Asking for Help

[tunesmyth]

Hello all, Quin here. Very soon I will permanently change where to access the prayer list. To see the current list, you can visit here. There is a reason for this.

Today I would like to put out a request to anyone out there who might be interested. Recently I find myself without the resources to always be updating the prayer list in a timely fashion. Not only that, but there have been a few occurences where I completely missed someone's prayer request embedded in the weekly comments. I have also been rather inconsistent in sending out the weekly e-mail version of the list to interested parties.

Rather than make excuses-- and sure, we all have excuses, sometimes even valid ones-- I would just like to tackle the issue in a way where any failings on my own part will still result in prayers being made to those who need them, when they need them.

Are there any other regular JMG readers out there who are interested in helping me to run the prayer list? If we share out responsibilities, and work out a system to pick up slack when others are too busy, I think it could help things a lot. If anyone else is interested, please leave a comment under this post, or shoot a private message to this account, at tunesmyth.

Comments

[kylec]

I'm willing to do something, hopefully with the help of another assistant or two, since I also find myself quite busy at times and fear missing things. But I figure you don't need one person to do everything, just a few people to pitch in. Let me know what would help.

[tunesmyth]

Thank you Kyle. The kind of help I am thinking of-- assuming that you and Jennifer (below) are the only ones who step up-- might involve asking for help with these two once-weekly duties:

--one of you to have the duty of searching the full Magic Monday and main blog comments for prayer requests with a text string search for "prayer", and letting me know whether there are any new prayer requests (if there is, I will gather it and put it on the prayer list).

--one of you creates and formats the pdf version of the prayer list (which involves a simple cut and paste of the list part of the most recent blog entry into a word processor, hitting "remove formatting" for all text, and adding columns) and then shares it with the email list via the prayer list email account.

If more people step up, I can easily continue to find ways to divvy up the stuff I do on the back end-- mainly html drudge work and private messages.

In addition, I would give you guys access to the inside of the dreamwidth account, so that if for some reason anything should happen to me, it would be easy to continue.

How would something like that sound?

[jenniferkobernik]

That sounds totally doable for me. I generally read the Magic Monday and main blog comments weekly, so I would be more than happy to search for prayer requests with a text string search as well as keeping an eye out for any that might fall through the cracks. I'm sure I could also format the prayer list pdf if Kyle prefers to do the prayer search. I can't code, but basic HTML markup is not beyond me, either, at least with some trial and error.

(I would also like to get on the email list if possible; I believe I sent a request at one point but either never got added or somehow am not receiving messages. My email is jenniferkobernik at gmail dot com. Thanks!)

[kylec]

I can do either so if Jennifer prefers to search I'm fine making the PDF.

[jenniferkobernik]

Sounds good, Kyle! I will plan to start doing the prayer search this coming Magic Monday.

[tunesmyth]

Thank you! That helps me out.

[kylec]

OK, sounds like I'll do the PDF. Can you send me whatever I need? I think the link to the blog entry, and whatever I need to send to the email list? Thanks!

[tunesmyth]

Hey Kyle-- the part to cut and paste is not the intro fluff, but just the list itself, so you end up with a pdf such as the current (out of date) one that's listed on the latest prayer list.

I will dig up the password to the gmail account and send it to you tomorrow.

[tunesmyth]

Hey Kyle, I got it covered this week and already posted the updated version. I'll take you through how to do it soon one I find where the heck I put the password for the gmail account, and why don't you start it next week.

[kylec]

I bricked my computer so I'm not sure if i can start this week. I can probably get it done on my backup, but just need the email list to try. If you don't have the gmail password just send me the addresses at fratch@gmail.com and i can send it from mine.

[tunesmyth]

No problem. I'm going to make a members-only Dreamwidth group this weekend so we can have a way to communicate and easily understand at any given time who has done what and when, and I will get the email list sorted at the same time. Let me know once you feel like you're up and running again. If you need to do any private communication for any reason, please contact tunesmyth, not ecoprayer (although it's not a huge deal if you get that wrong as I'll still get the message).

[jenniferkobernik]

I would like to help, but I am not always able to be immediately or even somewhat quickly responsive, between other responsibilities and limited internet access. But if there's a role where I could dip in and out or be useful despite the limitations on my availability, I would be happy to. Thank you so much for all the work you've put in to this list!

[tunesmyth]

Thanks so much for that Jennifer! Please read the message I wrote to Kyle above, and let me know if something like that sounds agreeable.

[sinners4diseasecontrol]

Dear Quin,
I've been a bit overwhelmed myself recently. I haven't even checked in to Ecosophia at all this week! I've had all sorts of computer problems, as has my husband. My new computer arrived, and the first thing I did was install a virus buster. My old computer conked out completely last week. After a lot of nursing, I get it revived enough to install the virus buster there too, so it is available as a back-up now.
Enough of my wailing. I'm really glad to see Jennifer and Kyle stepping up to help. I will add my efforts when things settle down again.
Highest regards to you for your efforts,
Pat

[tunesmyth]

Thank you Pat! No rush, let me know once things settle down.

[kallianeira]

Dear Quin,

Although I would like to help, I have severe computer problems - Patrick's system failed this week after six months of his not attending to it, and it is a Hackintosh setup that I don't understand and nor does anyone else I know. I am not sure when/if I will get back the extensive records and data and memory thereon.
The laptop I use is not able to update browsers or programs due to age and memory and security on the home network that once again I haven't deciphered.
I can read websites and do email still. Dreamwidth messaging is still functioning. I am finding some documents I write and try to send failing, even pdfs.

So with those limitations perhaps there is some searching or backup I could still do to assist you, Kyle and Jennifer. Please let me know if anything seems feasible.

lilly.

[tunesmyth]

Thanks for the offer, lilly. Let me have a think about it and get back to you.