Dave WarnockDec 20, 2022
News Announcement: PrayerOfHannah
1 Samuel 2:8
"He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap"
I have been frustrated for a long time with the various software choices for worship. While individuals can do great things with software they know well, it all becomes fragile in Churches where there is typically old hardware and a rota of people who don't do things often enough to be confident.
Show threadDave WarnockDec 20, 2022
Then there is the, everywhere does it differently, of preparing worship and transferring it to the church computer which is running different versions, different screen resolutions and has varying projection, video and audio hardware attached.
Installing systems and upgrading is complicated and expensive with issues such as long and difficult cable runs.
Show threadDave Warnock
There is rubbish support for accessibility. We should be providing tablets to people with visual impairments with custom colour schemes and fonts that work best for them. We should do much, much better than the rubbish hearing aid loops that frequently go years without anyone without hearing impairment knowing if it is working. We should be providing something much better for people who are housebound especially if they too have accessibility challenges.
Dec 20, 2022 at 11:42pmWeb
Show threadDave WarnockDec 20, 2022
We should be showing the service, with sound on the church noticeboard to outside for people to check before coming in. We should be enabling people at home to lead the prayers.
Ok all of this is possible in a large church with a skilled and dedicated tech team and a generous budget. It isn't for most of us, yet the generic hardware has been plummeting in price while capabilities have been soaring. The custom hardware of mixers, signal duplexes, long range transmitters is still very expensive.
Show threadDave WarnockDec 20, 2022
So I have decided now is the time to change this. I'm starting PrayerOfHannah to develop a real alternative. Modern software hosted on Internet servers that delivers via web browsers onto projectors, TV's, tablets, phones, noticeboards etc.
I have a design that is going to get me to a simple display of hymn/song words and the liturgy in a reasonable timeframe.
Show threadDave WarnockDec 20, 2022
But it isn't just about the tech to deliver consistent, reliable, simple projection to all churches for services. It is about the cost. PrayerOfHannah is taking seriously "He raises up the poor from the dust" and will always be totally free (development and hosting) for all Churches in deprived areas, anywhere in the world. I am going to be seeking funding from the larger churches and wealthier people to support their sisters and brothers.
Show threadDave WarnockDec 20, 2022
Don't get me wrong, this is still going to be an awesome replacement for those dire moments before a funeral where even in a large wealthy church everyone sees on the projector the operator struggling with powerpoint not doing what they want. Plus imagine how much better in those churches if everyone with sight impairment can sit with a personal tablet giving them the hymn words with a single verse filling an A4 screen.
Show threadDave WarnockDec 20, 2022

Plus the people arriving can see in the vestibule the photo slideshow of the person they are coming to give thanks for. If the helpers in the creche can join in. If the housebound spouse can be given a tablet that will follow the whole service without a misplaced finger taking you out of the service. I think this is something that can make a difference for so many churches.

The project starts here
https://codeberg.org/Dave42W/PrayerOfHannah

PrayerOfHannah

Free Software to provide Slides as a web service for Worship, Noticeboards and more. Named in honour of Hannah (see 1 Samuel 2:1–10) and particularly from verse 8: "He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap" GNU AFFERO GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE: Version 3, 19 November 2007

Codeberg.org
Show threadChris TaylorDec 21, 2022
@Dave42W this is really interesting Dave. I'd like to know more, and maybe get involved in development. What do I do next? (Ive read your project page, and will clone the repo soon).
Show threadDave WarnockDec 21, 2022
@stillbreathing that's awesome, really exciting.
I've been learning Rust and connecting the pipework in my other Codeberg project.
Need to add Sqlite, some fully worked through CRUD examples, test coverage & docs.
That will stay as minimal example and test bed to make it easier for developers to get into the project as it grows.
Show threadRuthSmartDec 21, 2022
@Dave42W
As a hearing aid user we have discussed hearing aid loops and they are no longer required for modern hearing aids.
If the audio is clear enough for those without hearing aids it will be audible for those with hearing aids.
In my experience the main audio issues are if the microphone is not working or being used appropriately or if a 2nd audio channel is open.
#HearingLoops
Show threadRichardDec 21, 2022
@RuthSmart @Dave42W G'day Ruth, me too :).
Otherwise to make things more accessible for hard of hearing ppl. have verbal information supported by visual information. Eg: verbal announcements are shown on a screen, bible reading is shown whilst being read in the same translation, captioning for video.
Have soft surfaces in social areas (eg: if morning tea is in a hard wooded floor hall. Cheap ways to improve it would be to put down rugs, put up wall hangings fabric partitions will also absorb background noise.
Show threadRuthSmartDec 21, 2022
@Aslanmane @Dave42W
Hi Richard. A absolutely agree with reducing the number of hard surfaces in church buildings, as the echo chamber causes huge problems for my hearing aids.
Modern hearing aids include a crowded room setting to reduce high frequencies but there is a limit to how well that compensates for the echo.
Also agree with having a written version of the service, either on screen or printed out.
Show threadDave WarnockDec 21, 2022
@RuthSmart @Aslanmane thanks I agree with the direction. Hopefully will reach the point of not needing loops.
That will take longer in poorer communities.
Sound beyond playing audio with hymns is a set of features that will come later.