Brickbats and kudos from our readers: "...a focused and quick way to cover lots of strategic information..." OR "...there isn't anything I can point to that has 'walk away value'..." Who's saying what?

> Chris Barron, VP Architecture at Graphisoft US, sent a thoughtful and comprehensive response to "Does Technology Diminish Design?" in IssueThree.

> Because Graphisoft, maker of ArchiCAD, is a sponsor of the LaiserinLetter, impartiality requires I give other design software vendors a chance to contribute their viewpoints as well, and feature all those who choose to respond in a future dialog. Stay tuned.

> Volker Mueller, Design Technology Manager at NBBJ, wrote: "Interesting report on model based collaboration. There is at least one player missing: RealityWave ConceptStation."

> Excellent point! Having spent some time with the folks at RealityWave, I think of the company first in terms of its VizStream 3D model-viewing platform technology, licensed to other vendors (mostly non-AEC), and only secondarily for its ConceptStation collaborative design offering (also typically used in non-AEC settings). A future issue of the LaiserinLetter will cover ConceptStation, CoCreate's OneSpace Designer, Alibre Connect, NavisWorks, and a few other options out there.

> Jaime Valencia, Director Strategic Technology Development, AspenTech, wrote: "Congratulations on your premier issue, nicely done. I felt your "recent articles" were a gem, yet they were hidden too far in, you may want to make them accessible right from the home page."

> Making more than ten years' worth of my pre-LaiserinLetter "legacy content" more easily accessible from current stories is a high priority.

> Ken Doris, Vice President, Applied Visions, Inc., wrote: "First off, the content is great—I subscribe to a number of other similar "e-newsletters" and this is certainly one of the best in terms of organization and clarity of message. Just enough info. ...my only criticism is the shade of gray you chose for the primary font... perhaps a shade darker would increase the readability."

> Fixed, as of IssueTwo. Other comments on design include:

> Robert P. Lewis, Director of Information Technology, Richard Meier & Partners: "The E-Letter and the Web site look great!"

> Dr. Branko Kolarevic, Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Fine Arts, and founder of the Digital Design Research Laboratory: "...kudos to the designer (did you do it?)."

> I wish! I just write the words—all graphics, typography, information design, and Web development are by Aaron Laiserin (yes, we're related). You can see more of Aaron's work on the sites of: The Museum of Television and Radio, the AIA/New York Chapter and Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates.

> Dr. Paul Teicholz, Professor (Emeritus) of Civil Engineering, Stanford University, and founder/past-Director of the Center for Integrated Facility Engineering, wrote: "I want to congratulate you on getting this new Internet newsletter started with such success... It will help keep me informed about new advances in the AEC community as well as providing a focused and quick way to cover lots of strategic information."

> (Blush)

> Here are a few more industry kudos:

> Carol Lettieri, Public Relations Manager, Autodesk, Inc.: "Looking forward to the LaiserinLetter!"

> Charlie Ferrucci, Vice President Corporate Marketing, Bentley Systems, Incorporated: "Congratulations and good luck!"

> Diane Davis, President, AEC Infosystems: "It is important to me to have your strong, clear voice out there. Whether I always agree or not, I know that you are writing what you see, doing your research, and pushing for industry growth."

> Darlene A. Brady, Architect, founder of Archi-Textures: "Congrats on the Laiserin Letter!"

> Allen Farber, Press Officer, Deltek Systems, Inc.: "I've been following the articles you've written, and I just saw your LaiserinLetter Website and I'm really impressed."

> Paul Smialowicz, Founder/President of PS Software Solutions: "In the past, I have always turned to your articles...to keep up with current/future technology trends. I look forward to additional LaiserinLetter issues in the future."

> David Marvin, President & CEO, Wind2 Software, Inc.: "Congratulations on the newsletter!"

> Michael Horta, President, Computers-In-Design: "Looked over your new newsletter and it looks great!"

> Doug Cochran, President, ArchMedia, Inc.: "I'm sure it will get a ton of circulation!"

> Ray Bradley, Director of Product Development, Sepialine, Inc.: "Thoughtful, cogent opinions always have a welcome place in our inbox."

> Colleagues in the media have weighed in as well, including recognition by portal/directory TenLinks as "Site of the Week" and as a "Top Ten" site (TenLinks founder Roopinder Tara is himself a former magazine editor). As any cultural anthropologist will tell you, approval by one's peers is a great source of satisfaction.

Mary Ramsey, Editor of CadGurus offered her encouragement off-line, as did Elizabeth Geary-Archer, President of Out of the Box Marketing Strategies, Inc., and Editor of the X-CUBE ezine (which is one of the best resources on line for small firms in the design, construction, and new media industries, especially those firms that are minority and/or women-owned businesses).

> Kristen Richards, Editor-in-Chief, ArchNewsNow.com: "Congratulations! And welcome to the wonderful world of virtual whatever!!!"

> Anthony Frausto-Robledo, Founder & Editor of Architosh, reporting on the LaiserinLetter launch, wrote: "Laiserin is a well respected CAD technology writer who has written for or has been written about in nearly every major industry publication in print and on the Web."

> Randall S. Newton, Editor of MSM Online, wrote in his "MSM Insider" letter, before the LaiserinLetter launch: "I think Jerry Laiserin is the smartest and best-connected writer covering the AEC CAD scene today... (H)e speaks with authority on both design and business in AEC. He's starting a weekly E-mail newsletter that I'm sure will be a great read." After the launch, Randall wrote: "Great design, tight editorial, good organization. This is good stuff! Congratulations."

> After all those kudos, where's the brickbat? Well, it's sort of half a brickbat (to paraphrase comedian George Carlin, if you have only half a brickbat, which is it? A brick? Or a bat?).

> W. Bradley Holtz, President/CEO of Cyon Research, wrote: "The tone is nice and the content is interesting, but (from the email, not the body) there isn't anything I can point to that has "walk away value". You might want to make it a point to have at least one tidbit, tip, or concise pointer for each issue..."

> When I first started the transition from conventional design practice to the world of consulting and punditry, Brad Holtz and his partners Joel Orr and Evan Yares were (and still are) the Olympians of this business. Constructive criticism from Brad, whether brick or bat, is like manna from heaven. Even with the softening "Keep up the good work!" that Brad appended to his helpful note, I take the challenge seriously—to turn out a publication that lives up to the expectations of everyone kind enough to express their opinions, pro or con. Thanks!
JL

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