José Luis Pascual, author in Omnes https://www.omnesmag.com/en/author/jose-luis-pascual/ A Catholic view of current affairs Thu, 14 May 2026 13:03:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Will social networks decline?  https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/social-networks-will-decline/ Sun, 17 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.omnesmag.com/?p=61054 In recent years, one question has been repeated with insistence: are social networks in decline? The controversies surrounding Facebook, the strategic shifts of X (formerly Twitter) or the volatility of TikTok seem to point to structural attrition. However, a more rigorous analysis suggests that we are not witnessing a disappearance of the phenomenon [...].

La entrada ¿Decaerán las redes sociales?  se publicó primero en Omnes.

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In recent years, one question has been repeated with insistence: are social networks in decline? The controversies surrounding Facebook, the strategic shifts of X (formerly Twitter) or the volatility of TikTok seem to point to structural attrition. However, a more rigorous analysis suggests that we are not witnessing the disappearance of the online social phenomenon, but rather a profound transformation of its morphology and internal logic. Digital sociability is not being extinguished; its intensity, architecture and cultural meaning are being reconfigured.

During the first decade of the 21st century, networks were presented as the new global “public square”. They promised planetary interconnection, democratization of speech and communities without borders. To a large extent, they succeeded. However, as time went by, collateral effects emerged: discursive polarization, argumentative simplification, systemic disinformation, advertising hypertrophy and a progressive commodification of attention. The user ceased to be only a communicating subject and also became an object of algorithmic exploitation.

Today we observe clear symptoms of digital fatigue. Less is published and more is consumed; reflective conversation decreases and impulsive reaction increases. Algorithmic architecture prioritizes emotionally intense content - indignation, fear, euphoria - because it maximizes permanence and interaction metrics. This logic is technically efficient, but anthropologically impoverishing. Communication is accelerated; communion, on the other hand, is weakened. 

Digital metamorphosis

To speak of absolute decline would be inaccurate. What is eroding is the massive and generalist model. At the same time, more segmented dynamics are growing: closed messaging groups, thematic communities, subscription platforms where specialization and elaborated content are valued. There is a shift from the open square to a delimited space; from collective shouting to a more qualified exchange.

This scenario is compounded by the emergence of generative artificial intelligence. The automated production of texts, images and videos exponentially multiplies the volume of available content. Paradoxically, the greater the digital abundance, the scarcer the experience of the genuinely human becomes. The decisive question is no longer only what is communicated, but who communicates and from what inner truth. In an environment saturated with stimuli, authenticity acquires a differential value.

From a Christian perspective, this process offers lights and shadows. The networks have made possible the spread of the Gospel, spiritual accompaniment at a distance and pastoral continuity in critical contexts - as was evident during the pandemic. They have broadened the formative and catechetical reach of the Church. It would be intellectually dishonest to ignore these fruits.

Christian Discernment

However, the logic of immediacy may strain the pedagogy of faith, which requires time, silence and inner maturation. The risk is not only distraction, but fragmentation of the self. When identity is built on digital approval, the heart is exposed to a subtle dependency. The Gospel proposes another logic: “Thy Father, who seeth in secret...” (Mt 6, 6). Interiority precedes visibility.

Perhaps the question is not whether networks will decline, but what kind of presence we wish to cultivate while they exist - and in the forms that succeed them. The Church is not called to replicate without discernment the dynamics of the digital marketplace, but to humanize it from within. This requires criteria: knowing when to speak and when to be silent; when to publish and when to favor personal accompaniment; when to use the media and when to opt for direct encounters.

Social networks are not dying; they are going through a critical maturation phase after an initial, perhaps naive, enthusiasm. Like any cultural tool, they can foster isolation or communion. The challenge for the believer is not to predict their future, but to inhabit the digital present with awareness, prudence and charity.

In the midst of technological noise, we rediscover a permanent truth: no platform replaces the real encounter, the direct look, the word spoken without filters. Networks can connect devices; only love builds community.

La entrada ¿Decaerán las redes sociales?  se publicó primero en Omnes.

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European DNS: shielding against digital threats https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/european-dns-shielding-against-digital-threats/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.omnesmag.com/?p=51987 On the Internet, almost everything starts with a query to the Domain Name System (DNS). This system translates names such as www.vatican.va into numeric IP addresses that computers need to communicate. The risk of a vulnerable entry point Malware (malicious software) and spam (junk mail) are not mere nuisances: they can steal data, [...]

La entrada DNS europeos: blindaje contra amenazas digitales se publicó primero en Omnes.

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On the Internet, almost everything starts with a query to the Domain Name System (DNS). This system translates names such as www.vatican.va into numeric IP addresses that computers need to communicate. 

The risk of a vulnerable entry point

Pope malware (malicious software) and the spam (spam) are not mere nuisances: they can steal data, hijack files or compromise the privacy of religious communities. As all network traffic starts with a DNS query, if an attacker controls this point, he can redirect the user to fake pages, install viruses or facilitate the sending of fraudulent mass mailings.

What is the European Union doing? DNS4EU"

The European Commission and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) have launched DNS4EUa solver that:

-Increases security: blocks domains with malware, phishing o spam.

-Protects privacy: does not market or store queries unnecessarily.

-Ensures resilience: keeps the service active even in the face of massive attacks.

The blacklists of DNS4EU are updated in seconds. If a domain starts distributing malwarecan be blocked in the entire network DNS4EU in a matter of seconds.

How filtering works

When a device in a parish queries an address, the DNS resolver:

-Receive the request (What is the IP of mail.parish.net?).

-Check if the domain is listed in threat databases.

-Responds with the legitimate IP if it is safe, or blocks/redirects if it is dangerous.

This filtering occurs in microseconds and does not slow down navigation.

Benefits for the Church

Parishes, dioceses and religious communities are also targeted by cybercriminals. Some actual attacks include:

-Phishing to priests to steal passwords.

-Ransomware who encrypts diocesan documents and demands a ransom.

Spam sent from legitimate addresses to deceive the faithful.

Using secure DNS resolvers can prevent the parish secretariat's computer or a priest's personal laptop from even connecting to the servers hosting the malware. It is a proactive defense: the attack is cut off before it reaches the device.

Privacy and sensitive data

The free DNS of large corporations can record browsing habits. Although they do not collect content, they do show patterns of activity.

European resolvers such as DNS4EU are governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring that queries are not used for commercial purposes or stored unnecessarily. This provides a particularly valuable layer of privacy protection for religious entities that handle sensitive data on worshippers and pastoral activities.

How to implement it in a parish or community

Device: the IP addresses of the resolver can be entered in the network settings of a computer or telephone. DNS4EU (published on its official website).

Router: simply change the configuration so that the entire parish network uses the secure DNS. This automatically protects all connected devices.

In addition, the use of encrypted protocols such as DNS over HTTPS (DoH) o DNS over TLS (DoT) prevents DNS queries from traveling "in the clear" over the network, making it difficult for an attacker to eavesdrop or manipulate them.

A pastoral defense also

In the 21st century, caring for the flock also includes protecting its data and communications. Just as church doors are locked at night or locks are installed in the sacristy, today it is prudent to erect "digital locks". Having a system that detects and blocks threats before they come into contact with our devices is a work of prudence... and of pastoral charity.

La entrada DNS europeos: blindaje contra amenazas digitales se publicó primero en Omnes.

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10 AI video generators for pastoral work https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/10-ia-video-generators-for-pastoral-work/ Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=40021 In an increasingly digitized world, the Church faces the challenge of reaching a diverse and globalized audience. Evangelization, the act of sharing faith and religious teaching, has evolved over time, and, today, technology plays a crucial role in this process. The video generators by [...]

La entrada 10 generadores de vídeo por IA para la labor pastoral se publicó primero en Omnes.

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In an increasingly digitized world, the Church faces the challenge of reaching a diverse and globalized audience. Evangelization, the act of sharing faith and religious teaching, has evolved over time, and, today, technology plays a crucial role in this process. Artificial intelligence (AI) video generators offer a powerful tool for spreading the religious message in a creative and compelling way. Today we will explore 10 AI video generators that the Church can leverage for its pastoral work.

-RenderforestVersatile platform that allows users to create customized videos using preset templates. This tool is especially useful for creating promotional videos for parish events, catechesis and pastoral messages. With a wide range of customization options, Renderforest offers an easy and accessible way to convey religious messages effectively.

-Lumen5: It uses AI to turn text into engaging videos in a matter of minutes. This tool is ideal for creating educational videos about faith, pastoral reflections and biblical quotes. The Church can take advantage of Lumen5 to reach a wider audience through social media platforms and websites, sharing catechetical content in a visually appealing way.

-WibbitzAI: A platform that uses AI to create videos from existing content, such as blog articles or social media posts. This tool is perfect for transforming catechetical content into informative and accessible videos that help teach the principles of faith in a dynamic way. With WibbitzIn this way, the Church can reach a wider and more diverse audience with relevant and moving pastoral messages.

-ClipchampOnline video editor that uses AI to simplify the video editing process. This tool is ideal for creating promotional videos of pastoral events, faith testimonies and messages of hope. With ClipchampThe Church can create professional videos easily and quickly, enabling it to share its teaching of love and mercy effectively.

-Animaker: An intuitive platform that allows users to easily create animated videos. This tool is perfect for telling biblical stories in a visually appealing way, thus reaching a younger and more diverse audience. The Church can use Animaker to share religious teachings in a creative and dynamic way, thus encouraging participation and engagement.

-MoovlyVideo Asset Library: It is a platform that offers an extensive library of multimedia assets for the creation of videos. This tool is ideal for the creation of informative videos on the history and teachings of the Church, as well as for the promotion of pastoral events and activities. With MoovlyThe Church can create inspirational videos that strengthen the faith of the faithful and encourage participation in parish life.

-Adobe Premiere Pro: Software professional video editing software that uses AI to simplify complex editing tasks. This tool is ideal for creating high-quality videos with stunning visual effects and captivating graphics. 

-Filmora: Software easy-to-use video editing tool that uses AI to enhance the quality of videos. This tool is perfect for creating devotional and catechetical videos that help deepen understanding of the faith. The Church can use Filmora to create inspirational videos that strengthen the spiritual life of the faithful and guide them in their faith journey.

MagistoPlatform that uses AI to automatically create videos from existing photos and videos. This tool is ideal for collecting and sharing significant moments of parish life, such as liturgical celebrations and community activities. With MagistoThe Church or parish can create videos that capture the beauty and joy of Christian life, thus fostering a sense of belonging and unity among the faithful.

HitFilm Express: Software free video editing software that offers powerful editing tools and visual effects. It is ideal for creating high quality pastoral videos without incurring additional costs. 

In conclusion, AI video generators offer the Church a unique opportunity to bring the message of Christ to new audiences in creative and compelling ways. From creating educational videos to promoting pastoral events, these tools can be used to strengthen faith and parish life in today's digital world.

La entrada 10 generadores de vídeo por IA para la labor pastoral se publicó primero en Omnes.

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The right to privacy in social networks https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/privacy-social-networks/ Fri, 13 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=34416 The right to privacy in the context of social networks is fundamental in the digital age in which we live. Social networks offer opportunities to connect with others and express oneself, but they also pose significant challenges in terms of privacy and personal security. Here are some key issues on this topic. [...]

La entrada El derecho a la intimidad en las redes sociales se publicó primero en Omnes.

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The right to privacy in the context of social networks is fundamental in the digital era in which we live. The social networks offer opportunities to connect with others and express oneself, but also pose significant challenges in terms of privacy and personal security. Here are some key aspects of this issue.

Personal information and privacy. Social networks collect and store a large amount of users' personal information, including names, locations, contacts and interests, among other things. It is essential to understand what data is being shared and with whom, and to review and adjust privacy settings that allow users to control who can access their profile, posts and personal information.

Publications and shared content. We must know that everything that is shared on the networks, text, images, videos or comments, can be seen by others. Therefore, it is very important to review the privacy settings before sharing personal content.

Consent and etiquette. Respect consent and digital etiquette. Before posting photos or mentioning other people, it is essential to obtain their consent, especially if it involves information that could affect their privacy or reputation.

Security risks and phishing. Caution should be exercised with the information shared in the profiles, as it could be used by cybercriminals for the phishing or other malicious activities. Avoid sharing sensitive financial or personal information.

Permanence of information on the InternetIt is important to remember that once something is posted on the Internet, it can remain there indefinitely, even if it is deleted from the original social network. Be aware that it is shared online.

Education and awareness. It is especially important to promote education and awareness of the importance of privacy, so that everyone understands the risks and knows how to protect their personal information effectively on social networks.

Legislation and regulation. Governments and organizations should work on creating and updating laws and regulations related to online privacy to ensure that individual rights are respected in cyberspace.

The right to privacy in social networks is a balance between active online participation and the protection of personal information. 

All this affects us as a Catholic Church, also at the parish level, both in terms of administration and in the relationship between the Church and the faithful. Here are some relevant points:

Social media offers the Catholic Church a platform to communicate with the faithful in a broader and more effective way. It is essential to respect privacy and ensure that communication is conducted in an ethical and respectful manner.

it must be ensured that the handling of the personal data of the faithful in the networks complies with privacy and data protection laws. This involves obtaining appropriate consent to process the information and protecting it against unauthorized access.

the faithful may seek pastoral counseling through private messages on social media. The Church should handle this interaction with due respect for the confidentiality and privacy of individuals.

Parishes should be careful when sharing publications or content that may reveal private or sensitive information about parishioners. It is important to obtain consent before sharing photos or testimonials that identify individuals.

the faithful are encouraged to participate actively in social networks, spreading the faith and Catholic values. However, they should do so in a responsible and considerate manner, protecting their own privacy and that of others.

the Church can play an important role in educating about online privacy and best practices in the use of social networks. This includes raising awareness about the importance of maintaining digital ethics.

In a digitalized world, the Church can provide guidance and pastoral care through social networks, so it must provide this service with care and respect.

Ultimately, the Catholic Church must approach the use of social media from an ethical and pastoral perspective. It is a balance between taking advantage of the opportunities offered by digital platforms and maintaining integrity and respect for the rights and privacy of individuals.

La entrada El derecho a la intimidad en las redes sociales se publicó primero en Omnes.

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The role of social networks in today's world https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/social-networks/ Mon, 19 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=31870 In the digital age, social networks have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives. From Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, to YouTube, Instagram, or WhatsApp and Telegram, these "digital highways" allow us to communicate and connect with people around the world. However, as members of the Catholic Church, we must consider how our [...]

La entrada El papel de las redes sociales en el mundo actual se publicó primero en Omnes.

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In the digital age, social networks have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives. From Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, to YouTube, Instagram, to WhatsApp and Telegram, these "digital highways" allow us to communicate and connect with people around the world. However, as members of the Catholic Church, we must consider how our use of social media aligns with our values as followers of Jesus Christ. In the context of the publication of the document "Towards a full presence - Pastoral reflection on interaction in Social Networks".In the May 28, 2023, issue of the Dicastery for Communication, we will explore both the benefits and dangers of these platforms.

The importance of social networks

Social media has become an integral part of our lives. From sharing photos and status updates to connecting with friends and family around the world, they offer us the opportunity to interact with others like never before.

In addition, they also have a major impact on the way we consume news and information. We no longer rely solely on traditional media for our daily news: we can now access a wide range of different sources and perspectives through the Internet.

Another key benefit of social networking is its ability to connect people with common interests. Specialized groups on any topic imaginable are available at our fingertips, allowing us to find like-minded people no matter where they are.

However, as we will see below, there are also potential dangers associated with the excessive or inappropriate use of these digital platforms.

The dangers of social networks

The dangers of social networks are a reality that we cannot ignore.

One of the most relevant is excessive exposure to inappropriate content. Networks are full of violent images, vulgar language and hate speech.

Another risk is addiction. Spending too much time on them can affect our ability to concentrate on other important activities, such as work or studies. In addition, spending many hours in front of a screen can also have negative effects on our mental and physical health.

We should also be concerned about the issue of online privacy. We often share too much personal information without realizing how far-reaching this can be. We must learn to discern what information is safe to share and what information we should keep private. While we enjoy social networks to interact with other users we should always be aware of the potential emotional and even psychological damage that can be caused if we misuse these technological resources.

How to use social networks in a positive way

Social networks can be very useful for connecting with others and it is important that we learn to use them in a positive way.

First, it is essential to discern what type of content we share. We must ensure that what we publish does not offend or harm anyone. We must also take care of our privacy and the security of our personal data.

In addition, we can take advantage of the networks to spread positive messages and promote just causes. In this way, we contribute to the collective welfare and promote a culture of solidarity.

It is also important to consider how we interact with other users. We should treat others with respect and empathy, avoiding hurtful or discriminatory comments.

Following the example of the Good Samaritan, we can become true online missionaries if we take time to reflect on our interaction on social networks and if we make an effort to show love and compassion to all those we meet.

La entrada El papel de las redes sociales en el mundo actual se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Artificial Neural Network. Artificial Intelligence Tools https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/artificial-intelligence-tools/ Tue, 16 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=30770 Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) consist of a set of nodes (neurons) interconnected by weighted connections (synapses) that allow the transmission of signals through the network. Each neuron receives input signals from other neurons and applies an activation function to these signals to generate an output that is [...]

La entrada Red Neuronal Artificial. Herramientas de Inteligencia Artificial se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) consist of a set of nodes (neurons) interconnected by weighted connections (synapses) that allow the transmission of signals through the network. Each neuron receives input signals from other neurons and applies an activation function to these signals to generate an output that is transmitted to other neurons. The training process of an ANN consists of adjusting the weights of the connections between neurons so that the network can learn to recognize complex patterns in the input data and perform specific tasks, such as classification, prediction or content generation.

ANNs are used in a wide variety of applications, including speech recognition, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, process control and data analysis.

In this article, I explain some of the most popular tools and programs for working with AI:

-Jasperis a tool with artificial intelligence trained to write completely original and creative content. It is a perfect tool for users looking to save time with their projects without affecting the level of content. All thanks to consultations with SEO and direct response marketing experts. For more information, please visit: https://www.jasper.ai

-ArtssyIt's like having your own personal art assistant. Create unique AI-generated images with a single click. https://www.artssy.co/

-Runway: software to automate video editing and to generate new content from algorithms and just by typing a sentence. https://runwayml.com/

-FlikiCreate videos from scripts or blog posts using realistic voices. https://fliki.ai/

-ResembleVoice generator that allows you to create human-like voiceovers in seconds. https://www.resemble.ai/

-Play.HTallows you to instantly convert text to natural-sounding speech and download it as MP3 and WAV audio files. https://play.ht/

-PhraseSEO: helps you research, write and optimize high quality SEO content in minutes. https://www.frase.io/

-Copy.AIText generator: automatic text generator in which you can create different types of texts in seconds thanks to artificial intelligence. https://www.copy.ai/

-ArticooloCreate unique text content in an instant. http://www.articoolo.com/

-Concuredis a strategic content platform powered by artificial intelligence to detect and predict what will cause the most interaction or engagement with your target audience. https://concurrent-ai.org/

ChatGPT OpenAIConversational text-generating AI model capable of executing multiple tasks related to text generation, such as creating texts, completing them, translating them, answering questions, classifying concepts or executing conversations, among others. 

-Midjourneyartificial intelligence program with which we can create images from textual descriptions. https://www.midjourney.com/

-WomboThe artificial intelligence is built-in and generates drawings based on a phrase we write to it. https://www.wombo.ai/

-CraiyonAI online image generator from text. https://www.craiyon.com/

-RytrOpenAI/GPT-3, an artificial intelligence technology, is used to generate content for various uses, in various languages and for various purposes. https://rytr.me/

-CopymaticAutomatically write unique, attractive and high quality texts or content: long blog posts, landing pages, digital ads, etc. https://copymatic.ai/

-PeppertypeContent creation: a solution that helps automate the process of creating content and ideas. It uses advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze processes, interpret brands and target audiences and produce original content for you. https://www.peppercontent.io/

-DesignifyCreate automatic designs using your favorite photos. Choose any image to create AI-powered designs by automatically removing backgrounds, enhancing colors, adjusting smart shadows and more. Save, download or share your designs. https://www.designify.com/

In conclusion, artificial neural networks are a powerful artificial intelligence tool that can be used from any pastoral approach in the Church. We should not be left behind.

La entrada Red Neuronal Artificial. Herramientas de Inteligencia Artificial se publicó primero en Omnes.

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ChatGPT (from OpenAI) https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/chat-gpt/ Mon, 27 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=29378 The year of artificial intelligence (AI) was 2022. With almost infinite possibilities and applicable to many human and creative actions or activities, until now it was a technology beyond the reach of most users. But the arrival of the free artificial intelligence chat system, ChatGPT, capable of responding to anything that you [...]

La entrada ChatGPT (de OpenAI) se publicó primero en Omnes.

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The year of artificial intelligence (AI) was 2022. With almost infinite possibilities and applicable to many human and creative actions or activities, until now it was a technology beyond the reach of most users. But the arrival of the free chat system with artificial intelligence, ChatGPTable to respond to anything you ask, could break that barrier. 

Since its launch in November 2022, the tool has been ChatGPT has been compared to Google, as both answer questions. However, they differ in the form: the ChatGPT It does this by creating unpublished texts, which seem to be written by a human, coherent and organic. It is a chat that has been trained so that you can ask it questions and it can explain anything to you. To use it you only need to register. It is able to generate texts, summaries, the code for a web page, a script for a YouTube or TikTok text, and do it with a more informal or serious tone, depending on your orders. 

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a large-scale language model developed by OpenAIan artificial intelligence research organization. It is an advanced conversational system that uses a large neural network to produce coherent and meaningful text in response to a question or prompt.

ChatGPT is based on the transformational language model GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), which was operated with a large amount of text available on the Internet. This training allows ChatGPT understand context and produce relevant and coherent text in a wide variety of tasks, from generating answers and questions to writing complex texts.

At ChatGPTusers are experimenting with machine learning technology (Machine Learning), without having to code, since the algorithms of the Machine Learning should be able to understand what you are asking it accurately, responding in a coherent manner. But like any artificial intelligence model, it is possible for it to make mistakes, as it is not an exact science. 

How to use it?

Having your conversations with this artificial intelligence is very simple. The only thing you have to do is enter the official website of OpenAI (https://chat.openai.com/) and sign up for free.

One of the most popular uses of ChatGPT is like a conversational agent in messaging applications and chatbots. In addition, ChatGPT can be used for natural language processing, machine translation, text classification and named entity identification tasks. It is used in text generation applications, such as news summaries or product descriptions.

Another important use of ChatGPT is its application in artificial intelligence research. Researchers use models such as ChatGPT to better understand how language works and to develop new artificial intelligence systems that are able to better understand and produce good quality text. In addition, ChatGPT is also being used to improve accessibility, as it can be used for written text to speech and vice versa, making it useful for people with visual and hearing disabilities.

This innovative tool can write articles or summaries of a specific number of characters. You can even ask it to write these texts in a certain way, pointing out the specific features you want the result to include. It can also be asked for advice on which add-on to buy or explanations to questions raised. 

While its use is not without controversy, especially in academia, it can answer questions quickly and accurately, making it ideal for applications such as technical support and customer service. This model can answer questions quickly and accurately, making it ideal for applications such as technical support and customer service, but it can also open the door for students to use the tool to do work with little effort of their own.

In spite of this, the vast majority of experts favor the use of ChatGPTThis opens the door to endless possibilities and implies a breakthrough never seen before in the field of artificial intelligence.

La entrada ChatGPT (de OpenAI) se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Photo editing software https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/software-for-photo-editing/ Tue, 24 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=27611 No one says don't pay for expensive software, if that's what you want. However, maybe you don't need to buy it. Looking for a platform to work on your photo creations? Before you spend, I invite you to try out some of the best free photo editing software and take advantage of the various creative options that these [...]

La entrada Software para la edición de fotos se publicó primero en Omnes.

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No one says don't pay for expensive software, if that's what you want. However, maybe you don't need to buy it. Looking for a platform to work on your photo creations? Before you spend, I invite you to try some of the best free photo editing software and take advantage of the various creative options they put in your hands.

-GIMP. It is by consensus one of the best alternatives to Photoshop. It was created and is updated by a community of specialists who developed the product voluntarily and continue to improve it. It is available for MacOS, Windows and Linux. This option is very professional and is the most similar to Photoshop. It is very suitable for designers who cannot or do not want to give Adobe hundreds of euros for their product. When you open the program, you will find an exclusive window to view the image you want to edit and another one to organize the tools and the different layers. It looks like Photoshop, but it has its own stamp. If you have a large monitor or two, you'll have adequate space to play with images. The icons in the toolbox represent the different options you have to modify your photos, such as Scale, Pencil, etc.

Paint.NET. It was initially sponsored by Microsoft as part of a project with senior design students. Today it is still part of the educational program. The goal was to develop a replacement for Paint. Today it is much more useful than Microsoft's Paint and has some advanced features. The interface is easy to operate; among other things, it allows the use of layers and special effects. It is capable of advanced editing that other paid programs like Photoshop would envy. And it is available as a free traditional desktop program for Windows and as a paid app in the Microsoft Store.

-Photoshop Express. If the above options seem excessive or if you want more of the Adobe experience without the associated price tag, Photoshop Express is another option. Although scaled down, the Express variant has a number of excellent capabilities for editing your photos, with a much more gradual learning curve. It offers quick and easy access to scroll bar adjustments and "one-touch" corrections for photos of all types. Packaged "effects" make quick changes to images, for example to enhance coloration and contrast. Crop and transform tools let you adjust the orientation and focus of a photo, and "details" give you control over sharpness. Support is limited to raw camera files and TIFF, JPG and PNG files. It's a free app that you can use seamlessly on your Windows PC, iOS or Android device.

-Adobe Lightroom (mobile app). With Adobe Lightroom on a mobile or cellular phoneIn the app, you can make many of the adjustments you would normally make with other editing apps: crop, adjust the light, customize the color, add effects or add filters. The app itself is easy to navigate, as it has a simple interface and very identifiable and simple icons. But it doesn't just help you with the quality of your edits; it also has its own camera controls to help you improve the quality of the photos you take with your mobile device. Depending on your devices, you can choose from different camera modes such as Auto, Professional and HDR. Most features do not require a subscription. 

-PhotoDemon. It is a free, portable and open source photo program. It is based on three principles:

-portability: does not require installation, administrator rights or internet access. Its small size allows it to run directly from USB sticks or SD cards.

-energy: The current version provides over 200 professional-level tools, including layers, selection tools and digital brushes, fill and resize based on content, shadow/lighting recovery, perspective and lens correction, and full support for image files from other popular photo editors, including Photoshop (PSD), Paintshop Pro (PSP) and GIMP (XCF).

-usability: An elegant interface created by non-engineering designers gets out of the way and lets you work. Usability testing drives our design decisions.

It comes with a built-in macro recorder and batch processor. Its user interface is fully themed, with integrated light, dark and monochrome themes. All tools support real-time previews, custom presets, keyboard navigation and unlimited undo/redo.

La entrada Software para la edición de fotos se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Your digital life safe. Secure passwords: "KeePass". https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/keepass-digital-life/ Tue, 01 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=25359 All systems have the particularity of being protected by an access password. Therefore, in order to have a safe and secure digital organization, we must have a solid and efficient password. In this way, we will avoid incidents with our online accounts. Experience shows the usefulness of the following prudent measures. -Do not use the [...]

La entrada Tu vida digital a salvo. Contraseñas seguras: “KeePass” se publicó primero en Omnes.

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All systems have the particularity of being protected by an access password. Therefore, in order to have a safe and secure digital organization, we must have a solid and efficient password. In this way, we will avoid suffering incidents with our online accounts.

Experience shows the usefulness of the following prudent measures.

-Do not use the same password for everything. For each user we have (email, social network, bank, etc.) we should have a different password. Cybercriminals often steal passwords from websites with poor security, and then try to replicate them in more secure environments, such as bank websites. So: it is a good idea to use different passwords on different sites on the Internet.

-Long, complex keys, and if they do not make sense, the better.The best passwords, i.e. the most difficult to guess and therefore to steal, are long passwords containing letters, numbers, punctuation marks and symbols. There are words or phrases invented by the user that can be easy for him to remember and impossible for anyone to decipher. For example: "Tengo1clave+segura".

-Do not share them with anyone! Passwords are personal and not to be shared. The user is the owner of the account, but also the owner of the password. The password should only be known to the owner of the account.

-Easy passwords, but difficult to forget and to guess. For many, complex passwords are a risk because of the possibility of forgetting them. One trick is to use an easy word or phrase, but change the vowels for numbers. For example: "Tengoalgoparar decirte" would be "T3ng0alg0parad3c1rt3".

-Integrate symbols in your keys and capital letters. It is also possible to have a password that is easy to remember and difficult to guess, by using symbols. For example: "cow123" (easy to guess) would become "cow!"#". The option of capital letters adds one more difficulty to anyone who wants to guess our password. It can be at the beginning or in any part of the password. Example: "Elections2012" or "elections2012".

-Avoid personal information. The password should not include first name, last name, date of birth, ID number or any other similar information, since those who use them are easier to guess.

-Try to change the password after a reasonable period of time. If we use shared computers or public networks in public places, it will be prudent to change the passwords we use on those computers and networks after a certain period of time.

-Secret questions. When registering in a web site, one of the requirements that arise when filling in the data is usually to establish a "secret question" in case we do not remember the access key or password. That is why we must choose the question that we consider more complicated to guess, that is to say, to avoid those with obvious answers. Example: favorite color.

-Keep your passwords: KeePass. A good password is important in all cases, but no one is able to remember complex sequences. On the other hand, KeePass does it for you. It is, without a doubt, the most appreciated password manager nowadays, thanks to an infinity of options that contribute to offer a reliability in security out of the ordinary.

Licensed under GPL v2, KeePass is free, and will remain so. Its source code is available to all coders and developers worldwide, which ensures that it will have important updates and evolutions throughout its future versions. Its operation is very simple: KeePass stores all your passwords in its own database, which is actually an encrypted (or "encrypted") file. This database can only be accessed using your main password, the only one you will have to memorize, which you will have chosen wisely beforehand.

The security of access to this database can be strengthened even more, in a very easy way, by adding a key (with the help of a .key file). The download link for all platforms is here:

https://keepass.info/download.html

La entrada Tu vida digital a salvo. Contraseñas seguras: “KeePass” se publicó primero en Omnes.

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NFC technology https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/technology-nfc/ Tue, 25 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=25313 A Near Field Communication, or simply NFC, allows a wireless data exchange to be established between two devices in real time. It is very similar to the already used WLAN or the popular Bluetooth. How does it work? To begin with, it is important to make it clear that NFC has the particularity that, in order to work in a [...]

La entrada La tecnología NFC se publicó primero en Omnes.

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A Near Field Communication or simply NFC, allows data to be exchanged wirelessly between two devices in real time. It is very similar to the already widely used WLAN or the popular bluetooth.

How does it work?

To begin with, it is important to make it clear that NFC has the particularity that, in order to work properly, the devices in question need to be very close to each other, at distances of less than 10 centimeters. The benefit obtained by this is all the security of the data being transferred, since in this way the theft of information by any third party is avoided. hacker.

This technology allows the exchange of data in a unidirectional way, from one device to another. But it also allows bidirectional exchange, that is, between both devices at the same time.

The use of the NFC system is very efficient, requiring only 200 microseconds to make the connection between devices. In addition, the vast majority of devices are already equipped with this system. The smartphone since Android version 4.0 already support NFC protocols, as do Apple products since the iPhone 6.

Phones, tablets and other smart devices have up to three different ways of running the NFC system:

-The NFC device can be used by the user in a read/write mode, which allows the user to use his NFC device in a terminal machine that will read and, if necessary, write data.

mode Peer-to-Peer. That is, the exchange of data between two or more devices. 

-Card emulation. In this case the user selects a card to make a payment, placing his device near the POS, as if it were a physical card.

Where does it apply NFC technology?

One of the features that makes NFC technology so attractive is its quick and easy setup in a wide variety of industries.

-Payments via cell phone. In this case, the payment replaces the use of a bank card. Instead of a physical card, a virtual image of the card is created on the phone to make the corresponding payment.

-Payments contactlessincluding electronic toothbrushing in churches and parishes. 

Two-factor authentication. One of the most common uses of NFC is related to security in order to have permission to access the computer or a web application. The usual way, the password is entered and the NFC device is placed near the specially enabled sensor so that the system recognizes and allows access to the user.

-Purchase of tickets in digital support. This is basically a way to replace the classic piece of paper that allows us to enter a movie theater or a concert. 

-Access control to hotels or restaurants. Entry to hotels or certain restaurants is limited to the use of RFID which, in simple terms, is a chip that allows access to certain restricted areas or zones. 

The success and use of the NFC system (in general of any technology) does not depend exclusively on who is in charge of providing the application, but also on the individual who uses it. There is no point in introducing mechanisms to speed up procedures and data exchange if users do not put them into practice correctly. For this reason, if someone is thinking of using an NFC, the best thing to do is to keep his or her credit card in a protective case that blocks interference from external agents. If, on the other hand, you are planning to use the smartphoneFor example, it is best to activate the NFC mode only at the moment of, for example, making a payment, deactivating it immediately after making the transaction.

La entrada La tecnología NFC se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Metaverse https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/metaverse/ Mon, 28 Feb 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=18537 Metaverse is the new concept that will probably be the protagonist of the evolutionary process of digital society in the current decade. It will be important to see where faith, the Church and spiritual life will be in this new reality or situation. The metaverse makes it possible to overcome the physical and temporal limitations of the real universe to enter into new realities.

La entrada Metaverso se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Metaverse is the new concept that will probably be the protagonist of the evolutionary process of digital society in the current decade. It will be important to see where faith, the Church and spiritual life will be in this new reality or situation. The metaverse makes it possible to overcome the physical and temporal limitations of the real universe to enter new and infinite universes through avatars or virtual projections of people.

But it will be the metaverses of Goal (formerly Facebook), Microsoft and Google will popularize these new virtual environments. For these large companies, it is a key concept in their long-term growth strategy. It is very likely that the metaverse will follow a long, slow trajectory and, at a given moment, experience a sudden development. This is what happened with the bitcoins or with mobile telephony. Making the leap to metaverses seems much more plausible after the sudden and intense digital transformation brought about by the pandemic, which has revolutionized teleworking and the digital insertion of many people who were previously reluctant or alien to change. Shopping online or participating in video calls has reached all ages and strata of the population. Thus, the transition from web browsing or grid-screen meetings to the virtual immersive experience will be more natural and understandable.

Metaverses are all the rage. But what is meant by metaverse? Metaverse is understood as a virtual world in which we connect with avatars, to coexist and interact with each other. 

The renewed idea of metaverse goes further in the search for a multipurpose, i.e., all-purpose, through a combination of technologies. The 5G, virtual reality, augmented reality, and the blockchain with the possibility of asset tokenization and NFTs, make it possible for people in the near future to live within the metaverse: to work, navigate, play, interact, educate, etc.; to be a digital extension of their physical life, to change the screen of their mobile or tablet for an integration in the metaverse, so that the line between the physical and digital universe will blur a little more.

Metaverses are expected to reach popularity within the next five years, and several technology companies are bidding to create the most attractive one, where we will all end up. It is estimated that Goal has invested $28.5 billion through 2021, and Bloomberg estimates that the business will be worth about $800 billion by 2024.

The implications of the metaverse for legislation are enormous and span all branches of law. Let us look at some examples:

-in some metaverses it is already possible to buy plots of land and even develop real estate projects on them. Recently, the sale of a plot of land for 450,000 dollars has been in the news, as well as the payment of 2.5 million dollars for several plots in a digital street for fashion establishments. So, will it be possible to mortgage these plots, can there be leasing, subleasing, assignment, usufruct or easement?

-at Decentralanda metaverse in blockchainWhat kind of voting will be possible in the metaverse? Will the majority of the inhabitants of the metaverse be able to impose their will, or will there be some kind of external control?

-If we work in the metaverse for a DAO (decentralized autonomous organization), we will have to comply with labor regulations. What should a virtual workplace look like? Can a workplace be inspected in the metaverse?

The casuistry is enormous and encompasses all types of relationships in which humans interact. The more similar the interaction in the metaverse is to that in the real world, the greater the legal implications.

La entrada Metaverso se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Working in the "cloud" (cloud) https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/work-in-the-cloud/ Thu, 16 Dec 2021 05:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=17147 Working in the cloud means using data, programs and applications that are not physically installed on your devices. In this way, you can be productive from anywhere, having access to up-to-date information at all times. The cloud is not an abstract concept: they are high-capacity servers made available to users by companies [...]

La entrada Trabajar en la “nube” (“cloud”) se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Working in the cloud means using data, programs and applications that are not physically installed on your devices. In this way, you can be productive from anywhere, having access to up-to-date information at all times. The cloud is not an abstract concept: it is a high-capacity server made available to users by leading information management companies.

It is important to know that the Cloud ComputingThe advantages of this system are many, and I would like you to know about them. Some of them are the following:

1. Warn and train your work team. One of the biggest advantages of working in the cloud is that all members of your team can be working on the same project from anywhere, whether from the parish, the office, their homes or the most remote part of the planet. Of course, getting started involves a period of adaptation and team building. You can start by integrating the simplest tasks into the cloud.

2. Choose only the most necessary applications. There are hundreds of applications on the web with technology cloud. In the previous article (Omnes, October 2021) I have proposed some of the main ones. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

3. Manage your team from the cloud. Teamwork. The cloud offers the possibility of sharing documents with other users, so it is possible to work online with the same document and update the information for the whole team.

4. Choose a secure cloud service provider. I advise you to hire a server cloud secure, and exclusively for your workplace, where you can store any private documentation without any risk to the conservation of information or its security.

5. Know your cloud like the back of your hand. It is important to know where the cloud is located; and, especially for data protection compliance purposes, who, how and when the data stored by your provider can be accessed. cloud.

6. Protects access security. Whether using passwords or two-factor authentication systems, you should take special care in accessing the cloud of your business, as not all team members will need to know and have access to the same information. Collaborative and networked work allows you to access the cloud from any device...

7. Always back up your files.

8. Do not give more data than necessary. When working with cloud applications, any security is too little. Fill in only the data strictly necessary to enjoy a service or product in the cloud. 

9. You can work in the cloud from your Smartphone (smart cell phone), Tablet or Ipad...., which can make it easier.

10. Enjoy the cloud. When you switch to the cloud, if you have not already done so, you will enjoy all its advantages and discover curious applications that will improve your performance and that of your computer, and get your creativity in shape. These online applications allow you to retouch images from your own smartphone.

Once these advantages are known, how to work securely? Working in the cloud means that a company's or client's sensitive information is not stored on its own servers, but that does not mean that it is not handled securely. To ensure security, it is enough to follow certain rules or make sure that your provider complies with them:

Reliable storage serviceMost of the service providers of the Cloud Computing guarantee the protection of your data;

-Choose appropriate passwords: Although it seems to be of little relevance, most security problems arise from weak passwords;

-Use encrypted servers: In this type of service, the information is compressed and encrypted in such a way that it can only be retrieved with the administrator's password;

-Maintain an updated antivirus: data leaks may be due not to the cloud, but to the device used to access it;

-Not sharing everything: only data that is used collaboratively or needs to be accessed from anywhere needs to be shared;

-Backing up: Although the files in the cloud are safe, it never hurts to have a backup own, in case the service is interrupted for any reason. 

Working in the cloud is no longer the future: it has become the present thanks to the need for fast and efficient information management and the digital transformation of institutions to adapt to the needs of the moment.

La entrada Trabajar en la “nube” (“cloud”) se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Cloud storage services https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/cloud-storage-service/ Mon, 25 Oct 2021 05:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=16052 Working in the cloud can provide the Church with a significant productivity boost. Cloud computing allows users to communicate more effectively, share their knowledge, organize themselves optimally and store and find information very quickly. Today, the Church, schools, delegations, congregations, archives, etc. [...] [...

La entrada Servicio de almacenamiento en la nube (“cloud”) se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Working in the "cloud" can provide the Church with a significant productivity boost. The "cloud computing enables users to communicate more effectively, share their knowledge, organize optimally, and store and find information very quickly.

Today the Church, schools, delegations, congregations, archives, etc... have at their disposal from complete IT infrastructure services, such as Google Apps or Microsoft 365, to applications such as Dropbox that are committed to interactivity and, above all, to shared work and information, as a principle of efficiency.

Incorporating work in the "cloud" can lead to significant savings by replacing high infrastructure costs (e.g. installation and maintenance of hardware, purchase of software and its updates, technicians, etc.) with the variable costs resulting from subscribing to a service provider of the so-called "cloud". cloud computing.

Here are some of the most useful tools:

1.- Google Apps. The versatility of Google Apps allows companies and individuals to communicate, organize and collaborate among users from any place or device connected to the Internet. In a single interface it is possible to communicate easily with other members, through email, messaging, or a phone call or videoconference.

Google Calendar enables co-workers to share their agendas and view each other's, making it easier to plan and organize tasks or meetings.

Google Docs, the most popular of these apps, is an office suite in which users create and process work together and, if desired, simultaneously. The information is accessible at all times and backed up in the cloud. It is compatible with all operating systems (PC, Mac and Linux) and formats (doc, xls, ppt and pdf).

In addition, through Google Market Place it is possible to incorporate very useful applications that are integrated into the Google Apps account, such as translators, accounting and finance tools, client, project and document managers, etc.

2.- Microsoft office 365 (Onedrive). It is the most recognized collaboration and productivity tool in all areas. The vast majority of dioceses in Spain use it with a "nonprofit" Office 365 account. 

It also has e-mail, calendar and contacts, etc., managed from Microsoft Exchange Online. For team work, it has the online versions of Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote).

To communicate, there is Microsoft Teams, which has instant messaging, calls, video calls or conferences. While Microsoft SharePoint Online functions as a hub for sharing documents and information between co-workers and other members of our work environment, as well as collaborating on projects and proposals in real time.

3.- Dropbox. It is an application in which the user, after creating an account, uploads files to a virtual 'box' which can be accessed later from any device connected to the Internet. It also has the possibility of sharing them with others, without the need of external memories.

For companies, there is a version premium 1 Tb of memory. Despite the price, today's work needs (mobility, use of different devices, etc.) make Dropbox a very useful tool.

4.- Apple's Icloud. ICloud is Apple's cloud storage service, which keeps photos, files, notes and other content always up to date and available anytime, anywhere. We could say, therefore, that it is the equivalent of Google Drive (with free plan and payment options included) but, unlike the latter, it does not have an app for Android.

Fortunately, since a few months ago, the iCloud.com web service already has support for phones and tablets with Google's operating system, so that we can now access our files from a computer or an iOS and Android device. 

This spectacular Apple service has become in recent years one of the main reasons why many prefer to buy an iPhone, iPad or Mac. It offers us a fairly complete service that allows us to do many things and enjoy your devices to the fullest. In addition, it is quite practical, for personal or professional life, so learning to use it can even help you in your daily tasks, to optimize many of the tasks you perform and have greater productivity.

La entrada Servicio de almacenamiento en la nube (“cloud”) se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Useful programs for social network management https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/software-useful-for-social-networks-management/ Tue, 03 Aug 2021 09:06:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=8257 Despite its usefulness, we understand that managing a Facebook, Twitter and Instagram page... is a time-consuming task. And, if we add it to our workload, it can seem like an impossible task. It would be a time saver to make social media management easier for everyone. I'll show you [...]

La entrada Programas útiles para la gestión de las redes sociales se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Despite its usefulness, we understand that managing a Facebook, Twitter e Instagram... is a time-consuming task. And, if we add it to our workload, it can seem like an impossible task. It would be a time saver to make social network management easier for everyone. I will show you the best apps that can speed up your social networks. They are:

Social report

Social report is an all-in-one social media management tool. It can be used to schedule posts and generate detailed reports. It has excellent smart scheduling tools, detailed analytics and reporting, and even a smart social inbox that displays your mentions. 

On the publishing side, you can schedule the statuses of all your social network accounts at once. Simply build your post in the message composition window, select the accounts you want to post to and schedule your post. You can use content syndication and content syndication features. Evergreen to automate the publication in social networks. 

Social report offers a tool that allows you to import status updates from a document in Excelso you can schedule all your publications at once. It is compatible with all networks.

Canva

Canva is a free web-based graphic design application. You can create banners and other social media images using the free template library. Just fill them with your own text, change the images and brand them with your logos. Once you've perfected your design, you can download copies of your designs for social use and post them directly to the social networks of your choice. 

Sharethis

Sharethis offers free social network sharing buttons for the website or blog of WordPress. The buttons are polished, responsive and optimized for mobile devices, so they will adapt to the look and feel of the website. Just add the code ShareThis to your website, and that's it! I promise it won't take more than 10 minutes to implement, it's free!

Kapwing

Kapwing quickly edit social media videos on the web. Today video is taking over the social media world. So, if your church wants to increase attendance, it should experiment with posting short videos of services and breakout sessions. But video editing is time-consuming and expensive. With Kapwing go to the website, select one of its many editing functions and upload your video clip. Kapwing will do the rest. So you can take your cell phone video of Sunday's celebration and edit it into a short clip to Facebook in a matter of seconds.

Tweetdeck

Tweetdeck is the free tool of Twitter for advanced users. The application allows you to view, manage and tweet from all of the accounts of Twitter in one place. You can also use it to run ongoing searches for different keywords and hashtags. Create as many dashboards as you want to display different lists, feeds of Twitterand more.

Story heap

Story heap creates and schedules stories of Instagram y Snapchat online. The stories of Instagram y Snapchat are a powerful way to increase social followers, especially among younger people. But creating story content on a smartphone can be difficult. Limited screen real estate makes it difficult to create. Storyheap is a web application that allows you to create and schedule stories of Snapchat e Instagram in your web browser. The application has a story generator, so it is very easy to create them.

Pagemodo

Pagemodo helps you stand out among the sea of generic Facebook with amazing themes and custom tabs. You can create a custom tab on the Facebook of your church and add photos, videos, maps, service information and more with just a couple of clicks. You already have control over the HTML and CSS of the tab. When used correctly, these additional tabs can be converted to the Facebook of your parish in a knowledge base about your parish. It has an excellent cover photo creator that allows you to create custom banners, no design experience required.

Visit the website of each of these tools, and you will see how easy it is.

La entrada Programas útiles para la gestión de las redes sociales se publicó primero en Omnes.

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How to do streaming in your parish https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/how-to-streaming-in-your-parish/ Tue, 03 Aug 2021 08:45:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=8251 There are different questions in reference to live broadcasting or streaming, through different platforms for our parishes, meetings or events. And we are going to talk about what we need to do a live broadcast on the platform of your choice (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, etc...). It is necessary that our transmission has a good [...]

La entrada Cómo hacer streaming en tu parroquia se publicó primero en Omnes.

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There are different questions regarding the live or recorded transmission of streamingthrough different platforms for our parishes, meetings or events. And let's talk about what we need to make a live broadcast on the platform of your choice (Facebook, Instagram, Youtubeetc...). 

It is necessary that our transmission has a good quality, since nowadays we are more attracted to a transmission that looks and sounds good than something that looks "pixelated" or has low quality, or where the audio is not understandable.

And for that there is equipment that is necessary to make our transmission excellent. And, as you know, a series of equipment is needed, such as video cameras, video switchersIn some occasions, video capturers, etc.; but it is necessary that each one of these equipments is of a good quality, because if something of our chain of equipments is of lesser quality, obviously our result will be affected.

Video

Today we can already find different ways to receive video for a live broadcast: from NDI technology, which is the reception of video over IP, the reception of video via USB C cable, to the reception of video over IP. lightning in the case of the Apple brand, and the famous video capture devices. No matter which one you choose, the best option is the one that best suits your needs, space and economy. 

Most cameras already give us FullHD or 4K quality, which are the standard qualities in terms of videos and give us a good image. It is important to emphasize that currently all these equipment for live transmission have digital inputs and outputs, thanks to which it does not lose quality when connected to other equipment, as long as this other equipment also accepts this video quality.

Audio

When it comes to audio, in the case of a transmission with one or two people, it can be done directly from the camera, if it has the appropriate inputs.

There are many microphones available for this type of solution, from Lavalier for cell phones or conventional cameras, to conventional microphones of very good quality in the case of a camera that is of a higher range. 

Our objective may be a transmission with music, specifically with a live band or where we need to receive audio directly from a console. Then we need an adapter to be able to send that external source. We can use consoles with USB output; if our system is very simple, there are also video capturers with audio inputs.

One of the most common mistakes that happen with audio in live broadcasts is that the signal is sent saturated (peak, clip). This can happen for several reasons:

  1. because all your channels have a very high input signal and are reaching the peak or clip point on your console: remember to manage a correct gain structure;
  2. because the output level for the console's live stream is too high;
  3. because you are sending your signal to a console/USB interface or video switcher where you are giving gain to what you are receiving, which means that your signal is already amplified: the only thing you have to do on your console/USB interface or video switcher is to assign a volume to it.

Software or Streaming System (transmission card)

For the transmission we need a software or a device called "transmission card", to which we will send our audio and video together; these will be in charge of sending everything and making the transmission.

To perform a streaming it is important to have tools that can meet our expectations and needs, including the number of cameras. There are several products that can be very useful for this. I use the ATEM MINI PRO, a switcher with a very good adaptability and great functions, a great bet from Blackmagic. We have the possibility of connecting 4 HDMI video signals, as well as direct transmission with cable without the need of a computer; and another great advantage is its price compared to others in the market.

A good internet connection

It would be useless to have all the devices for transmission if we do not have the necessary internet connection. The recommended bandwidth to make a transmission, always assuming that we do not have another device connected, is 10 Mb of upload. This will allow a good performance.

With these 4 elements, we will be able to make our streaming correctly.

La entrada Cómo hacer streaming en tu parroquia se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Teleworking, videoconferencing, videoconferencing, video calls https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/teleworking-videoconferencing-videocalls/ Mon, 02 Aug 2021 10:14:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=8182 Although 22 % of workers could work from home, only 7.5 % of the total did so last year. In reality, we could all be adopting this remote work modality. Reasons? We live through crises that require us to maintain physical distance, or there are family situations or exceptional moments that prevent us from moving, and we want to remain [...]

La entrada Teletrabajo, videoconferencias, videollamadas se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Although 22 % of workers could work from home, only 7.5 % of the total did so last year. In reality, we could all be adopting this remote work modality. Reasons? We live through crises that require us to maintain physical distance, or there are family situations or exceptional moments that prevent us from moving, and we want to stay connected. Reality has shown that we are not prepared: in Spain, 33.5 % of workers say they do not know how to handle basic digital work environments. Also dioceses, churches, educational institutions, professionals from many sectors (doctors, lawyers, consultants, etc.) face the challenge of moving their meetings or classes to a live online format.

Your benefits

You will reduce your travel costs. You will use time to your advantage. You will focus your attention on the problems to be solved and not on secondary issues. You will have the opportunity to invite more people to contribute value to the conversation, such as other members of the organization or specialists who otherwise would not attend. You will create a faster and more efficient exchange of ideas.

Some disadvantages

If you do not have adequate internet speed, you will have connectivity problems. You will need to have a budget for the hiring of the tool, if you choose a paid option.

Videoconferencing is making teleworking possible among professionals around the world, changing the work systems and routines of millions of companies. These are some of the most outstanding:

Google Meet. It is free and paid, created by Google for companies and educational centers. It allows you to create group video calls for meetings, conferences or webinars. Supported participants range from 100 to 250, depending on the payment plan. It allows you to record the meeting, which will be automatically saved in Google Drive along with the chat transcript file. A computer with an internet connection, a mobile device or a phone is all that is needed to use it.

Microsoft Teams. To use it, the organizer must have a licensed Office365 account. It is based on Groups Office365, and allows collaboration between people in the same team or developing a specific project, sharing resources; its main function is constant communication between team members. It has chat and recording of the meeting, and allows screen sharing. Other people from outside the team can be invited to the meetings. Teams

Skype. It is well known, but ... did you know that Microsoft has revealed that it will leave us on July 31, 2021? What's more, as early as September 1, 2019, new Office365 customers incorporate as an app. Teams, and it is not possible to activate Skype for Business

Cisco Webex. It is a secure cloud-hosted collaboration platform that provides a robust and scalable suite of audio, video and web conferencing products. It includes advanced artificial intelligence functionalities. Its secure platform protects user information without compromising features such as secure search and compliance with corporate security policies for shared and stored content.

GoToMeeting. It is a pay-per-use application, created for conferences and meetings. It supports conferences of up to 250 participants, who can connect via the Internet or by phone/tablets. The meeting organizer can share his entire screen or choose only a specific application. Like almost all platforms, it allows the session to be recorded and exported.

GoToWebhttps://global.gotowebinar.com/inar is a fee-based webinar platform, created for webinars, up to a total of 3,000 participants who can connect via the internet or phone/tablets, both iOS and Android. It is focused on webinars.

Zoom. It is one of the most popular options. It works in an intuitive way, making it user-friendly for everyone. It has a technical support team that solves any doubts. You can create meetings with video on or off, and screen sharing. It gives the option of a free trial when you start your registration, after which you will have available the option to schedule the videoconference: add the subject of the meeting and you will get a URL to share. In the "Invite others" button you can add more participants.

Jitsi Meet. It is a free web-based video conferencing, voice over IP and messaging application. It does not require the installation of an application; it operates through a web browser. The number of participants is limited only by the performance of the computer and the speed of the internet connection.

La entrada Teletrabajo, videoconferencias, videollamadas se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Fraudulent SMS https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/sms-fraudulent/ Mon, 19 Jul 2021 04:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=13587 Most shipping agencies use SMS to notify of an upcoming pickup or delivery, something that many hackers are using to scam fraudulently. Indeed, many of us have received an SMS with a package notification and a link to track it, but this is a fraudulent [...]

La entrada SMS fraudulentos se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Most shipping agencies use SMS to notify of an upcoming pickup or delivery, something that many hackers are using to fraudulently scam you. Indeed, many of us have received an SMS notification of a package and a link to track it, but this is a scam, whereby criminals want to get your details and install malware (virus) on your device. What looks like a package arrival notice actually destroys or takes over data on your phone. Here's what you need to know and what you can do...

What is going on? Fake shipment warnings: "Your shipment is on its way. Click on the following link to track it...". This message, or different versions with similar text, is what you get in the fake SMS, which are sent in bulk. The links they contain are different in each case, as are the sender's numbers.

The trick behind it is always the same, at least in all the messages I've seen: either the login details for various internet services are requested, or you land on a page that wants to install malware on your device. So, if you receive such a message, delete it directly and, above all, under no circumstances click on the link, as there is usually no real package waiting for you. You can recognize this type of spam or garbage by the address to which the link attached to the message refers. Because it is not usually from Correos, DHL or similar, but points to unknown pages.

Already bitten?If you have already fallen into the trap and clicked on the link, you should remain calm. In the worst case scenario, you have been convinced to install apps (applications) from unknown sources, which continue to spread the fake messages. This is not only very annoying, but can also cause you expenses. 

The best thing to do is to install an antivirus app on your mobile, and activate the airplane mode. Then scan the device for malware. If you find anything suspicious, inform your operator. You may be able to get your SMS charges reversed. You should also file a report with the police, in case you need to involve an insurer.

Is your mobile number in danger?The current wave of spam uses a set of data that was misplaced from Facebook, including the phone numbers of more than 500 million Facebook users. The website https://haveibeenpwned.com/ you can quickly find out if your number is part of those stolen from Facebook. Type there your number in international format, for example +34 123 456 789, and it will tell you if you are in danger.

Prevents the installation of any app.To minimize the danger that may come, you can modify the settings of your Android phone to prevent the installation of apps from unknown sources. On iPhones, this step is not necessary. And, in general, it would be wise to block third-party messages from your carrier, if you haven't already done so.

Blocks the reception of false SMSIn the settings of many messaging apps you can set that you only want to receive SMS from contacts in your address book. If you use services such as reminders or bank information, you should store these numbers. Many mobile or security apps offer spam filters. These can help you reduce the frequency of unwanted SMS. If you don't get rid of the SMS wave by any means, you may even have to change your number.

Who will cover the damages?If you have incurred exorbitant costs for sending bulk SMS, you may want to check with your liability insurance to see if it covers this type of event. Many modern contracts may have clauses that cover damage due to phishing. If you have made purchases on the Internet, talk to your bank, since many cards maintain insurance against these eventualities. And there are also specific cyber insurance policies that cover all the problems that can arise in this type of situation when you use the Internet.

-Many other scams.There are numerous variations of this scam, and another of the most common is that you are asked for a payment to deliver the package, because it is "blocked" in the courier. These are usually very small amounts, 3 or 5 euros at the most, so you easily pay and proceed with the payment process. But, in reality, at the time of payment you can be charged up to 1,200 euros if you do not realize it, or if you do not have the bank's double authentication activated. Thanks to the latter system, the bank sends you a confirmation message to your cell phone where you can see the actual amount you are going to pay if you finally accept.

La entrada SMS fraudulentos se publicó primero en Omnes.

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The WhatsApp dilemma and alternatives https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/reverend-sos/the-whatsapp-dilemma-and-alternatives/ Sun, 23 May 2021 23:00:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=12408 With more than 2 billion users in 180 countries, WhatsApp is everyone's favorite messaging app. Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp in 2014 created concern among privacy and security experts, as Facebook and its third-party apps have been involved in multiple security breaches, in [...]

La entrada El dilema de WhatsApp y alternativas se publicó primero en Omnes.

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With more than 2 billion users in 180 countries, WhatsApp is everyone's favorite messaging app. Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp in 2014 created concern among privacy and security experts, as Facebook and its third-party apps have been involved in multiple security breaches, in which a lot of users' private information was leaked.

This is about to change. Facebook has announced that it plans to merge the functions of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, allowing users to send messages to each other between the three networks. A source confirmed that current plans would include extending end-to-end encryption to all these platforms. 

In theory, this would make both Facebook and Instagram as secure as WhatsApp. However, it could be that with this measure WhatsApp would be less secure, decreasing its protection.

Security gaps

WhatsApp promises end-to-end encryption. But there are several loopholes that the company needs to review. 

Your legal notice alleges the following: "As part of the Facebook family of companies, WhatsApp receives and shares information with all of them. We may use the information we receive from them and they may use the information we share to help us operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market our services and their products; they may also use the information we provide to improve your experience with their services, such as product suggestions. We do not keep logs of messages in the normal course of our services. however, we do keep our users' account information, including profile picture, profile name or status, if they choose to include it as part of their account information."

This means that WhatsApp retains user information on its private servers, and the company can use this information for advertising or political purposes. The government could get hold of the information stored on its servers in the event of an event. "out of the ordinary"

And it could happen that hackers manage to break into their servers and gain access to user accounts.

Alternatives

This has made us think of alternative possibilities. In addition to others such as Threema, Wire, Riot.IM, the main ones are the following two.

-Signal. It is free, has strong encryption and works on all mobile platforms. It is simple to use and offers voice and video calls. 

It has desktop installation files, and the application can be used from both PC and mobile. Messages are encrypted so that only the sender and receiver can read them, making them completely unreadable to hackers. It uses open source encryption, which allows experts to test it for bugs. This makes the application even more secure. 

Your messages can be made to disappear by selecting a time interval after which they are automatically deleted; this ensures privacy, even if someone else gains access to the phone.

-Telegram. With over 600 million users, it is a popular alternative to WhatsApp. It is a cloud-based application, and is compatible with multiple platforms. Like others, it employs the double "tick" system to reflect that the recipient has received the message. It offers end-to-end encryption for voice calls by default, so no one can listen in on your calls. 

However, encryption for text messages has to be activated manually to prevent logs from being saved. As in the case of Signal, it offers the option to automatically delete a message after a certain time has elapsed, and also allows the exchange of multimedia files.

La entrada El dilema de WhatsApp y alternativas se publicó primero en Omnes.

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Turn your smartphone into a pocket scanner https://www.omnesmag.com/en/resources-2/make-your-smatphone-become-a-pocket-scanner/ Mon, 03 Aug 2020 08:16:00 +0000 https://omnesmag.com/?p=8243 It may happen that our scanner is damaged, or simply that we are on the road and logically we cannot carry it in our pockets. Well, there is an easy and compact way to work on our documents in the absence of the main scanner. For this we have the possibility of transforming our Smartphone into a pocket scanner. In case [...]

La entrada Haz que tu smartphone se convierta en un escáner de bolsillo se publicó primero en Omnes.

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It may happen that our scanner is damaged, or simply that we are on the road and logically we cannot carry it in our pockets. Well, there is an easy and compact way to work with our documents in the absence of the main scanner.

For this we have the possibility of transforming our Smartphone into a pocket scanner. In case you did not know, this is perfectly possible to achieve through different applications, which you should know, and thus leave aside the useful but tedious task of photographing the documents you have in your hands. In this article we are going to mention the best scanner applications for smartphones.

The qualities that any good scanner application must have to be worth to be incorporated to our mobile device must be: light size, and friendly, effective and fast use and design. All downloads are for iOS y Android (free). With this in mind, let's see which ones I think are the best. Of course, the final decision is as always in your hands.

Camscanner

It is among the most popular applications today, and this is due to its long history, which has allowed it to build a good reputation. That is why it is always well recommended. You can get it at Google Play o App Store. 

It has a free version or Premium (paid). However, for the vast majority of people the free version is sufficient. It has semi-automatic perspective correction, automatic image enhancement and, of course, the always necessary export to PDF format. In the PremiumYou also enjoy storage space in the cloud.

Genius Scan

Digitize and scan documents directly, wherever you are. Worried about glare or shadows? Intelligent algorithms automatically detect documents, and apply perspective correction so you can scan from any angle. After scanning the document, you can share it via any application, or even email it to anyone who needs it. Privacy is always a concern; fortunately, Genius Scan only stores your documents on your device, so you have full control.

Genius Scan (iOS y Android) is free and allows you to scan everything you need, without a watermark. To enhance your experience, you can pay a one-time fee for Genius Scan +which offers additional features such as enabling FaceID or password access. Along with text recognition capabilities, Genius Scan also allows you to export your documents to any cloud service.

Office Lens

The advantage of Office Lens with respect to other similar ones is that it belongs to the package of Microsoft Office for mobile devices and works similarly to Google Drive. It has the ability to identify the position of the document and automatically adjust it to be viewed in portrait or landscape, depending on the position of the terminal. You can change the scanning result with different quality options, and you can save the snapshot as an image in a gallery folder, as PDF, Word, PowerPoint or in OneDrive if you have it installed.

The app allows you to capture and crop an image of a whiteboard and share those meeting notes with colleagues at work. You can also make digital copies of printed documents, business cards or posters, and cut them out. Printed and written text will be automatically recognized (via OCR) so you can search for words and images for copying and editing.

Office Lens comes with different modes of use. For example, in the Slate the app cuts out and cleans reflections and shadows; with the Office Lens Document perfectly trims and applies color to images. And the Business card can extract the contact information and save it to your address book and OneNote.

iScanner

With this app (Android) it is possible to scan PDF or JPG documents, which can be edited with the advanced processing tools included, from color or light correction to noise removal. The final result can be managed internally in password-protected folders or shared via e-mail, social networks or cloud storage platforms.

La entrada Haz que tu smartphone se convierta en un escáner de bolsillo se publicó primero en Omnes.

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