WIRELESS CAMPUSES/WIRELESS CITIES (note
earlier 5:30 start time!)
---------------------------------
I am excited to announce that we will hold our April 9th meeting at
one of the nation's premier engineering and technology institutions,
Polytechnic University. "Poly" (http://www.poly.edu)
is a leader among
the growing number of colleges implementing innovative technologies
and incorporating this into the core curriculum. It is in fact a
completely wireless campus, and thus an excellent venue for us to
explore the topic of wireless networking.
Professor and civil engineer
F.H. "Bud" Griffis Ph.D. will be our host
for the evening. Dr. Griffis heads the Civil Engineering department
as well as innovative Center for Construction Management Technologies
(CCMT) and will give us a brief introduction to the program and work
of his students. 4-D (and 'n'-D) computer models are used to simulate
construction activities and solve complex scheduling issues. Read
about this innovative program at their website:
http://www.poly.edu/news/constructionmanagementdegree.cfm
Speaking to us on the issue
of implementing and managing wireless and
mobile campuses is Roddy Austin, President of RGA Consulting. He is
the chief technology consultant for the $10 million telecommunications
infrastructure upgrade for Polytechnic's three campuses including the
two new University facilities in MetroTech Center in Brooklyn. Please
click the following link for Mr. Austin's complete bio:
http://www.aiany.org/committees/InfoTech/meetings/Austin-bio.html
Roddy will speak about the
technology agenda of the campus - the
mobile computing direction, where the campus is now, where it is
heading. Many topics to hit on here: security, load, coverage,
utility, how it is change the need for computer labs and other
physical classrooms, etc. One of the buildings under construction is a
new dormitory, which will offer each resident not only wireless
connectivity, but also switched 100 megabit wired connections (cable
TV too, according to the campus newspaper).
Giving us a primer on 802.11b
"WiFi" wireless networking is Terry
Schmidt of NYCwireless http://www.NYCwireless.org
Terry and his
colleagues have been working as a grass-roots volunteer organization
promoting open, free, public-access wireless internet in the NYC area.
Did you know that NYC's Bryant Park is about to provide free, public,
wireless internet access within its precincts? Yup - ask Terry about
this innovative project. I have been learning about their efforts
first-hand by attending several of their monthly meetings (held eves.,
4th Tuesdays).
Taking the topic beyond the
campus and into the urban environment is
Anthony Townsend. Anthony, also a member of NYCwireless is a research
scientist at NYU's Taub Center, and a Ph.D. candidate at MIT's School
of Architecture and Planning. He will discuss the mission of NYU's
Taub Center http://urban.nyu.edu/
and the Urban Research Initiative
http://www.informationcity.org/,
and "explain the way in which
information and telecommunications technologies are transforming the
cities and metropolitan areas where people live and work." (text from
website). There will be ample opportunity for discussion.
LOGISTICS
---------
TOPIC: Wireless Campuses/Wireless Cities
HOST: Polytechnic University
WHEN: Tuesday, April 9th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm <<<Note time!!
WHERE: Dibner Hall (Library) a/k/a 5 MetroTech
ROOM: Seminar room LC 102
VIA: See directions below
MAP: http://www.metrotechbid.org/map/Default.htm
CES/LU: 2x HSW AIA Continuing Education Units (valid NYS Arch.Reg.)
NOTE: RSVP necessary for Campus Security
RSVP: by email mailto:jhowell@aiany.org
or tel. 914-589-0278
DIRECTIONS
----------
Getting there is easy! Polytechnic University is located in
Brooklyn's MetroTech Center, between Brooklyn Heights and Downtown
Brooklyn. Almost every subway line passes within a short distance from
campus, and the ride is just a few minutes from lower Manhattan. If
you're coming from Boro Hall/Court St station, the MetroTech complex
is just behind the Brooklyn Marriott Hotel, so just ask. The A/C/F/G
lines' Jay Street - Boro Hall station is immediately adjacent to the
complex. Please visit the following websites for detailed maps of the
campus. The following photo shows the Davis Brody Bond designed Dibner
Hall where we will meet. Room LC 102 is on the first floor (enter the
building marked by the large red triangle). Note that Dibner Library
is noted on the maps at 5 MetroTech Center. RSVP for access!
http://www.aiany.org/committees/InfoTech/meetings/Dibner.jpg
(photo)
http://www.metrotechbid.org/map/Default.htm
(MetroTech map)
http://www.poly.edu/brooklyn/index.cfm?loc=bk
(Dibner pictured)
http://www.poly.edu/brooklyn/directions.cfm?loc=bk&bn=bk
(directions)
http://www.poly.edu/brooklyn/brooklynmap.cfm?loc=bk&bn=bk
(Poly Map)
BY SUBWAY
---------
IRT Lexington #4 & 5 and IRT 7th Ave #1 & #2 to Boro Hall Station
IND A, C, F, G to Jay Street - Boro Hall Station
BMT N,R,M to Court Street or Livingston Street
BMT Q,W to DeKalb Avenue
BY FOOT/BIKE
------------
If it's a gorgeous day, consider a fantastic walk to campus. Take the
Brooklyn Bridge bike/pedestrian path to it's end at Tillary Street.
Turn left walking northeast 1 block to Jay Street. Proceed 1 short
block to campus/MetroTech, where you'll see Polytechnic banners on
your left.
BACKGROUND READING
------------------
Here are some additional web resources that can help explain this new
technology from last month's NY Times (registration/fee required):
"Good (or Unwitting)
Neighbors Make for Good Internet Access"
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/04/technology/04WIRE.html?todaysheadlines
"The Corner Internet
Network vs. the Cellular Giants"
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/04/technology/04MESH.html
Audio stream by Amy Harmon
explaining this "Wi-Fi" technology
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/audio/technology/20020304harmon.html
SPEAKING OF WIRELESS NETWORKS...
I'm sending this email message to you
from Washington DC, while using the 802.11b "Wi-Fi" network at the
AIA's National Headquarters. Thanks for the bandwidth!
Here's me at one of my favorite
alternate office locations where the
cappucchino is tasty and the wireless access free (this is at Cafe
Figaro at Bleeker & Macdougal in Greenwich Village)
http://www.aiany.org/committees/InfoTech/meetings/nice-office!.jpg
NEXT MONTH'S MEETING
--------------------
At Polytechnic you'll see several buildings by Davis Brody Bond,
Architects. Next month, we're invited to this firm by Paul Seletsky,
their Director of Technology, to discuss new technology directions the
firm is taking, including their investigation and use of Revit as an
alternative to the traditional CAD design and production process.
EMAIL & PRIVACY
---------------
TO BE REMOVED FROM, CHANGE ADDRESS, OR ADD A COLLEAGUE TO OUR
DISTRIBUTION: Please reply to this email, or tel. 914-589-0278. To
protect your privacy, we will not sell or give this list to other
parties.
See you Tuesday!
John M. Howell, AIA RCDD
Chair, AIA NY Information Technology Committee
http://www.aiany.org/committees/InfoTech
mailto:jhowell@aiany.org
tel. 914-589-0278