Computers

  • A Useful Digital Sketcher

    The InkLink tracks the position of the pen on the paper and sends the result to either a computer or PDA (personal digital assistant). --Joe Stoddard, a technology consultant to the construction industry, can be reached at stoddard@cbczine.com.

     
  • Organize By Numbers

    Computers have made it easy to packrat away all kinds of data, but not so easy to find it again. The numbering scheme can be something you create, but it's probably better to base it on an established source like NAHB's Chart of Accounts (see www.nahb.com/builders/chart.doc).

     
  • Online Matchmaker

    Chris Paquette says an online referral service has been a boon to his business. It outdistances similar services because people, not computers, match clients with contractors, according to the Philadelphia-area remodeler.Paquette, who usually does $350,000 annually in kitchen, bath, and cabinetry...

     
  • All CAD, All The Time

    How an architectural firm made 3-D computer-aided design central to its design process, from client presentation through project completion.One such firm that has overcome the obstacles and embraced 3-D computer-aided design, making it essential to its business, is Rill and Decker, Bethesda, Md...

     
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    Pocket Camera

    Fed up with $400 in monthly film developing and after failed efforts to share a digital camera among five employees, remodeler A.J. Paron-Wildes bought PalmPix attachments for their m105 Palm handheld organizers. The cameras, which are attached via serial connection on the organizers, have mostly...

     
  • System for accurate kitchen and bath project estimating

    During his 21 years in business, Vincent Castiallo, president of Royal Kitchen Corp. and Total Success Corp., New City, N.Y., developed a great system for accurate kitchen and bath project estimating. The software costs $499.99 and is available through Total Success Corp. at (845) 638-4575.

     
  • Changing contracts

    With the advent of computer technology and automated estimates, we can put in all the specifics in microscopic detail, without having to spend money to do it.

     
  • Leaping into Wireless Networking

    NPDTechworld of Reston, Va., says 802.11b technology sales have exploded, from $5.3 million in 2000 to $74.8 million last year.

     
  • Reader's Choice - Big50 Favorites

    A few product favorites from the Big50 2002.

     
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    CAD Plus

    Ten years ago I coined the phrase "CAD-Assisted Estimating" to describe early attempts by CAD vendors to provide take-off and bill-of-materials functionality. Now, using CAD to automate the take-off process can be a reality. Most builders will still need to tweak results in a spreadsheet or...