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STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

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cost ranging from 25 to 50 dollars per paper; there may yet be substantial value in a trip to a<br />

good library for those involved in extensive research, and regardless <strong>of</strong> opinion to the<br />

contrary, there is still much in the library that will not be found online, especially with older<br />

works.<br />

Nonetheless, internet websites provide a powerful resource. Select industry producers<br />

provide excellent technical data, design guidelines for their products, product selection tools,<br />

and even design tools on their websites. Industry associations have also provided some<br />

excellent examples <strong>of</strong> effective and efficient websites, some <strong>of</strong> which are represented in this<br />

thesis. An example in the glass industry is Glass Processing Days (GPD), an organization<br />

that sponsors one <strong>of</strong> the largest international architectural and automotive glass<br />

conferences, held every odd year in Tampere, Finland. GPD hosts a website that features<br />

sections on industry news, a library, <strong>of</strong> articles, a product listing, a directory <strong>of</strong> suppliers,<br />

magazine reviews, and a calendar <strong>of</strong> events. Hundreds <strong>of</strong> technical articles are available for<br />

free download. Registration is required but there is no charge. The stated intent <strong>of</strong> the GPD<br />

reflects the perceived potential value <strong>of</strong> a website:<br />

“…provide a Web service for Glass Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals.<br />

The idea is to establish a forum for exchanging information on the ever more advanced<br />

environment, technologies and processes that exist within the industry – today and<br />

tomorrow. The difference lies in the medium. As a web service, glassfiles.com provides a<br />

forum that continuously <strong>of</strong>fers easy access to educational and useful information –<br />

anywhere, anytime” (Glass Processing Days 2008).<br />

Most established technologies have at least one website acting as a resource and providing<br />

reference materials along with tools. The glass industry, a large and mature industry, has<br />

many.<br />

Universities are another place where valuable websites are <strong>of</strong>ten found. An excellent<br />

example is a website resource and learning program regarding structures sponsored by the<br />

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