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Anthony Frausto ([email protected])
24 Jan 2004 [ed: updated: 28 Jan 04]
 

Architosh Launches AIA Documents for Macintosh Petition Effort

Continuing with a successful string of petition efforts, Architosh.com is launching a new petition for a native Mac OS X version of the AIA's Documents Software Application

20 Years of Success on the Macintosh Platform

On the 20th anniversary weekend of the landmark introduction of the Apple Macintosh, Architosh is launching a brand new petition effort to foster an interest in the development of a native Mac OS X version of the American Institute of Architects' Documents software package. Documents, as the product is often called, has been a Windows-centric software application from the very beginning, leaving Macintosh-based architects in the United States and abroad no native software solution for the production of AIA documents used in administering the business affairs of architectural practice and general construction contracting and administration.

Macintosh-based Architects Angered by the AIA's Myopia

Architosh has already collected and fielded over 100 emails regarding the AIA's lack of a native Macintosh solution for AIA contract documents. As usual, we will let our readers and members speak for themselves:

I agree with Mr. Combs that the situation with AIA contract documents is unacceptable. They are proving to be myopic and unsophisticated as well as just plain unfair. If Architosh is willing to be the conduit to pressure for change that would be great. --- Geoff Briggs, AIA (I&I Design)

In response to your request for comments, we dropped out of the AIA some years ago because of the lack of support and the intransigence of the national office. It wasn't just the lack of Mac support, but that was part of it. Now, with the Unix base of OSX and the considerable number of architects who use the Mac platform, the lack of any recognition by the AIA is remarkable. --- Robert S. Blast (Bast & Rood Architects)

As a 26 year member of the AIA, past President of AIAlaska and a Mac user since 1991, I find the attitude of the AIA inexcusable. ....I think that the Architosh crew should find a way to convince the AIA that there are quite a few Architects on the Mac platform and that we do not appreciate being treated as second class citizens (or not even being recognized at all).

In these days of multi-platform programs there is no excuse for the AIA's proprietary view of their documents with only the Windows platform. --- Sam Combs AIA, Architect

We believe we have received enough of these types of emails and phone calls to warrant the attention of the AIA at the national level and have discussed the matter with numerous AIA members who are sympathetic to our efforts on the Macintosh platform.

Without further ado we have included a letter and petition below for your attention.

The Architosh AIA Documents on Macintosh OS X Petition

The following letter has been co-authored by myself (Anthony Frausto) and Sam Combs AIA. Sam has been in contact with the appropriate folks at the national AIA office.

Directions: Please copy all text between the dashed lines (----) and paste into your email program of choice. Then complete the few questions by placing an "x" in the brackets next to your answer and send to: Mr. Maan Hashem (AIA), Product Manger for AIA Software at: [email protected]

--------------------------------------------------------------

Architosh AIA Documents on Mac OS X Platform Petition (Initiated: January 24, 2004)

Dear American Institute of Architects:

We the undersigned have undertaken this petition to lobby for the development of a native version of the AIA Documents software on Apple's Mac OS X platform. We seek computer platform parity with our Windows-based colleagues. We promise to purchase a new version of the AIA Documents software that can run natively on Mac OS X once it is available.

As full and associate members of the AIA, we feel our membership dues should cover the cost of such vital and important AIA professional products as the AIA Documents software. The Institute should find a way -- of which we believe there are many options -- to develop this key product to support the two dominant platforms of our creative industry. Since the mid 1980's Apple's Macintosh platform has been an extremely popular choice for creative architects around the world, including our professional colleagues in other AEC fields such as construction and engineering. While we are aware it is not the dominant choice, we are clearly aware that it remains a very common choice and that architects on the Macintosh platform enjoy a wide collection of cross-platform digital software tools to choose from: from products such as ArchiCAD, VectorWorks and formZ, to FileMaker Pro and Adobe Photoshop, to Intuit's QuickBooks and AEC Software's FastTrack Schedule Pro.

Over the course of the last few years Apple's Macintosh OS X platform has grown to 10 million users worldwide. In the space of the last few years architects and other related design professionals have enjoyed steady growth in new tool choices native to the OS X platform. These include recent award-winning applications such as @Last Software's SketchUp, Alias's Maya, and Informatix's Piranesi. On the business side Intuit has brought back QuickBooks for OS X, Adobe has solidified and extended its PDF format in the AEC industry, and new programs such as ArchiOffice have emerged that cover every aspect of an architectural practice. With such solidification of key market leaders on the Mac OS X platform it is both disappointing and incomprehensible that the AIA has not supported a native version of the AIA Documents on the Mac.

We the undersigned, as members or future members of the AIA, ask that you now move forward to produce platform parity for your Macintosh colleagues with AIA Documents.

Sincerely,

[ place name in here ]

Directions: Answer thus: [ x ]. Mark one choice only, unless noted otherwise.

1. Will you purchase a copy of AIA Documents for Mac OS X if it is priced the same as the Windows version?

[ ] yes

[ ] no

[ ] possibly

2. How many copies of AIA Documents for Mac OS X will you seek to acquire during the first year of its availability?

[ ] - 1 copy

[ ] - 2-5 copies/licenses

[ ] - 6+ copies/licenses

3. As a Macintosh-based architect, do you currently utilize at least one Windows PC for any of the following compatibility? (mark all that apply)

[ ] AIA Documents for Windows OS

[ ] A Windows-only Accounting Package

[ ] Autocad

[ ] Other

[ ] None (no PC utilized in firm)

4. Is the absence of AIA Documents for Mac OS X a determining factor in your membership in the AIA?

[ ] yes

[ ] no

[ ] possibly

 

Thanks for taking the petition at Architosh.com.

--------------------------------------------------------------

[email protected] (click on this to bring up your email program, then go Edit Paste in the menu) Then complete the petition questions.

[updated: 28 Jan 2004 - Typos fixed.]

 


 

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