Since $100-million is one percent of $10-billion, this translates to one penny per year on each dollar spent during each of 365 days in that year. So, for every $365.00 spent globally on designing and constructing the man-made environment, we invest only $0.01 in software development to make this effort easier, more cost-effective, sustainable, and intelligent. The world will live with the built results for twenty or fifty years or longer, yet we refuse to rub even two pennies together today for software that will help us build a better future. Shame on us.
JL


Dialog: Technology Diminishes Design?
Back in IssueThree (Laiserin'sLemma^™ —June 17, 2002) we wondered if "technology diminishes design" by serving "as a crutch, rather than as a supplementary tool during the design process," and by making it "more likely to make errors that will cause problems later in a project." Four of the leading design tool software vendors have weighed in with responses that provide an interesting cross-section of current industry thinking.
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Positions: Director of Information Technology
The New York City-based firm of Robert A. M. Stern Architects is looking for a Director of Information Technology, reporting to the Managing Partner. For position description and contact information, click here.
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The LaiseBoy^™ Philosophy, Part 6—A Few of Our Favorite Things...
After a heady six week career to date in the publishing game, we've gained new respect for our elders and betters, peers and competitors in this business. Herewith, a quick survey of a few online news sources we find worth reading.
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LaiserinLetterLetters^™
An occasional sampling of reader electron-mail, or "keep those waves and particles pouring in, folks!"
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Laiserin's Lemma^™—High Hopes
Nearly every week I get the same call: CAD/IT ManagerA is leaving FirmX "because senior management provides no support." Next, it's ManagerB leaving FirmY for the same reason, followed by ManagerC exiting FirmZ. Where do they end up? "C" soon finds work at "X," where "senior management is really committed to technology." Ditto for "B" landing at "Z," and "A" joining "Y." What is it about the senior management-versus-technology management dynamic in AEC, plant/process, and infrastructure businesses that successively raises and dashes such high hopes on all sides?
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