Reality Distortion
It the last few months, many of my friends and colleagues have been attending conferences put on by CAD companies. I’ve often attended these in the past, but this year I’ve been staying close to home, working on some business projects.
It’s been an interesting experience for me to read the accounts in blogs and newsletters—both those written by people I know, and people I don’t know. While I wish I’d been able to attend some of these conferences, I’m probably fortunate to have avoided being exposed to all those reality distortion fields.
Years ago, there were a bunch of important trade shows and industry conferences, where people could go to get a bigger picture, and gain perspective on the industry. Unfortunately, the economy and the web have changed everything. Industry conferences have gone away, and been replaced by vendor-hosted conferences. No matter how it’s structured, a vendor-hosted conference can never provide real perspective.
So, here’s my question: Given all the marketing hype and reality distortion out there, how does a person in the CAD industry gain a bigger perspective?
I've got some ideas, but I'm interested in hearing from people who are out there, dealing with this dilemma every day.
Evan Yares
5 Comments
Reader Comments (5)
"Unfortunately, the economy and the web have changed everything." then he asked; "I've got some ideas, but I'm interested in hearing from people who are out there, dealing with this dilemma every day."
Deelip says unmoderated, anonymously contributed blogs, another maybe;
Fortunately the web and the economy have created an opportunity for you to create the 'etrade-show' and or the 'i-conference' [my trademarks of course :-)]; online versions of the past that create 'space-booths'[also my TM], for vendors with products to promote and sell, to purchase and set-up stands. Sold by the 'square foot or square metre' the 'space-booths' will be modelled in 3D on Reputable Open Source CAD software purchased as an entry ticket; Known as 3D-ROS(TM), RosCAD(TM) or similar(TM). (A 2D viewer CADET(tm) should also be considered for all those invaluable designers and draughtpersons who only work using schematic diagrams.)
For persons with personal agenda or community type services, (me for example exposing invasive CAD Licence Contract Terms and Conditions), could be allocated space FREE to display their 'wares/concerns' for all to see in booths designed to provide immunity from prosecution or legal action.
Community 'space-booths' will not reside in any single legal jurisdiction; these booths will be constantly moving around the 'The WEB' being indexed and accessed through an add-on package provided as a 'bonus tool' with the 'CAD Entry Ticket' (CADET (tm)).
The inaugural event opens when....???
Edwin