There was some good news for companies like mine and some bad news for nonprofits today.
NTEN is reporting a new study about Web 2.0 adoption by nonprofits published by the Overbrook Foundation.
The line that will grabbed my attention: “I’m in a perpetual state of anxiety about which tools I’m supposed to be paying attention to.”
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The fold… that mysterious moving target that webmasters around the globe wrestle with daily. Their challenge; to make sure that all branding, navigation and primary content is located at the top 600 pixels of their web sites so that visitors won’t miss any important messaging. This practice presumably based upon the assumption that web users don’t scroll.
A recent article published on Boxesandarrows.com called “Blasting the Myth of the Fold“, author Milissa Tarquini challenges this notion. Tarquini quotes recent studies which have found that most web users not only scroll, but they will scroll and respond to features located at the bottom of a website. The key to successful web layout is therefore not to cram your content above the fold, but to write compelling content that will entice the user to want to scroll to read more.
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing!
Know ye tha the LORD, He is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise! Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name!
For the LORD is good, His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.”
Psalm 100: 1-5 (21st Century King James Version)
When I was younger, the streetlights coming on at night was an indicator to me and my friends. It meant that play time was over and it was only a matter of minutes before our moms come to the front door and call us back into the house.
Now, there’s a new addition to “come on in.” “Log off and have dinner” might be the new mantra of moms, and the researchers Pew Internet confirm why. Read more >>
A familiar story from John’s gospel.
”After this, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, this time at the Tiberias Sea (the Sea of Galilee). This is how he did it: Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the brothers Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter announced, “I’m going fishing.”
The rest of them replied, “We’re going with you.” They went out and got in the boat. They caught nothing that night. When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn’t recognize him.
Jesus spoke to them: “Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?”
They answered, “No.”
He said, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.”
They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren’t strong enough to pull it in. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Master!”
When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea. The other disciples came in by boat for they weren’t far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish. When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it.
Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.” Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn’t rip.
Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master. Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead.”
John 21:1-14 — The Message
“Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
The righteous will enter through it.
I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,
And You have become my salvation.
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief corner stone.
This is the LORD’S doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:19-24 - New American Standard Bible
During brainstorming meetings here at Silas, we try to keep ourselves from sweating over the small stuff, but sometimes our desire to do things “just right” gets us. So imagine my delight when Jakob Nielsen typed: “Not all design decisions are a matter of website survival.” He continues, Read more >>
I like humming a tune while I work. Sometimes, I like to listen to solid Biblical teaching while I work. Sometimes, I like to do both at the same time - visiting that place where beautifully orthodox Biblical teaching meets the dopest of funky-fly beats.
I’m talking about a great example of someone using technology and art to deliver the Gospel message in a relevant way. Relevant Revolution mixes Evangelical preaching with hip-hop beats and makes them completely available for download on their website. They deliver these sound-tracked sermons via Podcast, as well. Interestingly enough, you’ll find a few names well known around the Silas Partners office, including Alistair Begg of Parkside Church and Truth for Life.
My personal favorites (so far) are John Piper’s sermon on the Cross, along with CJ Mahaney’s Main Thing sermon… it’s really a toss up.
If you like these sermons, you might also appreciate Relevant Revolution’s Bible on Beat, another compelling example of a creative and relevant way deliver the Gospel message.
From Hebrews
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”
Hebrews 4:16-16, 5:7-9 — New King James Version
For those of you who do not live in DC, or who have never visited in the spring, every year (since 1912) we celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Ringing round the Tidal Basin like pink clouds, these trees draw locals and tourists alike to the west end of the Mall and Potomac Park. The festival week has parades, various celebrations, bands, art shows, garden tours, river tours, walking tours … and more. Check out the Official Site! If you ever get a chance to visit our Nation’s capital, consider a springtime visit so you can take in all the lovely sites, sounds, and smells of the Cherry Blossoms!
Silas Partners exists to help Christian ministries fulfill their missions. Our specialty lies in helping ministries use the Internet effectively, in a way that supports their overall goals and strategic priorities. Read more >