ALR designletter # 1.7
Welcome the ALR designletter, a semi-regular update on the activities at Another Limited Rebellion design, the world of socially conscious design, and beyond. You are on this list because you have worked with, contacted, or have a personal connection to ALR design. The names on this mailing list will never be sold or given away. If you no longer wish to be on this list, just respond with "REMOVE" in the subject section and there will be no hard feelings. Back issues can be found on our web site in the ISSUES section.
ALR news
Since relocating to Richmond, ALR has made a concerted effort to become involved in our new community. Our most recent project has been organizing Sprout, a community supported agriculture group (CSA) that is working with a local organic farmer. Response had been overwhelming and we've actually had to create a waiting list for membership. To see what Sprout is all about go to http://www.ALRdesign.com/sprout/
To learn more about CSAs check out the site created by the University of Massachusetts: http://www.umass.edu/umext/csa/
energy conservation
The notion that computers are damaged by frequent shutdowns is in fact no longer true due to modern technology. According to an article in Mother Jones (July/Aug 2001) 30 to 40 percent of personal computers are left running overnight. Not only does turning a computer off help extend it's life but if everyone were to do so on a regular basis we could prevent the release of 7 million tons of CO2 emissions every year.
Looking for an excuse to buy a flat panel LCD monitor for your computer? While the price tags are still high the space saving monitors not only produces less heat but consume a fraction of the energy needed for traditional monitors. (Source: Design Tools Monthly, June 2001)
environment
What does the environment do when it's threatened? Why it hires a lawyer, specifically Earth Justice, a non-profit law firm that works with hundreds of public interest groups free of charge. Visit their site http://www.earthjustice.org/ to learn about what cases they are involved in now and how you can help.
media
The consolidation of the media into fewer and fewer corporate hands is a fact of the current marketplace and the Project On Media Ownership (PrOMO) puts it into graphic terms. A non-profit organization monitoring the impact of media ownership, they have created a series of charts that show how much power just a few corporations hold over our sources of information in clear and disturbing terms. "Who owns the network news?" and other charts are available at http://www.promo.org
recycling
We mentioned in a previous issue that recycling facilities are available for outdated computers, but now we know what's being done with at least some of them. A recent article in The Christian Science Monitor (May 14th, 2001) introduced us to Conigliaro Industries (http://www.conigliaro.com/) of Farmingham, Mass which has developed Cold Patch, a pothole filler made from ground-up computer casings. They also sell recycled packaging materials made from the items they collect as part of their recycling business including mulch made from discarded wooden palettes.
privacy
To many people the interactive television product TiVo seems like a way to take a margin of control over the media, however a recent report in Mother Jones (July/Aug 2001) reveals that unless TiVo users read the fine print and manually opt-out, their personal viewing habits are being broadcast nightly to the corporate HQ. The group White Dot (http://www.spytv.co.uk) has already begun a boycott of interactive television and their site is a good resource if you cherish your privacy.
The FTC has set up the toll free line 1-800-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688)
for people interested in having their name removed from pre-approved credit card and insurance offer lists. Listen carefully to the message because the first option is only a two year opt out, but by pressing #3 you will be permanently removed from their files. More information can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/protect.htm (thanks to David Herman for bringing this to our attention)
accessibility
The Center for Applied Special Technology provides a free tool called Bobby for checking web page accessibility issues at http://www.cast.org/Bobby/ . The thorough engine checks only one page at a time, but a free utility that checks entire sites can be downloaded as well. If you want to make sure people with disabilities have access to your site this tool is invaluable. (Source: Design Tools Monthly, July 2001)
bookshelf
If you haven't read The Grapes of Wrath since high school or have never read it, consider picking it up. John Steinbeck's ability to present history via fiction is unparalleled. Through the tale of the Joad family's journey to California the struggle of the "Okies" and America's working poor in general is told in vivid terms that history books rarely achieve and is as valid today as it was when it was published in 1939.
nosh
Love or hate him Ralph Nader has been an unwavering figure of consumer advocacy whose efforts have increased everyone's safety, so have you ever wondered how he got that way? One answer may be found in "It Happened in the Kitchen" a book of recipes and philosophy by Rose Nader...his mother. The book is available from The Center for Study of Responsive Law's web site: http://www.csrl.org/ (source: The Richmond Times Dispatch)
in closing
Thanks for your time and feel free to contact us with suggestions for future issues, web sites to check out, or just to say "Howdy".
Noah Scalin, founder
ALR design
socially conscious graphic design
noah@alrdesign.com
http://www.ALRdesign.com
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