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David G. Axt, CDT, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: david_axt

Post Number: 1999
Registered: 03-2002


Posted on Friday, March 03, 2023 - 11:51 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

(crickets)

This discussion board used to be a lively place where there was great exchange of information and ideas. Not so much now.

Where did everybody go?
David G. Axt, CDT, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Specifications Consultant
Axt Consulting LLC
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski

Post Number: 2309
Registered: 07-2002


Posted on Friday, March 03, 2023 - 12:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I'm retired, but still see questions in my in-box. Maybe it's you who are asleep, David! (grin)
Loretta Sheridan
Senior Member
Username: leshrdn

Post Number: 75
Registered: 11-2021
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2023 - 08:02 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I still check every day. I always learn a lot here. I also enjoy the aphorism of the day.
(Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2023 - 11:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

David, you have a point. there have been only about a half dozen postings on Coffee Pot and Water Cooler since the beginning of the year not counting four, but only four, aphorisms of the day.

I don't know about others but I've been pretty busy lately and there is really nothing that interesting in my life that bears mentioning.

Wait! Today I bought tickets for the live production of Hairspray at the San Antonio Majestic Theater this coming Friday. I will attend with my adult daughter and wife. I'm not being facetious. This is a musical we all really enjoy and it will be a chance for us to take a break from our busy schedules and share quality time together.

Who else is looking forward to a fun or interesting happening in the near future; vacation, gathering of friends, community event?
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski

Post Number: 2310
Registered: 07-2002


Posted on Monday, March 06, 2023 - 08:52 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Not sure if this qualifies as an "aphorism", but "Our life is full of interpunctions, or commas; death is but the period or full point.”
Thomas Jackson; Maran Atha; A. Maxey; 1657."

And as for exciting stuff in life, I'm looking forward to our region conference in May. Over the past year and a half, we've dealt with COVID, pneumonia, CLL, and the upcoming closing of our church. Definitely NOT fun stuff! So the conference is the beginning of the fun stuff; then (hopefully) Alaska in July.
David G. Axt, CDT, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: david_axt

Post Number: 2000
Registered: 03-2002


Posted on Monday, March 06, 2023 - 11:27 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I am referring to the whole discussion board. I see fewer and fewer posts and replies.

It would be interesting if Colin could (or would) post a graph of traffic on this forum.

Maybe I am wrong. (It would not be the first time or last.) Maybe there is a lot more discussion than I assumed.
David G. Axt, CDT, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Specifications Consultant
Axt Consulting LLC
Colin Gilboy
Board Administrator
Username: admin

Post Number: 14
Registered: 03-2002
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2023 - 11:34 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

No way to develop stats in this forum. The forum software is obsolete and the developer is out of business.

What makes this forum work is the emails sent out on every posting (when requested in the users profile). This generates quick and multiple responses.

I had looked at changing to a newer forum software and I could not find one that sent out emails after every posting. I assume the forum software developers were concerned about the email quantity.
Colin Gilboy
Publisher, 4specs.com

Jeffrey Potter
Senior Member
Username: jpotter

Post Number: 45
Registered: 02-2017
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2023 - 04:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

It seems the CSI blogs are getting more hits from my perspective. I enjoy 4specs will support Colin anyway I can. I love what 4-specs is about.

Its rough to say, but I think we are seeing the affects of generational retirement with this blog. I don't know what type of marketing Colin does, but it would be great to get some young blood on this forum.
James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: jsandoz

Post Number: 365
Registered: 06-2005
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2023 - 08:45 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Lynn, I was able to attend the Texas Society of Architects conference in El Paso late last year. That was my first "event" since March 2020 when COVID shut everything down. We took precautions of course but it was so nice to see folks again and sense that things might be returning to normal. Wishing you safe travels to and from the regional conference and a wonderful time while there.

My family experienced a church closing about 25 years ago. It was indeed sad but it compelled us to find a new church home and we made many new friends there.
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski

Post Number: 2318
Registered: 07-2002


Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2023 - 12:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Thanks for the encouragement and good wishes, James. My church closing is hard - I've been actively involved in this church since 1981 and a lot of the things we have to do is falling on me. It's been a difficult time so far - there are a lot of hard feelings.
Loretta Sheridan
Senior Member
Username: leshrdn

Post Number: 81
Registered: 11-2021
Posted on Friday, March 10, 2023 - 10:20 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I check this every day. I have learned so much from this group. When I have a question, and search the content first, even if my specific question hasn't already be answered, I will always find something helpful.
Loretta Sheridan
Senior Member
Username: leshrdn

Post Number: 119
Registered: 11-2021
Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - 07:18 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Every time I come across the phrase: "Install in strict compliance with manufacturer's guidelines" or something along those lines, the word "strict" makes me thing of that scene in "A Few Good Men":

"'I strenuously object?' Is that how it's done? Hm? 'Objection, your Honor.' 'Overruled' 'No, no. I STRENUOUSLY object.' 'Oh. You strenuously object. Then I'll take some time and reconsider.'"

In this case, the Contractor: "Well, I was going to install the thingamabob however the heck I felt like it... But the specs say to do it in STRICT compliance with the manufacturer's guidelines, well, then... I will definitely reconsider and take a look at the manufacturer's guidelines..."

(I didn't know where else to post this -- I didn't want to start a new thread, and this seemed as good a place as any.)
Dave Metzger
Senior Member
Username: davemetzger

Post Number: 825
Registered: 07-2001
Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - 07:23 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Whenever I see "strict compliance" I think of black leather.
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg

Post Number: 1607
Registered: 12-2006


Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - 08:48 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

So if other products don't say "in strict compliance" then we don't care what they do? Don't most people already state in Division 01 to comply with manufacturer's instructions? Department of Redundancy Department?

Pretty much the same effect as saying "all" in some places but not others or underlining or bolding text. Does that mean if it's not underlined or bolded it doesn't matter as much?

How about "If you don't do it right, I'll pout!"?
Edward R Heinen CSI CDT CCS LEED-AP
Senior Member
Username: edwardheinen

Post Number: 15
Registered: 04-2022


Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - 11:00 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Another one of my favorites is the use of "or equivalent" as if using the full word adds formality to the concept.

A local group here is interested in a private forum, so we are experimenting with a simple Zoom chat channel. Each online forum I've looked into has advantages/disadvantages.

I do feel though that, especially in technical design circles, we preach to the choir a lot about the persistent practice errors we see.
Russ Hinkle, AIA, CDT, LEED BD+C
Senior Member
Username: rhinkle

Post Number: 155
Registered: 02-2006


Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2024 - 05:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Our non-spec writer PM's how want to add phases or paragraphs because they ran into an issue on a project. Most of the time I my comment to them is "you can't fix stupid with spec's" Spec's are not the road to a perfect project.
Russ Hinkle
Loretta Sheridan
Senior Member
Username: leshrdn

Post Number: 120
Registered: 11-2021
Posted on Friday, January 19, 2024 - 06:39 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I just started the "phase" conversation with someone.

I know I am preaching to the choir here. And I DO explain / champion / push for doing things correctly with the PMs, et al.

Sometimes, they wear me down and I give in.
T.J. Simons, CSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: tsimons

Post Number: 45
Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Friday, January 19, 2024 - 02:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I think we've all had that discussion at one time or another-we're asked to put some magic language in a spec so the Bad Thing will Never Happen Again. I recall a conversation with a very good construction attorney in town who liked to say, "with properly drafted Contract Documents, there is a remedy for just about everything-there is not, and cannot be a preventative for everything. The more "problems" you try and prevent through drawing notes and spec language, the more problems you will ultimately need to remedy."

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