The Dirt tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-510919 2009-07-12T16:03:28-07:00 How Autodesk Civil Products are deployed around the world. TypePad Autodesk Networking Event - Waltham, MA USA tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834538dda69e2011571fa21be970b 2009-07-12T16:03:28-07:00 2009-07-12T16:03:28-07:00 Meet, greet, and learn. Join Autodesk, the Boston Society of Architects, and Microdesk for a networking event at the Autodesk Gallery Boston on Trapelo Road. Date: Thursday, July 23, 2009 Time: 6 p.m.–8 p.m. Location: 1560 Trapelo Rd, Waltham In... Pete Kelsey

Meet, greet, and learn.
Join Autodesk, the Boston Society of Architects, and Microdesk for a networking event at the Autodesk Gallery Boston on Trapelo Road.

Date: Thursday, July 23, 2009
Time: 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Location: 1560 Trapelo Rd, Waltham

In partnership with the Boston Society of Architects and Microdesk, Autodesk is hosting a networking event for job-seeking architects, engineers, and designers in the Boston Area. Meet potential employers in your field, network with peers and learn more about how you can benefit from the Autodesk Assistance Program.

Please RSVP to autodeskAAP@fleishman.com by Friday, July 17, 2009.
Registration is limited.

http://petekelsey.typepad.com/the_dirt/2009/07/autodesk-networking-event-waltham-ma-usa.html World's Oldest Man (a Land Surveyor) Dies at 113 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-68287709 2009-06-19T10:04:51-07:00 2009-06-19T10:04:51-07:00 Wow! Must have been all the fresh air and exercise! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31439522/ns/world_news-asiapacific/ Pete Kelsey

Wow!  Must have been all the fresh air and exercise!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31439522/ns/world_news-asiapacific/

 http://petekelsey.typepad.com/the_dirt/2009/06/worlds-oldest-man-a-land-surveyor-dies-at-113.html BIM / VDC: An Evolutionary Step in Engineering tag:typepad.com,2003:post-66617113 2009-05-11T06:33:00-07:00 2009-05-11T06:33:00-07:00 I am long overdue for a post, but I think I have the perfect one. Are you ready? I am convinced that we are witnessing the next evolutionary step in engineering. That being the wide scale adoption of BIM (Building... Pete Kelsey

C3D_LDT_VIZ_1 

I am long overdue for a post, but I think I have the perfect one.  Are you ready?  I am convinced that we are witnessing the next evolutionary step in engineering.  That being the wide scale adoption of BIM (Building Information Modeling) and/or VDC (Virtual Design and Construction).  What are BIM and VDC?  Follow the links:  BIM  VDC  My two cents . . . they are esentially the same thing!

CAD, GPS, Laser Scanning each in and of themselves represented evolutionary steps for engineering.  Today, BIM / VDC is here and here to stay.  Still not convinced?  Have you seen the recent cover stories  from both CE News and ENR?  Check them both out and get ready to retool, rethink and reengiineer your current processes.  If you don't I believe you will no longer be able to compete, much less win any size-able, stimulus related contracts.  The recent GSA RFP that requires BIM models as part of the submittals is proof enough.  This is a 5 year, $35M contract.  If you want a piece of the action BIM and/or VDC is the way forward.

You know you are getting old when you have witnessed more than three of these evolutionary jumps in your career.  I was hired at my first civil engineering firm to migrate the design shop from ink and mylar to CAD.  That makes me about 102 years old.  But I am never too old to adopt new, necessary and inevitable processes / technologies - except for reality TV.  Not going there.

 http://petekelsey.typepad.com/the_dirt/2009/05/bim-vdc-an-evolutionary-step-in-engineering.html Autodesk Assistance Program tag:typepad.com,2003:post-65133389 2009-04-06T08:07:51-07:00 2009-04-06T08:07:51-07:00 Autodesk Assistance Program Offers Help to Displaced Workers Designers, Engineers and Architects Can Receive Software, Training, Certification and Other Company Resources to Help Extend Their Skills and Improve Employability SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Recognizing the impact of... Pete Kelsey <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"></font><font face="Calibri"><span lang="IT" style="COLOR: #ff6600; mso-ansi-language: IT">&#0160;</span><o:p></o:p></font></p></td> <td id="adsk91-rightpanel" style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" id="adsk91-rightpanel-sub" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td id="adsk91-maincontent" style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"> <h2 style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;">Autodesk Assistance Program Offers Help to Displaced Workers<o:p></o:p></span></h2> <p><em><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">Designers, Engineers and Architects Can Receive Software, Training, Certification and Other Company Resources to Help Extend Their Skills and Improve Employability</span></em><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --<strong> </strong>Recognizing the impact of today&#39;s economic challenges, <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-autodesk">Autodesk</a> is launching the <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-assistanceprogram">Autodesk Assistance Program</a>. The Autodesk Assistance Program will provide Autodesk customers and partners with design software tools, education and resources that will help them to enhance, maintain and develop their <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-autodesk">3D design technology</a> skills and remain competitive in the marketplace. The program will offer free* student software term licenses, free online training and a path to certification to unemployed architects, designers and engineers in all industries.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">&quot;Everyone has been touched by the economic downturn,&quot; said Steve Blum, senior vice president, Autodesk Americas sales. &quot;Autodesk has a tradition of supporting the needs of its customers and partners. The Autodesk Assistance Program is a fast-tracked way for our customers to improve their productivity and competitiveness during this challenging and volatile time by accessing the multiple resources we offer them to best position themselves for the future.&quot;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">Autodesk Assistance Program tools and resources will be made available through an <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-assistanceprogram">online portal</a>, where users can access:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font size="3"></font><font face="Calibri"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;">Free* Software License:</span></strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> Any 13-month term student license of AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Inventor Professional, and/or AutoCAD Civil 3D software. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font size="3"></font><font face="Calibri"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;">Free Online Training:</span></strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> On-demand training available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week provided online through <a href="http://www.myvbooks.com/ac55jsp/stores/1/index.jsp">vBooks</a> - powered by Retrieve Technologies, Inc. (internet access required)<o:p></o:p></span></font></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font size="3"></font><font face="Calibri"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;">Reduced-Cost Classroom Training:</span></strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> Many <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-atc">Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC)</a> partners are offering classroom training at their training facilities for free or for a significantly reduced fee. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font size="3"></font><font face="Calibri"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;">Certification:</span></strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> Certification preparation and exams are available at discounted rates through Autodesk Authorized Certification Centers. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li> </ul> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">In addition to the Autodesk Assistance Program, Autodesk has partnered with various industry organizations on local initiatives. For instance, the new Autodesk office in Waltham, Mass., is teaming with the local Boston Society of Architects to offer free volunteer-led immersion seminars on building information modeling (BIM) to unemployed design professionals in the Boston area. Autodesk resellers and Chief Information Officers from different Boston-area companies are all pitching in to help teach the seminars. Seminar attendees receive a free* Revit Architecture student term license, and can also receive American Institute of Architects (AIA) continuing education credit for the seminars. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">Partners who participate in the Autodesk Assistance Program will be designated as official Autodesk Assistance Program members on the program&#39;s website. Offers for certification and classroom training will vary depending on each ATC. <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-locateatc">Locate an Autodesk</a> <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-locateatc">ATC</a> in your area for details.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">The Autodesk Assistance Program is being launched in North America. The company hopes to roll the program out in other countries over the next few months. Listen to Steve Blum discuss the program in a video on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2soQzmRqY1I">Autodesk YouTube</a> channel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">Autodesk currently provides training and online resources to end users through <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-au">Autodesk University Online</a> (AU Online), <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-augi">Autodesk User Group International</a> (AUGI), various online <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-communities">industry communities</a> and the Autodesk <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/pr-youtube">YouTube</a> Channel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Calibri&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">For more information about the Autodesk Assistance Program, please contact your local reseller, or contact Autodesk directly at <a href="mailto:assistance@autodesk.com">assistance@autodesk.com</a> or visit <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/assistanceprogram">www.autodesk.com/assistanceprogram</a>. </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div> http://petekelsey.typepad.com/the_dirt/2009/04/autodesk-assistance-program.html The Golden Spike & The Gates of Hell tag:typepad.com,2003:post-64468621 2009-03-23T10:31:00-07:00 2009-03-23T15:58:40-07:00 I decided to drive down to Carmel, CA this weekend. Along the way I stopped in at Stanford University in Palo Alto because I had heard rumors that the infamous golden spike was on display there. The golden spike on... Pete Kelsey

I decided to drive down to Carmel, CA this weekend.  Along the way I stopped in at Stanford University in Palo Alto because I had heard rumors that the infamous golden spike was on display there.

GoldenSpike 

The golden spike on display at The Cantor Arts Center (Stanford University)

There is lots of information on this historic (and gigantic) civil engineering feat HERE.

1869-Golden_Spike 

East meets West at Promontory Summit, UT - May 10, 1869

Well, I found it.  Much to my suprise I also stumbled on The Gates of Hell . . . by Rodin . . . on display at Stanford University.

Gates_of_Hell_Rodin 

The Gates of Hell by Rodin


What a day.

 http://petekelsey.typepad.com/the_dirt/2009/03/the-gates-of-hell-the-golden-spike.html Fortune Battle of the (Corporate) Bands tag:typepad.com,2003:post-64178411 2009-03-15T10:00:35-07:00 2009-03-15T17:07:08-07:00 I have a question for all you DIRT readers . . . Should I assemble a band, made up of Autodesk employees to compete in the annual 2009 Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands? VOTE HERE I'll post the results... Pete Kelsey

BOCB-logo

I have a question for all you DIRT readers . . . Should I assemble a band, made up of Autodesk employees to compete in the annual 2009 Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands?

VOTE HERE

I'll post the results soon!

 http://petekelsey.typepad.com/the_dirt/2009/03/fortune-battle-of-the-bands.html Introducing Google Latitude tag:typepad.com,2003:post-62373166 2009-02-04T10:56:04-07:00 2009-02-04T10:56:04-07:00 Another cool application from Google . . . http://www.google.com/latitude/intro.html Do I really want folks to know where I am 24/7/365 as long as my Blackberry is on? I'll think about it! Pete Kelsey

LOST 

Another cool application from Google . . . http://www.google.com/latitude/intro.html  Do I really want folks to know where I am 24/7/365 as long as my Blackberry is on?  I'll think about it!

 http://petekelsey.typepad.com/the_dirt/2009/02/introducing-google-latitude.html Easter Island Story: Fortune Magazine & CNNMoney.com tag:typepad.com,2003:post-61294600 2009-01-14T09:47:44-07:00 2009-01-14T09:47:44-07:00 Benjamin Lowy (photographer), me and Jeffrey O'Brien (author) walking up to the Moai on Easter Island - August 2008 I have been waiting five months for this to go to print. If you prefer hard copy see the January 19,... Pete Kelsey <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><a href="http://petekelsey.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834538dda69e2010536cdc426970c-pi" style="DISPLAY: inline"><img alt="JOB-PWK-BL" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d834538dda69e2010536cdc426970c " src="http://petekelsey.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834538dda69e2010536cdc426970c-800wi" title="JOB-PWK-BL" /></a>&#0160; </span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><strong><em>Benjamin Lowy (photographer),&#0160;me and Jeffrey O&#39;Brien (author) walking up to the Moai on Easter Island - August 2008</em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I have been waiting five months for this to go to print.&#0160; If you prefer hard copy see the January 19, 2009 issue of Fortune Magazine.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Fortune Story:&#0160; </span><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/13/magazines/fortune/obrien_easter.fortune/index.htm"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/13/magazines/fortune/obrien_easter.fortune/index.htm</span></a><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">CNN Video:&#0160; <span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><a href="http://money.cnn.com/video/ft/#/video/fortune/2009/01/13/fortune.tt.easterisland.fortune"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">http://money.cnn.com/video/ft/#/video/fortune/2009/01/13/fortune.tt.easterisland.fortune</span></a> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">&#0160;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">&#0160;</p></div> http://petekelsey.typepad.com/the_dirt/2009/01/easter-island-story-fortune-magazine-cnnmoneycom.html Travel back to ancient Rome with Google Earth tag:typepad.com,2003:post-61025944 2009-01-07T19:27:30-07:00 2009-01-07T19:27:30-07:00 Check this out: http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/annc/20081112_earthrome.html This is not only very cool but Bernie Frischer with Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities / University of Virginia, who I met in Oaxaca, Mexico recently, had a big hand in this effort. You... Pete Kelsey

Check this out:

http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/annc/20081112_earthrome.html

This is not only very cool but Bernie Frischer with Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities / University of Virginia, who I met in Oaxaca, Mexico recently, had a big hand in this effort.  You guessed it, Bernie and his team are Autodesk customers!

 http://petekelsey.typepad.com/the_dirt/2009/01/travel-back-to-ancient-rome-with-google-earth.html Dave Graveline "Into Tomorrow" Interview from Autodesk University tag:typepad.com,2003:post-59592434 2008-12-06T08:47:43-07:00 2008-12-06T08:47:43-07:00 While at Autodesk University this week I had a chance to sit down with Dave Graveline to talk about the Autodesk Easter Island Project. You can watch and listen by picking HERE. Pete Kelsey

AU2008 

While at Autodesk University this week I had a chance to sit down with Dave Graveline to talk about the Autodesk Easter Island Project.  You can watch and listen by picking HERE.

 http://petekelsey.typepad.com/the_dirt/2008/12/dave-graveline-into-tomorrow-interview-from-autodesk-university.html