyuushu/Okinawa) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone Japan (Shikoku) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone Japan (Touhoku/Niigata/North) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone Japan (Toukai/Central) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone Spain (from: 20, msg: 90, total: 90)
      Enter your username. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Vodafone UK (from: 20, msg: 70, total: 90)
      Enter your username. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Weblink Wireless (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to @airmessage.net

      WellCom (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
      Enter your phone number. Goes to @sms.welcome2well.com

      WyndTell (from: 20, msg: 480, total: 500)
      Enter username/phone number. Goes to @wyndtell.com

Adam Bowers Profile

Adam Bowers

Disciple of Jesus, husband of Jenny, father of 3 awesome kids, Senior Pastor at First Free Church, passionate about growing God's kingdom by developing influencers for Jesus.I still use parts of this site for various ministry purposes even though I haven't written a blog post in a long time!