The deal, announced 15 Sept, is an exchange of stock valued at US$1.3 billion, and is Microsoft's largest acquisition ever. On the news of shareholder approval, Microsoft shares went up 2-1/8 to $96, while Visio shares rose 15/16 to $38-11/16.
The acquisition of MarComp, then later IntelliCAD, helped Visio's programmers understand better the DWG (AutoCAD drawing) format. MarComp had specialized in reverse-engineering the DWG file format, which Autodesk does not make freely available. (MarComp has since become the OpenDWG Alliance.)
IntelliCAD had been designed by Softdesk from the ground up to be compatible with AutoCAD drawings, commands, and programming. For Visio 2000 Technical Edition, Visio's programmers incorporated the IntelliCAD display engine.
The difference is remarkable: the translation process is very fast and very accurate, although a few problems remain...
You can read this week's complete feature article at www.upfrontezine.com/visions
Visions.eZine is also available in Spanish. To subscribe to the Spanish Edition, contact Claudio Jose Maccio at claudiom@impsat1.com.ar .
The NetScout-specific SmartShapes will be released with the quarterly VNE Library Subscription Service update later in December. NetScout Systems designs, develops, manufactures, and markets software and hardware to manage the performance of computer networks.
Visio Unaffected by WTO Protests
During the anti-WTO "Battle in Seattle" protests, Visio was largely
unaffected by the protests and riots. Said a Visio spokesman:"Most of the
activity was near the old building, so we were not in the direct line of
fire. However, most Visio people were working remotely to avoid any possible
trouble."
The building that formerly housed Visio's corporate headquarters is diagonally across the street from the site of the WTO conference.
Visio Manufacturers Program
Visio developed the Manufacturers Program in conjunction with network
equipment manufacturers to ensure access to up-to-date and accurate product
shapes. Participating hardware manufacturers' equipment shapes are updated
in both VNE and Enterprise Edition throughout the year.
The program also provides services for manufacturers of data and telecommunications equipment, including joint marketing initiatives and customized Visio solutions for channel/VAR programs or sales/technical teams.
Since its launch in August 1997, the Visio Manufacturers Program has grown to over 250 manufacturers, and includes Nortel Networks, Cabletron Systems, Compaq Computer, Dell Computer, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, NEC America, ADC Telecommunications, Juniper Networks, Gadzoox Networks, and Toshiba International. Detailed information on the Visio Manufacturers Program can be found at:
TechNet and BSA Court Politicians
The Technology Network (TechNet) and the Business Software Alliance
(BSA) hosted United States Senators last Thursday at the first PowerUP-supported
youth center in California. The Senators will work with students using
PowerUP and discuss their high-tech agenda.
The purpose of TechNet is to build working relationships with national
and state political leaders and pass federal and state laws that will help
foster the New Economy. Visio is a member of the BSA.
Law Web Site Backed by Visio Backers
Prairielaw.com, a law Web site that brings together information, resources
and access to attorneys, received US$1.15 million in its first round of
financing. Former McCaw Cellular executive Dan Kranzler put together the
fund of US$40 million from angel investors. Other investors in Prairielaw.com
include early management and backers of Microsoft and Visio.
Intel
The price of Intel CPUs has has dropped again, ranging from 3% to 7%.
Intel has reduced CPU prices 13 times in 1999. The slowest Pentium III
now is the 533MHz model; 750MHz is the fastest.
IntelliCAD 2000
The Struc
Plus commercial release of IntelliCAD 2000 is now available in upgrade,
crossgrade and full license versions. Order online to receive IntelliCAD
2000 on CD-ROM. All versions ship with SPTools 2000 drafting utilities
at no extra charge.
Microsoft
Starting with the release of the next version of Windows CE for palm-size
PCs, code-named Rapier, Microsoft will stop cobranding devices with the
"Windows CE" moniker. Instead, devices such as Hewlett-Packard's Jornada
420 and Casio's Casioppeia 100 will be promoted as "Windows Powered," along
with every other device running on Windows CE. Windows CE-based devices
will simply be one more thin client for server computers based on Windows
2000. - CNET
Tip #5:
When I used Visio 5 with the HP755CM color plotter, the print preview
would bear no resemblance to the actual printed copy. For example, a 17-foot
drawing that looks perfect in the preview prints as a 5-foot drawing (centered)
in 17 feet of otherwise blank paper.
After downloading the latest HP driver (v4.2.2) for the HP DesignJet
Model 755CM color plotter, I resolved all issues for Visio drawing and
paper sizes, for print preview and for printing. An HP DesignJet gentleman
in customer support did a marvelous job of coaching me on some subtleties
of working with the plotter, at no charge.
- Harold Wilson
Puzzled about Visio? Got an idea on how to make Visio work better?
Send your questions and tips to mailto:ralphg@xyzpress.com .
Symbol Closing Price
52-week Range
VSIO 40 1/8
21 7/8 - 43 1/2
Visio
2000 Visual Insight
by David Plotkin
List Price: US$24.99; paperback; 300 pages. (Due to be available January
10, 2000)
Published by The Coriolis Group.
Re: Actrix 2000 Technical
"Thanks for the Autodesk Actrix Technical 2000 plug in your latest
Visions.eZine newsletter. Although we appreciate the exposure, we'd like
to respond to your remark that '... the only new feature unique to Actrix
is #3. Visio Drawing File Translator ...'
"We recognize that it is
often difficult to adequately assess software based-upon published marketing
material (marketing-speak). However, several of the other listed Top-Ten
items are unique to Actrix Technical 2000:
"The additional 4000 ActiveShapes
include an extensive collection of network shapes available from Visio
only in the Visio 2000 Professional Edition.
"The new ActiveSockets,
allowing ActiveShapes and connectors (or other ActiveShapes) to plug into
each other dynamically at any point, is enabled throughout the solution
groups, and offers unparalleled flexibility in assigning relationships
between intelligent objects.
"The new ActiveShape Editor
offers an intuitive and user-friendly environment for creating and editing
ActiveShapes, bringing ease-of-use to a new level.
"And finally, the enhanced
event modeler allows associating context-sensitive routines to more than
200 user actions, and is ideal for using Actrix as a platform for customization.
"Additional advantages include
superior AutoCAD interoperability (with support for paperspace, raster
backgrounds, ARX object enablers, and Architectural desktop drawings),
as well as a superior development platform."
- Chuck Spink,
Actrix Product Manager
The Editor replies: "I'll react to your comments in the spirit
of accuracy, even though it is not my job to defend Visio Corp.
"Network shapes are also
available via the VNE (Visio Network Equipment) add-on. Since Autodesk
hasn't announced the price of Actrix 2000, it's difficult to say if Actrix
2000 = Visio + VNE.
"Visio 2000 has the equivalent
of AutoCAD's 'object snap,' which allows shapes and connectors to connect
at nearly 20 different geometrically significant points.
"I don't really see a difference
between the ActiveShape Editor and Visio's shape creation and editing.
Groups editing has been made easier in Visio 2000.
"Visio has context-sensitive
routines that react to user actions.
"I find it curious that
Actrix has better support for DWG files than LT 2000. It is my understanding
that support for ObjectARX Object Enablers the same thing as support for
Architectural Desktop drawings."