New Method Finds Best Places to Install Solar by Mapping Solar Radiation

This article from inhabitat.com is about research at UT-Austin on how to determine the best locations for solar farm installations. http://bit.ly/foW8FG

Failures of External Hard Drives from Major Manufactures is Alarming

Consumer beware before putting your hard earned money down on an external drive. You can check out issues with Western Digital here: http://bit.ly/hEzKaX and a video on the reputation of Seagate here: http://bit.ly/fspUSm I have experienced problems with products from both of these manufacturers and since neither company has adequately addressed quality control issues, I will not buy products from either of these companies again. I know that all drives eventually fail, but the rate of early and frequent failure for these products is worthy of investigation.

Make it Your New Year’s Resolution to Stop for Pedestrians in a Crosswalk

Here some brave souls conducted a “Crosswalk Workshop” in Winter Park. Central Florida drivers must do better.
http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2010/10/18/10437/

Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Collaboration?

The Architects2Zebras blog on “Design in the Open.” http://architects2zebras.com/2010/12/04/design-in-the-open/

TEDxOrlando 2010 Conference on November 13

Fascinating presentations by some of Orlando’s cutting edge thinkers, as well as amazing minds from across the nation. Live speakers, TEDTalk Videos, awe-inspiring performances…

More information: http://www.tedxorlando.org/annualconference.php

Inhabitat – Design Will Save The World

http://twitter.com/#!/inhabitat

Voters Resoundingly Reject Amendment 4

AIA Florida pleased to be part of the coalition celebrating the defeat of Amendment 4.

Student to Architect Path to Licensure

New video from NCARB on the path to architectural licensure.

“Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier.”

– Author Unknown

“The first fundamental of successful city life:  People must take a modicum of public responsibility for each other even if they have no ties to each other.  This is a lesson nobody learns by being told.  It is learned from the experience of having other people without ties of kinship or close friendship or formal responsibility, take a modicum of public responsibility for you.”

– Jane Jacobs

“We require from buildings, as from men, two kinds of goodness; first, doing their practical duty well; then that they be graceful and pleasing in doing it.”

– John Ruskin

“We must restore the city to the maternal life-nurturing functions, the autonomous activities, the symbiotic associations that have long been neglected or suppressed, for the city should be an organ of love, and the best economy of cities is the care and culture of men.”

– Lewis Mumford