November
11, 2003
Issue
#362
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O N T E N T S - - - CAD
Sites Reverse Policies: - - - - - - - - - Below
the Radar - - - Donate Write - - - (ADVERTISMENT) Updated and Expanded for AutoCAD 2004! Tailoring AutoCAD 2004 is the first book for AutoCAD 2004. Download as a 204-page e-book in PDF format (US$24.95) or on CD ($29.95). Covers all areas of customization, from changing the user interface to writing toolbar macros and LISP routines. Click here to sample preview pages and place your order.
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You know what's wrong with computer hardware? That backup systems (excluding tape drives) are always smaller than the total hard drive space on my computer. IMSI Loses CADKEY to Kubotek A short time ago, IMSI made a big fuss over its planned acquisition of in-bankruptcy-protection CADKEY. Three months later, though, the prize goes to Kubotek. "Who?" I wondered. Kubotek is a US$28 million-a-year Japanese company that began developing CAD software in the late 1980s. The company has three divisions <www.kubotek.com/enginfo/Ehome.html>:
In 1995, Kubotek created CADKEY Systems to sell CADKEY into Asian markets; part of the deal was an investment by Kubotek in CADKEY. With Kubotek now taking over 100%, CADKEY says its office and employees will remain in Boston. The reason for Kubotek getting court approval for the purchase is simple: "Kubotek offered much more money," Bob Bean tells me. IMSI says it didn't try to outbid Kubotek, sticking to its original US$2.5 million offer. It makes sense: Kubotek is already familiar with CADKEY, and IMSI now has they money for other acquisitions -- which it is continuing. IMSI seems to be focusing on Web sites. Its most recent acquisition is CADsymbols.net and 40 other domain names belonging to Assistto International of Germany. Oh, and another 30 million downloadable symbols. Wise mode: symbols are probably easier to support than software.
CAD Sites Reverse Policies Oft times, nothing happens when you complain. Other times, complaints effect change. Here are two such stories: We're Watching You I received a spooky email last week: "I didn't want to be nosy, but our web department noticed that you were browsing the [CAD product] pages today on our website. Did you have any questions that the website didn't answer or are you interested in purchasing?" I had been there to check pricing for a news item. I puzzled over how I was monitored, particularly because I try not to be tracked. I sent an email of inquiry to the company's pr people, and within three hours received a reply from the CEO: "I found out that our web/marketing guys developed automation that generated this message when registered site people hit (you registered in 1999). I am sorry about this. I hit the ceiling when I saw it! Ouch. Argh. "Even worse. We had you set to 'nospam' from 1999, so no unsolicited messages were ever suppose to go to you. I can't thank you enough for bringing this to my attention. I am just glad you helped me catch this early." Sometimes, it pays to complain. Intrusion Advertising There a number of CAD sites post press releases verbatim. One turned on a Microsoft "feature" called SmarTags: links are added automatically to targeted words appearing in Internet Explorer. This lets advertisers hope that readers click on words such as "design" and "CAD." In return, the Web site has another source of advertising revenue. One public relations firm quickly complained to the Web site's owner over the abuse of its press releases. The site immediately turned off the feature. But the event lead me to these questions: When public relations firms issue press releases, how much control should they have over its content? In this e-newsletter, I typically reduce multi-page press releases to a sentence or two. Web sites surround press releases with ads. Can ads from competitors intrude into the text of press releases? I think not: Placing competitors' ads in the text of press releases goes too far. Racism in the CAD Community Several magazine editors recently attended a CAD user conference in Europe. One evening, they met up with some CAD users also attending the conference. Reports one editor: "One of the guys was a reseller, and the other was his major client. I start chatting away about CAD, deployment, and so on. I introduce the other editors. The customer takes a look at one of them, looks and me, and says, 'He's not a Jew is he? I hate Jews. I don't talk to Jews'. I looked the editor, he looks at me, and we left. The editor isn't Jewish. At that moment I can't but feel more than empathetic." I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but the report came as a shock. I have always thought of the CAD community as one that respects our abilities, and is blind to our birthplaces.
I'm pleased to announce that upFront.eZine Publishing this week released "Tailoring Visio 2002" in e-book format (US$25.95). The 378-page PDF e-book covers customizing Visio's user interface, working with ShapeSheets, linking diagrams to databases, and programming in VBA. For sample pages and complete table of contents, or to purchase, go to www.upfrontezine.com/tv2 The print version of this book is still available as "Learn Visio 2002 for the Advanced User" (US$34.95) from WordWare Publishing. www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1556228198 - - - In other book news, Design Visionaries is shipping "Practical Unigraphics NX Modeling For Engineers" (US$69.95). The tutorial book teaches NX in 16 chapters. For more info, or to purchase online: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0741415828 Below the Radar A summary of CAD industry news you may not have read elsewhere, or that I find interesting: Autodesk ships Inventor 8 (with new 3D wire harness design) and Mechanical 2004 DX (links 2D drawings to Inventor) on November 20. Some details at www.sdotson.com iManage releases CADLink for iManage WorkSite MP. It integrates some CAD apps into the iManage platform -- collaboration with version control and reference file handling. Supports AutoCAD, MicroStation, Solaris, and Windows. www.imanage.com Algor 14.1 is shipping. www.ALGOR.com Delcam says it now has 9,000 customers of its CAD/CAM software. SAMCEF Gateway exports SAMCEF data from CATIA V5 analysis documents or from SAMTECH Transparent. www.samcef.com Dr. Frame3D boasts that it allows direct manipulation analysis in 3D. http://drframe.com/
Seminars & Conferences BSA needs help with this year's CADD Challenge at BuildBoston. Info at www.architecturalcadd.com/cup.htm "Revit 301 Implementation of Revit Office-Wide" takes place at Build Boston, 9:00 am on Nov 20. More info from mdv@cdvsystems.com
Newsletter/Webzine Watch In the continuing move away from paper, the newest CAD magazine is PDF-only worldwide. EDA of England making its new 'Prototype' magazine available as a free 3MB PDF download every three months at www.edaltd.co.uk/magdownloads/ . The new e-magazine covers the entire realm of rapid prototyping -- DTM, SLA, SLS, FDM, SLM, and more. Terry Wohlers is on its editorial board. Print subscriptions are available for those with an address in the United Kingdom. In addition, the publisher is making its 22-year-old 'MCAD' magazine also available as a free PDF download. Contact michael@edaltd.co.uk for subscription information.
People/Companies on the Move Mary Ramsey relays the sad news that she's finally decided to close down www.cadgurus.com -- the second MicroStation dealership I've heard of shutting down in recent weeks. Cyon Research promotes Rick Stavanja to vp and cto. The Tectonic Solutions subsidiary of ROI Corp purchases three companies in the construction information market: SpecSource, Construction Yellow Pages, and Blue Bolt. Océ Printing Systems USA is joining with Océ-USA to create a single company called Océ North America as of Dec 1.
Computer News Summaries Two year after software Microsoft began selling Windows XP, approximately 74% of personal computers continue use older versions of its operating systems.
Market News Nemetschek returns to profitability with a profit of e3 million on revenues of e68.4 million. To emphasize that PLM Solutions is still important to EDS, the company released details on the division's performance (increase in Q3 revenue over the same quarter a year ago):
The upFront.eZine stock index is at www.cadwire.net/to?upfrontezine/stocks
WorthWhile Web www.guardian.co.uk/online/comment/story
Spin Doctor of the Moment "I am the official spokesperson, and
until I confirm or deny anything, it simply doesn't exist."
Notable Quotable "FDR said we have nothing to fear but
fear itself. That's what I'm afraid of. Phobiaphobia. Fearing fear.
And fearing that, too." |
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