Is anyone out there interested in forming a users group for IES VE, please? I would dearly like to discuss what I think are possible improvements to its interfaces, user experience etc. with others, to see if we can clarify its workings and perhaps influence its further development Bob Irving
Similarly, Tas users could do with a similar discussion group. I know of a mailing list BLDG-SIM in the states that is supposedly a general building simulation discussion however it's swamped with eQUEST queries.
we will discuss your proposal during the next IBPSA-England Board meeting. You are aware that runing a discussion group requires time and commitment at least in the first 12 months. I will get back to you as soon as the Board makes a decision.
I have previously tried to set up user groups of IES on yahoo and alike without a great deal of success. Having worked for IES, I doubt that much of what you would like to get introduced would actually get done. We had a list of development requirements within the consultancy team as long as your arm when I was there and the vast majority of them still haven't been introduced.
I like the way Design Builder have taken the brave step of setting up their own support forum. This makes a lot of sense as it will allow all users including students to gain some level of support even if technically they aren't, unlike providing no help at all.
Of course I'm not an IES support engineer as I no longer work for them, but between us, here at ZED we have 4 very experienced users (2 ex-employees) that may well be able to answer the more project based, how do I do this or can it be done queries maybe?
I think that I can best describe what I would like out of such a group by putting forward some f'rinstances...
Good practise in IES - how to construct models to get the best out of the software.
I've tried twice to pass the "low carbon consultants" exam using IES. I still don't understand why I did not pass and I don't understand the reasons why from IES. I would hope that a group might enlighten me on this....
I moonlight working on very low-impact buildings for an 'eco-community' modelling their un-conventional buildings. I'd like to run my models past others to see that they are valid. I don't think I'd get much assistance from IES on these - buildings using straw bales as insulation on the roof and under the ground floor probably aren't on their radar.