[Equest-users] WIKI for eQUEST

[Carol Gardner]

I agree with Kendra about IBPSA being an excellent organization to be the
administrative body overseeing a BEM WIKI. The membership is composed of
people who develop and use virtually every simulation tool there is. Their
main concern is the quality of simulation tools and the accuracy of their
results, thus the BEMP exam which they proposed to ASHRAE and helped to
create using ASHRAE's professional certification process.

I remember the first IBPSA meeting that took place in San Francisco during a
summer ASHRAE meeting (you guys know I was here when dirt was invented) in
the late '80s. I don't remember it occurring due to ASHRAE limiting the open
discussion of modeling tools, I think it was more that ASHRAE didn't think
they were that important - kind of a flash in the pan technology. ASHRAE, at
that time, wasn't really interested in energy conservation, just chillers,
compressors and such. Our first meeting was in a lessor hotel connected to
the conference on a really hot day. Pretty heady stuff. We decided it was
time to organize a new society dedicated to the development and use of
energy modeling tools and we were the charter members. IBPSA has grown by
leaps and bounds since then and usually make so much money off of their
conferences and dinner meetings that they don't have to charge a fee for
membership. Not too likely they'd start charging for the use or
administration of a BEM WIKI.

My 2 cents....

Carol

On Tue, Jul 20, 2010 at 9:55 AM, Kendra Tupper <ktupper at rmi.org> wrote:

> IBPSA is in fact already developing a BEMBook WIKI (Building Energy
> Modeling = BEM). Rocky Mountain Institute is providing much of the starting
> content from the training course we will be giving at Simbuild in August.
> This initial content will be more focused on the building
> science fundamentals behind energy modeling, as opposed to specific
> programs.
>
> However, the intent is for the content to grow, and to have WIKI sections
> on different tools such as eQUEST. IBPSA is currently deciding who will
> maintain and QC that content, but I don't forsee any problems with IBPSA (or
> RMI for that matter) being the administrative body, as
> neither organization has any allegiance to a particular tool. It was my
> understanding that one of the reasons that IBPSA formed was as a result of
> ASHRAE not allowing opening discussion of these tools, and IBPSA has always
> fostered such open dialogue.
>
> One idea that we (IBPSA and RMI) had was creating an expert review board
> that would QC any content before it was published to the WIKI - while the
> one-building lists are incredibly useful and we are all indebted to them,
> there are alot of incorrect answers floating around in the archives. It
> would be nice to have a resource that documents solutions and work-arounds
> that at least have scientific consensus from some of the more experienced
> users.
>
>
> Kendra Tupper, PE, LEED AP
> Senior Consultant
> Built Environment Team
>
> Rocky Mountain Institute  |  T  303-567-8641 |  F  303-245-7213  |
> www.rmi.org
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 22, 2010 at 2:39 PM, Nick Caton <ncaton at smithboucher.com>wrote:
>
>> I don't meant to sound contrarian... but just so it's considered - why
>> exactly should additional bodies (like IBPSA/ASHRAE/etc) gain administrative
>> control over this body?  I won't speculate doomsday scenarios, but I am
>> concerned such additional oversight might ultimately water down what topics
>> we are and aren't permitted to discuss openly and freely ($$$) as we are
>> today.
>>
>> I personally feel the onebuilding.org lists have been administered and
>> moderated extremely well (fairly and unobtrusively) for the period I have
>> been reading and actively participating. My thanks to Jason Glazer and any
>> other unsung heroes making this happen =).
>>
>> ~Nick
>>
>> NICK CATON, E.I.T.
>> PROJECT ENGINEER
>> 25501 west valley parkway
>> olathe ks 66061
>> direct 913 344.0036
>> fax 913 345.0617
>> Check out our new web-site @ www.smithboucher.com
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:
>> equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Lopez, Phylroy
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 2:01 PM
>> To: Lopez, Phylroy; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>> Subject: Re: [Equest-users] WIKI for eQUEST
>>
>> Also, It would be good if the maintenance / administration was at least
>> co-ordinated by some body or organization...maybe IBPSA international?
>>
>> Phylroy Lopez B.Eng LEED A.P.
>> Sustainable Building Specialist
>> Stantec
>> 1100 - 111 Dunsmuir Street
>> Vancouver BC V6B 6A3
>> Ph: (604) 696-8337
>> Fx:  (604) 696-8100
>> www.stantec.com
>>
>> The content of this email is the confidential property of Stantec and
>> should not be copied, modified, retransmitted, or used for any purpose
>> except with Stantec's written authorization. If you are not the intended
>> recipient, please delete all copies and notify us immediately.
>>
>> Please consider the environment before printing this email.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:
>> equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Lopez, Phylroy
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 11:56 AM
>> To: Sami, Vikram; Jason Glazer; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>> Subject: Re: [Equest-users] WIKI for eQUEST
>>
>> I can help out as well.. I have some wiki experience.
>>
>> We could use MediaWiki.. Simple to set up and is the same engine as
>> Wikipedia with lots of plug-ins.  It needs MySql, PHP, and a mailserver, and
>> obviously a place to back up to.  There are other wikis depending on the
>> platform onebuilding is using. I've set this up on windows and unix.
>>
>>
>>
>> Phylroy Lopez B.Eng LEED A.P.
>> Sustainable Building Specialist
>> Stantec
>> 1100 - 111 Dunsmuir Street
>> Vancouver BC V6B 6A3
>> Ph: (604) 696-8337
>> Fx:  (604) 696-8100
>> www.stantec.com
>>
>> The content of this email is the confidential property of Stantec and
>> should not be copied, modified, retransmitted, or used for any purpose
>> except with Stantec's written authorization. If you are not the intended
>> recipient, please delete all copies and notify us immediately.
>>
>> Please consider the environment before printing this email.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:
>> equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Sami, Vikram
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 10:55 AM
>> To: Jason Glazer; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>> Subject: Re: [Equest-users] WIKI for eQUEST
>>
>> I don't mind helping out. I think it will be a useful site.
>>
>> I don't have experience with wikis though.
>>
>> Vikram Sami, LEED AP
>> Sustainable Design Analyst
>> 1382 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
>> t: 404-443-7462    f: 404.892.5823       e: vikram.sami at perkinswill.com
>> www.perkinswill.com
>> Perkins+Will.  Ideas + buildings that honor the broader goals of society
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:
>> equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Jason Glazer
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 1:23 PM
>> To: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>> Subject: Re: [Equest-users] WIKI for eQUEST
>>
>> I think if we added a Wiki on onebuilding.org that it would
>> be available for all of the mailing lists. I would assume
>> that questions on specific simulation programs (such as
>> eQUEST) would be on pages devoted that program. Whether
>> people step forward and create useful content, that I can't
>> control.
>>
>> So, if I install a the Wiki software on onebuilding.org
>> someone (or some group) needs to do some organization and
>> perhaps some administration. Any interested in helping with
>> that?
>>
>> Jason
>>
>> On 6/22/2010 11:49 AM, Nick Caton wrote:
>> > A perspective:
>> >
>> > A lot of people mistakenly sign up for only [bldg-sim] and/or
>> > [equest-users] to the exclusion of the other onebuilding.org lists.  In
>> > reality, there is a TON of useful information/discussion for any
>> > individual that is actively posted to the different "sub-groups" here...
>> > The body of people contributing across these lists is not something we
>> > should risk inadvertently dividing / pulling apart by making an "eQuest"
>> > only wiki.  Make no mistake - no archive of useful information will ever
>> > be as functional as the community people who created it.
>> >
>> > My general suggestion is, if any such forum/wiki were to be conceived,
>> > it really, really ought to be inclusive of all the onebuilding.org
>> > lists, or else it may risk breaking apart the single most useful body of
>> > professionals/practitioners/academics that I have ever known.  If any
>> > final outcome ultimately disperses this group, I'd rather shoot the
>> > notion down to start.
>> >
>> > ~Nick
>> >
>> > cid:489575314 at 22072009-0ABB**
>> >
>> > * *
>> >
>> > *NICK CATON, E.I.T.***
>> >
>> > PROJECT ENGINEER
>> >
>> > 25501 west valley parkway
>> >
>> > olathe ks 66061
>> >
>> > direct 913 344.0036
>> >
>> > fax 913 345.0617
>> >
>> > /Check out our new web-site @ /www.smithboucher.com_ _
>> >
>> > *From:* equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
>> > [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] *On Behalf Of
>> > *Lopez, Phylroy
>> > *Sent:* Tuesday, June 22, 2010 11:39 AM
>> > *Cc:* equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>> > *Subject:* Re: [Equest-users] WIKI for eQUEST
>> >
>> > I think this is an excellent idea.. Not only for eQuest but for other
>> > simulation software.. Currently there is the IBPSA wiki that is active
>> > and could be used.
>> >
>> > http://bembook.su-per-b.org/index.php?title=Main_Page
>> >
>> > As well as the NY chapter of IBPSA has some information..
>> >
>> > http://energymodeling.pbworks.com/
>> >
>> > The question is.. Should there is a eQuest-only wiki?
>> >
>> > *Phylroy Lopez B.Eng LEED A.P.*
>> > Sustainable Building Specialist
>> > Stantec
>> >
>> > 1100 - 111 Dunsmuir Street
>> > Vancouver BC V6B 6A3
>> > Ph: (604) 696-8337
>> > Fx: (604) 696-8100
>> >
>> > *stantec*.com <http://www.stantec.com>
>> >
>> > The content of this email is the confidential property of Stantec and
>> > should not be copied, modified, retransmitted, or used for any purpose
>> > except with Stantec's written authorization. If you are not the intended
>> > recipient, please delete all copies and notify us immediately.
>> >
>> > ü Please consider the environment before printing this email.
>> >
>> > *From:* equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
>> > [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] *On Behalf Of
>> *Bruce
>> > Easterbrook
>> > *Sent:* Tuesday, June 22, 2010 9:16 AM
>> > *To:* Anthony Hardman
>> > *Cc:* equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>> > *Subject:* Re: [Equest-users] WIKI for eQUEST
>> >
>> > With eQuest there are many ways to skin a cat reflecting the users past
>> > experience and what problem they were solving when they learned the
>> > technique. The eQuest training session skips past much of the important
>> > geometry input to get to some of the meatier subjects. There are a lot
>> > of subjects not covered in training, and many new ideas are evolving. A
>> > Wiki would be great and solve a few problems with this forum. Many
>> > questions are answered over and over. The forum subject lines are not
>> > always indicative of the information contained in the post. There are a
>> > few different opinions on some of the topics. A Wiki would put the
>> > techniques up where other "experts" could put in their 2 cents as well
>> > and a good reference library could be quickly built with the best
>> > answer. It would be very handy at 3 in the morning when you are banging
>> > your head on a wall after missing something simple but critical and most
>> > of the forum is sleeping. Plus I would imagine there would be some new
>> > tricks to be learned by the old dogs too.
>> > Bruce Easterbrook P.Eng.
>> > Abode Engineering
>> >
>> > On 22/06/2010 11:54 AM, Anthony Hardman wrote:
>> >
>> > I think it could be extremely useful depending on how it's implemented.
>> >
>> > Lots of industries use it already.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > While it's great to have access to the multitude of eQuest opinions, I
>> think
>> >
>> > it also has the tendency to be overwhelming for the average new user.
>>  For
>> >
>> > example, Joe the Newbie asks,"how do I do such and such,"  which prompts
>> a
>> >
>> > cascade of 5 different answers.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > If I'm looking for a reference, I'd be more interested in 1 good answer
>> >
>> > rather than 5 possible answers.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > To address that, would it be possible to create mini"think tanks"
>>  composed
>> >
>> > of 3-5 volunteer sim professionals (per question) who are willing to
>> >
>> > collaborate and come up with that"1 good answer"  to be included in the
>> wiki
>> >
>> > FAQ?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I'd volunteer my time for that!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Anthony Hardman, PE
>> >
>> > Building Energy Analyst
>> >
>> > Geo-Energy Services
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> >
>> > From:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org<From%3Aequest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org> <mailto:
>> equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org>
>> >
>> > [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Jason
>> >
>> > Glazer
>> >
>> > Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 9:08 AM
>> >
>> > To:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org<To%3Aequest-users at lists.onebuilding.org> <mailto:
>> equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>
>> >
>> > Subject: Re: [Equest-users] make exterior wall an interior wall
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I have considered adding a Wiki to the onebuilding.org web
>> >
>> > site to allow material related to specific simulation
>> >
>> > programs (such as a Frequently Asked Questions for
>> >
>> > eQUEST-users) to be posted. The visual guide that you put
>> >
>> > together would probably be a good addition. Would a Wiki be
>> >
>> > useful?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Jason
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> >
>> > Equest-users mailing list
>> >
>> > http://lists.onebuilding.org/listinfo.cgi/equest-users-onebuilding.org
>> >
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>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> --
>> Jason Glazer, P.E., GARD Analytics, 90.1 ECB chair
>> Admin for onebuilding.org building performance mailing lists
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-- 
Carol Gardner PE
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