English 421Y: Technical Writing Online

Date: May 3, 2009
To: Professor Rivers
From: Isaac Townsend, Group 1
Subject: Individual Activity Report

This report summarized the work and progress completed since April 20th.

Date: April 26, 2009
To: Professor Rivers
From: Isaac Townsend, Group 1
Subject: Individual Activity Report 4

This report summarized the progress made since April 20, 2009.

Date: April 20, 2009
To: Professor Rivers
From: Isaac Townsend, Group 1
Subject: Individual Activity Report 3

This report summarized the work and progress completed since April 12th.

After having finally nailed down a good solid project proposal, we decided to divide up the research by topics early in the week. We were already a little behind due the proposal changing, and wanted to have as much time as possible to get our research done. The topics consisted of horizontal vs. standing column, closed and open loop designs, and a single loop direct exchange system. Doing this allowed us to be sure we cover all our bases when it comes to different information, along with helping to avoid everyone bringing the same information to the table.

My third research blog summarizes the information found at http://www.heatpumpcentre.org/. The site operates under the International Energy Agency and also claimed to be the world’s leading information center on heat pumps. Their goal is to speed up the use of heat pumps and related technologies. Again there could be some biased information on the site being that their goal is to promote the use of heat pumps, we will have to make sure to take only the relevant information from this source.

This document summarizes the information found at http://www.gshp.org.uk/index.htm. This is the website for the Ground Source Heat Pump Association. One of their principle aims is to represent the Ground Source Heating and Cooling Industry. The information found on this site will more than likely be accurate, but we must pay attention to any biases that we come across. We want to include much of the same information, but leave the reader completely open to make their own decision.

This document summarized the information found at http://www.geo4va.vt.edu/A2/A2.htm. This site is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program through the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy.

I think this site is going to be incredibly valuable for researching heat pumps for our white paper project. The information on this website can more than likely be considered credible since it is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

I found it funny how they TCT used Albert Einstein’s work with the nuclear bomb during the war as an example of an ethical dilemma. I always like his quote “The secret to creativity is knowing how to hid your sources,” it is kind of the plagiarists motto. Plagiarism also seems like it is going to be one of our greatest hurdles for this project. Being that this is a white paper, we really aren’t going to be coming up with anything original or our own ideas. Most of what we present will be information, data, and diagrams from other sources.