---
title: 098 – Intranets and Internal Communication
description: "This week the WELSTech podcast we look at the set up of private, member oriented web sites. The discussion: Member focused web sites – Facilitating member-only online communication and collaboration is the purpose of a church or school Intranet.  Martin and Sallie test drive a few Web 2.0 tools that could function as congregational Intranets and […]"
---

[WELSTech ](https://welstech.wels.org)

# [098 – Intranets and Internal Communication](https://welstech.wels.org/2009/09/23/098-intranets-and-internal-communication)

 Written by [Sallie Draper](https://welstech.wels.org/author/sallie-draper) | Sep 23, 2009 5:00:30 AM

This week the WELSTech podcast we look at the set up of private, member oriented web sites.

[https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/welstech/welstech-podcast-09-23-09.mp3](https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/welstech/welstech-podcast-09-23-09.mp3)

Podcast: [Download](https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/welstech/welstech-podcast-09-23-09.mp3) ()

### The discussion:

Member focused web sites – Facilitating member-only online communication and collaboration is the purpose of a church or school Intranet.  Martin and Sallie test drive a few Web 2.0 tools that could function as congregational Intranets and share some of the pros and cons of implementing this type of solution.

- [Ning.com](http://Ning.com) lets you create your own social network – Sample Ning network: welstech.ning.com – Login and test drive for yourself using these guest credentials: 
    - Email Address:  ***welstechtrainer+guest@gmail.com***
    - Password:  ***guest***
- Google Apps for [education](http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/index.html) and [non-profits](http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/npo/index.html) 
    - [Read about Joshua Schoeneck’s experience](https://welstech.wels.net/wpmu/google-apps-at-kml/) implementing Google Apps at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School
- WikiSpaces.com
- [Box.net](http://Box.net)
- [ChurchCommunityBuilder.com](http://www.churchcommunitybuilder.com/)
- Unifyer.com
- MemberConnect from [Concordia Technology Solutions](http://cts.cph.org)
- FinalWeb secure resources – [Sample site](http://setup.finalweb.net/site/default.asp?sec_id=3422) – Login and test drive for yourself using these guest credentials: 
    - Username:  ***guest***
    - Password:  ***guest***

### The interview:

(23:16) Member Connect – Brad Wheeling, Marketing Manager for Concordia Technology Solutions (CTS), joins Martin and Sallie to discuss their intranet and church managment software solutions.  The CTS web-based solutions allow congregations flexibility in terms of where and who can make needed updates to information.

- Visit Concordia Technology Solutions online – [cts.cph.org](http://cts.cph.org)
- Learn more about WELS partnership discounts from CTS

### Ministry resources:

(39:53) 100 Open Courses to Make Yourself an Internet Whiz

### Picks of the week:

- (41:01) [Myna from Aviary](https://download.cnet.com/aviary-myna/3000-2170_4-75452935.html?ex=RAMP-1939.1) – online audio editing
- [LinkSys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge](http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-audio-receivers-dars/linksys-wmb54g-wireless-g/4505-6470_7-31660626.html)

### Of interest:

(46:20) WELSTech & YOU! – The WELSTech 100th episode is just two weeks away and we need your help celebrating.  Share your favorite take-aways from the show via any of the WELSTech communication channels.

- One lucky contributor will win a [WELSTech Sigg Water Bottle](http://www.cafepress.com/welstech.404457484)
- Deadline for entries is Friday, October 2, 2009

### Community feedback:

- (47:46) Ryan Rosenthal from [Faith](http://www.faithlutheranfdl.org/) in Fond du Lac, WI sharing info on [upcoming SMART Board webinars](http://www.bulldogsolutions.net/SMARTHardware/SMH11102009/frmSeries.aspx?bdls=21080).
- Pastor Jeremiah Gumm from [Cross of Christ](http://www.nycrossofchrist.org/) in Liverpool, NY is looking for equipment recommendations for creating podcast recordings of his sermons.  Check out the WELSTech Wiki Audio Recording page.
- Following up on last week’s podcast, Sallie shared [articles on partitioning your hard drive](https://welstech.wels.net/wpmu/2009/09/16/097-clean-computing/#comments) in preparation for the Windows 7 upgrade.
- Via [#WELSTech](http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23welstech) tweets from Jason Schmidt from [Gethsemane](http://falconnet.gethlc.org/) in Omaha, NE and Gail Potratz from [Emanuel](http://www.emanuelnl.org/school) in New London, WI we discovered some amazing resources: 
    - Dissecting a Facebook Fan Page
    - [14 Application Cheat Sheets & Posters for Popular Programs](http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/14-great-cheat-sheets-posters-to-make-you-a-software-wizard/)
    - [How to Become a Twitter Teacher in 23 Steps or Less](http://www.kapilbhatia.com/2009/03/07/how-to-become-twitter-teachertt-in-23-steps-or-less/)
    - [SafeShare.tv](http://SafeShare.tv) for distraction free videos 
          - [View a sample](http://www.safeshare.tv/v/BpWM0FNPZSs) (ubercool Post-It Note stop motion) video via SafeShare
    - [AudioPal](http://www.audiopal.com/) adds voice to websites for free
    - [How to Build a PLN (Personal Learning Network)](http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2009/08/how-to-build-pln.html)
- Visit the WELSTech listserve archives for a discussion of educational cloud solutions including Google Apps and Windows Live @edu.
- John Shoosmith from Redeemer in Yakima, WA embedded a Google Street View of his church on his church web site.  Check out [maps.google.com](http://maps.google.com) to find out if Google has created a street view of your location.

### Coming up on WELSTech:

(57:50) Episode 099 – Gail Potratz, our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, joins the podcast to discuss the impact of the Google Books initiative on education. (Release date 09/30/09)

### The featured artist:

(59:25) This week we close with the music of Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) – *God of Wonders *from their CD titled “We Walk By Faith”

### Get involved:

- Add a comment below
- Send us an e-mail [welstech@wels.net](mailto:welstech@wels.net)
- Leave us a voice mail 414-375-2334
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    - WELSTech [listserve](http://messenger.wels.net/mailman/listinfo/welstech)
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