FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
From SPARK
Contents
Can I add comments about any case histories or products?
Can I make general comments about the whole site?
Can I add a case history to SPARK?
Can I use these ideas, examples, and products in my work?
How can I print SPARK case histories?
Where can I get additional information about a case history?
Are there people who will help me apply these ideas, examples, and products to my work?
How do I share something we have done?
Where can I get a list and cost of the products? Can I preview them?
Where can I get something produced?
Are there any training materials available?
How can I view PDF and DOC documents?
What if I cannot open the PDF or DOC file?
Is there an Undo button I can use when I'm editing a SPARK page?
How do I communicate with SPARK developers?
What if clicking on an email link doesn't work?
Why does text on the left side of the screen disappear?
Why don't buttons insert text?
What is SPARK?
SPARK stands for Scripture Promotion And Resource Knowledgebase.
SPARK promotes the use of non-print media (oral methods) to communicate to oral ethnic groups. The SPARK website gathers and distributes information about
- Scripture-promoting, non-print media products
- Equipment
- Non-print media strategies
The intended focus is not on products but on guidelines and methods aimed at increasing effectiveness when working with oral ethnic groups. While the site does include some print products, the primary focus is on helping people use non-print products.
Although SPARK is hosted by Vernacular Media Services, it receives input from many others in the wider evangelical mission community. Your contributions are needed -- obtain an account and other information by contacting the SPARK Content Coordinator.
Twenty percent of the world's population, 1.25 billion people, speak lesser known languages. These people are also identified as oral communicators. The average literacy rate among these groups is 12 percent. [1]. It is ironic that the majority of the world's Christian workers present the gospel to oral communicators using highly literate communication styles. [2]
There is a better way. Developing and using non-print media can help speed the introduction of the Gospel story to these oral language groups and provide translators with effective, alternative ways to begin translation work among oral learners.
Can I add comments about any case histories or products?
Yes, but remember you do need to log-in to make comments. Contact Us to get an account. Then use the “comments and suggestions” tab at the top of the Case History and/or Product page. Please tell us about any mistakes, so they can be corrected. (Or once you have a logon, you may correct them yourself, if you like.) Your constructive comments will add value to the site. This will help other users.
Can I make general comments about the whole site?
Yes. Go to the bottom right of any article page. Click About SPARK and use the “comments and suggestions” tab at the top of that page. Or go to the Main Page and use the “comments and suggestions” tab at the top of that page.
Can I add a case history to SPARK?
Yes. Contact Us Anyone with an account can add Case Histories and Product documents to the site.
Can I use these ideas, examples, and products in my work?
Yes. They are for you to use. Print the information you need.
How can I print SPARK case histories?
Print by selecting File – Print located at upper left menu of your browser.
Where can I get additional information about a case history?
If there is no link on that Case History page, please Contact Us. See also Story Page Outline.
Are there people who will help me apply these ideas, examples, and products to my work?
Yes. Contact Us
How do I share something we have done?
Contact Us and request an account and we'll send additional information to get you started. Once you have an account, you can also use the Help/Howto information to help share your story.
Where can I get a list and cost of the products, and can I preview them?
Each product page includes a "Link to Producer or Source Organization". Click on the link to find the names and contact information of the makers, distributors, and preview options.
Where can I get something produced?
Are there any training materials available?
There are downloadable PDF training manuals. Click on Training in the upper left Contents box.
How can I view PDF and DOC documents?
- Click on the desired document in order to move the file to your computer.
- Decide if you want to save or view the file.
- Click on the file to view the PDF or DOC file.
What if I cannot open the PDF or DOC file?
- Check your computer to see if you have the latest version of Adobe PDF Reader.
- Install the latest version of PDF Reader on your computer. It is free on the Internet.
- If you still cannot read the PDF, contact SPARK via email or call us at 1-800-314-4227
Is there an Undo button I can use when I'm editing a SPARK page?
There is Open Source software, such as wikED, that you can download for additional editing functions. See WYSIWYG.
Contact Us if you would like help with this.
How do I communicate with SPARK developers?
What if clicking on an email link doesn't work?
The email links will open your email program and supply the address if the email application on your computer is properly configured. If the links do not work because of your present configuration, either reconfigure your email program, or copy and paste the link into the To: slot of your new email memo.
Why does text on the left side of the screen disappear?
The bullets and text in the "contents" and "toolbox" items, on the left of the page, sometimes disappear when they are scrolled off the page and brought back into view. These texts will reappear when the cursor is made to hover over the missing text area.
This symptom is dependent on the setting of the screen resolution size.
Why don't buttons insert text?
If you click on any of the template, sidebar, or NP buttons and find that nothing happens, try entering a space into the edit box before clicking on the button. We are hoping this problem is rare for our users.
Go to Technical Problems if you want a short history of the problem. Please contact us if you have an answer to why this would occur for some users.
