Category Archives: Technology

First 24-hour Impression of Windows 11

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Something different from my usual homily posts: a bit of computer geekery!

Microsoft recently brought out a preview release of Windows 11, and I decided to test it. I mostly use Apple MacOS on my Hackintosh, so I can afford to upgrade my Windows install on the same system without worrying about damaging something I’m worried about.

After 24 hours of testing, I can say that it’s still Windows. It’s prettier and has added a bunch of features, but it’s still Windows. Once you get past the new look and new Start panel that replaced the Start menu, it works like any other version of Windows. My initial impressions is that it’s a fancier “skin” on Windows 10. That’s not entirely true, but many of the changes are out of the user’s sight.

The new Windows 11 interface, including the new panel that replaces the Start menu

With the new skin, however, one complaint I’ve had about Windows 10 is that a lot of old graphical interfaces (“look and feel”) still exist. For example: despite the existence of the modern Settings window, the classic Control Panel from Windows XP (circa 2001) still exists in its traditional form, and many of those panels are still necessary for full control of display, sound, and many more aspects. This problem (or benefit for those who prefer the old Control Panel) still exists in Windows 11, with the control panel easily reached by clicking the magnifying glass on the taskbar and typing “control”. Windows 11 continues a bad history of mismatched graphical interfaces, unlike MacOS which has long standardized its interfaces.

That’s more of a nit-pick than any real problem with Windows 11. So far, I’ve found it to be completely stable. No crashes playing games or streaming video, nor routine messaging, email, etc. It seems completely usable as a day-to-day operating system, though the standard warning about not relying on beta or preview versions for anything you can’t live without.

I have noticed a few bugs, mostly minor. For multiple monitor systems, the taskbar can be at the bottom of one or all screens. It’s also supposed to allow you to put the icon for active windows on all screens, on the screen where the app runs, or on the main screen. Currently, I can only get the app icons on the main screen, with a blank toolbar on my second screen. Since the second toolbar doesn’t work, I’ve just left it off for now.

An odder bug, though again not serious, is the occasional screen blank when starting a streaming video or video game, especially when it isn’t the current “active” app. So, I could be looking at email in Microsoft Outlook and switch to Firefox to watch YouTube. The screen will blank for a few seconds (generally less than 5) while the video starts, then come back as if nothing happened. I can then watch the video without difficulty. This could be a problem with the Intel video drivers for my system, and likely will be fixed by the time of final release.

I did find the upgrade to be relatively hassle free. There were a couple system settings that needed to be changed, but it was otherwise a somewhat routine Windows update. Obviously, this kind of upgrade should be done by someone who knows what they’re doing, and these preview releases should be tested on a system that’s somewhat expendable. If you rely on your only Windows 10 system, don’t upgrade it now. In fact, I’d recommend waiting 3-6 months after Windows 11 final release for major bugs that slipped through testing to be fixed. Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 will be free for users of Windows 10, so it would be worth upgrading eventually.

There is a lot I haven’t talked about that changed in Windows 11, mainly because I haven’t played with it enough to really get to the nuts and bolts. However, the YouTube user Michael MJD did a great job reviewing it and getting into more details. He really puts a lot of time and effort into his videos, and goes into a lot more detail than I ever could.

With all this, I’m going to continue to use Windows 11 for a few more days and really get the feel for it. I doubt it’ll replace MacOS as my primary operating system, but I’m generally pleased with where Windows is going for the future.

The Dilemma of Social Networking

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Last night, I watched the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, which talks about how social media manipulates us in both obvious and subtle ways. There wasn’t much in this documentary that is new or overly surprising to me, but it does connect some very disturbing dots. It deserves a second watch before discussing further, which I will be able to do both here and as part of a panel on an upcoming episode of Secrets of Technology.

It does deserve an immediate response, so I’ve decided that it’s time for a social networking fast. I have already closed out Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit tabs from the desktop browser and removed their apps from my phone and iPad. I haven’t deleted my accounts, as they’re still useful tools when used properly, but I need to get away from the temptation for a while. I may even sit down with a trusted friend to change those accounts’ passwords to restrict my access further. My homilies and other blog posts will continue to post to FB and Twitter, as that can be done on an automated basis.

One point the show makes is how notifications help encourage the “addiction” the social networking creates. It encourages restricting notifications on phones and tablets to only essentials, so that we’re not constantly buzzed by frivolous notifications. I’m working through the apps on my devices to do just this, and encourage others to take the same steps.

What do I hope to do in exchange for the time suck that is social networking? There is a backlog of good spiritual and theological reading I need to get to. Maybe I’ll develop a sci-fi story idea I’ve had kicking around for a while. There might be a few posts to this blog, other than just homilies. Of course, more prayer and reflection on the Scriptures is very necessary. Oh, and I’ve been very negligent in getting back to my jogging routine.

So, this was just some short initial thoughts and actions from watching The Social Dilemma. More will be coming in the near future. If you wish to respond, please do in the comment section below because I won’t see them on Facebook or Twitter!

Changes in Homily Sharing

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I’ve decided to make a change in how I share my homilies. Instead of using individual posts for each homily, I’m moving over to the Sermon Browser plugin for WordPress. This should allow more flexibility in how the homilies are posted, as well as providing a much cleaner way to view the homilies previously posted. I’m slowly adding the old homilies (3 years worth!), and new homilies will be posted there from now on.

For those who are following via the podcast (you do realize I have a homily podcast, right?), I’ve already made the change so that any homilies posted via Sermon Browser will show up in the podcast. It should be seamless, but that doesn’t always happen.

Let me know what you think!

Resources and Apps for Lent

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There are some great resources available for free online to help with our Lenten journeys. Here are some I’ve found, and will be updating as I find more:

Daily Reminders

  • Evangelization is important, but it can be scary to share the Faith. Go Lent promises to send daily texts that will “help you step a little bit more out of your comfort zone each day.”

Reflections and Meditations

Apps

  • FOCUS has created Lentsanity, a website and app (Android, iOS) to help with following the Lenten practices, including alerts from Meat Police to remind us not to eat meat on Friday.
  • For those familiar with Catholic Relief Service’s Rice Bowl campaign, it now has an app (Android, iOS) that presents daily prayers and reflections, recipes from throughout the world, and shows the good work done by CRS throughout the world.

This is what I’ve found so far, but there’s more out there! If you find something interesting and helpful for your Lenten journey, let me know and I’ll add it to the list.

Using Electronic Devices in the Liturgy

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Recently, the bishops in New Zealand issued a letter stating that iPads and other electronic tablets are not to be used to replace the Roman Missal in the celebration of the Mass. Over the last couple days, it’s received some attention from blogs like Thomas McDonald’s God and the Machine and Deacon Greg Kandra’s The Deacon’s Bench.

Now, it’s very clear for those who know me or have read my blog for some time that I’m a computer geek. I make no attempt to hide this fact. I have an iPad and an Android smartphone, as well as several computers (including a classic Commodore 64). I follow trends in the tech world, and try to figure out how to use them to the Church’s advantage.

With my geek cred established, it might come as a surprise that I agree with the New Zealand bishops. Electronic devices, like iPads and smartphones have their place within the Church, and should receive wide use by people at all levels for the work of the Church, but the celebration of the Mass is one place where we should be reticent about bringing these forms of technology into play.

The written word is an important aspect of our worship, so much so that the books used for the celebration of the Mass should be high-quality, durable, and beautiful. There should be a permanence to the books used at the altar and ambo, because the words we speak at Mass are truly the Word of God. Words have power, and the Word of God spoken during the Mass have the power to make Christ present in the proclamation of the Scriptures and in His Real Presence through the Words of Institution.

The Word of God is permanent, existing for all eternity, and became incarnate through Our Lord taking on human flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, it is fitting that the texts used for the celebration of the Mass be permanent and tangible through the use of books dedicated for the celebration of the Mass, and not transitory and intangible data on an iPad screen. So, for the purposes of celebrating Mass, I agree that electronic devices should not replace the Roman Missal.

I do believe there are places for electronic devices outside of the actual celebration of the liturgy. For at least 2 years now, I have used an iPad to display my homiletic notes while I preach the weekend homilies. I’ve found this to be a good use for the iPad, especially since it is a lot less wasteful than printing up the notes on paper – I’d estimate that I’ve saved well over 100 pieces of paper in that time. It also allows me to occasionally record the homily for later publication over the blog (as I did last weekend).

I also agree with Thomas McDonald that e-ink devices could easily replace the throw-away missals that nearly every parish uses. (Catholic publishers, like Our Sunday Visitor, Word Among Us or Magnificat, are you listening?) Instead, the parish buys a dedicated “plug server” and the required number of dedicated e-ink readers (think non-Fire Kindles). The server is connected to the Internet, and communicates with the readers over a dedicated wi-fi link.

When a parishioner picks up the e-ink reader, it connects to the server and grabs the entire text of the Mass. I especially like Thomas’ idea of having the hymns right in line. No more page flipping or announcing, “Please join in hymn #XXX.” Think of a custom-made worship aid at every Mass without the hassle. Just tell the server what hymns to add for the day, and it does the rest, including downloading the daily readings directly from the publisher. It would also eliminate the confusion that comes with the necessary separation of the ordinary and propers of the Mass in current missals.

So, Catholic publishers who might be willing to take this on, I’ll take 150 e-ink readers and a couple of the servers, but I’ll keep the Roman Missal and Lectionaries in the sanctuary.

Technology and the Spiritual Life

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Technology is a wonderful thing, and the human ability to create and use new technologies is a gift from God. However, I have become increasingly concerned about my own use of technology, especially computers and Internet-based technologies. It struck me that it is far too easy to get absorbed in things like social networking and games, which then allows our spiritual life to be neglected.

Turns out I’m not the only one who feels this way. In fact, I’m in good company. As our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, said in his Urbi et Orbi message on Christmas 2005: “men and women in our technological age risk becoming victims of their own intellectual and technological achievements, ending up in spiritual barrenness and emptiness of heart.” This quote is in the book The Environment, which is a compilation of quotes and documents from Pope Benedict dealing with environment issues.

If you’re like me, it’s easy to find hours to spend on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc., but struggle to find even a few minutes to set aside for prayer. When we don’t pray, our spiritual life suffers. The challenge for us is to turn off the computer, the TV, video games and smartphones so that we can make time for prayer. Technology is good, prayer is better.

Blog admin: Mobile theme

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As a trial, I’ve added the WPTouch mobile theme to this blog with the eventual goal of moving over to the paid WPTouch-Pro on both Laudet Dominum and Hi-Line Priest, as well as the parish website. By adding a mobile theme, the blog should look and function much better on smartphones and tablets. Suggestions for other mobile themes are greatly appreciated, especially before I plunk down the $99 Canadian to purchase WPTouch-Pro.

Catholic Media Promotion Day

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Today, March 15th, Catholics throughout social networking and the blogosphere are promoting different forms of Catholic media, and with good reason. Over the past couple of years, Pope Benedict has been encouraging Catholics to use the new forms of media that the Internet has made available to us. Through his messages for the World Communication Days, the Holy Father has made it clear that we need to be using all forms of media – whether traditional print, TV, radio, or New Media – to spread the Gospel.

In the spirit of Catholic Media Promotion Day, here are some ways Catholics are using media to spread the Gospel:

Blogs

One of the easiest way to preach the Gospel is through establishing and posting to a blog. Here are 4 of the many I like:

  • What Does the Prayer Really Say? – Fr. Zuhlsdorf (Fr. Z) speaks on matters of liturgy and Catholicism in the culture
  • Catholic and Enjoying It! – Catholic convert and apologist Mark Shea publishes every thought of his “no matter how stupid”. Discusses Catholic views on politics, popular culture, and GK Chesterton
  • The Chant Café – Discussing and educating on the role of chant within Catholic practice
  • New Liturgical Movement – Working towards a true reform of the liturgy

Podcasts

Catholics talking about Catholicism, all for free download:

  • Catholic Pilot – Captain Jeff discusses flight, being a pilot, and Catholicism
  • iPadre – Fr. Jay Fanelli fulfills his role as a priest and shares the Gospel
  • In Between Sundays – Nick and Pat talk about being a young adult Catholic

Other Media

Radio, TV, Newspapers and more!

  • EWTN – The flagship television, radio, and Internet network founded by a very outspoken Poor Claire nun
  • The Catholic Channel – The Archdiocese of New York sponsored station on SiriusXM satellite radio (listening to it as I type this post!)
  • National Catholic Register – Weekly newspaper in the United States sharing Catholic news and opinion

Random Catholic Things

Other stuff that Catholics are doing:

  • Catholic Answers – Catholic apologetics with an extensive collection of Catholic writings, and Q&A Catholic radio program (on EWTN) with an archive of over 11 years!
  • Universalis – The Liturgy of the Hours online (sadly, this is an unofficial English translation – the official translation online requires a subscription due to copyright)
  • Vocation Boom – Online guide to discerning a vocation to the priesthood

My Projects

Things I’m doing:

New hosting service

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The few regular visitors to the blog might have noticed a dramatic speed increase over the past couple weeks. I recently ported my blog hosting from a nationally known hosting provider (no name will be given for the guilty party) to HostGator. So far, I’m extremely impressed with HostGator’s customer service and hosting speed. Now that I have a blog which is responding at a reasonable rate, I actually need to start posting on it!

Friday Internet Fast

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In the post earlier today, I said, “the next time God’s Word seems sour, you’re probably allowing your pride to sour it.” Well, I ran into that this morning. On one of the social network sites I frequent, someone linked to these rules for engagement for Catholics on the Internet. The post is a little over a year old, but is worth reviewing due to the encouragement by the bishops and the Pope to evangelize via the new media.

Anyone who is actively discerning God’s will knows that He speaks through Scripture and Tradition, but also through others. In this case, I feel that God was speaking right to me through rule #6: Take at least one day off a week from the Internet.

“Preferably Sunday. Remember that man was not made for the Internet, but the Internet for man. If you feel you need to be on the Internet every day, then you are showing signs of a dangerous addiction. This is unhealthy, even if the sites you go to are not harmful themselves.”

That sat with me wrong. I remembered the night before when someone called just as I was about to spend an hour playing an Internet-based game. Instead of welcoming the call and enjoying the visit, I became annoyed because he had interrupted the time I planned for this game. I had that sour feeling that comes when encountering an unpleasant aspect of God’s will. My spiritual life and my intellectual development were suffering because of too much time on the Internet. Something has to change.

Something will change, effective today. I’m pledging here and now to fast from using the Internet for social and entertainment purposes on Friday, and offering this very small sacrifice for the end of abortion, euthanasia, and respect of all human life. This doesn’t mean a complete cut-off, as the Internet is still a tool which I do use daily as part of my ministry. Blog posts will continue on Friday, as I email them through Posterous. Email will be used as needed for priestly duties and responsibilities. Also, research, looking up addresses and phone numbers, and so on will continue as needed. What won’t be happening is visiting comic websites, social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), online games, or any other social and entertainment uses.

I’m posting this for two reasons. First, accountability. If you see me on social networking sites on Friday, yell at me! Second, as a challenge. I’m challenging more Catholics to do the same. Pick a day and fast from the Internet for the respect of all human life, peace in the world, or whatever you feel is something worth offering the sacrifice.

“What should I do instead?”, you might ask. Spend time in prayer, especially at your local parish (if it’s not locked all the time) in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Find some good spiritual reading and sit down with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and read it. If you can, visit someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, especially if they’re homebound, or pick up the phone and call a friend or family member. If the weather’s nice, go for a walk or a leisurely bike or car ride. There truly is lots to do that doesn’t involve “http://www” addresses, and I’d like to hear how you’d spend an Internet-less Friday. Of course, I won’t see them until Saturday, but I still want to hear them.