--- title: Picks of the Week 2009 – WELSTech --- - - - - - - - - - [![tunein-svgrepo-com (1)](https://welstech.wels.org/hubfs/tunein-svgrepo-com%20(1).svg) ](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/WELSTech-Audio-p1206615/) - [![Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material.png?width=16&height=16&name=Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material.png) ](https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/g/welstech) - [Stitcher icon ](https://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/22792) - - - # Picks of the Week 2009 A complete listing of the **Picks of the Week** from 2009 WELSTech episodes [The Best and Worst Picks of 2009 (Episode 112)](https://welstech.wels.net/2009/12/30/112-the-best-and-worst-picks-of-2009/?hsLang=en) ### Audio/Video - Distraction-free YouTube videos – [www.quietube.com](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/quiettube/jihbabjlelmemelnknaofgebfaphbhnp) - Sample – Susan Boyle on [Quietube](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/quiettube/jihbabjlelmemelnknaofgebfaphbhnp) vs. [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30aBb7vGQhI) - Free [Animoto for Educators](http://animoto.com/education/) – Create animated videos of your photos - Check out their [FAQ](http://animoto.com/education/faq) for a great Gmail method of creating "dummy" student e-mail accounts - Free audio – [www.FreeSound.org](http://www.freesound.org/) - [Myna from Aviary](https://download.cnet.com/aviary-myna/3000-2170_4-75452935.html) – online audio editing - [OneLicense.net](http://onelicense.net/) for Podcasting - [Pricing](https://onelicense.net/options-and-prices) - [How it Works](https://onelicense.net/how-it-works) - [Screenr.com](http://screenr.com/) – Web based screencasting with a tie to Twitter - Watch the [WELSTech site tour](http://screenr.com/USB) created with Screenr - [Stupeflix.com](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/stupeflix) – Beta video generator - Vimeo video hosting – [www.vimeo.com](http://www.vimeo.com/) - WELS on Vimeo – [www.vimeo.com/wels](http://www.vimeo.com/wels) - [Faith Lutheran Church](http://www.georgiafaith.com/) in Sharpsburg, GA in HD [on Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/faithlutheran) ### Bible Study - [Glo Bible](http://bibleglo.com/) - [Purchase online at amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Glo-Bible-Digital-World-Immersion/dp/0981990207/) ### Education - 100 Tips, Tools, and Resources for Teaching Students About Social Media from the Teaching Degree.org Blog - [180TechTips.com](http://www.180techtips.com/) - [Cloud Computing in Plain English](http://www.commoncraft.com/cloud-computing-video) from CommonCraft - Create online Jeopardy games – [www.JeopardyLabs.com](http://www.jeopardylabs.com/) - [Geocaching](http://geocaching.com/) – World-wide treasure hunt - [Geocaching iPhone app](https://www.geocaching.com/play) - [MN State Park Geocaching Wildlife Safari](https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/reports/parks/impacts_of_geocaching_report.pdf) - Free Technology For Teachers blog – [www.freetech4teachers.com](http://www.freetech4teachers.com/) - [GoodReads](http://goodreads.com/) groups – [a solution for classroom book discussions](http://www.goodreads.com/help/show/33-can-goodreads-be-used-as-a-teaching-tool-for-students) - [Ideas to Inspire](http://www.ideastoinspire.co.uk/) - Jane Hart's [Top 100 Tools for Learning 2009](http://c4lpt.co.uk/recommended/index.html) - [Kerpoof.com](http://www.kerpoof.com/) – Student creativity site - [LearningInHand.com](http://learninginhand.com/) – Education resources for handheld devices - Parent resources for wise use of media – [www.MediaFamily.org](http://www.mediafamily.org/) - Presentation Mind Map by Maria Anderson – [There's more to the Web than Facebook!](http://www.mindomo.com/view.htm?m=a8f84cc1210944ebbc10819e4c57c45d) - [Safari Books Online](https://www.oreilly.com/search/?q=Safari%20Books%20Online&type=*&rows=10) - SMART Board resources - [SMART Board Games](http://pbskids.org/smartboard/) from PBS Kids - [Teacher Utilities](http://www.harveyshomepage.com/Harveys_Homepage/Utilities.html) from Harvey's Homepage - Social tool for multi-media projects – [VoiceThread.com](http://voicethread.com/) - Spark creative writing – [www.PicLits.com](http://www.piclits.com/) - Sallie's [sample PicLit](https://piclits.com/faqs/) & St. John's student creations - [SparkleBox](http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/) – A teacher's treasure chest of free printables - [Talking SMARTBoards & Much More!](http://annemarie80.edublogs.org/) blog - Follow [annemarie80](http://twitter.com/annemarie80) on Twitter - Teach programming with [Scratch](http://scratch.mit.edu/) - [Scratch Ed](http://scratched.media.mit.edu/) - [Scratch Workshop](https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/editor/?tutorial=getStarted) and linked [Scratch Lesson Plans](https://scratch.mit.edu/) - [LearnScratch.org](http://learnscratch.org/) - [Sample Scratch projects](http://scratch.mit.edu/users/stjohnsse) from St. John's, Sleepy Eye - Web-based Activities & Resources for Elementary School Students from the Langwitches blog - [World Wide Web in Plain English](https://dotsub.com/) from [CommonCraft](http://www.commoncraft.com/) with subtitles from [dotSub.com](http://dotsub.com/) ### Graphics & Images - [Create a LEGO avatar](http://www.reasonablyclever.com/mm2/mini2.swf) - Create panoramic images - [AutoStitch](https://www.cs.ubc.ca/~lowe/papers/07brown.pdf) for the iPhone – Check out an iPhone photo of Martin's desk - [Autopano](https://hdrmaps.com/blog/autopano-giga-is-now-free/) for Windows - Online color schemes – [www.colorschemer.com/online.html](http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html) - [Picasa](http://picasa.google.com/) - Resize your images easily - [FotoSizer](http://fotosizer.com/Default.aspx) – Batch resizing so you can change many images at once - [Image Resizer Powertoy Clone](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/image-resizer) – Add a resizing option to the Windows Explorer right-click menu ### Hardware - [Acer K-12 Seed Netbook Program](https://www.acer.com/us-en/search/search-explore?search=Acer%20K-12%20Seed%20Netbook%20Program) - [Build a $100 Document Reader](http://urenglishteacher.blogspot.com/2009/05/100-document-camera.html) – a Do-It-Yourself dream! - [CNN picks from the International Consumer Electronics Show](http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/01/12/best.gadgets.ces/index.html#cnnSTCOther1) - Digital pen and audio recorder – [www.LiveScribe.com](http://www.livescribe.com/) - Eco-friendly portable device charger – [POWERSTICK](http://www.powerstick.com/new/product.php) from Ecosol - [Epson Workforce 600 All-In-One Printer](http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?oid=63076679) - [FreeAgent Go](http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/external/freeagent/freeagent_go/) external hard drive from Seagate - [Leaving PCs on overnight costs companies $2.8B a year](http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/2009-03-25-pc-power-company-costs_N.htm) - [LinkSys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge](http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-audio-receivers-dars/linksys-wmb54g-wireless-g/4505-6470_7-31660626.html) ### Office Tools - Upload and share PowerPoint and Keynote presentations – [www.SlideShare.net](http://www.slideshare.net/) - Create online presentations – [www.SlideRocket.com](http://www.sliderocket.com/) - [FoxitPDF](http://www.foxitsoftware.com/) - [Foxit Phantom](http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/phantom/) – a PDF Swiss Army Knife - [Google Docs Templates](http://docs.google.com/templates) - [Microsoft Office 2010 free beta](https://www.microsoft.com/en-pk/download/details.aspx?id=7690) - [Open Office 4 Kids](http://wiki.ooo4kids.org/index.php/Main_Page) ### Productivity - Black out your screen for distraction-free writing - Focused (Cross-platform) – [spreadingfunkyness.com/focused](http://spreadingfunkyness.com/focused/) - Darkroom (Windows) – [they.misled.us/dark-room](http://they.misled.us/dark-room) - WriteRoom (Mac) – [www.hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom](http://www.hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom) - GTDInbox for GMail – [www.gtdgmail.com](http://www.gtdgmail.com/) - Joe's Goals, a free online habit tracker – [www.joesgoals.com](http://www.joesgoals.com/) - Windows Live Writer blogging client – [writer.live.com](http://writer.live.com/) ### RSS - Create your own RSS reminders – [www.ReminderFeed.com](http://www.reminderfeed.com/) - Tabbloid turns your favorite RSS feeds into a personal magazine – [www.tabbloid.com](http://www.tabbloid.com/) - [Sample Tabbloid](https://welstech.wels.net/wpmu/sample-tabbloid/?hsLang=en) - Found via TipLine – Gates' Computer Tips, a 2007 Edublog winner - Check out the [2008 Edublog winners](http://edublogawards.com/and-the-2008-winners-are/) ### Search - Earn money for your organization with [GoodSearch.com](http://goodsearch.com/) - [Donate your GoodSearch dollars to WELS](http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=658302) - Google image search – [images.google.com](http://images.google.com/) - [Search Google like an expert](http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/1264/12-Quick-Tips-To-Search-Google-Like-An-Expert.aspx) from HubSpot ### Social Networking - Desktop app for Twitter – [www.twhirl.org](http://www.twhirl.org/) - Exercise and nutrition with a social twist – [www.gyminee.com](https://lifehacker.com/gyminee-tracks-your-fitness-goals-5078450) - [Follow Google on Twitter](http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/google-accounts-on-twitter.html) - [GroupTweet](http://grouptweet.com) - Micro-blogging mashup – [www.Tumblr.com](http://www.tumblr.com/) - Martin's Tumblr site – [spriggs.tumblr.com](http://spriggs.tumblr.com/) - [Wikipedia on tumblelogs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumblelog) - [Posterous](https://www.heroku.com/home) – Easily post to multiple social network accounts - Social reading list – [www.GoodReads.com](http://www.goodreads.com/) - TweetDeck app for iPhone & iPod Touch – in iTunes - [Twellow](http://www.twellow.com/) – Twitter directory - [TwInbox](http://www.techhit.com/TwInbox/twitter_plugin_outlook.html) – Twitter plugin for Outlook - Update status in multiple social networks – [www.ping.fm](http://www.ping.fm/) - Web-based instant messaging – [www.meebo.com](http://www.meebo.com/) ### Utilities - [BackBlaze.com](http://backblaze.com/) – Online file backup - Build a custom [iTunes RSS Feed](http://ax.itunes.apple.com/rss) - Collide Magazine - [DropBox for iPhone/iPod Touch](http://www.getdropbox.com/iphoneapp) - [Essential Free Windows Downloads](http://lifehacker.com/5271828/lifehacker-pack-2009-our-list-of-essential-free-windows-downloads) from Lifehacker - [Fences](http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/) – Organize your Windows desktop - Free temporary file storage and sharing – [s4ve.as](http://s4ve.as/) - Free virtualization software – Sun [VirtualBox](http://www.sun.com/software/products/virtualbox/) - FTP client software – [www.filezilla-project.org](http://www.filezilla-project.org/) - [Google Chrome](http://www.google.com/chrome) – speedy browser - [Google Chrome Extensions](https://chrome.google.com/extensions) - Facebook - [IE Tab](https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/hehijbfgiekmjfkfjpbkbammjbdenadd) - Chromed Bird - [Feedly](https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/ndhinffkekpekljifjkkkkkhopnjodja) - [Google Wave Notifier](https://code.google.com/archive/p/wave-notifier/) - [Google Voice](http://voice.google.com/) - [Mobile Google Sync](http://m.google.com/sync) – Sync Google calendar and contacts to your mobile device - [ShareThis](http://sharethis.com/) – Sharing made easy - [SkyDrive Explorer](http://skydriveexplorer.com/) – Windows Explorer drive mapping for [Windows Live SkyDrive](http://skydrive.live.com/) - Sync bookmarks and passwords – [www.FoxMarks.com](http://www.foxmarks.com/) - Text substitution with [Texter](https://lifehacker.com/search?s=Texter) from Lifehacker - Ultimate list of free software from Microsoft - [XP](http://bhandler.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!70F64BC910C9F7F3!1231.entry) - [Vista](http://bhandler.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!70F64BC910C9F7F3!1844.entry) - [Office](http://bhandler.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!70F64BC910C9F7F3!1344.entry) - Windows 7 BitLocker for data encryption - [Martin's blog post](https://wels.net/news-media/blogs/) - [BitLocker review](http://4sysops.com/archives/review-windows-7-bitlocker/) from [4sysops.com](http://4sysops.com/) ### Web 2.0 - Account-free, simple form creation – [SignAppNow.com](http://signappnow.com/) - [Diigo](http://www.diigo.com/) – Social bookmarking meets the writable web - [Google Sidewiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Sidewiki) - [iGoogle](http://igoogle.com/) – Gadget driven home page - Martin's favorite Firefox add-ons in a bundle – [Firefox Collection](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search/?q=Firefox%20Collection) - Mashup and narrate web sites, photos, PowerPoint and more – [www.FlowGram.com](http://www.flowgram.com/) - [Watch a demo video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8vmNRnzDSg&feature=player_embedded) - Online diagrams and charts – [www.LovelyCharts.com](http://www.lovelycharts.com/) ### Web Development - [DreamHost.com](http://dreamhost.com/) - [Google Sites Templates](http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/11/16/google-sites-become-prettier-with-templates/) - IRC Chat for your site - Mibbit – [www.mibbit.com](http://www.mibbit.com/) - [WELSTech Chat](https://welstech.wels.net/wpmu/wels-chat/?hsLang=en) - [MinistryCSS.com](http://ministrycss.com/) – Design to inspire - Novel Games – [Embed Flash games](http://www.novelgames.com/gamelicense/link.php?l=e) in your web site - [Write Effective Headlines](https://www.constantcontact.com/blog/how-to-write-better-headlines/) from Digital Evangelism Issues ### Picks of the Week Archive [ 2008 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2008?hsLang=en) | [ 2009 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2009) | [ 2010 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2010?hsLang=en) | [ 2011 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2011?hsLang=en) | [ 2012 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2012?hsLang=en) | [ 2013 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2013?hsLang=en) | [ 2014 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2014?hsLang=en) | [ 2015 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2015?hsLang=en) | [ 2016 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2016?hsLang=en) | [ 2017 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2017?hsLang=en) | [ 2018 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2018?hsLang=en) | [ 2019 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2019?hsLang=en) | [ 2020 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2020?hsLang=en) | [ 2021 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2021?hsLang=en) | [ 2022 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2022?hsLang=en) | [ 2023 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2023?hsLang=en) | [ 2024 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2024?hsLang=en) | [ 2025 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2025?hsLang=en) | [ 2026 ](https://welstech.wels.org/picks-of-the-week-2026?hsLang=en) ### About WELSTech exists to explore the use of technology to further the spread of the gospel. Audio episodes are released biweekly. This show is sponsored by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). ![WELSlogo_fullcolor_web_minsize](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Welstech/WELSlogo_fullcolor_web_minsize.webp?width=150&height=71&name=WELSlogo_fullcolor_web_minsize.webp) ##### Upcoming Show Topics [![Subscribe](https://welstech.wels.org/hubfs/45057981/wtButnSubscribeEnewsContent-300x164.webp) ](https://welstech.wels.org/e-news-subscription/?hsLang=en) ## Latest Episodes ![777 - From Wagon Train to Airplane](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Welstech/WELSTech%20777%20(1080%20x%201080%20px).png?width=500&name=WELSTech%20777%20(1080%20x%201080%20px).png) ### 777 - From Wagon Train to Airplane Eighteen and a half years. 777 episodes. And one unforgettable farewell. In this milestone WELSTech episode, Martin Spriggs and Sallie Draper mark the end of an era as Sallie shares that she will be retiring from WELS — and from WELSTech. Episode 777 is their final show together as co-hosts, and they spend it doing what they do best: looking back, laughing, and pointing to the God who blessed every episode along the way. [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/06/01/777-from-wagon-train-to-airplane?hsLang=en) [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/06/01/777-from-wagon-train-to-airplane?hsLang=en) ![776 - Wholly Unauthorized](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/WELSTech%20776%20Wholly%20Unauthorized.png?width=500&name=WELSTech%20776%20Wholly%20Unauthorized.png) ### 776 - Wholly Unauthorized What happens when you feed years of podcast transcripts into an AI and ask it to roast your long-time guest hosts, Dr. Rachel Renno and Jason Schmidt? WELSTech episode 776, that's what! You won't want to miss the standout phrase that should be cross-stitched on a pillow and lots more WELSTech goodness! [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/05/14/776-wholly-unauthorized?hsLang=en) [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/05/14/776-wholly-unauthorized?hsLang=en) ![775 - Cough Drops and Use Cases](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/775%20Cough%20Drops%20and%20Use%20Cases.png?width=500&name=775%20Cough%20Drops%20and%20Use%20Cases.png) ### 775 - Cough Drops and Use Cases Sallie's voice may not be at 100%, but the show must go on! In this episode of WELSTech, Martin and Sallie power through to explore one of the most practical questions in this Season of AI: what does AI actually look like in your ministry context? [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/04/30/775-cough-drops-and-use-cases?hsLang=en) [Read More](https://welstech.wels.org/2026/04/30/775-cough-drops-and-use-cases?hsLang=en) WELS.net | [Privacy Policy](https://wels.net/privacy-policy/) - - - - - - - - - [![tunein-svgrepo-com (1)](https://welstech.wels.org/hubfs/tunein-svgrepo-com%20(1).svg) ](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/WELSTech-Audio-p1206615/) - [![Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material](https://welstech.wels.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material.png?width=16&height=16&name=Groups-2-Fill--Streamline-Rounded-Fill-Streamline-Material.png) ](https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/g/welstech) - - - -