Using a BibleBox in a “restricted access” context

by | Apr 26, 2014 | BibleBox

I had a comment on using a BibleBox in a restricted access country. The person was pleased to see that the BibleBox label was simply a sticker so it could be removed if necessary.

It prompted me to write a short “How to” on what you can do to totally remove “Bible” from the device if you needed to.

External – simply remove the sticker

Internal – you’ll need to change the wifi SSID, Web HTML text, logo image and Hostname.

You’ll also need to modify the Chatbox text (how to do that is here…)

Remember the BibleBox will still make files available on wifi if it is in a small bag or pouch.  Many times when I am out I have the BibleBox turned on and in a pocket of my laptop bag.

Another option is to go Ninja style and put your BibleBox in a small camera or hard drive case such as the one shown below.BibleBox ninja style

Changing the BibleBox webpage Logo

To change the logo seen on the BibleBox webpages, create a new .PNG image 280 x 60 pixels in size called logo_biblebox-320×69.png.  Once you’ve created it save it onto your BibleBox USB drive in the folder – Content>img replacing the original logo.  If you want to keep a backup of the original BibleBox logo better do that before overwriting with your new one.

Changing the HTML BibleBox webpage text

To remove any BibleBox references in the webpages, simply open each page in a text or html editor and make the necessary changes.

Change the name of the BibleBox SSID

The default name for the BibleBox wifi network is “BibleBox files”.  To change this to something else, on the USB open the Config folder and the file – ssid.txt.  Modify the content of this file to your desired SSID name, insert the USB back in the BibleBox device and restart.

Changing the Hostname from BibleBox.lan to something else

To change the Hostname – the address seen in the URL or address bar on your wifi device – modify the content of the text file called hostname.txt and system_hostname.txt.  If you open these files (found on the USB in the Config folder) you will see BibleBox.lan, simply change this and save the text files.  Once you restart the BibleBox your changes will be actioned.

Changing the Chatbox text from BibleBox to something else

Using Terminal (Mac) or PuTTY (PC) app:

  1. connect your BibleBox to your computer
  2. make sure your computer has IP address 192.168.1.2
  3. use Terminal or PuTTY ssh into BibleBox ssh root@192.168.1.1 plus your BibleBox password
  4. change the directory to the location of the chatbox file you want to modify, type:  cd /opt/piratebox/conf
  5. to modify the initial chat box content txt file type –

vi chat_init.txt

  1. press i to go into edit mode
  2. make your edit
  3. press Esc to go back to command mode
  4. type :w to save your edit, press enter/return key
  5. type :q, then press enter/return to quit editing
  6. Restart the BibleBox to apply the changes

 

Smartphone penetration data assists Mobile Ministry Plans

by | Apr 23, 2014 | BibleBox

The chart below comes from a 2013 survey of 12,424 mobile consumers across 17 countries to gain a deeper understanding of the global trends impacting mobile user behavior in the finance, telecommunications, retail, consumer products, and utilities industries.

Information like this is useful to help us shape our current and future mobile ministry activities.

  • Data from Nielsen shows that smartphone penetration varies drastically across different countries in APAC, from 87% in Hong Kong and Singapore down to 15% in the Philippines.
  • In ‘Developed Asia’ smartphone penetration is generally higher than in Europe or the US.

  • Furthermore, in Southeast Asia alone, smartphone owners spent an average of more than three hours per day on their smartphones in June 2013.
  • They spent the most time using chat apps, social networking and entertainment activities like games and multimedia.

Other social media statistics shows 20% of internet users in Indonesia using Twitter and the Philippines as a growing Facebook using nation with 30,214,140 users.

With Indonesia and the Philippines both significant in social media it must only be a matter of time before smartphones become affordable to the masses.  Surely telecommunications companies want to make money from people spending time on social media on their phones?

Does this influence you in regard to mobile ministry?  For me it’s developing a confirmation that in Asia Pacific a mobile ministry supported by wifi is a good direction.

If you are in Indonesia or the Philippines – does the chart reflect what you see around you?

Sources – http://www.sap.com/ , http://www.ibtimes.com/, and https://econsultancy.com/

Mobile Ministry starting Points

by | Apr 14, 2014 | BibleBox

When it comes to mobile ministry – where do you start?  The mobile phone is a small portable piece of technology.  Most of us carry them with us everywhere we go.  We use them for torches, email, messaging, Facebook, online shopping, phonecalls, all sorts of uses.  They are pocket computers. (more…)

BibleBox – Digital Songbook

by | Apr 13, 2014 | BibleBox

After Cyclone Ita passed through Cairns last night there was some damage.  Fortunately not a lot, but one of the consequences was losing power at church.

No electricty = unplugged music team, no microphones, no powerpoint slides. (more…)