Not Impressed!

The new installation manager for SolidWorks 2008 has several flaws. Outside of a bug which does not install Cosmos applications on designated machines with the "One Step Installer", pre or post application functions not running when setup in the installation manager, or the fact you should completely re-download the entire SW2008 application with each new service pack (which appears to come out ever 3 or 4 weeks), and a myriad of other issues, it works great. I am very disappointed with the current performance from the administration end. Having been deploying and administering previous versions of SW through batch files and updating an image, this installation manager tool does not have the flexibility nor the usability desired. I am certain the tool works well for individuals who do not run admin images for multiple configured clients and individuals with no need to mass deploy through a push. People I had spoken to at SolidWorks World and at the local users group that are having success are physically walking around to each workstation and installing manually with the Installation Manager, and often do not perform pre-deployment testing. I hope in the future there will be an opportunity for administrators to have a focus group to provide development feedback or suggestions. The Installation Manager has been a pain and I have spent countless hours working on the issues. My VAR has attempted to help which is how we identified issues to SW which later have been identified as bugs. If I am only using this tool to deploy vanilla flavored applications and require extra effort to deploy additional tools (Cosmos applications) then I might as well setup SW 2008 to deploy through a proven method of batch files and discard the Installation Manager toolset.

     Getting back to the general sessions, there is was a buzz among groups of people, and I know I had been one, discussing Theo Jansen, a kinetic sculptor. I have seen other people describe him as a mad genius or a modern say Leonardo DeVinci. He was definitely a unique man and very intriguing to listen to about his creations. He will be remembered by many, if not everyone, that had attended that day.

     Dr. Robert Ballard had also spoken at the general sessions and was extraordinary in his explanation of technological developments shaping the world he knows and researches. He was certain to stress the importance of our future generations and what they can and will accomplish. One point he made was for all of his accomplishments in science, it was not until his discovery of the Titanic he had begun receiving letters from children explaining how they hope to be a scientist one day and his number one request in these letters was "Take me with you.", and with todays technology that is almost possible. He had spoken of how in 1981 he had written on the future of undersea exploration and that some day a scientist/explorer could research from thousands of miles away with remote robotic technology. It was inspiring to see how the visions of the future and what technology could do for us over time resulting in being part of a paradigm shift in the way things are done.

     Another speaker also shared the concerns of our children in the United States and their interaction with technology and science, Mr. Dean Kamen the founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and inventor of the Segway. I have not begun to look into this in depth personally; I do plan on finding out more. http://www.usfirst.org/ His mission and vision were very clear. The concern on the youth of our society not being more involved with science and technology. He has taken action to change and shape the minds and ideas of youth and emphasized the value in science and technology to these children.

     All of these speakers had the theme of the conference clear in their message: to "inspire". At SolidWorks World 2007 there was a young lady whom had spoken of a vision with automobiles. Anna Jaffe, from SolidWorks World 2007, was a brief topic that The SolidWorks Users Group Leaders Network had briefly discussed about the potential of providing support to Anna and her team at MIT. I don't have many details now but I will certainly bring them back here. Potentially being part of the Vehicle Design Summit is an exciting opportunity to contribute to valuable goals. Perhaps become part of an inspired idea and contribute to a shift as well.

     There are certainly many other things I will discuss in the next few days and weeks from this event and I thought the general sessions are a great place to start.

Today Richard has announced the SolidWorks Legion to the "Blog Squad". Welcome guys! I look forward to reading your postings.

Today I will begin the process of reviewing the NextEngine 3d Scanner. This is sure to be an exciting and educational. In just over two weeks I expect myself to present this product at our next RASUG (Rockford Area SolidWorks Users Group) meeting. The plan is to have my review posted by the end of this year....so I better get started.

SolidWorks World 2008 is approaching quickly and Lenny at lennyworks as well as Mike Puckett's blog have great information on the event. Be sure to check them out and I hope to see you there.

     Not only is there a new look to the user interface but numerous commands can be accessed from the design area, eliminating some extra mouse movement (a minor benefit). In our current 2007 environment I get calls from users that are frustrated with errors and conflicts. In 2008 one improvement is the ability to identify over-defining constraints and providing logical solutions and alternative suggestions to resolve the conflict. Fillet commands have been improved with the use of filter selection tools and the ability to grab multiple fillets in same size fillet design on the model. The new fillet expert provides alternate fillet options and selections  of surfaces/features. Live section is a new function which I think will aid in creating multiple designs from existing models of products and components. There were a number of partners on hand as well. What I thought has been a pleasant surprise is how SW and the partners have maintained sight on how everything works with PDMWorks Workgroup. There was information on the Enterprise edition which was well received. I am focused on the PDMWWorkgroup and I think SW and the SW partners maintained that focus adequately as well.

     I look forward to getting the admin images setup and deployed. I do have concerns with the new administration tools as they are more automated and less configuration "hands on". Deploying on an individual license and machine installation seems less of a concern than a network image and deployment. This will be my next blog in the future......what I think of the new admin deploying tool set.