Recently Launched Zend Framework 2.0 Gets Critical Acclaim: NY Based Tech Firm Brings it Closer to Businesses


New York, NY (PRWEB) June 22, 2012

Released in the year 2005, Zend continues to be a leading player in the open source framework to build custom web applications. Written by Israeli programmers Andy gutmans and Zeev Suraski, who were also involved in the development of PHP during its initial stages, Zend is a simple and easy to use framework that accelerates web application development using PHP.

Advantages of Zend 2.0 framework

NYC-Based Consulting Firm Rewards Creativity with $1,000 Finishing Grant


New York, NY (PRWEB) June 14, 2012

Every year, the Macktez Summer Stipend inspires creative people to take a great idea and transform it into a finished product. From a waste-free floor lamp constructed from its own packing material to a computer app that creates stunning data visualizations of worldwide news coverage, the Macktez Summer Stipend brings imaginative projects to the finish line.

Macktez, a New York City-based consulting firm, with offices in New York, San Francisco and London, is accepting applications from June 18 through July 27, 2012. The Stipend application is located online at macktez.com/stipend.

Now in its eighth year, the Macktez Summer Stipend helps creative people — whether they are artists, cultural anthropologists or hobbyists — by providing the funding needed to realize their creative vision. This year Macktez has doubled its commitment to the stipend recipient from $ 500 to $ 1,000.

With a decisive focus on its vision and goals, Macktez grew from a firm with six steady clients in 1996 to one that now serves more than 150 clients in cities around the globe. The Summer Stipend intends to help applicants focus on their vision and goals with a unique workbook-style application. The application is a step-by-step guide to help applicants clarify their vision and avoid distractions to reach their goal.

“At Macktez we believe that taking small, steady steps toward one’s goals is the surest way to achieve them,” said Noah Landow, Macktez founder and president. “Clearing away distraction and focusing on the end result takes creative inspiration from simmering idea to sizzling invention.”

Macktez Summer Stipend applications are considered based upon the following criteria: originality, relevance, and conviction. Finalists will be selected by an esteemed panel of judges that hail from the art world, architecture and academia. This year’s panelists are: Roanne Adams, Dean Crutchfield, David Israel, Bethany Koby, Santiago Matheus, Douglas Morris and Jeffrey Zeldman.

Roanne Adams, owner of RoAndCo Studio, was named one of NYCs outstanding, up and coming design professionals by New York Times Magazine. Dean Crutchfield, a regular contributor to Forbes, is a self-described rainmaker and storyteller that defines brand and innovation strategies. David Israel serves as executive creative director of AR New York and teaches graduate students at the Yale School of Art. Bethany Koby is a London-based designer, activist and educator who co-founded Technology Will Save Us, a haberdashery for technology and education. Santiago Matheus is co-founder and managing director of Method Design Lab, an accelerator that takes a design-centric, user experience driven approach to innovation. Douglas Morris is a principal of Poulin + Morris, an award-winning design firm that has created campaigns for ABC News, Ann Taylor and Goldman Sachs. Jeffrey Zeldman, crowned King of Web Standards by Business Week, is an entrepreneur, web luminary and influential author who co-hosts The Big Web Show.

Macktez consults with businesses to help them stay on course on the road to productivity, while enabling them to steer clear of obstacles along the way. With long-term vision, thorough planning, finely tuned focus and steadfast support, Macktez identifies the right tools — from cloud services to post-it notes — to get things done. Macktez proudly offers clients a smart, skilled and committed team of specialists experienced in the art of problem solving. More info can be found on Twitter @Macktez and on Facebook.







Florida-based Landscape Architecture Firm Knaak Design Group Launches Budget-Friendly Online Landscape Design Services for Homeowners and Investors

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) June 13, 2012

With PlanWorx, homeowners gain more control over the budget and schedule of their outdoor living project through innovative design and accessibility. Homeowners can receive comparative bidding by presenting the same set of construction plans to various landscape and pool contractors. If a homeowner wishes to implement a DIY (do-it-yourself) strategy, PlanWorx can reduce the labor costs by up to 40% and open scheduling options to phase various parts of the project over time.

Our landscape design services are help homeowners who are trying to maximize their return on one of their largest investments, by lowering costs and offering a friendly alternative to the traditional way of shopping for a landscape contractor. We feel it is important for consumers to know what they are buying and getting apples-to-apples bids from different landscape and pool contractors will help them be more informed and gain more buying power said Robert Knaak, Principal and founder of Knaak Design Group.

PlanWorx is the online division of Knaak Design Group, offering low-cost landscape design services to homeowners, real estate investors, and contractors nationwide and in Canada. Kn

John Kelsey of the Award Winning Boston Interior Design Firm Wilson Kelsey Design Achieved His Designation as a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)


Boston, Massachusetts (PRWEB) June 18, 2012

Keeping pace with the desires of a maturing population, John Kelsey, Principal of the award winning interior design firm Wilson Kelsey Design, has achieved the designation of Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS.) We are committed to beautiful design that supports the active lifestyles of those aging in place, notes Kelsey, we are creating spaces that are safe, easy to maintain, flexible, great for socializing and are environmentally conscious. The CAPS designation was developed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in collaboration with the NAHB Research Center, NAHB 50+ Housing Council, and AARP to address the growing number of homeowners that will soon require these modifications. CAPS professionals typically include remodelers, general contractors, designers, architects, and health care consultants.

Bury+Partners Named Top Engineering Firm for 9th time

Austin, TX (PRWEB) June 18, 2012

Bury+Partners is proud to announce that collectively, for the 9th time they have been named as one of the top 500 engineering firms by Engineering News-Record (ENR). The list is based on design revenue generated by the firms and covers both public and privately-held companies. In the last two years, Bury+Partners has increased their revenue by nearly 20% and moved up the Top 500 list by 78 spaces.

Bury+Partners is very excited to be named among the best in the industry, said Executive Vice President Jim Knight. Our company mission has been and will always be to provide the highest possible level of personal service, combined with exceptional quality product and value. It is these principles and others that have allowed us to grow throughout difficult but promising times, while maintaining a long term perspective for our firm.

Foreign manufacturers believe that now is a good time to build in the U.S. and the signs of the recessions rebound can be seen in the ENRs Top 500 Design Firm List.

Difficult economic times come and go, said President Paul J. Bury III. The need for our consulting design services remained strong during the last downturn thanks to our diversification in the public and private markets. We have remained focused on attracting and retaining the best talent in the business. Adherence to these two principles has allowed us to come out of the recession stronger than most firms.

The Top 500, taken as a group, had overall design revenue of $ 85.06 billion in 2011, up 6.6%, from $ 79.82 billion in 2010. This marks the first time in three years the Top 500 experienced revenue growth for the year.

Anytime there is a downturn in the economy, responsible companies find themselves taking a hard look at what adjustments in operations need to be made to weather the storm, Bury said.

During the economic slump, Bury+Partners took the opportunity to streamline processes from client service all the way down to ordering office supplies. The benefits have been many including more refined processes and stronger attention to client service. Bury+Partners will continue to develop ways to remain one of the top engineering firms in the country.

About Bury + Partners

Since 1984, the exceptional team of professionals at Bury+Partners has been helping build the communities where they live and work. A nationally recognized leader in engineering, land use planning, landscape architecture and surveying, Bury+Partners provides consulting services, staffed by the finest people in the business. Bury+Partners design professionals and consultants bring clients the highest level of service and experience available today. For more information visit; http://www.burypartners.com.







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