www.plaidrobot.com
Designers can reach the media by posting their work at this Web site. The 2006 winner of Building Design+Construction magazine’s “Best of the Web” award, Plaid Robot hosts member-submitted high-res images, which the media can download with approval. Pitches and press releases can be sent to publications that register with the site. Editors and freelance writers can search for design work, but designers do not have access to each other’s posts. A message board is being developed for the media to post exactly what it is they are searching for.

www.trespa.com
International panel manufacturer Trespa’s Web site lists pages of ideas for using its products, including images of panels on existing buildings. Brochures, CAD drawings, and certificates are available for download. A disclaimer explains that the site was specifically developed for browsing with Internet Explorer 6 and a screen resolution of 1024 x 768. Using other browsers, an older version of Explorer, or other screen resolutions may lead to visual distortions.

www.charlesandhudson.com
While Charles and Hudson is a do-it-yourself blog, it might be an interesting read for professionals. Topics covered include remodeling, design, repair and maintenance, tools and products, real estate, restoration, build-it-yourself, and green building. Founded in 2005, the blog is run by This Old House senior Web producer Timothy Dahl, although the site has no affiliation with the magazine. The site is filled with helpful information, as well as dozens of links to other blogs and magazine Web sites.