See also www.designomics.co.uk and www.briansheerin.co.uk

Contact me by email

Welcome to my personal web site!

I've taken this opportunity of creating this site to show off a few of my creative works ... not much, I know, but it's the best I can do. I spend much of my time at a computer, either writing programs, doing research, or writing stories. The book 'Blind Man's Bluff' was my way of describing the world as I see it ... there are many analogies and comparisons in the story, but I'm not giving anything away; you might just want to enjoy the story as a story.

Get it now! A new free program for sharpening your Bible knowledge: Verses. This program provides a number of different quizzes that will help you to recall scripture texts and their locations. The puzzles include: Where's that Text?, What's the Scripture? Get that Scripture, Missing Words, and Jumbled Words. Scripture verses are categorized by either 1=Easy, 2=Moderate, or 3=Hard enabling progressive training on scripture locations.

 

Great news ! Don't have Microsoft Access on your PC ? No problem ! The Secretary File Database is now available using Microsoft's *free* Access 2007 Runtime available here. You will need to download the Access 2007 version of the Secretary File database here. Only the additional file 'Secretary File.accdb' needs to be downloaded and must exist in the same directory as the other files: SecData.mdb, SecArchive.mdb, SecBackup.mdb. Language modules will still work as normal.

I often get requests regarding donations to the Secretary File program. Whilst this can be accommodated, an alternative way of donating would be to purchase one of my books (available from the links below). If you are into the deep, technical aspects of Bible study, particularly Hebrew and Greek language studies, then the 'Trinity' book should provide the meat you are looking for. Alternatively, the 'Blind Man's Bluff' novel is also quite meaty; I have yet to hear from someone who fully understands the allegories the book contains!

Coming soon ! A Map File database for handling congregation maps.

Verses

There is also a Scripture Search function enabling instant display of scriptures containing any number of given words. The program makes use of multiple choice buttons making each question fun and simple to use (as well as a scoring system to measure your progress); but the effect is very beneficial for those interested in Bible education!

Try the RELEASE (version 1.0.1.14) of Verses now !

Download the installation of 'Verses' from here (unzip the file onto your local hard drive, then run the Setup.exe program to install it). If you have already installed an earlier version of Verses, go to the Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, and remove it before installing this new version.

 

 

Translators Wanted !!

A Language module for the Secretary File is here!  Please email me for details. (See below)

VISTA USERS: Please note, the Secretary File database has been tested using Vista and Microsoft Office 2003 & 2007.

You may also need to obtain the latest updates for Vista. When opening the database in Access 2003, you may see a message recommending that you obtain Microsoft Jet 4.0 Service Pack 8. This is not necessary to run the database and you can select 'Continue'.

 

See the
Secretary File
User Manual
Get Version 3.3 of the Secretary File database

Click here to download just the 'Secretary File.mdb' which contains the code. You will need to have the data file 'SecData.mdb' along with 'Archive.mdb' and 'Backup.mdb' already installed on your computer (in the same directory as 'Secretary File.mdb'). (If you are having difficulty downloading the file, just enter http://www.michaelbarber.co.uk/download/ into your browser window to gain access to the file 'SecretaryFile.mdb', or select here to download a ZIPped version of 'SecretaryFile.mdb'.)

Version 3 has been modified to enable language translation of the Secretary File database. A separate database, called Lng_English.mdb, is now included in the download. By selecting the 'Congregation Details' option from the Main Menu, you can enter a NEW language in the 'Language' field, press Enter, and all the screens and reports will be displayed in that language. If you are interested in doing any translating work for the database, please let me know. The language database provides two columns: Original Text and Translated Text. In the English database, these two columns contain identical data. However, translators can change the text in the 'Translated Text' column to enable the database to display this text whereever it occurs in the program.

This version has also been updated to include references to 'Field Ministry Group' rather than 'Book Study Group' in line with recent changes.

This version includes a feature to create a .CSV file to pass to Group Overseers. This is a text file which can be loaded into Microsoft Excel allowing each month's reports to be quickly entered. The same file is then passed back to the secretary who performs a quick import and the reports are instantly inserted into the database!

Go To Google !
  See also 'Blind Man's Bluff', a new SF novel with a powerful story having multi-dimensional hidden meanings that are not disclosed in the book! See a review of 'Should Christianity Abandon the Doctrine of the Trinity?' a new exposé of Christianity's central doctrine!

 

Do you already have Microsoft Access 2002 or above? Download just the necessary files for the Secretary File here, copy the contents to a new directory, run Secretary.exe, then double-click on 'Secretary File.mdb' to open the database. The setup program may prompt you to reboot your PC.

 

 

 
Get from:
UK
USA
Get from:
UK

USA
 

Get the latest version of 'Secretary File.mdb' (program with no data) here (you can overwrite the original file without affecting your data):

Download JUST the Access MDB file

Version 3.3: There is now a 'Missing Rpts' button on the 'Field Ministry Reports' screen to show which reports are still outstanding for a given month (listed either by Congregation or Group). Database Queries now shows averages for Congregation Report. Drop-down list of publishers in 'Individual Reports' now lists all archived publishers at the end. A print-out of missing reports is available in 'Society Reports'. Cut-off date for submitted reports has been set back to the 6th.

Version 3.2: Minor fixes, e.g. larger buttons to accommodate larger strings of text when translation module is used. Also, number of publishers in groups calculates correctly.

Version 3.1 now includes a Language Module to enable translation of the screens and reports in the database. Also, options on some screens and reports are brought into line with recent organizational changes (for example, there is no longer a 'Talk 1' or 'SQ' for the school). These have been replaced with CBS (Cong Bible Study) and with a new item called 'Specific' which can be used for any responsibility required.

Version 2.2: Meeting attendance averages on Database Queries screen are now correct. No. of Publishers also corrected.

Version 2.1: References to Groups changed to 'Field Ministry Groups'.

Version 2.0: Import / Export feature enabling .CSV files to quickly import records into the database (see the 'Import / Export button on 'Field Ministry Reports' - accessed from the Main Menu). Also, 'Congregation Book Studies' screen now including two types of reports: one with inactives, and the other without.

Version 1.21 and 1.22: Can now cycle through months from the Reports screen. Plus minor fixes.

Version 1.20: Bug fix. Now totals correctly on Individual Reports screen.

Version 1.19: Bug fix. V1.18 totalling problem on Society's Report page.

Version 1.18: Exclude Spec Pioneers from Society's report, if required.

Version 1.17: No longer forces initial capitals for TOWN on Publisher Details screen. Also font correction in Publisher Quick List (Arial 8 pt for headers).

Version 1.16: Corrects a known MS Access problem with vertical fonts.

Version 1.15: Now has decimal fractions for Hours on Society's screen. Also new tick option to include number of pubs/aux/regs on Society's Report screen (so now publishers who missed reporting in previous months will be counted in, enabling the Society's yearly figures to balance correctly).

 

 


 

Program Features
 
 * Keep a check on current irregular and inactive publishers
 

* View average meeting attendance figures for any selected period
 

* Provide Group Overseers with automatic monthly updates on recent missing reports
 

* Provide instant analysis on the details in the database
 

* Maintain and print publisher address and contact details

 

* Print record card details onto blank record cards

* Specify responsibilities for chairman, W/T reader, attendants, etc., and maintain a printable rota

 

 

  FireFactor

 

The SECRETARY FILE
A tool for congregation secretaries!

This program enables congregation secretaries to record important information concerning the congregation they are serving in. Many details can be organized and/or controlled using this database. It is not a substitute for written records; however, it can serve as a complimentary tool at the disposal of secretaries enabling them to work more efficiently and provide quick access to information. Download a copy now from the option to the left.

You will find that this program is an invaluable tool for storing large amounts of data. The database is designed to hold many decades of congregation details such as publisher and pioneer reports, meeting attendance figures, etc. Various queries can be run on the data, providing elders and circuit overseers with helpful information about the spiritual condition of the congregation. Record cards can also be printed, if your printer has the option of printing onto the small cards (about 6x4 inches or 15x10 centimetres in size) - this applies only to Record Card 'header' information. Publisher report sheets (A4 size) can be printed, as can Group Overseer blank sheets at the end of each month. These latter forms are useful for collecting reports from the Field Ministry Groups for entry into the database.

Note the list of features displayed on the left and right.

Screenshots:

See more screen shots


Trouble with vertical fonts

Having trouble displaying vertical text (e.g. on the Publisher Quick List screen)? This tip (kindly sent in by Dennis Nail): Go to CONTROL PANEL, select REGIONAL AND LANGUAGE OPTIONS, then select LANGUAGE tab. Under Supplemental Language Support, check both boxes to install files for complex script and east Asian languages.


Looking for printable reports?

I often get asked to include a function to print out database details, even though the program already has this capability. If you wish to print details, e.g. publisher lists, group lists, etc., you will notice that most screens have buttons at the bottom which display (or sometimes simply print directly to the default printer) many database details.

Just look out for the buttons

 

 

More Program Features

 

* View and print field ministry reports by congregation, by group, or by individual publisher
 

 * View and print Congregation Group details, including all members of each group
 

* Keep a list of the last time shepherding calls were carried out (arranged in order of either families or individuals)
 

* Maintain a list of publishers who are involved in the Pioneer Assist Program, the RBC, and in auxiliary and regular pioneering

* Instantly view which publishers have recently become inactive, who have been reactivated, and which publishers were new in which month
 

* Keep missing reports in a “holding area” awaiting the next submission of the report to the Society

 

 

 

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