Information on Internet

Image courtesy: Codiceinternet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/codiceinternet/3665516866/ )

Today, one quarter of the earth's population uses the Internet. 

Internet, by all odds has made Information so easy to find and so free to use. It is an incredibly powerful magic-spell that enables anyone to stay connected with anyone from anywhere. Internet triggered a paradigm-shift among the working population, as it powerfully questioned and influenced corporate working hours, work location and work culture. All educational resources at all levels from 

pre-schools to post-doctoral are available online. Capability to share ideas, knowledge and skills, instantly and free of cost has made collaborative work dramatically easier. 

“The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.” - Bill Gates

The field of architecture is no exception to embrace this new revolution of technology. 

Internet in Architectural Education:

Learning, Teaching or Researching; every aspect of education is dependent on the Internet today. Classrooms are going “virtual” with video lectures and online conferences. The fact that one teacher can now teach millions of students across the world, at the same time is simply groovy! 

I would not be surprised, if in the future we are no longer required to go to colleges, universities or libraries and if we may achieve degrees and doctorates by simply attending virtual universities sitting at home! Many libraries are collaborating online to offer wide variety of resources to the internet audience. E-books, Audio books, videos, drawings, websites, journals, databases and almost everything else, small and big, can be found today on the Internet.

Internet in Architect's Office:

Architects today are aggressively using the Internet to promote and market their services to a global audience. Their reach is no longer confined to a regional level. Easy collaboration, BIM based advance software, new technological inputs and research; has made an architect's office more productive than ever before. 

Gradually, an architect's office is becoming no different from any other professional's office – with many computers, printers and electronic gadgets silently suppressing the need for a creative-void. But I am sure we will find creative solutions to make our environment look like a Design studio and not like a TV studio. 

Information Technology presents both opportunities as well as threats. The state-of-art technology is available to all including our own clients. Easy access to all information on design, construction and technology will lead to limitless choices; only an architect who has mastered IT managed to use technology strategically and powerfully will be able to sustain in a highly competitive environment.

Internet is an opportunity. It has made the world a global village. And it is upon us and our management skills to make the best of it. So, say yes 2 Architectural Management and shape your future. 


Further reading: Internet for Architecture