editor

You can now reply directly to other people's status updates.

HAIF now has a new (easier to remember) Facebook address: http://www.facebook.com/HoustonArchitecture If you had the old one bookmarked, it will still work. I just changed a whole bunch of settings to make it much easier, yet more secure, to sign up for a HAIF account.

You can now sync your HAIF profile picture with your Facebook picture. You can now sync your HAIF avatar with your Facebook picture. You can now update your HAIF "About Me" with your Facebook "About Me" You can now sync your HAIF status to your Facebook status. You can now sync your Facebook status to your HAIF status. !! ALERT !! If you sync both your Twitter and Facebook accounts with your HAIF account, be sure not to select overlapping options. For example, if you set both Facebook and Twitter to update your HAIF status, they will constantly overwrite each other. You can now quickly share HAIF discussions through Twitter, Facebook, Digg, Google Reader/Wave, Del.icio.us, Reddit, StumbleUpon, or e-mail. You can also print or download a PDF.

You can now push your Twitter profile picture to be used as your HAIF profile picture. You can now push your Twitter avatar so it is used as your HAIF avatar. You can now push your Twitter About Me bio so it is your HAIF About Me bio. You can now link your Twitter tweets so they become your HAIF status. You can now export your HAIF status so it becomes a Twitter tweet.

You can now sign up or log in to HAIF with your Twitter account. You can now sign up or log in to HAIF with your Facebook account.

I fixed a bunch of color problems. Facebook login doesn't work right now. So... don't use it.

I removed the forum icons from the front page. They just seemed like so much clutter with the new/old design. I'm also updating the forum section descriptions. Some of them are a few years out of date.

If you're a HAIF subscriber, let me know if you see ads on HAIF. You shouldn't, but I'd like confirmation to make sure. Also, for those of you who haven't signed up for ad-free HAIF -- With this new system, you no longer have to wait up to 24 hours for the ads to disappear. Once you pay for your subscription, the ads should disappear almost immediately.

I've changed the way HAIF pushes CSS to your computer. It used to be that all of the so-called "styling" (colors and formatting mostly) were delivered to your web browser as a separate file. This was done to speed up the loading of HAIF pages. What would happen is your browser only had to check once a day or so to see if the CSS file changed or not, and if it hadn't would just use the old copy it cached on your computer rather than fetching a fresh copy from HAIF. Well, not everyone's computer wants to play nicely. Some people using older browsers (*cough* Internet Exploder *cough*) or unusual connections (often satellite connections to oil drilling sites in the Gulf of Wyoming or other remote places) wouldn't get the styles right. For various reasons their browsers would load the text and pictures, but not the style file. These instances have been described as HAIF looking "low resolution" or "1994." So, what I've done is jam a compressed version of the style file into each HAIF page as it is delivered to you. This makes page loading slower for people who aren't on broadband connections. But I just checked, and these days only 1.79% of HAIF visitors are on dialup. So, I'm afraid you guys are going to have to suck it up for the benefit of those with outdated browsers. I know this affects about 600 people, but I'm not sure what else to do.

OK, I'm going to switch everyone over to the new system now. It's not quite complete. There are a number of features that have to be re-enabled or migrated or merely switched on. It will take a few days to shake everything out. If you notice a feature missing, something not quite right, or a way to improve things, let me know. I don't commit myself to tinkering with the guts of HAIF very often, so if you want something, this is your chance to ask.

A quick update about some things I'm working on -- It looks like we'll go back to the "classic" HAIF colors. The current color scheme is a little jarring, IMO. Also, I think the old blue shades kind of defined HAIF in the old days and made it stand out. I think I'm going to be able to bring that color scheme back from the dead. If you are new, or don't remember what the old colors looked like, they still exist on HAIF:Now. Sharing a topic on Facebook, Twitter, etc... will be a little easier, or at least more explicit. If someone shares a thread on Facebook, you will the number of people who have done so. I think HAIF:Maps is coming back. Maybe not today, but likely soon.

Sorry. I must have misread what you wrote. I don't remember if there was a 12/24/48 hour option before. I'm fairly certain there wasn't, though there's no way to go back to be sure. I've added your request to the list of things I'm going to try to implement with the new upgrade. If I'm able to make it happen, I'll post here.

Which phone are you using?

As always, you can get system status updates and information from our Twitter feed and Facebook page: HAIF on Twitter: http://twitter.com/HAIF HAIF on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HoustonArchitecture

The old forum software didn't have a 12/24/48-hour topic list. But what it did was defaulted to the option to show you all posts you hadn't read. That feature still exists. It's in your Settings area: Since the forum software has been upgraded once again, I'm going to close this thread. Please feel free to post new questions in the HAIF-HD5 thread here:

In this thread I will post information about the most recent software upgrades, and take questions. Please note that I'm still making adjustments and working out bugs.

It topped out today. -------------- HINES' MAINPLACE IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON TOPS OUT (HOUSTON, TEXAS) - Hines, the international real estate firm, announced today the structural completion of the 46-story, 972,000-square-foot office tower, MainPlace, located at 811 Main Street in downtown Houston. Façade installation, interior construction and mechanical work continues. Construction on the tower began in March 2008, and grand opening is scheduled for January 2011. Hines Senior Vice President John Mooz commented, "We challenged our general contractor, D.E. Harvey Builders, with an aggressive construction schedule. After a three-year construction duration, we're pleased that the building will be delivered a month early. Now that the building stands at its full height, views of the tower and those from within are equally amazing. We knew it was a special site with fantastic view corridors, but it surpassed our hopes." To commemorate the topping out milestone, more than 200 of Houston's top brokers, city officials and VIPs from the tenant community attended an event yesterday on the tower's 34th level. Guests were treated to exquisite cuisine, spectacular panoramic city views and tours of model offices built out for the occasion. Building architect Jon Pickard was in attendance as were the City of Houston's new Director of Sustainability Laura Spanjian and Gerald D. Hines. MainPlace, designed by the internationally recognized architectural firm of Pickard Chilton, will contain 960,000 square feet of office space, 12,000 square feet of retail space and an integrated, 1,150-car parking garage. MainPlace, located on the METRO Rail line, sets to redefine this area of downtown Houston with its iconic architecture, including a dramatic 39th floor sky garden recessed into the building's form that reveals planted terraces and a five-story crystalline atrium. The project will contribute to the continued revitalization of Main Street and the heart of the CBD. Hines Executive Vice President and CEO of the firm's Southwest Region Mark Cover said, "We're pleased to be well on the way to delivering the next generation of sustainably designed buildings to Houston's CBD. The building's architecture and sustainable features are definitely resonating with brokers and prospective tenants." MainPlace is continuing Hines' ongoing commitment to the environment and leadership in sustainable building design and is pre-certified at the LEED® Silver level by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Hines is developing the project through its Hines CalPERS Green fund (HCG), which focuses exclusively on developing sustainable office buildings throughout the U.S. certifiable through the USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Core and Shell (LEED-CS) program. Upon completion, it is expected that MainPlace will qualify for LEED Gold certification at minimum. Director of Leasing Stewart Robinson reported that the tower's top four floors have been pre-leased to KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, and conversations with additional tenants are ongoing. About Pickard Chilton Pickard Chilton is noted for its expertise in the design of corporate and professional office buildings. Recently completed projects include: 1180 Peachtree, a 41-story Hines development in Atlanta and the CalPERS headquarters complex in Sacramento. The firm maintains a global practice and is currently designing corporate headquarters and skyscrapers in Houston, Montreal, Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai. Prior to founding Pickard Chilton, Jon Pickard was Senior Associate with Cesar Pelli & Associates, and collaborated with Mr. Pelli on landmark projects including the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. About HCG In September 2006, Hines formed Hines CalPERS Green (HCG) development fund. It is capitalized with more than $275 million of committed equity, having the ability to invest over $1 billion. About CalPERS CalPERS is the nation's largest public pension fund with assets totaling $198 billion, of which nearly $15 billion is invested in real estate. The System provides retirement and health benefits to more than one million state and public employees and their families. For further information on CalPERS, visit the System's Web site at www.calpers.ca.gov. About Hines In downtown Houston, Hines has developed 23 projects totaling approximately 17 million square feet. MainPlace represents the latest addition to the skyline since Hines' 717 Texas building was completed in 2003. Hines is a privately owned real estate firm involved in real estate investment, development and property management worldwide. The firm's historical and current portfolio of projects that are underway, completed, acquired and managed for third parties includes 1,111 properties representing more than 451 million square feet of office, residential, mixed-use, industrial, hotel, medical and sports facilities, as well as large, master-planned communities and land developments. With offices in more than 100 cities in 17 countries, and controlled assets valued at approximately $22.2 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world. Hines is also a world leader in sustainable real estate strategies, with extensive experience in LEED®, ENERGY STAR®, BREEAM in the United Kingdom, France's Haute Qualité Environnementale and with the German Sustainable Building Council. Visit www.hines.com for more information.

Baytown Bus Service Expands for Summer 2010 Seven New Stops to Include Baytown Water Park - Fares Unchanged Effective June 01, 2010 Harris County Transit will begin operating a revised summer schedule for the Baytown Fixed Route Bus Service. These changes will offer Baytown residents more destinations to shopping locations such as HEB as well as recreational facilities including the YMCA and the new Baytown Water Park. In addition to these changes two new transfer points serve to connect Route 1 and Route 3. The changes are the following: Route 1 - Garth Road: The regular north/south bound routes will continue on Garth Road with the exception of the eastbound turn on Baker Street to 5300 East Road, home of the new Pirates Bay Water Park. The route will then head west on South Road back to Garth to resume the regular route. Travel time on this route is approximately 50 minutes. Route 2 - Lee College: No changes are made to this route. The Lee College route will continue its east/west runs along Main Street, Market Street and from Park Street to Lee College. The same stops at Lee College, Baytown City Hall and numerous retail locations will continue. Transfers will continue to be made at Park Street and Garth Road. Route 3 - North Alexander/Cedar Bayou: The original route to Lobit Street at N. Main, then north on N. Main to the YMCA at Rollingbrook Street and Baker Street east of Garth Road will continue. Additionally, the route will extend to Main Street where 6 new stops are being added. These new stops are HEB at Cedar Bayou and Main Street, YMCA at Wye Road, Bob Smith and Main Street, Food Town on Main Street, Birdsong Apartments on Garth Road and, the west side of Garth Road (across from Walgreens). The extended route will run both north and southbound. The two additional transfer points connecting Route 1 and Route 3 are located at Baker Street and Garth Road, and Rollingbrook and Garth Road. The existing transfer points at Garth Road and Park Street and San Jacinto Mall will continue. The route changes were created as a result of on-board surveys conducted by Harris Country Transit representatives in March 2010. The changes create an addition of approximately 3 new miles of service at no additional change in the current fare structure. Fare Structure: Adults $1.00 each way Children (11 yrs & under) $ .50 each way Seniors (62 & older with I.D.) $ .50 each way Disabled (With I.D.) $ .50 each way Students ( With I.D.) $ .50 each way Lee College Students &Staff (With I.D.) Free Children under 2 yrs Free Certified Paratransit Eligible Passenger $2.00

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i7c717df4a3ba58ebd1a89b699c3d0a02

Updated press release ------------------------ SOUTH POINT PARK & RIDE LOT EXPANSION NEARS COMPLETION METRO is just days away from completing its expansion of the popular South Point Park & Ride Lot – doubling its parking capacity. This means more parking spaces – 390 new spots - will be available to the hundreds of commuters who ride the 297 South Point/Monroe route, which serves the Texas Medical Center. Before the expansion, the lot had 376 permanent parking spots. Now with the build-out and a total parking capacity of 766, patrons will have a much easier time finding a spot. “This project completes the final phase of the South Point Park & Ride expansion that began in response to high demand for parking by our patrons commuting to the Texas Medical Center,” said Vince Obregon, associate vice president of infrastructure service development. “The new configuration improves safety and convenience by alleviating illegally parked cars overcrowding driving isles and on the street.” The expansion project also includes upgrades to the lot’s lighting and drainage system. METRO negotiated with TxDOT to build-out the South Point Park & Ride lot using the southern portion of TxDOT’s property, which is adjacent to the park & ride lot. The project was approved by the METRO Board of Directors October 2009, and is slated to be completed by May 31 – about a month ahead of schedule.

A newspaper in Belfast, Northern Ireland has posted its travel guide to Houston. It's nice to see that the third word in the article is "Beyonce" and not "heat." http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/travel-guide-houston-14816134.html