If you are using AutoCAD and do not create 3D content then why are you using AutoCAD?

Is this a fair question to ask?  AutoCAD LT® can do almost everything "regular" AutoCAD® can except for 3D modeling/rendering features and LISP routines, essentially.  Are you waisting your company's resources by not purchasing AutoCAD LT®?  I don't know, ok I do, but, still.  What do you think?  If you aren't creating 3D content, why?  If you aren't using LISP routines then I ask the same question, why?

Why do you limit yourself?  Why do you pay for tools that you refuse to use?  If you are creating items that only have two dimensions why are you using a three dimensional creation tool?  Many sheet metal fabricators use AutoCAD LT®.  They get it.

I'm not trying to be mean here I am honestly curious.  If you purchased a house with three floors would you only use two of them?  At least store stuff in the third floor right?  Have you ever said to yourself or others, "I've never seen a real need to walk up the stairs to the third floor so I don't use it."  You're paying to heat/cool it and to protect it from the elements.

Make an argument for purchasing full on AutoCAD® but for using it like it's AutoCAD LT®.

Weekend Rant

I haven't had a good rant in a while so here goes.  I haven't had a good post in a while either, but we'll see what we can do about that.

I love tech.  I can't help it.  That means that I love the internet.  There are so many tools out there, that are free, that most of us can use in our professional careers.  The internet is not just a toy, it is a tool.  Why can't I get clients and coworkers to use it?  I understand not wanting to use tools that cost money.  But when there are so many free (yes free) collaboration tools available to us, why not use them?  There are also so many free production and group tools out there that many users would never have to purchase an office suite of software.

Let me give you an example.  My son.  He's 14.  I am very proud of my son for many reasons.  Today I bravely ventured into his room to let him know that lunch was ready and guess what I caught him doing?  His science fair project!  I was shocked, but not because he was doing his homework, but because he was collaborating with three other students!  Each of them were at home working on their individual projects, getting advice from each other and bouncing ideas off of one another!  All of this was done via their webcams and the internet!  It was a real live video chat study hall!  BUT, every time I mention or suggest that we use similar technology at work, I'm looked at as if I am crazy!  Well, in their defense, I am

My son is also a member of an Odyssey of the Mind team.  They are using Google Groups and Documents to  collaborate their data, scripts and ideas.  Since this is in the cloud, each member has full access to everything at any time.  It is reducing the number of meetings, keeps the data secure, and allows each team member to contribute when they have the time, no matter where they are.

My rant?  If students in middle school are using internet collaboration tools and the cloud to get their work done, will we have the skills needed to stay ahead of them when they join the workforce?  I know I'm going to make sure I can compete.  I want to stay relevant because I need a job.

Weekend Rant

Newton’s Three Laws of Motion are:

•    First Law: An object at rest tends to stay at rest, or if it is in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by a sum of physical forces.
•    Second Law: A body will accelerate with acceleration proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass.
•    Third Law: Every action has a reaction equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

These are true in more than mechanics and physics applications.  They are true for life.  If we tend to do less and less, we will eventually tend to do nothing.  If we do more and more, we will tend to do even more.