Goossenews

I (Linda) spent 5 weeks in the US earlier this year when my mom was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was in the hospital.  While this was a very stressful time for all of us, including many hard decisions, and terminating with her passing in June, it was also the catalyst for some radical changes to the “Algemas Quebradas” (Unschackled Portuguese) website.

My brother and my mom walking just after surgery.

My brother and I were often the first ones up each day, drinking our coffee to clear our heads.  One morning, he asked me “What would it take for my Indians (he’s a Bible translator for an indigenous group in Brazil) to be be able to download the Algemas episodes onto their phones while they’re in the city to be able to play them once they are out in the village?”  (They have internet access in the city, but not in the village).

My response was probably something like “Hmm, I don’t know, let me check with Nate.”  While I had worked myself painstakingly through the process of setting up the Algemas Quebradas website (http://Algemasquebradas.com.br), it was Nathan who had uploaded all the episodes to be able to listen online.

Once I returned to Brazil, I did check with Nate.  He taught me how to upload episodes so we got caught up on that, and also made sure they were done so in a way that they could be downloaded.    Elwyn’s nephew, Lucas, also helped me add some commands to make it even easier.

Making the episodes downloadable

As I was constantly checking on my own smartphone to see if it was working, I noticed that the website opened in this microscopic font that I could only read without my glasses.  It looked great on a computer, but not on the phone!   Well, that was no good, because I realize that the vast majority of those who access algemasquebradas.com.br do so from a phone,  not a computer.  That’s just the reality of our listeners here in Brazil (including the Indians Keith was referring to).  So I took a deep breath and started googling.

Remember, my tech team have all graduated from high school & moved to another continent…..

Everyone except their supervisor (Elwyn) who is over-worked already & doesn’t need another job.

So….it’s up to me.  🙂

But I did ask him alot of questions over the dinner table. 🙂

And asked lots of advice from my tech team and their cousins (more nephews of Elwyn) via the internet.

And would-you-know!  I managed to click the right things and install the right things, and wala!

We now have a revised, up-to-date website that looks good on a phone or computer (I learned that’s called “responsive”), and all episodes are free to download and listen later with just a click.

Productive week!!!