The Homepath Products Blog

Potholed

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Suspension Buster

The winter around here has taken a serious toll on our aging interstate highway system. This was emphasized for me a few weeks back as I swerved to avoid a pothole, only to end up in a larger one that devoured the front end of my car. I zigged when I should have zigged, had I zagged the results would have been catastrophic for another driver and me. (On a side note there is an App for potholes - if they get you down you’ll be pleased to know there are several new iPhone tools to help report and track them)

Hum the melody to the Stealers Wheel classic (often mistaken for The Beatles) “Stuck in the Middle with You” and sing the following modified lyrics and you’ll see what I mean:

Well, I don’t know why I came here, tonight
I’ve got the feeling that something ain’t right
I’m so scared in case I steer the wrong way
And I’m wondering how much I will pay
Cars to the left of me
Snowbanks to the right
Here I am
Stuck in a pothole with you

Add procrastination to decades of physical weathering and here we are. There’s nowhere to hide. Pay now or pay more later. Later is now.

Infrastructure

We hear this term sparking political debate and the news seems to feed from it. For many, author included, the mere mention of infrastructure connotes higher taxes and out-of-pocket dollars when we can least afford them. The phrase often references a public civil project that sees heavy use by many, and is in constant need of costly repairs. Our tax dollars are collected and used to build and then maintain. - or repair - public infrastructure. The story is the same whether we speak of roads and highways, civic centers, telecommunications networks, airports, or high speed rail. Some public, some private - all infrastructure. We hotly debate their initial construction, eventually acquiesce and then build commerce around them for generations. We freely enjoy ourselves and blissfully ignore their inevitable decay. Eventually we rebuild and the cycle repeats.

I don’t know about you but I appreciate our system of interstates, barely a day goes by without my use of them. I often wonder how arduous travel was and how slow commerce happened before we committed to building them. Telecommunications infrastructure enables similar economic expansion...what would we all do if the internet were to disappear today?

Much recent prosperity in the United Sates was enabled by infrastructure investments made generations ago. It’s interesting to note that China has entered infrastructure build-out mode and on a scale that’s difficult to comprehend without seeing it first-hand. China is making the infrastructure commitments that will enable economic growth for future generations.

We now need to rebuild.

Wondering

The potholed infrastructure dilemma got me wondering. I’m far from a highway designer but I know a fair amount about infrastructure. The infrastructure I deal with surrounds our living spaces and, as any homeowner will tell you, changing home infrastructure can be as unattractive and painful as writing big checks for increased taxes. The primary difference being that the value of home infrastructure goes directly to the home or building owner - or benefits the next individual who buys the home.

At Homepath Products, with the eXapath in-wall cable pathway system, we make infrastructure with a unique benefit. It may be more accurate to say that eXapath is the infrastructure for infrastructure...I’l explain below.

Designed for today's most advanced insulation products, eXapath provides a permanently accessible channel for entertainment cables.

Today’s low voltage wiring systems for data, entertainment, security, distributed audio and video give homeowners many options that didn’t exist a decade ago. When building and remodeling we customarily bury these low voltage wires within our walls, like we do with electrical wiring. The trouble is that consumer electronics become unfashionable as better models and new advancements come to market. The latest stuff inevitably renders permanently installed low voltage wiring obsolete and replacement costs mount. It’s not just new cables and connectors, they’re pretty inexpensive. Tearing out sections of wall and disturbing the insulation envelope to fish new wires is never easy and often costly.

What if you had a way to install the low voltage wires you need today and a simple way to remove and replace them as they become obsolete. No fishing, no insulation displacement. Infrastructure for infrastructure.

eXapath in-wall cable pathways turn your framing into information superhighways, ready for low voltage cables when you need them.

That’s what eXapath does. Check it out...and avoid being potholed by your low voltage infrastructure.

A Cup O' Joe

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:15:00 +0000

Cold snow and piping hot coffee, can't beat that!

Did you see that stocky, forty’ish guy in the Starbucks queue? Stupefied. Thinning hair with worn Carhartt jeans and a threadbare button-down chamois shirt. Perplexed by terms like half-caf, tall, short and venti. He approached the counter apologetically muttering “I’d like a medium black coffee” to muffled sniggering by the barista’s and sharp looks of disdain from surrounding patrons? That may have been me.

I’ve eliminated much clutter and complexity from my life. With few vices left, coffee remains a ritual. I’m not sure whether it’s an indulgence, a staple, or real addiction. I yearn when it’s gone.

Not a complete Java ignoramus, I have sampled many coffees with enticing names from, and in, exotic places. Lately I prefer the Hazlenut Creme blend from New England Coffee. When it’s on sale I buy up as much as I can and brew it daily for my long commute. The label tells me it has “Rich, nutty overtones in a special blend of medium-roasted South and Central American beans” to which I respond “Sure, whatever...it tastes good, does the trick, just like the comfy old T-shirts I refuse to part with.”

A Mug’s a Mug

This past holiday season my wife surprised me with a small, expertly wrapped gift box on Christmas morning. She rocks, you can learn more about her here. With great care I opened the package, just like you’d see in one of those commercials where the guy unwraps to unveil the key for a shiny late model luxury car. I was delighted to find a new 16 ounce travel coffee mug. Could not have been happier. Simple, functional, utilitarian, durable...years of use ahead. Easy to please? Not so much.

Like many coffee drinkers, I’ve used dozens of travel mugs, some bought, some freebies. Some were dishwasher safe, some melted. Some stainless steel, some ceramic or plastic. All held coffee well, some kept it warm, some leaked immediately, many with time and use. Most imparted no change to the flavor. Most were misplaced or made their way to the landfill.

The new gift mug had simple, pleasant lines; the right amount of “heft”; a very secure cover; and a dual liner to help keep liquids hot or cold. Sure signs of a good product, right? Well, yes, good functional design but that’s just the beginning of the story.

The Big Attraction

What attracted me most was how this cup was designed. Not its shape and function, but how the designers set to the task of creating it. In my hand I have the result of Eco-designed gear. Conceived using Product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a practice I believe in and increasingly pursue in products that I buy.

Using LCA, designers are compelled to invent in non-traditional ways. Their challenge goes far beyond fit, form and function, becoming a cradle-to-grave, or better yet, cradle-to-cradle effort where thought and consideration is given to embodied energy, that energy consumed in production, use and disposal of a product. Affects on users and our environment are paramount and managed by considering toxicity. Durability is deliberately improved, and end-of-life recycling planned for rather than presuming “final destination landfill.” We, consumers, end up with a solid coffee mug that works well, lasts a long time, doesn’t cost more than you would expect to pay for a travel coffee mug, and the system minimizes impact on humans and our environment. Little to dislike here.

Kudos to Aladdin PMI for doing the hard work up front on their Sustain® product line. (In the interest of full disclosure, I am not compensated in any way for this write up...just one guy giving credit where it is due) In an age of rampant green-washing, Aladdin produces product with valid green claims. Here is why:

They start by using 100% recycled food-grade polypropylene material, no new elemental extraction is used in the production of this mug.
They state that the material is free of PBT...good for my longevity and durability.
They plan for disposal, making a product that is easily recycled...from previously recycled materials.
Packaging is eco-friendly, minimized and recyclable.
They educate consumers on why we should reuse a mug rather than tossing out disposable cups daily...it all adds up. Is this educational resource self-serving? Yes, they are in business to sell coffee mugs...nothing wrong with that.

Back to My Mug

The product does what it is intended to do, and it does it well.

It keeps my coffee piping hot.
It fits in my hand well.
It’s cup holder friendly.
The cover, with just a few threads, closes quickly and securely, it’s not press-fit with a tendency to become loose like many other travel mugs.
It’s dishwasher safe...I’ve washed it a dozen or so times...not leaking yet
The spill resistant flange on the cover is wider on one end so I don’t have to fumble around trying to figure out which way to turn it as I drive.
It’s microwavable
It’s durable...I’ve bounced mine off the garage floor already and it hasn’t leaked.

Whether you roast, grind, and brew your own; or drop by your local gourmet coffee joint for a daily cup, think about using one of these new tankards from Aladdin. Plan for your mug to be reincarnated as a useful product for the next generation.

Sustainable design. ‘Nuff said!

This Was How They Rolled

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:41:00 +0000

At Homepath Products we tend to concentrate on the horizon, a habit that’s part of the fabric here and one that helps us envision what the future may hold for homeowners. It’s a component of the value we bring in preparing homes for what technologies soon may come. An internal compass but not a crystal ball. Important lessons come from the past. We’re mindful of this and take note from those who came before us.

A recent Op-ed piece hinted at deeper than obvious economic woes – the first real suggestion that we’re headed for a third depression. Economics, the dismal science – depressing, perhaps – but read on.

I follow many economists, gathering diverse opinion on matters of finance, business, policy, and history. In this case the author is Paul Krugman, one who I often read for logic that proves prescient. Consistently, he shares historic lessons and encourages policy favoring jobs creation and deflation avoidance as opposed to a focus on immediate deficit reduction and the distant threat of inflation. This, of course, comes at the cost of deficit expansion during a time of already ballooning national debt. The Krugman approach (and that of many other smart folks) is counterintuitive. Why spend when the national debt is already so great? Proposed alternatives suggest paying down national debt immediately (while important for discussion, the alternatives are rhetorical, parroting what we've heard for decades) They fail to acknowledge that tax revenues are generated by those who are employed...and at the moment we have eight million who are unable to contribute. The question of reducing national debt comes down to timing. Krugman, borrowing from policy lessons of the 1930’s, points out that avoiding deflation is a short-term survival tactic that eventually shifts to managing inflation – well into economic recovery, as more people are gainfully employed and the lifeblood of a growing economy (personal spending) begins in earnest. Tax coffers grow as a result. Getting there is the challenge. Krugman’s article is one Nobel economists opinion and this blog post is no intended endorsement – rather, we ask: “What if this recession becomes a depression?”

They Endured the Depression But Were Never Depressed

Please indulge me as I share some family history.

My grandparents, typical of their time, lived and operated frugally, preferring a cash over credit-based lifestyle. You may find similar characteristics in your forebears.

Moderation in all, rarely consuming more than necessary nor want for “things” over experience with lasting memories. A contented lifestyle as the world around them accelerated. Products of the Great Depression, they lived many hard-knocks stories, learned well, and shared their wisdom freely. They relied on themselves and their families to get through difficult times and succeed they did. Their wisdom a bequest of sorts.

Perhaps it was youthful ignorance. Maybe just the context of growing up in prosperous times where lessons of the past seemed irrelevant. Having experienced only periodic recessionary hiccups, I heard but didn’t listen. Now, I’m all ears.

Hailing from England and the United States, my grandparents endured difficult economic cycles, fought distant World Wars while family sought refuge in the London Tube system, subsiding on rations – times of true need followed by lasting prosperity. They acknowledged difficulty but chose optimism to pessimism, knowing that progress was created on the foundation of positive perspective. They endured the depression but were never depressed.

This Was How They Rolled

My grandparents witnessed widespread adoption of the telephone, the emergence of private transportation, jets coming of age and the space race. At first wondrous curiosities and eventually meaningful tools. Navigating colossal change, they actively determined needs versus wants and prioritized their decisions. Mundane?, perhaps; Spontaneous?, infrequently; Pragmatic?, surely; Successful?; yes.

Back to Prosperity

Life during their time brought radical change. They adapted to some and chose to ignore others when no “need” was identified. They felt social pressure to do well for their community and endeavored to help improve it. They were civilian in the Middle English sense of the word – abiding by the law and striving, always, for civil discourse over polarizing bias.

They were sports enthusiasts. Ferocious competitors who enjoyed victory but with compassion. They felt no joy in vanquish, knowing that lopsided contests produced no winners. They handled defeat with dignity. They sought betterment in themselves, never reaching their ideals, accepting the imperfection of others in exchange.

They felt entitled . . . to common courtesy, all else was privilege to be earned. They wished to make a difference.

This was how they rolled – with no need for elective courses on ethics, morals or integrity.

Durability and Adaptability = Wiggle Room

Computers, streaming video, email, texting, smartphones and Twitter were not part of their lexicon, nor was rebooting a PC, healing a computer virus, or the frustration we feel when electric power fades. Interruptions were opportunities for them.

On first glance it’s as though times were uncomplicated – it’s never that simple. The world around them changed dramatically, and like today, the pace of adaptation was daunting. Their lives spanned times of plenty, economic decline, then growth and finally prosperity. They worked hard always, endeavoring to keep scarcity a distant memory, cognizant that excess was insidious and wild overcorrection an inevitable result. Living under these terms shaped their decisions.

They built things and bought things with lasting value – shunning the emerging lifestyle of convenience and disposability. The notion of buying a smartphone today only to replace it with a newer, faster, sleeker model in twelve months would leave them aghast.

They always kept room to maneuver. A trait learned through hardship that seemed intuitive. Wiggle room. Living so created options, the flexibility of choice, and awareness that adaptability ensured survival.

This is How We Roll

At Homepath Products we live by common courtesy and earn all else, striving to learn from the past while preparing for the future.

We provide the eXapath™ in-wall cable pathway system, enabling architects, builders, and remodelers to enhance value for their clients. Ours are infrastructure products of durability that serve the needs of adaptability. eXapath integrates seamlessly in energy conserving construction providing a means for the building to adapt as generations of modern electronics come to market. Wiggle room for home and building owners who know that times will forever change and that lasting structures must keep pace.

To learn more please visit www.homepathproducts.com, feel free to call at (860) 767-1122 or email us at questions@homepathproducts.com.

We look forward to serving you. A privilege we know must be earned.

Mind The Gap

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:17:00 +0000

Slogans, mottos, catchphrases, mantras. Every company develops them to position and establish an image or association for their product or service.

Bridging the Gap Between Broadband and Construction™ is ours at Homepath Products and here is why.

We’re adding the ability to change wiring as a structural element in energy conserving homes....helping homeowners achieve energy efficiency without compromising their desire for advanced technology.

If ever you have lived in a mature home, a house built before the arrival of telephone, cable TV or the internet, you’re familiar with the various methods of upgrading wires to add modern appliances. Approaches range from completely tearing out sections of lath and plaster, rewiring, and wall repair to others like these:

Holes drilled in floors to pass wires through
Wires running along exterior walls before entering the home
Wires stapled to interior walls
Surface mounted raceways hiding wires
Crown moldings and chair railings hiding wires
Wires run beneath carpets and area rugs
Wires “fished” through insulation within walls

Given a challenging installation environment all these solutions solve the immediate problem of cable routing and, in some cases, hiding wires that deliver the home entertainment experience we so desire.

If you’re fortunate to live in a home that has permanent “structured wiring” for today’s electronics, security, and data systems, you enjoy seamless connectivity and ease when it comes to adding new consumer electronics. That is, of course, until you find yourself adding a new gadget where one was not planned or, perhaps, when making the inevitable upgrade to the structured wiring driven by the latest “gotta have” gear. Technology does not stand still.

An Emerging Challenge for Homeowners

When designing, building new, or remodeling, focus has shifted toward pragmatic long-term value with less emphasis on cosmetics. Spaciousness is taking a back seat to efficient use of smaller spaces providing more value and utility per cubic foot. An example of this is heightened interest in design for energy conservation. Building smaller to minimize energy required plus the use of highly efficient systems to manage the inside environment. By taking a conservational approach, homeowners see benefit in permanently reduced HVAC costs with low annual maintenance and operational expenses. Occupants experience the intangible perks of living a less cluttered life while society benefits through cumulative reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and delayed climate change. The trend is to simplify and focus on qualitative rather than accumulative living.

Compared to traditional HVAC methods, homeowners opt for new approaches like geothermal heating. The initial cost for such technology is higher with investment justified by weighing installed cost against permanent reductions in energy consumption (30 to 40% more efficient) and reduced annual operating expense.

The Gap

Energy conserving homes use modern forms of insulation like expanding Polyurethane sprayfoam. This material is sprayed into the open wall cavities during construction where it rapidly expands, filling all voids and adhering to all surfaces leaving little opportunity for energy-sapping air infiltration. Unlike traditional forms of insulation, sprayfoams do not degrade or sag with time so their benefits are lasting. The new materials perform well at what they were engineered for but inadvertently add hurdles for future wiring upgrades. When first occupying a space this is not obvious, but it becomes so as the first change is required. “Fishing” wires through tight insulation is time consuming, costly and destructive. A real gap exists between how we design and build and how prepared the homes are to change with the times.

How We Bridge the Gap

Homes are built to stand the test of time, consumer electronics come and go. Knowing this, why do we permanently embed wires within walls? Doing so ignores the likelihood that change will occur well within the lifespan of the structure.

Our aim, at Homepath Products, is to bridge this divide with eXapath. This in-wall system complements best insulation practices while leaving accessible pathways for easy changes to wiring. With it, homeowners can wire where necessary today while leaving the frame of their home ready for change.

Broadband, once a luxury, is now indispensable. The data rates of today’s broadband are the Dial-Up of tomorrow. Technology moves forward at a blistering pace and dramatically faster speeds are being driven to us through our internet providers. The faster they get, the richer our experience becomes, the more frequent we upgrade home systems to support them.

Not only is the eXapath system a breeze to install during construction, it’s equally helpful long after the drywall is up. Unlike traditional conduit systems, eXapath can be located through the drywall using a common stud stud finder. The design lends itself to the addition of new outlets from floor to ceiling without destroying walls, disrupting insulation, or fishing through tight spaces. Providing pathways ensures that the insulation envelope of the home remains intact and efficient for the life of the home. Simple but revolutionary.

If you are building, considering a deep energy retrofit, or major remodel where you will be opening the walls, add eXapath while there and build flexibility for change into your home, value for you to enjoy and pay forward to the next owner.

Does your home bridge the gap?

Dealing with Risks (or "What Eeyore Can Teach Us About Sustainability")

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:07:00 +0000

For today’s post we touch on the legal environment surrounding sustainable or “green” construction. With any building project, large or small, the law holds a prominent and important place helping define roles for all parties to contracts, clarifying expectations, minimizing risk of disagreement and, finally, serving to help resolve disputes when they do occur.

As society shifts toward environmentally responsible architecture the promise of energy savings, optimized water management, and improved environmental quality become significant in both meaning and implementation. Traditional legal precedents may no longer apply or may fail to recognize the nuances of this important emerging market. Change, in the legal sense, may lead to unforeseen confusion.

I’ve asked a friend and noted construction law attorney, Christopher Hill, to provide a layperson's perspective on the matter. Chris is nationally respected in legal circles and adds value as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional. For those unfamiliar with the LEED AP designation, accreditation requires deep understanding of sustainable design as defined by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Chris is serious about sustainability and assumes leadership with the emergence of “green” in law. He’s also an entertaining writer. Please enjoy the post:

I am a great believer in sustainable building and the benefits (both economic and environmental) that will come with a more universal adoption of sustainable, more resource friendly, building practices. However, and as I’ve said at Musings before, Eeyore is one of my favorite characters from A.A. Milne. Eeyore, you may remember, is the donkey on whom it’s always raining. He is the loveable character that always feels like the sky is falling, but plugs along anyway.

I can relate. I think that the economic impact, combined with the moral imperative, make such a goal both worthy and required. However, certain risks are inherent in any new use of technologies and any new mode of thinking, no matter how worthy. Some of the issues that will need to be dealt with by contractors, architects, owners and, yes, lawyers, are the following:

Insurance- the insurance industry is still catching up with energy related underwriting
What standard of care applies to a green building claim?
Potential Trademark claims
Longer time horizons and contractual or government requirements on energy goals
Even the possibility of a broken window.
Zoning

While I sometimes feel like we are rushing past these issues without the careful thought that we need to give such risks in our (understandable) enthusiasm and that it is human nature to be overtaken with excitement at a new venture and the vision of a better, cleaner, world, I am cautiously optimistic that these issues will be hammered out (hopefully through contract rather than litigation). More and more attorneys and building professionals like Mike (@eXapath) are aware of the potential risks, and this is a great start.

The sooner the risks are at least out in the open, if not resolved, the sooner the private sector will get fully behind sustainable construction and building management. Awareness of the issues is more than half the battle. From this awareness will come solutions. I fully believe that these solutions will lead to a better built environment and to contractors and subcontractors that no longer find sustainability to be a novelty, but the normal practice.

My hope is that by pulling back on the reins a bit and hopefully forcing a discussion of these issues, I (and my alter ego that down in the dumps donkey) will help lead to a more robust, and less legally risky, building landscape.

Until then, Eeyore and I will keep plugging through the rain.

Christopher Hill is a LEED AP and construction lawyer in Richmond, VA. He is a member of Virginia’s Legal Elite in Construction Law and authors the Construction Law Musings blog. You can also follow him on Twitter at @constructionlaw.

A Bit About Broadband

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:11:00 +0000

Through recent Twitter wanderings I happened across an interesting group who have identified a strategically important cause and dedicated themselves to advancing it. Broadband is a term commonly discussed but its affect on our society undervalued.

Broadband for America is raising awareness of precisely how broadband, and the need for improvements in it, enable many things, not the least of which is rapid growth in our economy. To follow Broadband for America on Twitter click here @broadband4us.

I feel strongly about the need for ever-improving broadband and I am convinced the Internet access we are accustomed to is just the beginning...the World Wide Web is truly an infant. There is good reason to believe that advanced technology and policy will coalesce with our creative population to generate outstanding economic and social returns for generations and broadband will be central to success.

The following is an excerpt from a recent Broadband for America post the touches on some very important developments:

A Bit About Broadband

I have a soft spot for unsung heroes and today’s post highlights one that virtually everyone takes for granted. I’ll get to that in a bit.

Broadband for America is on a mission to bring high speed Internet to every individual and business in the country. This is a lofty and virtuous goal. At the risk of sounding alarmist, a goal so important that failure to make significant progress threatens America’s greatest strength, that of innovation-driven commerce.

Innovation and Small Business

Broadband, computer technology, the World Wide Web, and courage combine to expand the arena for all to enter. Efficient and frugal exchange is a leveler; an opportunity to unleash creativity and innovation, to establish an audience, to test a new idea or market, to bring value and prosper; a mechanism to engage the talents of an entire population and restore economic strength at a time when we most need more men, and women, in the arena.

Learn more here...

Wires? Isn't Wireless the Wave of the Future?

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +0000

We're taking a different tack on this post. I'd like to welcome Sean Lintow, Sr. of SLS Construction in Cullman County, Alabama as our first guest to post on Tech Rumblings and the Home.

Sean's at the helm of this family owned business serving northern Alabama but his footprint extends far beyond the sales territory. Sean is an opinion leader who reaches past great quality construction for his clients by thoroughly researching everything that his projects touch to ensure that he and his team are most up-to-date and provide reliable counsel to customers and colleagues. In short, he's keen to be knowledgeable and places high value on doing things well...a good example for others to aspire to. In fact, as I write this brief introduction, Sean is packing his bags for a multi-day training session on Infrared Thermography, adding more tools and techniques to his kit that will help diagnose construction flaws and lead to dramatic improvements in the built environment for those lucky enough to hire him. To learn more about Sean and SLS Construction be sure to add his blog to your reading list: Homeowner's Resource Center

Sean, in addition to expertise in residential design and construction, has deep experience in information technology and network security, making him uniquely qualified to contribute to today's posting. Sean stretches from bits and bytes to characteristics of today's construction materials and understands how intricately woven all building systems are.

Please welcome Sean and enjoy this piece.

Do We Really Need Wires Anymore?

Let me see if I got this straight, you want me to install eXapath conduit in my walls to help future proof my home for low voltage wiring used for telephone, internet, audio, security and TV connections? In case no one told you, they have wireless devices now, so isn’t going wireless truly the wave of the future? Do we really need wires anymore?

You can admit it; you were wondering about it or had the same thoughts. So, is wiring really dead?

In our recent Remodeling Right: A Hedge Against Changing Technology article we mentioned a great product (eXapath) for running low voltage cabling in your walls. This wiring is used for everything from alarm systems, to your telephone, from your internet connection, to your television. Some people have questioned this by simply asking – "isn’t wireless truly the wave of the future?"

For many that have connected with me on LinkedIn, you may have noticed that I also have a background in the Information Technology field. Based not only on my IT experience, but knowledge of the newer building technologies being used “going wireless” might cost you more than you think. While wireless technology is a good solution for numerous issues, one must realize that with any technology there are limits.
Security:

Wireless Routers – Many consumers simply hook up their new wireless router using the factory set defaults and just leave it.

Most default setups do not use encryption, so all the information is sent in clear text. That includes your passwords, your emails, etc…
Did you change the administrator name and password? Most routers password and admin names are well known
When was the last time you reviewed the router logs & checked for updates? While many people like to think that these devices are plug & forget – they are far from it

Cellular Phones & regular wireless phones

You can buy a radio scanner & listen in on your neighbor’s calls.
Do they have one of the newer CDMA or GSM cell phones or one of the new wireless ones with channel hopping technology? I hate to tell you this, but that technology has already been cracked and can be gotten off the internet.

Signal Disturbance:

Natural Disturbances: For one example, I have DirecTV at my house. One of the biggest issues is that when a tornado warning is going off, I generally cannot see where the storm is headed, because the rain and clouds have blocked the satellite signal. While this affects line of site communications, electrical storms can also disturb your wireless signals.
Microwave ovens and other consumer electronics can also emit noise in the same frequencies and can disrupt your signal.
Wireless jammers, while outlawed by the FCC, can still easily be purchased online.

Speed and Capacity:

Wireless Routers utilize what is known as a common signal. As more equipment connects to the access point, the signals are shared and the data rate provided for each device drops dramatically.

Pretty soon all your appliances, TV’s, DVR’s, HVAC systems will be “online” allowing for manufacturers to send a repair tech out before you know you need them, or allowing you to connect to them while you are away from home.
Can you imagine the bandwidth being used when your wife is watching a streamed movie, kids are playing online while downloading songs, and you are telecommuting?

Wireless is still playing catch up – while the latest 802.11n standard promises data transfer of 300 Mbps (compared to 1000 MBPS for the newer wiring) you need to read the fine print attached.

Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, buildings materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate. Environmental factors will adversely affect wireless signal range.

Building Materials and Construction:

I am sure this has happened to you while talking on the cell phone, the person you are speaking to goes “sorry I am going through a tunnel,” “sorry I am losing you” or something similar. Part of this issue is that the signal cannot penetrate the structure or the signal can only travel so far. This issue also applies to today’s houses and buildings. If the building is spread out, contains multiple stories, if there is a lot of concrete, metal, radiant barriers, etc… it can interfere with your signal.
The cost:

Cost can actually play a big factor in your decision process. While you can pick up a router for next to nothing, they make their money up on the Wireless cards you need to buy for each piece of equipment. If you have a laptop only, you might not have to worry about it, but getting a card for your PC, DVR, X-Box 360, refrigerator, etc… it can add up real quick.

Wireless Signals are Not Green?

If you are building and pursuing Minnesota GreenStar certification, arguably the most progressive and detailed green-build program in the US, you might want to forget the word wireless all together…

11-B-12: Install CAT-5e (enhanced) or CAT-6 shielded data cable throughout house to every room where computers and telephones will be used. Avoid Wi-Fi. Use hardwired, corded telephones rather than cordless telephones.

The reasoning:

The recommendations here are based upon safe exposure guidelines accepted by regulatory agencies, particularly in Europe, dedicated to protecting human health from harmful exposure to man-made electrical and magnetic fields (EMF) as well as radio frequencies (RF). The information here may be viewed as controversial since the primary data pointing to concern is coming from Europe. Yet, health researchers in the United States are actively pursuing research in this area.

Because EMF exposure has potential links to headaches, ear and eye problems, memory problems, sleep disturbance (and the physical ailments that come from sleep deprivation), and cancer, we are using what is called the “precautionary principle”— if there is sufficient evidence that there could be harm from exposure to an influence and that exposure cannot be proven to be safe beyond a shadow of a doubt, then precautions need to be taken by the public to protect human exposure to that influence until safety can be firmly established.

Now like most homeowners, I am really getting tired of hearing the “XY or Z may harm you” arguments. I cannot think of one item that will not supposedly cause harm, but there is ample evidence that these electromagnetic fields exist and that they have caused issues with certain individuals. While the Minnesota program is the only one I know of that has this as part of their standards right now, it may be adopted by other “green” programs in the near future.

The Verdict

So should I take it that wireless is bad, and there is no place for it? No, it is a great technology that solves many problems, is easy to setup, and it will be here for many years to come. However, if you do not understand the issues, or its limitations, you may be disappointed at its performance or in for a shock when your banking information is “stolen”. If used appropriately though, one can use both types of hard wired and wireless systems in a complementary fashion and leave room to adapt with change.

An Update

Subsequent to this posting an interesting article was posted by CNN on inadvertent activity undertaken by the troupe of Google "Street View" cars that roam around collecting image and geo-location information. Using open (not password protected) WiFi networks they routinely collected web visit history from WiFi network users. See the entire article here.

Green is the New Gray and that's Okay!

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:14:00 +0000

My journey in sustainability continues with today’s report on a seminar attended during the JLCLive show in Providence, RI. Sponsored by The Journal of Light Construction, a Hanley Wood publication, JLCLive caters to residential and light commercial builders through print, web and trade events.

The mission was participation in a full-day seminar on green building to broaden my knowledge, bring clarity to thoughts on sustainable construction, and depart with fewer questions than when arriving.

The time spent was well worth it. A good show for any remodelers or builders interested in refreshing their library of knowledge, seeing new materials and tools, or simply connecting and exchanging notes with others in the market.

Before describing the seminar it’s important to recognize those who often go unrecognized. While delving into sustainability I’ve found people are eager help and I have many to thank.

How Did I Get Here?

Due in large part to our hyper-connected world I learned of the Journal of Light Construction and JLCLive through word-of-mouth, better yet, by word-of-tweet.

Those who know me are aware that I use Twitter for its unique ability to easily find and connect people with shared interests. One such person is Leah Thayer, a talented editor with Remodeling Magazine (Hanley Wood) who tweets regularly posing great questions, and promoting dialogue. I’m grateful to Leah for introducing me to a blogger at Remodeling Magazine named Michael Anschel. Michael is principal of otogawa-anschel a design + build firm from Minneapolis and a knowledgeable opinion leader of the sustainability movement. An interesting mix of design talent, community responsibility, entrepreneurism and unbridled enthusiasm on all things green. By that, I mean green with a pragmatic twist. Michael also happens to be the speaker for the green build session at JLCLive.

Unrelated to JLCLive are more to acknowledge, more than I can practically highlight in this post. Three individuals stand out. Sean with SLSConstruction offers a background in remodeling and residential construction with a small business vantage point on sustainability. Another friend to mention is Merrill Stewart, LEED AP and founder of the Stewart Perry Company a commercial contractor with nationwide scope and leader in the transition to better building. And James Bedell, a bundle of energy and expert in commercial lighting design by day. The remainder of his time is consumed organizing Build2Sustain with focus on sustainable reuse of the many existing commercial structures across the US. I’m convinced he doesn’t sleep and will leave the world a better place than how he found it.

All engaging, all leading, all going well out of their way to help me wade through and learn about green building. None of whom I would know without Twitter. Follow them.

A Square Peg in a Rectangular Hole with Radiused Corners

I almost fit in...sort of...with a little extra effort and finishing I may just make it through. These were my feelings as I arrived for the seminar. The room was cavernous as you might expect with a convention center. Chairs carefully aligned in rows, three to each narrow folding-table, knee-breaking undercarriage, structured learning. Rigid.

I strolled in behind the presenter (suit was a dead giveaway) as he casually suggested that we ditch the lecture style rows and rearrange the furniture in semicircle format to encourage dialogue. Relieved. No need to sit with my back to contributors or speak to the rear of anyone’s head. Many others wandered in and all set-to, grabbing chairs, sliding tables, shaking hands and just getting the job done-predisposed to action.

Attendees chose seats and got comfortable anticipating the start, with hushed conversations among table partners and noticeable fidgeting. Michael broke the ice asking each student to rise, provide background on themselves, names, where they were from, how long they’d been in business, that sort of thing. Most were from the Northeast with one participant from Washington State and midwest representation from our facilitator. The diversity in origin proved beneficial in highlighting some of the regional differences in design and construction. The crowd was generally upbeat, all either remodelers or new construction general contractors. I was the square peg, the sole product guy in the room, and pleased to be there.

The attendees viewed sustainability as a paradigm shift, wanting to understand more about it, hoping to sort through the relevance and priority of various green debates - eagerly planning to grow their businesses, do well for their clients, and by extension leave positive affect on society. This was different and welcomed.

After introductions Michael set expectations by saying, “I won’t be giving any answers today, the session will be interactive and we will challenge ourselves to think through issues and solutions.” That’s exactly what we received...lesson learned.

My Quest for the Elusive Formula

Before attending the JLCLive event I reviewed materials furnished by the USGBC, NAHB, MNGreenStar, BuildingSciences Corporation, EnergyStar, NC HealthyBuilt Homes and many others. Each source providing its own brand of sustainability or regurgitation of work adapted from others. Given the volume of information available and varying explanations of sustainable construction this session confirmed that a formulaic approach to understanding may not be the best approach-getting it right is more complex than that, and rightly so. My mission to come away with “the formula” was dashed but edification wasn’t.

We held helpful discussions, tangential deep dives on specifics, covered basics and organized thoughts and approaches to participating in green. The primary takeaway for me was high-level ordering. A mental process to use in understanding cause and effect with design and material selection related to home design and construction. In the interest of full disclosure the following principles align best with the MNGreenStar school, of which Michael Anschel has affiliation...for this class the prioritization was slightly different and I found it helpful.

Site/Community Impact - extension of the projects affect on local and global community.
Water Conservation - consideration for use of potable and gray water both in and near the project.
Indoor Environmental Quality - establishment of a healthier indoor environment through mold reduction, minimization of toxic inhalants, efficient and natural lighting.
Resource Efficiency - durable materials, minimal waste, infrequent maintenance.
Energy Efficiency - build for efficiency, reduce green house gas emissions and permanently minimize energy expense.
Adaptability - homes are built to stand the test of time, adaptability is a critical success factor and often overlooked.

While all green-build programs have merit and strive toward sustainability I found this list easy to absorb and, specifically, the priority attached to each item compelling. These are just a few highlights from the discussion and I hope a good starting point for readers of this blog who venture this way.

Have I learned? From the JLCLive session and from other information reviewed I now default to questions before drawing conclusions. I see buildings and wonder about optimal orientation. I pass hardscapes and consider permeability and heat island effect. I see wall assemblies and think insulation and vapor management. I notice irrigation and consider gray water with native and adapted plants. Building materials move me past function and aesthetics to embodied energy, end-of-life, life-cycle. Roof lines now do more than keep weather out, they’re about geometry, color and energy management. Learning.

The Dawn of Progress

As important as the material shared in the session, I found refreshing the enthusiasm of those participating. These were construction pros. Some more accomplished and comfortable with the notion of green build than others but each offering valuable insights for this square peg. One group stood out in both attendance numbers and zeal for doing things better - for continuous improvement. Harmony Builders, led by Wyatt and Dan, formed their model around sustainable building, not for fashion or trend sense, but because it was the right way for them to add value for their customers and to lay a foundation for generations to come. Long-term thinkers - doers - role models - winners, leaving satisfied customers and durable projects in their wake.

The Harmony Builders team knew a great deal about green building through experience, were happy to share and most assertive at learning more and better tips, techniques and ideas. In Dan’s words “Our process for building is constantly being scrutinized and evaluated by us. One of the things we say to each other is that when you stop learning you start going backward. I find it sad when I meet a builder that knows it all and has for a while. Like Michael Anschel said, ‘there are no answers.’ I believe It is the struggle for the answers that make the difference.”

Dan’s comment sums up my experience with the green build session at JLCLive nicely. Do things better.

I left with more questions than when I arrived, adapted mission accomplished.

Green is the new gray and that’s okay!

We Want Faster Horses

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:18:00 +0000

While drafting this post I happened across an anonymous quote and it struck me as relevant. “If Henry Ford had asked his customers what they needed they would have said faster horses.”

History confirms that Mr. Ford was not ignoring his customers, simply listening better than most with vision firmly fixed on the horizon. A paradigm shift in the making.

Differentiate Begins with Different

The accomplishment of Ford and his enterprise is remarkable on many fronts. Revolutionizing production, vertical integration, value-based design, commonality of components and guerrilla marketing for its day.

Ford successfully shifted the expectations of his prospects to understand the value he proposed. From this grew many opportunities for others along with entirely new markets and industries to support them. No easy feat:

Roads were primarily cobblestone or rutted cart paths
Street cars, railroads and ferries were the de facto modes of mass transit
Horses, carriages and wagons were the norm in personal transport
Interstate highways did not exist
Fueling stations were rare
Repair shops scarce

For sure Ford was marketing his twenty horsepower Model-T as a replacement for draft and quarter horses and associated wagons and carriages. He kept at it with the basic “Tin Lizzie” that remained largely unchanged for decades. After a successful twenty year run it was phased out in favor of the Model A in 1927.

It’s interesting to review advertisements from the early days. In 1908 Ford marketed the Model T. Print advertisements in black and white, likely all that was available, mainly textual with very limited graphics. A simple message - function, durability, and business sense “Eleven to seven. A merchant who knows says that it cost him eleven cents per delivery by horses and seven by Ford cars.”, obliquely targeting the newfound limitations of his prospects faithful steeds.

By the 1920s Ford had shifted mainstream customers toward the automobile and learned that growth and survival depended on addressing needs rather than simply providing a good product. This is reflected in the advertising of the twenties where graphics are emphasized, color introduced, and the message moving from durability and reliability toward lifestyle and choice...freedom and flexibility for Ford customers. A notion that rings true to this day.

(More Ford Motor Company advertisements can be found at www.thehenryford.org museum)

Life-Cycle Mismatch

A life-cycle mismatch exists between home building conventions and the changing needs of contemporary homeowners.

Today’s home construction paradigm is to overbuild with lots of permanently installed low voltage wiring. This includes in-wall cables for computers, television, home theater, whole-house audio, security and automation. On its face the habit makes sense. Many cables and outlets with all sorts of connectivity throughout the home for immediate and future needs. Structured wiring ready for TV, data, telephone, automation and security. What more could a homeowner want?

Less obvious when designing and building is that low voltage wires permanently embedded in your walls have real limitations in form factor and performance. This is not to say they’re poorly designed, rather that they sustain known performance requirements but fail to recognize how quickly the technology behind consumer electronics change.

Compare the life expectancy of any consumer electronic gadget to the lifespan of the home and a major mismatch becomes clear.

Disruption

In today’s residential design and construction community a welcomed shift toward sustainability is taking hold. As emphasized by the USGBC and NAHB, a key element in “green” construction is to minimize home energy consumption and conserve from there.

Using an integrative approach with collaboration between homeowners, architects, and builders, new homes are being right-sized with efficient climate control systems and building shell improvements including advanced insulation. Energy requirements reduced, conservation increased...a net gain in comfort with reduced carbon footprint.

So why be concerned with low voltage wiring?

It’s not the cables so much as the changes to those cables throughout the life of the home. We often rewire when new consumer electronics come to market. The process involves “snaking” behind sheetrock and within the stud cavity of the wall. While not obvious from the undisturbed surface, the process is destructive to properly installed insulation. Snaking wires through walls disrupts the insulation envelope creating voids, or thermal bridges, and opportunity for permanent heat energy escape. This works against modern principles of energy conservation in home design.

We Want Faster Wires

Like better transportation in the early twentieth century, faster wires will be necessary in the twenty-first, with continual upgrades throughout the life of the home.

To effectively answer this challenge, the home structure needs a way to rewire without disrupting its energy conserving nature. This is precisely what the eXapath™ in-wall cable pathways system from Homepath Products achieves. An idea that goes far beyond adding a cable chase from the attic to the basement or a few conduits in the walls.

eXapath is about homeowners and their needs.
It’s about adding the flexibility to rewire every wall.
It’s about the ability to adapt to the latest technology.
It’s about the flexibility to introduce technology from floor to ceiling.
It’s about adding outlets before or after drywall without disruption to the insulation envelope.
It’s about flexibility and choice.

Building Freedom and Flexibility for Modern Homeowners

We know the need to conserve energy is here to stay, and rightly so. Likewise, consumer electronics evolve and demand grows unabated.

Don’t just give homeowners what they want, give them what they need. Freedom and flexibility for a modern lifestyle. Choice.

Couple the integrative design/build approach emphasized by the USGBC and NAHB with eXapath. Play a role in shifting the latest paradigm.

Energy savings and replaceable cabling.

Coincidence...or Convergence?

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:54:00 +0000

Did you notice the recent announcement from Google about edging into the Internet Service Provider (ISP) space? This is earth-shattering stuff...viewed alongside other recent announcements from the tech world an interesting image of our near future emerges.

With this experiment, Google is giving incumbent ISP’s like AT&T, Qwest, Comcast, Cox and others a significant nudge in the direction of better, faster, richer, open internet service provision. A broadband notion that has been hotly debated but otherwise constipated for decades.

What This Could Mean For Us

The Google experiment targets between 50,000 and 500,000 people in the US with internet speeds of 1,000 Mbps (1Gigabit per second - 1Gbps)...roughly 100 times faster than most internet subscribers receive today...promising a reasonable price. From the announcement, Google divulges three key elements to their initiative. In their words:

Next generation apps: Google wants to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it's creating new bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services, or other uses we can't yet imagine.

New deployment techniques: They will test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, they will share key lessons learned with the world.

Openness and choice: They will operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers.

This is really powerful stuff...it places the traditional incumbent ISP business model of slow cable plant deployment with glacial and expensive ratcheting up of internet speeds in peril. Google’s stance will certainly turn heads and cause sleepless nights for those milking the US customer base for cash while the rest of the globe surges ahead in the bandwidth race.

Google mentions several “killer apps” in their blog including the ability to transfer full length BluRay movie files in under five minutes...enabled by 1 Gbps transfer speeds. Astonishingly fast relative to current DSL and Cable Modem ISP rates.

If we look at what else is happening in the world of technology the story becomes more interesting.

Enabling Technologies

A recent post, “Light Peak and You”, discussed Intel and their activity with emerging “Light Peak” optical technology. Intel is making fundamental changes to optical circuitry that promise orders of magnitude cost reduction compared to similar telecommunications grade devices.

Why is this a big deal?

Well, you may not recall when USB crept into every computer and peripheral...we hardly noticed it...but all now use USB and benefit as a result. “Light Peak” has the potential to do the same but with orders of magnitude performance enhancement and far greater physical reach. A game changer.

These advancements enable extremely fast data transfer between devices with greater distances (300 feet) than the latest in USB, version 3.0. The new chips are tiny with projected costs low enough to make sense in consumer electronics.

Remarkable performance. The Intel products will enter the market with speeds of 10Gbps and scale to 100Gbps within ten years. Targeting spaces within the home or office, that’s ten to one-hundred times faster than the transmission rates predicted by Google for long haul applications. Comparing these speeds with that of Google’s ISP plan suggests file transfer of the same BluRay sized files in seconds...not minutes.

What isn’t obvious is that the optical fiber Google relies upon for the long haul (intercity and directly to the home )applications is capable of similar speeds...by simply adding high speed transmitting/receiving equipment at the ends of the links. Therefore it’s conceivable to have similar speed on the Google network feeding incredibly rich content, on demand, across great distances, anywhere. Consumer choice.

Connecting the dots

Rumor mills are rife with suggestions that both Sony and Apple are courting Intel and the soon-to-be-released “Light Peak” chips...suggesting that their consumer electronics will soon offer staggering performance.

Lots to think about...lots going on in the world of technology. Some questions to mull over:

Is it a coincidence that 3D-HD (larger files than traditional BluRay) was all the rage at the recent Consumer Electronics Show? A technically savvy way to solve digital rights management hurdles and an astounding development for consumers to bring into the home.
How rapid is global data growth? The Data Deluge: Economist.com

How about Apple’s new iPad...a neat little handheld computer with a killer high resolution screen...what would it take to add a new “Light Peak” chip inside?

Would adding new chips to the Apple line of iMac and other desktop computers with cinema quality monitors be too difficult?

Sony? Well, they know a thing or two about high definition television...3D-HD production...and distribution of content.

NetFlix? They’re pioneering efforts to stream HD content...but limited by long-haul bandwidth. Still, they’re preparing to shift away from the mail order model toward more immediate gratification and value? Can 3D-HD be far behind?
Let's not forget Wal-Mart's recent announcement about the acquisition of Vudu...the web based HD movie streaming service...that'll require some pretty heavy bandwidth and high data rates.
NetFlix, Wal-Mart, Amazon, Apple, Hulu, Vudu, Lala, Blockbuster...streaming HD video battle lines forming - all will require massive broadban
CISCO's Big Announcement? A New Backbone Router for ISP's
Anne Eisenberg - NYTimes - An Express Lane from Camera to Computer

There are certainly more examples to raise...more dots to connect...but the same conclusion remains. In the end it comes down to an accelerating need for more bandwidth...bigger, faster pipes to carry rapidly expanding volumes of information...in the long-haul...and within the home.

Google’s project gets at removing a recognized bottleneck in the long-haul networks and encourages traditional players to accelerate their efforts. Once improved, the bottleneck itself will shift from outside to inside the home or building. It seems Intel is preparing for this with “Light Peak” and I suspect their direct customers (consumer electronics suppliers) will quickly follow suit. Ultimately, this means wiring upgrades within the home for applications we can’t even envision today. Evolution.

Are you familiar with the new eXapath™ system from Homepath Products?

Coincidence...or convergence?

The observations and opinions herein are that of the author, cofounder of Homepath Products LLC...with admiration for but otherwise no affiliation with any of the companies mentioned.

Part 3: Staggering, Remarkable, Stupendous!

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:57:00 +0000

Well, admittedly, it’s not cold fusion, perpetual motion, or antigravity...but this experiment has been worthwhile for the kids and also for Homepath Products. We’re pleased with results and they confirm our beliefs.

The experiment we’re running with the help of the kids delivered some interesting information...and an opportunity to learn more with further study.

For background on this project see the earlier posts, Part 1 and Part 2. The investigation answers an important customer question about how eXapath affects the energy conserving qualities of insulated walls.

Specifically - ”If that thing (eXapath) is in my wall displacing some insulation, what affect does it have on energy conservation?”

As described in the earlier posts, our test chamber sits outdoors and was designed to create a large temperature gradient between the warmth contained and the cooler outside air. Using a fully insulated cube (Demilec SEALECTION™ Agribalance sprayfoam insulation provided by USInsulation) with an incandescent light bulb as a heat source, we installed the eXapath™ in-wall cable pathway system within one wall and minimized air infiltration with commonly available firestopping caulk and putty. Doing so emulates a typical home installation (see photo), allowing us to determine the affect the eXapath system has on a fully insulated exterior wall.

Once the chamber was built and checked to ensure that everything worked properly, we set it outside, allowed it to stabilize, and began to examine how the system reacted with direct exposure to the cold New England weather. Given that insulation serves only to slow down the process of heat transfer we knew that all surfaces would allow some level of heat energy to escape. We predicted that the various materials making up the walls would generate unique surface temperature profiles and the experiment sets out to demonstrate that. To determine the differences we devised a method for logging the surface temperature for three distinct locations on the walls for comparison to the outside air temperature:

Intersection of eXapath, insulation and outer sheathing
Intersection of insulation and sheathing
Intersection of 2 x 6” stud and sheathing

For temperature readings we scanned (6:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 10:00 PM) the target areas daily on the outside surface of the chamber using a Ryobi Tek4 Professional Infrared (IR) Thermometer. The data was tabulated in a spreadsheet and compared to the internal and external air temperature as shown in the chart below.

Through the first four weeks of testing (tests ongoing) the internal temperature fluctuated between 75.3 and 102.5 ℉. The blue line on the chart shows the internal temperature.

During the same period the outside air temperature ranged from a low of 6.0 ℉ to a high of 53.9 ℉. The 100 Watt incandescent light bulb allowed us to drive a consistent level of energy into the test chamber and served to convert that electricity to heat. Consistent heat generation allowed the chamber itself to react to the external temperature...isolating insulation performance to the outside air temperature only. The large difference between the internal and external temperatures provided the strong temperature gradient necessary to force heat transfer to occur between the warm interior and the cool exterior.

The Bottom Line

As anticipated, all surface temperatures remained near to but slightly higher than the outside air temperature. It is hard to discern because the readings were all very close, but the lower line on the chart displays:

Outside air temperature
Surface temperature where eXapath, insulation, and sheathing intersect
Surface temperature where insulation and sheathing intersect
Surface temperature where 2 x 6” stud and sheathing intersect

The bottom lines, literally, show that the section of wall where the insulation displacing eXapath system is installed performs as well as sections of wall completely filled with insulation. This confirms the hypothesis that installing the eXapath system in the exterior walls of a sprayfoam insulated structure is not detrimental to the energy conservation of the structure itself. Slight variation was shown by each material but temperature profiles of each construction material combination were very close...almost indistinguishable graphically.

A Closer Look at the Data

To assess the relative performance of the various building material combinations we sorted the data table by outside temperature in descending order. Doing so helped to reveal the performance trends more clearly. After that, we compared the variance between the external temperature and the various building material combinations...this step amplified the reported results revealing a bit more about how each material fared relative to the others under test. In essence, the outside temperature records become a reference line (zero) and the temperature difference for all other materials is plotted against the external temperature to highlight performance differences.

The main finding with the second chart is that temperature variance, compared to external air temperature, falls largely above the blue reference line...slightly higher temperature than the outside air. This is what we expected to see given the large temperature gradient between inside and outside the chamber. In cases where the surface temperatures fell below the blue reference line there is a strong correlation to rising outside temperatures....in these instances we believe the temperature changes of the construction materials lagged behind the more rapidly rising outside air temperature.

The interesting point, and the primary purpose for running this test, is that the eXapath system shows no real performance degradation despite displacing some of the insulation within the wall.

Questions Remain

It should be noted that IR thermometers offer an accuracy of ± 1.5% compared to the actual reading. In addition, the operating range for the thermometer itself ranges from 30 to 122℉. While making measurements, care was taken to keep the temperature of the IR thermometer within the operating range recommended by the manufacturer to maximize accuracy.

The Experiment Continues

To confirm the trends revealed in the experiment and support the findings of the IR thermometer we are extending the experiment to verify our findings.

While having an energy audit performed at our site we asked Chris Rhodes of Right Angle Home Inspections, a Building Analyst certified by The Building Performance Institute (BPI) and certified Level 1 Thermographer, to use her FLIR B-360 Infrared Thermography Camera to evaluate the test chamber. Our hope was to create visual identification of thermal bridging occurring through the test wall of the chamber in order to show differences between building material combinations,

The photo to the right is an infrared image of the test chamber that reveals "hot spots" or areas where heat energy is leaking out of the chamber. For clarity we've labeled the positions where the eXapath system is installed, where only insulation exists, and where a 2 x 6" stud intersects with the outer plywood sheathing. This image confirms our findings.

The three small purple patches indicate the position of digital temperature sensors we've added for phase 2 of the experiment. In phase 2 we hope to generate more detailed information to gain a more precise understanding of the differences between each building material combination.

So the experiment continues...after our "furnace" burned out the kids and I peeled caulk from around the cover seam and removed the heavy lid...it provided the curious sensation of opening a sarcophagus. We added a new 100 Watt light bulb, replaced and resealed the cover, and are ready for phase 2 readings.

Please check back with us for more updates soon.

Part 2: Kids Don't Suffer Self Imposed Limits - We Can Learn From Them

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:30:00 +0000

This is part 2 of a series addressing the great questions customers ask.

As mentioned in an earlier post, we view this investigation as a unique way to bring science out of the classroom and into the real world. A way to engage the creative minds of our kids in a practical exercise that reinforces what they are learning in school while we answer a question that our customers have.

Whoa! Did You Say Hollow?

”If that thing is in my wall displacing some insulation, what affect does it have on energy conservation?”

The short answer is that the eXapath in-wall cable pathway system does not present a problem with energy conservation...but it’s a complex question that deserves thorough investigation and a complete response. Getting to that answer is, well, a science project in heat transfer, an adventure into the second law of thermodynamics.

Our Investigation

We assembled the gang, discussed the main question, and then probed more deeply, encouraging the kids to think of approaches to investigating the affect of the eXapath system on energy conservation.

The kids learned about home design and construction. We discussed framing, sheathing and all the stuff hidden in walls. Namely - insulation, drywall, vapor barriers, siding, wiring, pipes, vents, etc. We then discussed various heating systems and how insulation helps slow down the process of heat transfer from warm to cold...inside to outside during the cold winter months. To make it official I uttered “the second law of thermodynamics” one time only, noticed the kids eyes rolling, and reverted to energy conservation and the importance of efficiency in homes.

Much of the discussion revolved around insulation and how it takes advantage of the thermal properties of air to slow down heat transfer. We showed the kids several types of insulation including fiberglass batting, cellulose, and a relatively new form called sprayfoam. For our project we selected sprayfoam for its unique ability, when applied, to find its way into all cracks and voids that might otherwise allow air infiltration. The foam cures in minutes while trapping air and offers high R value (resistance to heat transfer). For this experiment we needed to emulate insulation in a full scale home so we contacted local insulation experts for advice.

Air that is moving or circulating is ineffective as insulation but “trapped”, “still”, or “dead” air offers good insulation. A key goal in construction and weatherization is to minimize air exchange or infiltration. With eXapath, the preferred installation includes firestopping caulk where the system penetrates the shoe or plate of a wall. In addition, the exposed eXapath pipe is blocked with a cap or pliable firestopping putty. An unintended benefit of firestopping is the creation of a closed system containing still air...a good insulator.

How Good is Good?

To answer the question of how the eXapath system affects an insulated wall we needed a way to control some variables and isolate the effect of the eXapath system. We turned to the kids for their ideas and were enlightened by their grasp of the complex variables involved...they truly see no limits.

The kids envisioned building an estate tricked-out with geothermal HVAC, solar photovoltaic electricity, wind power, abnormally thick walls to hold more insulation, a heated pool, horses, lots of horses...and a piranha infested moat.

I did my best to explain that their ideas were terrific but slightly beyond the scope of our plan and budget. After negotiating a bit we settled for an insulated 5 foot cube with 2 x 6” walls, floor and cover. For a heat source we opted out of geothermal and chose a top-of-the-line 100 Watt incandescent light bulb powered by mundane but readily available AC electricity. The idea is to create a strong thermal gradient between the warm internal temperature and the cooler outside air. We anticipated that the “system” would constantly fight to reach equilibrium as outside temperatures fluctuated and that by checking the temperature along the wall precisely where the eXapath was installed we would learn more about the affect of eXapath on energy conservation. In addition, using traditional framing, we could collect additional data from a wall section backed by only insulation and where a 2 x 6” stud met the sheathing. Doing so should allow us to compare traditional construction methods with those using the modern eXapath system.

Building the Chamber

All walls, floor and cover are modular and built by Bogaert Construction using 2x6” framing materials with 1/2” CDX sheathing. Local experts from USInsulation filled the modular wall cavities with 5 1/2 inches of Demilec Sealection Agrilbalance®, a 3/4 pound semi-rigid sprayfoam.

The six components (walls, floor, cover) were then assembled by the Homepath Products team, kids included.

We added the light bulb and installed an internal temperature sensor. After giving the system a dry-run to test the heat source and internal temperature sensor we sealed all internal joints with Great Stuff™. To minimize convection we added HILTI CP-618 firestopping putty to plug the exposed pipe of the eXapath system and then sealed all external seams with silicone caulking.

What We Expect to Find

For data collection and to allow meaningful comparison we plan to use a number of temperature sensors. One is housed inside the chamber to keep tabs on the internal temp and to verify that the heat source is still functioning. We also plan to monitor the outside air temperature. Ideally, the skin of the chamber should equal that of the outside air temperature, indicating that the insulation is 100% effective in conserving energy. The second law of thermodynamics tells us that heat transfer can never be stopped, only slowed down.

Therefore we expect readings from the skin of the chamber to be slightly higher than the outside air temperature. This will confirm that some heat is escaping through the materials within the walls. For external readings we plan to use an Infrared (IR) thermometer to monitor target markings for the wall section where eXapath, insulation only, and a 2 x 6” stud are located. The chamber itself is oriented so that the target wall faces north away from direct exposure to sunlight...this minimizes solar radiation as a variable in raising the skin temperature.

After the initial shakedown we moved the chamber outside into the cold New England elements and allowed it to stabilize for forty-eight hours. Once stablized we began logging temperature readings.

The testing is underway, please check part 3 of this series for interim results.

Part 1: Customers Ask Great Questions

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:28:00 +0000

Thoughts on jobs, kids, innovation, entrepreneurship...and our approach to economic recovery.

While writing this post I stumbled across a New York Times article written by Op-ed Columnist Thomas L. Friedman entitled “More (Steve) Jobs, Jobs, Jobs”. The piece resonated, inspiring me to take a short detour and disclose a bit more about what we’re up to at Homepath Products.

Friedman discussed federal policy-making concerning job creation through innovation. Paraphrasing, he suggests that the current administration should bolster job creation by stimulating our youth through creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. “What the country needs most now is not more government stimulus, but more stimulation. We need to get millions of American kids, not just the geniuses, excited about innovation and entrepreneurship again. We need to make 2010 what Obama should have made 2009: the year of innovation, the year of making our pie bigger, the year of ‘Start-Up America.’”

Friedman continues “to reignite his youth movement, he [President Obama] should make sure every American kid knows about two programs that he has already endorsed: The first is National Lab Day. Introduced last November by a coalition of educators and science and engineering associations, Lab Day aims to inspire a wave of future innovators, by pairing veteran scientists and engineers with students in grades K-12 to inspire thousands of hands-on science projects around the country...The president should also vow to bring the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, or NFTE, to every low-income neighborhood in America. NFTE works with middle- and high-school teachers to help them teach entrepreneurship. The centerpiece of its program is a national contest for startups with 24,000 kids participating. Each student has to invent a product or service, write up a business plan and then do it.”

In general I agree with Friedman. More innovation begets opportunity for success; more success stimulates innovation, in turn, growing the pie and fueling economic expansion. He presents some well conceived ideas echoing an industrial era economist named Joseph Schumpeter who espoused “creative destruction” and focused on the importance of entrepreneurs to strong economies. Friedman adds a noteworthy twist...that is to nourish the innovation and entrepreneurship process through exposure during youth. I find this compelling and believe it may help sidestep the tendency toward risk aversion that sets in with age. This notion parallels what we’re doing in our own small way here at Homepath Products.

For many reasons I traded in the security of corporate America to pursue this new venture called Homepath Products. One (of many) important goals was to spend more time with family. For years I noticed opportunities slipping away while I focused on career, a universal dilemma faced by all parents and those with aging forebears...a challenge with few good answers...part of life.

At Homepath Products we innovate, we experiment, we teach, we are a startup and our kids play a vital role in what we do and, perhaps more importantly, why we do it.

Reflecting on Friedman’s assertion that youth should be energized to nurture creativity and become entrepreneurial consider the following. Our kids also need opportunity to grasp the interconnected nature of things and events, to learn risk taking, and to become aware that they have a voice in matters seemingly beyond their sphere of influence...beneficial lessons for adulthood.

Many regular readers of this blog know that Homepath Products recently introduced the eXapath™ in-wall cable pathway system. With this innovation we aim to improve how homes are designed and built, complementing energy conservation while preparing the structure itself to change as consumer electronics evolve. Not an easy task when wires within walls compete for the same space as insulation.

To see where kids come into the picture you must first understand the product.

Energy Conservation and Upgradeability

One of the many features of eXapath is that, once installed and hidden by drywall, it can be located using a common density-based stud finder. This benefits the home or building owner by enabling the addition of outlets from floor to ceiling. After generations of occupancy the structure remains prepared to adapt when new consumer electronics come to market...without disrupting the insulation envelope.

In shallow inside 2x4” framing, outlets can be added from either side of the wall, in effect serving two rooms. Great for speaker wiring, HDTV, Mirror/TV’s, computer wiring, automation, that sort of stuff.

With deeper outside walls important questions come to light. Today, most exterior walls are built using 2x6” construction. The wall cavities are then completely filled with insulation, except where studs, wires, waste pipes, and electrical boxes reside.

Picturing the installation in an exterior wall, eXapath sits toward the inside of the cavity, in direct contact with drywall. Viewing the system from above note that eXapath has an “H” shape to accommodate our unique snap-in outlets.

With a footprint of 3 3/8” square, 2 to 3 inches of space is provided for insulation. Once installed, eXapath becomes a permanent hollow pathway for low voltage cables enabling moves, adds or upgrades at any time.

Whoa! Did You Say Hollow?

This is a good example of the great questions customers ask...and how they are asked:

”If that thing is in my wall displacing some insulation, what affect does it have on energy conservation?”

The short answer is that eXapath does not present a problem with energy conservation...but it’s a complex question that deserves thorough investigation and a more complete response. Getting to that answer is, well, a science project in heat transfer. A look into the second law of thermodynamics. So, we asked ourselves, in addition to a complete answer, what other benefit can come from this investigation?

Aligning with personal goals the question presents an opportunity for us to bring science out of the class room and into the real world. We’re asking our kids to participate in the exercise in order to help bring practice to much of what they learn in school. We’re involving them in problem definition, design of experiment, measurement, data collection, and analysis. With exposure to an academic project with real world implications, we hope the kids will appreciate that their studies do ultimately prepare them for bigger things. In this case we tie the learning to commonly discussed ideas like energy conservation and sustainability. The students vary in age and academic level but all study the basics including mathematics, global studies, earth science, language arts, etc. They’re actively learning of our interconnected world and often work with abstract problems in homework assignments. Their school teachers bring practice to lessons while reinforcing major points and we hope this magnifies their effort while adding more fun and meaning to the process.

Get ready kids!

Please checkout Part 2 of this series: Kids Don’t Suffer Self-Imposed Limits - We Can Learn From Them

For interim results, skip directly to Part 3: Staggering, Remarkable, Stupendous!

A Better Mousetrap

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:04:00 +0000

Fiddling with a new gadget inspired me to write this post. Less “techy” than the usual stuff, but a testament to what interests me and how I view value. Function, form, and simplicity.

We all know the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote “Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door”, right? There’s a company in the village of Lititz, Pennsylvania that’s been doing this for over a hundred years. You may not be familiar with the Woodstream Corporation but I’m sure you’ve come across their iconic products.

We know them as Victor® Metal Pedal mouse traps. Available at virtually every grocery, hardware store, and big box retailer, they are more prevalent, perhaps, than the mice they’re intended to catch. Simple and effective for over a century. I'm inspired when otherwise mundane products stand the test of time...and often wonder whether our society is too focused on immediacy. Have we become so fixated on "late and great", so focused on short-term results, that we've forgotten about lasting value and durability?

Each winter here in New England as the days get shorter, temperatures plummet and natural food sources become scarce. The relative warmth of our basement attracts a few unwanted guests, not many...and we do our best to keep it that way. To understand my relationship with these critters you first need to know a bit about my wife.

I adore her, she's truly a gem. She’s everything a person could desire in a spouse, a wonderful mom to our kids, a bright spot for me every day...and still tolerant of my antics after many years. Impressively fearless, I’ve discovered that she has one acute, dare I say irrational, fear.

Laissez-faireism

About five years ago we first saw evidence of mice in our basement. She discovered the signs...but clearly it was my problem. Do you know this feeling?

Midsummer, while enjoying a family vacation and visit with relatives on their farm in western Illinois, we marveled at vast golden wheat fields, an uncommon sight in our native Connecticut. The family time together was memorable. As a souvenir we “harvested” some of the beautiful grain to bring home. Artfully arranged, the wheat was proudly displayed on the mantle for several months.

As autumn turned to winter we decked our home for the holidays. Anticipating its return during the summer months we carefully stored the arrangement downstairs.

The mice were grateful...but far from gracious.

My wife suggested that I “take care of the problem.” I snapped-to, taking what I now recognize as a laissez-faire approach to ridding our home of these pests. I removed potential sources of food, blocked any access I could find, set a few traps, and experimented with various baits. How tough could this be?

On day two I checked my traps, learning that mice overlooked cheese in favor of peanut butter...Skippy® -no cholesterol and zero trans-fats. With care, I placed the quarry in an opaque grocery bag for the trip to the trash, emerging from the basement victorious like a Peacock displaying its plumage. Skilled hunter. Great protector. Problem solved.

On my way to the outside trash bin I boastfully announced “Hey, bagged eight of ‘em!”, carefully closing the door behind me before returning minutes later.

After peeling my wife from the ceiling it occurred to me that her initial challenge was orders of magnitude greater than I realized,. An “aha” moment. Now I truly understood her. Late night sentry duty; dark, damp, cold basement; motionless in my lawn chair; full camouflage; night vision goggles; air pistol charged and ready. Fully aligned with her notion of “take care of the problem”!

A wife possessed - husband obsessed

I bought more traps, plugged more gaps, and scoured the area, eliminating all traces of edible material. After the initial catch my success rate dropped to near zero. Dutifully, I baited and set traps, often snapping my own fingers in the process, and always with the eerie sensation of being watched. I noticed that most of the traps remained set but bait was disappearing. Certain that peanut-butter didn’t evaporate, I recognized that these crafty little beasts had outsmarted the great hunter. So I did what every self-respecting husband does...and blamed the traps. Now desperate but determined, I experimented with the Victors to understand how they actually worked...looking for design issues along the way. How flawed could these things be? Heck, they’ve been flying off the shelf for more than a century.

Fast Forward to this Winter

Now my annual ritual as the cold sets in, I shopped for new traps, hoping to get a jump on this years batch of mice before they had the upper hand. There on the shelves was my favorite brand. Similar in appearance to the tried-and-true but, lo and behold, a difference. What was this new yellow platen “thingy” in place of the old stamped and formed copper bait pedal? Giddy, I had to have some...exciting stuff in my world.

Enter the Victor Easy Set® Mouse Trap. A new era. Could it be...a better mouse trap?

I bought a few and rushed home to investigate. On close inspection the improvements were obvious. Shifting from the stamped and formed copper pedal to an engineered, molded platen, designers had added important new features:

Larger platen, more surface area, improved likelihood of triggering
Longer platen, greater leverage, less force required for triggering
Dual settings, elective sensitivity for triggering, what every mouse hunter wants
Pre-scented to attract prey, how cool is this?

Seemingly minor changes to a single component dramatically improved the benefits for me, the end user. Easier to set, more likely to trigger...a better mouse trap. Oh, and made in USA including a sustainable shift to managed forestry products.

Being a veteran of product development, I guess I’m sensitive to these little changes and have developed an appreciation for the effort that goes into them. Countless cross-functional team meetings, concept proposals, design reviews, budget debates, tooling discussions, intellectual property filings, materials assessments, prototyping, testing, focus groups, pre-production evaluations, etc.

Tremendous effort and planning result in products that simply work better and the process of design holds real beauty for me.

A Better Mousetrap

This story reminds me of a query from colleagues at RemodelCrazy. RemodelCrazy is a web forum where remodelers, builders and related industry talent gather to discuss issues relevant to home construction markets. I encourage readers to review, participate, and witness the passion these artisans have for their work and the pride with which they exchange information and operate.

The RemodelCrazy question: “Tell us why you developed the eXapath™ system. Was it out of necessity or did you see a way to fill a void in the market?”

Why - do we do it that way?

While not chasing mice in my basement I scurry around running a start-up company called Homepath Products LLC. We produce the eXapath system. This new product was developed from the standpoint of the homeowner in need of energy conserving structural design and also the flexibility to adapt to emerging consumer electronics technologies. eXapath is an innovative in-wall low voltage cable pathway that integrates seamlessly during construction and renovation, providing the flexibility to move , add or upgrade low voltage cables without major disruption. It’s revolutionary and provides a great example of the product development process...the art of building something better. eXapath addresses a latent need that most homeowners realize after they’ve occupied a space for some time...at which point it’s a painful oversight...too late and very expensive to work around.

For eXapath we asked “why do we do it that way?” about traditional home wiring and rejected the pat answer “because we’ve always done it that way”. Specifically, we address a key difference between electrical wiring (line voltage) and the low voltage wires used for things like cable TV, whole-house audio, data networks, home theater, media room, security, automation, etc.

Think about it. Compared to the life expectancy of the home, the wiring for electric power changes little, therefore, permanent installation makes good sense.

Conversely, low voltage wiring, the technology we get most of our information and entertainment through, changes often and is expensive and difficult to move, add or upgrade when installed permanently. Add to this the tightness of better insulated homes and changing permanently installed wires becomes even more difficult and costly.

Why not build homes that are energy conserving AND ready for technological change?

eXapath enables you to do this.

There’s a lot more to the story, including features of the eXapath design that benefit home designers; builders; installers; and foremost, the homeowners themselves. Click here for a new paper explaining the system and see what’s in it for you. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. If you're curious about energy conservation and the eXapath system be sure to read this.

Function, form, simplicity, and benefits that last as long as the home.

(for the record these are my own opinions and observations, I am not associated with any company or product named in this article other than those related to Homepath Products LLC)

Forgotten...Not Gone

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:58:00 +0000

(Please dedicate time to read this post completely and investigate each link within. There’s a story here that needs to get out and I’m unable to do it justice in a simple blog posting. Your help is needed)

2009 has been a wild year for my family, me, and many others.

We started a new company with a new idea and launched the effort during the most challenging economic climate in many decades. Putting it mildly, the stress has been high, the stakes higher, and uncertainty higher yet. We’re not alone in being challenged. Our hurdles pale in comparison to those of many others.

Epic disaster

Do you remember Hurricane Katrina from August 29, 2005? Seems like a long time ago doesn’t it? Apparently the event is no longer newsworthy as I don’t recall a mainstream story about it for some time. I just figured most were back on their feet and continuing to recover. Out of sight, out of mind.

Besides, we’re in a recession, fighting two wars, hotly debating healthcare reform, and unemployment is up. Collectively, we’re trying to figure out how to get through it all.

How wrong I was.

I stumbled across @katrinasos on Twitter. A new “avatar” attempting to create a voice by way of social media. As I often do, being a veteran of business and witness to the cold ways of the world, I chalked it up to just another scam, almost dismissed it. I don’t know why, but I clicked their link...opening a portal into one family’s drawn-out struggle to recover from a disaster most of us have forgotten. Hardship...or scam?

Stark reality and a testament to courage

Very skeptical, I began to investigate the story and asked a few close friends to do the same. I checked out their blog and learned a bit more of their considerable plight. Racket...or simply victims of dire circumstance?

A picture emerged. A fairly young family with Jason and Sadie at the helm, prideful parents of five children. Both web development educators, scraping together finances to feed the family and rebuild their lives by teaching at competing community colleges near the Mississippi coast. What’s left of their home sits roughly twenty miles inland and about eighty feet above sea level. High enough to avoid the storm surge, but too close to avoid the devastating winds of Katrina, or escape the fine print of home insurance contract language. Notably above sea level, unlike many of Katrina’s victims...but ineligible for most government assistance programs. Viewing desperation as defeat...but remaining undefeated, a strong family, heroically facing the challenge of rebuilding after having their home erased by the storm...more than four years ago. If you’re feeling the pinch of the great recession, imagine handling it as a footnote to Katrina.

We’ve all heard of “falling through the cracks” right? Well, their story provides a clear example of how that can happen...to anyone.

Still...skeptical.

Trapped, at wit’s-end, creatively clearing hurdles

So, what do you do when you’re caught in the tangled and intricate web between mortgage contracts, inadequate and confusing homeowners insurance, inaccessible disaster assistance, family obligations, and mother nature? That’s the scenario...and this family is finding ways to persevere.

When all else fails

The combination of their Twitter presence and blog is an open appeal for help...any help. Please note that the appeal is a last resort. They need building materials (even scraps happily accepted), moral support, legal guidance, volunteered labor, tools and, of course, money.

My thoughts began to shift...how could I help? Having just started a new company I have little to offer. What’s the right thing to do? Is this for real?

Meet the Heberts: One family climbing back from Katrina.

Imagine storm-taping the windows, shoring up loose objects in the yard, and departing to ride out a hurricane? Then returning to find remnants of what was a happy home, life’s greatest investment, and a half-decade long scrape back to normality?

After introduction through Twitter a few emails were exchanged. I did some more investigating, scoured the web for news stories related to Sadie and Jason...found none. I also used Google Earth and Maps to verify location, matching site facts to what appeared in their blog and the associated Flickr photo site. All matched. Either a very well orchestrated ruse or, perhaps, truth to their tale?

Empathic but still skeptical, I contacted Jason by phone. We spoke at length as he proudly described details of their project. Designs prepared personally, out of necessity, with great thought and caring for the needs of the family. A level of detail I simply wouldn’t expect from someone attempting to make off with free building materials.

Jason was happy to share, his angst evident, as he recounted the setbacks of unscrupulous contractors who escaped with their construction funds leaving shoddy results, major rework, and mounting expenses. He stumbled through the chronology of events choking back emotion a number of times. I witnessed a proud man, a husband and devoted father, doing everything within his power to right the foundering ship. I ended the call believing this was simply a family trying to get through it, and disappointed at my own cynicism.

This “avatar” has a voice, personality, kindness and emotion...like people we all know...enduring...prevailing.

Veneration.

It’s how you respond that matters.

In the Hebert’s I found a strong couple shouldering massive burden. Probably like many others in the region affected by Katrina...no longer newsworthy...but still scratching their way toward a better existence.

Resilient. They continue to respond despite numerous setbacks and entrapment under crushing conditions. The Hebert’s are making a go of it. Digging deeper than many in this bountiful country can, or should, understand. Doing what they can to carry on...with an arduous path ahead. They’re sharing their plight, documenting progress, even providing tips so that others might avoid going similar circumstance. Decent souls.

We can help.

At Homepath Products we produce the eXapath™ in-wall cable pathway system. It’s a practical building subsystem that enables modification to or upgrading of low voltage cables, even after the walls are closed up. Ideal here because it allows the addition of wall outlets, from floor to ceiling, providing flexibility for the Hebert’s to easily add or upgrade at a future time.

Given the stage of reconstruction eXapath is a good fit and within our means to supply. We’ve donated the system, it solves a problem...it will help the Hebert’s...we wish we could offer more.

We can help in other ways...you can too.

Along with donating products we’re hoping to use the connected nature of the internet to help get their story out. We encourage others to do the same.

Check out the Hebert’s blog, decide for yourself. If you feel their cause is worthy, consider contacting them with help of your own. At minimum, please share the story with others who may be more able to help.

Thanks for taking time to read this post and considering the needs of one family, not forgotten...and far from gone.

Enjoy the holiday season.

Change...Why Fight it When You Can Master It?

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:51:00 +0000

Stuff

Let’s face it, we acquire plenty of stuff. As we amass belongings the value seems obvious. Once gathering dust, its relevance diminishes. It just happens. Making the time to organize, donate, sell, recycle or otherwise dispose of it takes effort...and the activity always seems timed precisely with more pressing issues...like yard work or filling out tax forms. So it grows...leading to “need” for larger spaces. If you really think about the “stuff” we collect, and assess it from a needs versus wants standpoint...much of the “stuff” offers little value. Once we have unnecessary stuff, the dilemma of disposal enters. Clutter. Why start?

Like tropical fish, our footprint grows to the size of the aquarium we swim in...or something like that. I’m not suggesting that we live in confinement but I do recommend that, when planning our spaces, a thorough review of needs is more sensible than defaulting to anticipated overspill.

Thoughtful remodel planning with firms like Myers Constructs in Philadelphia can lead to more efficient use of existing space, improved functionality, and greater long term satisfaction. Spending the time and effort to plan up front helps us get back to important issues like living. You’ve probably heard the maxim “We didn’t have time to do it right the first time, but we found the time to do it again.” Investing in a considerate plan before the first nail is mashed avoids this, improves value, and leads to a more satisfying result. Planning.

Change

There was a time when I burned my calories planning for everything...attempting to think of all potential risks and control the environment in which I lived and worked. This futile effort at girding myself and family against change inevitably became a limitation. The great protector. With time and maturity the notion that change is inevitable was obvious. Have you had these thoughts?

I’m still a planner, but the simple act of embracing change proved eye opening and invigorating. I shed much of the accumulated clutter, materially and emotionally, and began following a path more suited to the needs of my family and me. Change is good, bring it!

Some change is scary...some invigorating

Our society endures tumultuous change on many levels. Daily we’re faced with recessionary pressures, terrorist threat, employment instability, multiple war efforts, healthcare reform and a political system that divides us. (Remember “United we stand, Divided we fall”?) Lots to think and worry about.

Fortunately there are many examples of optimistic change...an area I prefer to spend time and energy on. One that relates directly to my occupation is a shift in how people value living space. As I build rapport with others in the home construction marketplace, it seems there is a desire, if not a trend, to simplify, to rid excess, to eliminate clutter. A shift in value from a life of “things” to a life of “living”. I’m optimistic.

Change can be scary and difficult...anything that stretches you is. Expanding your comfort zone is worthwhile and often leads to improvement, change for the better. Embrace it, build confidence, then add value for those around you. Are these changes where your next great opportunity rests?

Spaces

I’m inspired by the work of accomplished architects and designers. They constantly challenge themselves to consider the function and artistry of spaces. Beyond aesthetics, they reconcile the impact their work has on its surroundings and this extends to the broader environment. Social responsibility in design. A good direction, positive change, but daunting to resolve.

I often cite and recommend to homeowners Sarah Susanka, prescient architect and author, noted for her work and insights on quality over quantity.

From The Not So Big House, A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live I borrow the passage. “Given how rapidly technological change is occurring, it is crucial that we figure out a way to accommodate change without having to tear out and throw away substantial portions of the house in the process....The house of the future will be designed so that unpredictable, changing technology can be integrated into the building without sacrificing aesthetics....We can be certain that conservation and maintainability are issues that will continue to have value.”

Like a kid in a candy shop

For today’s homeowner, venturing into a remodel or new home project is akin to being the kid in that candy shop. With so many problem solving solutions to choose from and availability of information through the World Wide Web, design options are staggering. The need for authoritative design guidance has never held more value.

Home design is transforming. Here are just a few examples where major strides have occurred:

High function, multipurpose spaces
Living areas sized to satisfy needs while minimizing energy waste associated with unusable space
Geothermal climate control systems borrowing energy from within the earth itself to augment heating and cooling, reducing carbon footprint and lowering operational costs
Improved sprayfoam insulation that optimizes R-value and mitigates energy sapping convection
Home automation technology constantly monitoring climate and lighting within the home, learning and optimizing to the needs of the occupants
Media rooms and entertainment systems intelligently serving up “atmosphere” for listening enjoyment or full theater-like experience
Web accessibility through wired and wireless systems

The list goes on.

The point is to acknowledge that new materials, equipment, systems and knowledge provide fertile ground for improved design on an infrastructure level. Assembling them in functional, aesthetic and budget conscious plans require the experience that talented design professionals offer. Value worth paying for.

Ideas + action = enhanced value

Ideas. With every wave in progressive home construction, opportunity for innovation swells.

At the moment the “sizzle” in home design and construction trends toward more sustainable practices. Rightly so, and long overdue. Efficient energy generation, consumption, and management systems are flooding the market. Integral with this are advanced insulating materials and techniques like sprayfoam. The resulting “tighter” construction endows the homeowner with permanently reduced operating costs. Viewed globally we all benefit through minimized carbon footprint relative to traditional approaches. Idea and action...a good start in solving a pressing problem. (click here for a revealing five minute walking tour through your own carbon footprint)

The problem

Despite impressive energy savings with better insulation, a new and pressing problem is inadvertently created. To efficiently insulate a home, insulation fills all voids within the wall cavities. Open and closed-cell sprayfoam insulation is well suited to the task of flowing into and expanding within hard-to-reach spaces.This leaves little or no possibility for air transfer, which, for minimizing convection, is a very good thing. However, these advanced foams also flow around installed wires and open-backed low voltage media outlets. When it comes time to install or maintain wired subsystems, this is a major headache.

Do you believe that consumer electronics are done changing?
Is it reasonable to expect low voltage wiring changes in the future?
Does it make sense to embed today’s wiring technology in the walls, limiting your ability to move, add or upgrade cables in the future?

That’s the way it’s done

“The way we’ve always done it.” At best, when using traditional approaches to handling wires in walls, you’re left with cables permanently stapled to the studs within your walls and having to “fish” new wires in as modern consumer electronics come to market.

Reframe the problem, think differently, develop value. Electronic gadgetry is here to stay. Staggering advances occur every year. Can you envision life without a TV, a computer, a DVR or an iPod? Probably not...but just ten years ago the answer would likely have been a resounding yes....well within the life expectancy of any new home.

If you’re considering new home construction or major remodeling, ask your design expert to help you create effective living space. While you’re in there, be sure to consider the inevitable need to add consumer electronics technology in step with your changing needs and desires. Prepare the space for how you will live in it.

Change....why fight it when you can master it?

For readers who are unfamiliar with Homepath Products and our innovative system called eXapath™ here is a brief summary. We’re very new and we solve an emerging problem.

While You're In There...

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:31:00 +0000

Nascent opportunities for architects, builders and remodelers

Sustainability. Hard to define...easy to toss around in conversation.

I’m actively learning about sustainability. As I delve in, what becomes clear to me, is that I know a fair amount...but my proficiency pales in comparison to what remains for me to learn. Do you know this feeling?

Like chaos theory, with sustainability everything is connected, and the relationships aren’t always obvious. Definitions vary. All point to us changing behavior and minimizing environmental affect to support our existence. Heady stuff at an academic level. Practically, being sustainable goes to individuals and the choices we make. Responsible choices. Part of it is doing the unselfish thing; part of it the economical thing; often the sensible thing; sometimes the more time-consuming thing; usually...choosing the right thing. The cool part is that we all play an important role...and impact the result.

Sustainability means challenging assumptions, questioning “the way we’ve always done it”. It connotes openness to new ideas; scrutiny of materials; knowledge of supply chain; affect of transport used to deliver goods and services; awareness of energy consumed in production and use; and appreciation for the waste stream created by consumption, operation, and eventual disposal. So, if you believe your choices have no connection to sustainability, think again.

Increasingly, consumers link sustainability to the value stream, and businesses, at long last, are responding. Sustainability is the proverbial train leaving the station...it takes moxie to get aboard and there is still time to climb on. Click here for more thoughts on the journey.

Emerging technology and adaptability. Think back a few decades and recall what you did for fun and excitement. Whatever it was, it probably did not include streaming music, sharing Blu-ray movies, an iPod tethered to your ear, a mobile phone with more computing power than the first moon landing, or networked games...pitting your skills, in real time, against friendly opponents on a far-flung continent. Technology, once feared as a catalyst for the demise of personal interaction...effortlessly connects people in more ways than imagined. Fortifying.

Consumer electronics, spurred by rapid advancements in technology, have fundamentally changed personal interaction and how we spend our professional and leisure time. Recreation often happens at home...and the adoption of technology there will accelerate. Do you design and build with that in mind?

While you’re in there...

By “design and build with that in mind” I don’t suggest that you become expert in and recommend electronics or that you prewire with unnecessary cables. Rather, I propose that you approach projects with heightened awareness of shifting homeowner needs. If you’re going to be “in the walls”, then consider newly available products that enable generations of technology adoption while complementing present energy conservation needs.

A single example. Mirror/TV’s. Have you seen these yet? Elegant in their approach, this new equipment takes advantage of the latest thin LED monitor technology. They hang on the wall as you would expect, offering many different frames to blend with decor. With the push of a button they morph into high definition television monitors worthy of true home theater experience. The new devices boast energy conserving LED technology, allow homeowners to reclaim entertainment center space, and remain unobtrusive when not in use. Just a few of the hidden benefits for the homeowner...awkward to wire for once the walls are closed up.

When you tackled your last project did you consider the foreseeable need for homeowners to upgrade? A value-enhancing opportunity for you? Perhaps.

Set Yourself Apart

Homeowners expect value more than ever. Dig deeper. Get familiar with the most efficient climate control technologies. Go beyond installed costs by understanding the qualitative advantages of each approach and market the experience to the homeowner. Couple that with knowledge of today's energy conserving materials and guide customers to decisions they will be proud to advertise. Add value...be different. Take them a step further and include everlasting technology adoption through systems that are practical today, prepared for tomorrow™.

Risk? Return? Are you insane?

We all grasp the idea of risk and return. You take a bigger risk for the potential of greater return...accepting the notion that failure is possible, right? Well, even in this crazy economy, the risk/return tenets remain valid...and timing, as always, is key.

It’s been about two years since the economy tanked and there are early signs of improvement. This begs the rhetorical question “when is the right time to start taking calculated risks?”. Another way to view the problem is to ask yourself whether the risk of inaction outweighs the perceived risk itself. While pondering your risk tolerance, consider Albert Einstein’s words: “insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result.” So if you, like many, are naturally hunkered down perhaps now is the best time to rise and commence the next charge.

While you’re in there...be entrepreneurial, take a small chance, rise above it all. Provide a better alternative to your competition. Leave customers more satisfied knowing that they got what they asked for...plus the added value of an integrated solution supporting unplanned needs. Elevate your business by exceeding customer expectations in concrete ways.

Bits, Bytes, and Speed...Whoop-de-doo!

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:56:00 +0000

10Gb/s to start...scalable to 100Gb/s, so what?!

In this age, it seems we’re drawn into a world of digi-speak, constantly inundated with impressive sounding jargon that can leave us baffled. Couple this with sustainability, and the subject matter quickly overwhelms.

In a recent post, I marveled at the notion of using fiber optics within the home. Intel’s announcement about its “Light Peak” technology buoyed a significant market buzz.

Their claim of a 10 Gigabit per second (Gb/s) data rate is surely impressive...and technically achievable...

...but what does this really mean for us consumers?

To grasp it, we start by defining a term that entered the lexicon in the late 1940’s. Bit. I consulted with Merriam-Webster and learned that, in computer speak, a binary digit (bit) is a unit of information expressed as either a 0 or 1, a yes or no. It follows that a bit rate is the number of bits per second that can be transmitted in a digital system. A Byte is equal to 8 bits. So, there’s our baseline. (Click image for a "bit" of fun - pdf download)

Times change us

Today, I use a digital SLR camera. It works well, it is fairly new, but seriously out of date. Such is technology...and so much for that 20 MB hard drive...one photo on my adolescent camera takes up about 3 MB...therefore my venerable Mac SE would struggle to store just 7 photos. It’s comforting to know that the memory card for the camera holds about 700 photos. My latest computer holds more...and I no longer need to use caustic chemicals, paper, and physical storage for them. A “bit” of sustainability, perhaps?

Do you like Blu-ray?

Blu-ray is the latest consumer electronics video technology making the rounds. When High Definition (HD) reared its head a need to dramatically increase the amount of data stored on a plastic disc rose along with it. Blu-ray gets its name by making use of a shorter wavelength, 405 nanometer blue-violet laser, to squeeze more digital storage on those discs. So how much can one hold?

Well, first we need to make the leap from Mega to Giga. Mega, as used above, indicates million. So a Megabyte (MB) of storage is enough to hold a million bytes. Giga means billion, or one-thousand times greater than Mega...a dual-layer Blu-ray disc holds about 50 Gigabytes (GB). A whole lot.

Improved storage capacity helps. It means more intricate gaming, richer HD movies, HD-3D feature presentations, high quality audio files, etc. We all find ways to benefit from these technologies.

We’ve come a long way...largely resulting from technological development and superb engineering. It is nice being able to take these things for granted.

We’re social, we share

If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re a regular on the internet, you participate in social media, and are accustomed to sharing your digital stuff. So, when we have the latest killer app...as social creatures...we get the urge to share it.

Whether you’re streaming music, sharing a photo, or watching football on the web...data rate is all important to you. The faster the rate the better the quality of sound or music, and the quicker the files transit from the source device to the receiving device. Simple stuff really...the amazing part is how far this portion of the digital world has come...but we are really only at the leading edge of where it will go.

Rates are the rage

Have you experienced that sense of frustration while using services like YouTube? You know, so easy to share, but the quality just doesn’t compare to your Blu-ray gear? Is it reasonable to expect better quality through web services like YouTube, NetFlix, Blockbuster, Amazon, or Wal-Mart. You bet!

Together, science and industry have solved the immediate issues related to data storage, computing power, and high resolution viewing. Now, it’s about moving data from place-to-place fast enough to support the quality we’ve come to expect.

We use external (public) networks to connect our homes to the internet. Terms like Dial-Up, DSL, Cable, and Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) describe these. Once the signal enters the home we use “private” networks, linking computers and consumer electronics gadgets to each other. These are often described as Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and WiFi. The modem is the equipment sitting between them doing yeoman’s work to translate. It’s what allows the outside and inside networks to converse. Whether external or private, the names designate the speed at which they transfer data.

A disconnect. We enjoy the sound and vision experience delivered through Blu-ray equipment. We also like the convenience of content sharing through services like YouTube...but still we come away somewhat frustrated with the lack of rich viewing experience. Why?

Well, by today’s standards, asking the network to transfer a Blu-ray file efficiently is like asking my old Mac SE to serve up an entire photo library, while playing music, surfing the web, and processing words. The desire is there but the hardware isn’t. Sorry old Mac SE..to the dust bin...errrrr, I mean recycler.

Who has hours to wait?

Perspective...take a Blu-ray file. For arguments sake, assume it has a size of 25 GB...that’s roughly 200 billion bits. Huge by today’s standards...likely relegated to “small” five years from now. If you crunch the numbers, sending that by Dial-Up would take...get this...42 days.

Now try the same thing, but use today’s enhanced web services like Verizon FiOS®, AT&T U-verse℠ or Comcast®. The data rates vary by service, but all enable you to transfer the file in a matter of hours. But still who has hours to wait?

Across the US, a movement toward faster broadband is afoot. The players listed above, along with many others, are investing in new plant and equipment to address this bandwidth bottleneck.

In a few short years, transferring the same file on the public network will happen in a matter of seconds. This is leading to new business models by NetFlix, Blockbuster, Amazon and Wal-Mart who see a future where customers shift away from “order online/wait for delivery” to a more sustainable, and profitable, approach where ordering and delivery are instantaneous. There is no packaging to dispose of, far less fuel consumed, instant gratification. Sustainability we can all participate in. What’s not to like?

The shifting bottleneck

The private network...the piece we control...will need to accommodate these changes. Homes are built to last...but are significantly outpaced by technologies they’re asked to adopt. When planning a renovation or a new home focus on energy conservation and use sustainable practices, but consider the technology changes the structure will be asked to make.

Avoid violating the insulation envelope when moving, adding to, or upgrading cables to support new consumer electronics. Plan for periodic upgrades to the wiring and build for change. Homepath Products is bridging the gap between broadband and home construction™ with the eXapath™ in-wall cable pathway system, preparing homes to take full advantage of what the future may hold.

That’s value that doesn’t bite.

Intel's "Light Peak" and You

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Imagine downloading a full length, high definition 3D feature film in several seconds. Picture an entire music library transferred, all of your home’s HD videos exchanged, or a complete hard drive backed up to a remote and safe location . . . instantly. We are heading in that direction, and it will happen well within the life expectancy of most homes being built today.

To some these claims may seem outlandish, but remember how, just a few short years ago, you marveled at your first low-resolution digital camera, and the space-aged ability to save photographs electronically . . . easily sharing them with friends by way of mailed CDs.

Fiber in the Home?

Kudos to Intel for planning beyond next week . . . and for thinking big. To see what I am talking about click here: ”Light Peak to Connect Consumer Devices at Record Speed”

The recent announcement of Intel “Light Peak” technology refers to an optical fiber that is 125 µm (microns) wide, roughly the thickness of a human hair. This notion of using strands of glass to route high speed signals within your home may impress, or . . . it may panic you.
In this post, we’ll explore this declaration a bit more in an attempt to clarify what it may imply. (Skip to the end for the takeaways or read on if you’re curious to understand what all is behind it.)

Everyone has a secret desire to know about photons

Not all optical fibers are created equal. And the video tells us only that the fiber has a diameter of 125µm. As with most technologies, there are many variations, but here we will discuss only the two most likely. The 125µm dimension refers to the fiber’s “cladding.” It has a name; so it must do something; right? In this case, the cladding is a layer of glass surrounding the core of the optical fiber, and enables the fiber to guide light. Having a slightly different chemical structure than the core, cladding reflects light trying to escape the core back into, and along the length of the fiber. Think of cladding as a mirror surrounding the entire length of fiber. The “core” of the fiber also plays a vital role. It’s the central region of the optical fiber where light is transmitted . . . the business-end . . . where you want to capture light, keep it, and efficiently move it along. Of the two fibers we will discuss, one has a 50 µm core, and is called multimode; the second with a very small core, roughly 8.3 µm, is referred to as singlemode. (In the interest of full disclosure please be aware that plastic optical fiber [POF] exists and could be used in this application. As more about “Light Peak” is disclosed we may expand on POF.) Above, a techno-zinger called “mode” sheepishly inserted itself within the text. It is important too. But what is a mode? Well, in optical terms, it simply means “a pathway for light”.

Stay with me here-all of this is leading up to an important takeaway . . .

To fully appreciate modes, you need to envision how fibers work. The goal is to couple light from a source directly into the core of the fiber. Within the core, you’ll find these modes, or pathways. As a light source turns on, it produces a pulse – a short duration burst of photons. Think of a “photon” as a particle of light and the pulse as a cloudburst of photons. Squeeze that into the end of the fiber, and send it on its way with all photons selecting their own “modes” to follow within the core. So, if you have a multimode fiber, a reasonable assumption is that it has multiple modes within its core. (You can imagine light bouncing along inside the fiber over its length.) There are thousands of modes within a 50µm core, each mode creating a slightly different path length from the start of the optical fiber to its end. Photons enter the fiber simultaneously — like a mass start in a mountain bike race. By traveling on modes of differing path lengths, they arrive at the other end at slightly different times, effectively stretching the pulse out over the length and enabling them to blend into one another. Referred to as modal dispersion, this is the primary limitation for data transmission in multimode fiber. Modal Dispersion limits the fiber for 10Gb/s transmission to a distance of about 1,800 feet.

If “multi” modes lead to signal spreading, and limit the speed and distance for data transmission…is it possible to improve performance by reducing the number of modes?

As the name implies, singlemode allows only a single pathway or mode. This is achieved by reducing the diameter of the core. With only one pathway, pulse spreading cannot occur … accordingly, there are no practical limits on data rate or distance with singlemode fiber. (For those living in Verizon FiOS or Telus territory…this singlemode stuff is what’s being connected to your home…so they’ve got you well covered for internet service upgrades for quite a while.) From the Intel announcement, we know the “Light Peak” solution will be incredibly fast, scalable, and capable of greater distances than practically necessary within the home. This technology may be incorporated in consumer electroncis as early as 2011.

Takeaways:

Other characteristics of optical fiber that may influence Intel’s investigation:

Optical fiber is completely immune to the effects of radio frequency and electromagnetic interference. Not only does this support tremendous performance, it greatly simplifies cable placement . . . . Running optical fiber in parallel and proximal to line voltage wiring would not affect the data signal whatsoever.

Decades of fiber draw and coatings process improvements, coupled with stringent proof-testing practices by manufacturers, produce optical fibers that are no longer fragile.

Optical fibers are customarily packaged in small diameter flexible cables for easy handling.

With no metallic components, fiber optic cables function well to isolate sensitive equipment from electrical surges.

“Light Peak” is positioned as a likely improvement to USB technology. This raises the question of powering devices. The optical fiber itself cannot carry electrical power but a hybrid cable containing optical fiber and metallic conductors can easily be produced, providing the benefits of higher data performance, extended length, and power.

Much of Intel’s activity leans on their expertise in chip design and production

Success with the “Light Peak” project will show Intel’s design and production strengths through fast, economical, reduced-energy optical chips. Consumers will benefit as a new era of electronics is ushered in: expect generations of enhanced consumer electronics, applications to run on them, and dramatic content improvements. Reach beyond Intel and recognize the trend to dramatically increase broadband speeds through Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) initiatives by Verizon, AT&T, Cincinnati Bell, Telus and many municipalities. The notion of 10Gb/s data rates directly from internet service providers is technically feasible now, and may be commercially pragmatic in a few short years. What does this mean for the consumer? Better, faster, cheaper… Rather than connecting devices with a short USB cord, you may be using optical cables or some hybrid of the two. We know technology evolves quickly so when we design and build homes we must anticipate progress. And a simple change like extended distance opens opportunity for improved home design. Envision a day when optical fiber replaces Cat5e and coaxial cables within the walls . . . and take comfort knowing that new building systems like eXapath™ are now available. They integrate seamlessly during construction, complement energy conserving insulation, and prepare the structure for generations of change in consumer electronics technology.

We’ve come so far…and the journey has just begun.

Related links:

Intel's new fiber-optic cables promise speed boost - Steven Johnson - San Jose Mercury News

More on the chemistry and physics making advances like Intel's Light Peak economical: MIT: New germanium laser better for computing.

Interesting Facts about Light Peak directly from Intel: Direct link to pdf download.

Video comments from Intel: CES 2010

Paul Otellini, CEO of Intel at ”CES 2010: Amid the USB 3.0 announcements at CES, Otellini pushed Intel's faster Light Peak technology. The standard is claimed to transfer data at 10 gigabits per second, downloading an entire Blu-ray disc in 30 seconds. The CEO suggests the optical Light Peak cables will replace "all the cables in your system," such as HDMI and DVI.

CTOEdge: "Light Peak, which has backing from Sony and Nokia, is expected to start showing up in devices later this year. Given the amount of processing power available on the client these days, and the size of the files that people are trying to work with, it’s pretty clear that a bandwidth problem is on the way."

Anne Eisenberg - NYTimes - An Express Lane from Camera to Computer

Update: Nov 27, 2010 - Rumors swirling of an Apple Macbook Pro with "Light Peak" technology for April 2011

Tech and the Home

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:33:00 +0000

Recently Intel unveiled an R & D project at the Intel Developers Forum called “Light Peak. While few details were shared, much is known about the technologies enabling this project and what their implications are. This is the first of several postings that will describe the promise this technology holds, its practicality, and how consumers may respond.

The arduous path of technology

In 1995 I visited NEC world headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. I entered through the main lobby. Tidy and well organized but otherwise unremarkable. Strolling past what appeared to be a tropical fish tank I soon realized the mesmerizing image was being broadcast on a monitor. I had stumbled into technology called High Definition Television. This was big news. Markedly better t
han what I had at home. I figured it would make its way to the US soon.
HDTV did finally show up…about ten years later. For many reasons that I will not cover here, HDTV’s introduction in the US was delayed. When it did arrive its adoption ramped up quickly and is now taken for granted. Technology is odd that way. While it may make perfect sense it often takes significant time to clear all hurdles necessary for general market acceptance.
MP3 players provide another good example of this-and until Apple provided the value necessary for success with their iPod line, MP3 players were more a curiosity. Apple, combining improvements provided by components suppliers, elegant software, and resolution to entertainment licensing obstacles brought us the iPod…a luxurious novelty to start that is now ubiquitous.
Apple solved size, storage, speed, quality, legal, user friendliness and styles issues before seeing commercial success.

Every now-and-then a noteworthy technology emerges. One to learn about and track through its arduous path from the lab to the shelves at Best Buy. Intel’s “Light Peak” project is an agglomeration of enabling technologies. Combining to overcome hurdles and create a new era for consumer electronics value.

What is “Light Peak” from Intel?

I know as much about “Light Peak” as is publicly available to me. A great deal of information is circulating, some accurate, some speculative. Fortunately Intel provides a video that you can see here: Light Peak to Connect Consumer Devices at Record Speed (for the record, I am not affiliated with or sponsored by Intel in any way)

The video makes the following noteworthy claims:

“Light Peak” will use an optical fiber rather than copper wires for signal distribution between equipment

Initial transmission of 10Gigabits per second (Gb/s)

Scalable to 100Gb/s

Optical fiber demonstrated has a diameter of 125 microns (µm)

Chip size dramatically reduces size over conventional optical tansceiver modules of similar performance

Chip promises “order of magnitude” reduction in transceiver cost.

Dual light emitting devices on the chip…notably referred to as lasers

Bidirectional communication built in

What can architects, builders and homeowners expect?
We will witness a new round of innovation associated with Intel’s “Light Peak” approach should it come to market. These changes will seem similar to those encountered when USB (Universal Serial Bus) was first used. USB caused major change when initially introduced. Consumers have now adopted USB 1.0. Subsequently we evolved through USB 2.0, taking full advantage of the improvements in data transfer speed. USB 3.0 looms, promising a tenfold improvement in transfer speed and will undoubtedly see rapid adoption.
The frame of reference for USB deals with device-to-device connection over short distance. “Light Peak” promises dramatically improved data transfer…and greater distance…perhaps affecting the cables we install in our walls.
What could Intel be up to with the “Light Peak” project?
They will establish an entirely new arena of performance, dramatically improving data transfer rates and adding an entirely new dimension related to distance…extending performance and reach beyond what USB can provide. Additionally, “Light Peak” will solve the technical hurdles encountered with HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) related to cable size, stiffness and limited length.
This is a program worth monitoring. With an eye toward home design and construction, this thread will explore many of the technical, market and consumer affects in future posts.

Our Blog

noreply@blogger.com (eXapath) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:24:00 +0000

Welcome to the Homepath Products blog. We developed the eXapath™ in-wall cable pathway system and are interested in creating dialogue on the subject of current and future expectations of broadband usage within the home.

Loosely defined, we view broadband as a generic means to access the internet and increasingly we witness new and exciting uses for broadband extending beyond simple internet access. These include entertainment (streaming audio and video), gaming, social networking, security, automation, home-based business expansion, telecommuting, telemedicine, and telepresence to name a few.

We also recognize that continued advancements in practical application of broadband rely upon the speeds (data rates) offered by service providers and ultimately the speeds at which privately owned home networks can take full advantage of broadband.

How do you use broadband today? How do you envision using it in the future? What do you see as opportunity for improvements in broadband?

Please join us.