TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE REPORT

NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT  LC-MS

REPORT TO THE DISTRICT IN CONVENTION 2009 

The Technology Committee was established under District President Osmar Lehenbauer, to help advise the New England District on its technology needs for maximum office efficiency.

The current District Office Staff, President James Keurulainen, Vicki Latour and Brenda Bacon all have networked computers and 24 – 7 access to DSL (Digital Suscriber Line) internet access. President Keurulainen's laptop computer was replaced in 2003 with a Dell® Latitude X300 notebook computer. President Keurulainen's computer usage is basically word processing and internet/e-mail service. President Keurulainen seems very happy with this unit. Al Macke's laptop computer was replaced in 2008 and Ann Sheedy's computer is slated to be replaced 2009/10.

Brenda has an Acer laptop computer which allows her to access her work outside the office and to be able to bring information with her to District meetings such as the upcoming District Convention. Vicki's computer is a desktop configuration purchased in 2006.

The current network server is a true "server” unit complete with business based networking software. This enables the District to have the most secure network that is currently available. The network is connected to the Internet via the DSL (Digital Suscriber Line) connection 24 – 7. This connection not only allows access to the Internet, but access from the internet. An inter-office Intranet was created to assist District Staff, i.e., President Keurulainen, Brenda, Vicki, Al Macke & Ann Sheedy, to be able to post intra-office information like a shared newsletter. The current Server software is Microsoft Server 2003 SBS. The District now has totally remote data storage with the main server at the District Office with a "sub-server” located at the Lebanon Fellowship Hall. The two computers share mirror images of data stored every day. They are affectionately dubbed "Martin” and "Luther” to designate their location. Both servers are slated to be replaced this year with Dell® Poweredge servers through Dell's non-for-profit sales Department. Both have been installed with the latest Microsoft Server software and the latest Symantec security suite software and a tape backup drive. In addition, a Barracuda network Spam firewall is serving as our e-mail filter. Some interesting statistics are revealed by the Barracuda since it was installed:

# of SPAM messages rejected: 1,346,070

# of messages received: 1,519,406 (This includes all e-mail addresses currently served by the Server)

# of messages accepted: 125,349

# of viruses contained in e-mails: 1,527

# of average daily e-mails: 220

The District Web Page has been "revamped” and is in the process of having its information updated. It was our hope to have it on-line last year, but not all information needed for the update has yet been received. The new format will have the Prayer Partner Updates available. There will also be an archive for NED News. The Giving Section has been updated and made easier for us to maintain. We will also be posting pictures of District Churches and their local information on the site. Several congregations have already provided digital pictures to post. We hope that additional congregations will also submit pictures and information to be posted. Work is now winding down at the Lebanon Fellowship Hall, and our goal is to have the District Web Page up and running by the District Convention. If the new site is not ready by the Convention, interested parties may view it now by going to http://www.quasars.com/~synod/.

Last, but not least, our Committee stands ready to assist any congregation wishing to upgrade their office equipment with advice and technical assistance. This Author was asked to help Redeemer Lutheran Church set up a Fire Alarm System in their new Fellowship Hall, and, to provide a network for the Office computers as well as the Sunday School. It was also necessary to install the proper equipment for the Gift Planning Counselor's Office (Al Macke and Ann Sheedy), to be able to make the transition to their new office in the Fellowship Hall. This has made our work challenging, but rewarding as we seek to serve the Lord Jesus in this unique way.

It is the Technology Committee's continuing Mission to keep the New England District on the cutting edge of Ministry through the use of cost saving technological advances.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lee A. Schuett,

Chairman

Rev. Scott R. Schuett

Committee Member