Use of FSC computers
I am a ward T&FH consultant as well as one of our stake's Technology specialists. My stake president has assigned me to only work with FSC computers. All other stake technology issues are handled by 2 other specialists who have much more knowledge of the issues outside the FSC circles. We have 3 small FSCs on our stake. One of them is in the Stake Building. I recently converted 3 of the older computers to the Flex OS and updated two of the newest ones to Windows 11. I have discussed the process with a couple of the support tech specialists, namely (name removed) and (name removed) and I think the other was (name removed). I'm sorry I didn't note the latter's name. Based on my conversations, I think it is financially best for all computers in the stake to be on Flex. It is also best for all users to have a uniform experience. When I told the director of the one located in the stake building she asked me not to do that, because the stake uses those Windows 11 computers for translating stake conference. They do this via Zoom. I am not sure how it works, other than the translators sit in the FSC during those meetings watching the conference on Zoom and translating into Zoom. I have heard from folks outside our stake with tech responsibilities that this is an inappropriate use of FSC computers. Is there anything in any handbook or operations guide that I can show the Stake presidency that this is inappropriate? I have looked and cannot find anything on this topic. If there is nothing in the guide or the handbook, I assume it is okay. If it is okay, then is it possible to use the flex system to download the Zoom app with the understanding that it will be removed each time we shut off the computer.
Leslie Vaughn
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I'm not sure if Zoom works on Chrome Flex. One of the techs such as (name removed) or the two others you mentioned will likely know the answer to that. Some programs that work in Windows will not work in Chrome Flex.
As far as the stake president deciding to have the FSC computers used for that purpose, generally the guidance in the two monthly Wednesday meetings has been that if the stake president is adequately informed, and makes a decision regarding use of the FSC facility or the computers, that will generally stand as policy in that particular stake (unless it's a really egregious error, and that has to be handled delicately and at higher levels - not ours!!).I'd recommend as a tech specialist in your stake, that you attend either or both of the monthly Wednesday meetings, particularly the 1st Wednesday each month which is primarily a tech support forum, using Microsoft Teams. Stake tech support people are more than welcome in that meeting - it's an open forum, with Q&A for a full hour. If you've got questions pertaining to operating the FSC in any way, just "raise your hand" in the meeting, wait your turn, and the floor is yours - ask away! You'll be getting direct answers from senior tech support people ((name removed) is almost always hosting that 1st Wednesday meeting, and he also attends the 3rd Wednesday meeting that's usually co-hosted by (name removed). That 3rd Wed. meeting is more policy and FamilySearch procedures-oriented than the 1st Wed. tech support meeting. Here's the link for those two meetings if you don't have it:
FamilySearch Center Support for Leaders and Staff
But back to the question about appropriateness of using the computers for the purposes your stake president is directing, it's important to point out to him that the computers in the FSC are NOT under his direction - they are owned by FamilySearch, unlike bishops' and clerks' computers in the stake. That question comes up regularly in the Wednesday meetings online. If you're not attending especially the 1st Wed. meeting, I highly encourage it, and asking this question there would be a great idea. There are three meetings held each of those two Wednesday evening, all at 7pm in the Eastern, Pacific, and Hawaii time zones. If you miss one, just wait until 7pm in the next next listed time zone and you'll again be connected into a live meeting with people generally living in that time zone. Each meeting is different, due to being live back-and-forth discussion and Q&A in each one.
—Chris Schmink
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they could use the Stake clerk's computer or a ward clerk computer for the translation but they are being changed over to chrombooks also, at least in our area. With a unit computer the zoom facility could be retained if it is under a clerk or tech specialist added account. As said before though, the stake president has control of all assets. there is some debate as to whether the FSC are loaned or provided to the stake.
For the sake of other equipment like scanners I would keep at least one computer on Windows 11 in each FSC
Keith Pilkington
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