Being Civil

Win a free trip to Autodesk University 2009!

Hey all, sorry I have been a bit absent of late, I was on vacation & working part time in the US for a month, visiting family.  Now I am back in the saddle and ready to ride.  The famous Lynn Allen with the fluffy dog tweeted this and I thought "who wouldn't want a chance at a free trip to AU'? 

All you have to do is fill out a survey... but hurry as the survey closes August 25, 2009, at 5:00 pm EST.  The winner will be drawn the next day, August 26th.  This is open to everyone around the world, as long as you are 18 years of age.

Per the rules, the prize includes:

1. One round-trip ticket to Las Vegas MaCarran airport from a destination within the continental United States. If the winner resides outside of the continental United States, it is that individual's responsibility to get to a US location first.
2. One free registration to Autodesk University 2009 for attendance from December 1, 2009 through December 3, 2009.
3. One hotel room (including cost of room, taxes and fees) at the conference hotel (TBD) from December 1, 2009; checking out December 4, 2009.

You are Invited! Autodesk Assistance Program Networking Event in Waltham, MA

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.

Gunslingers and rolling back OS or Program Updates and Hotfixes

I am in Paris this week attending a "Gunslinger" for the next release of Civil 3D (some GREAT stuff is coming; sorry I can't say more).  We all strap on our six shooters, put on our spurs and ten gallon hats and - well okay, I exaggerate.  This is where some customers/consultants/resellers come with their datasets and try to break the Beta, finding issues that Development can then work on prior to release - attendees also submit feedback on desired functionality too.  You may not all get to see the Beta upfront or go to a Gunslinger, but you always have the ability to submit feedback and requests on functionality right here.  Always good to provide constructive criticism, suggestions and hey, if you really like something, that is always nice too mention as well.  You can also log wishes on the "Wish" discussion group here, and AUGI has a Wish List here, where you can additionally vote on other's ideas too!

Here's a tidbit for those who haven't noticed…

Have you ever taken the time to look at your Add/Remove Programs dialog box in the Control Panel?  Note the “Show Updates” checkbox.  Click it and you will be rewarded with interim updates, which you can then uninstall if needed.  This comes in handy sometimes if for example, you think a recent Microsoft patch or update introduced something funky on your system.

First you don’t see it:

Now you do!

Of course your other option is using System Restore points; search for the word “System Restore” in Start > Help.

AUs (past, present and future) and the next release of Civil 3D

So another great AU finished up today; tired but enriched, I'm heading off to visit my sister in Seattle for the weekend.  For classes I missed, I'll be reviewing the materials and some of the presentations captured on video in just a few weeks at AU online.  You get free access to not only all content from AU 2008, but also for prior years as well (2006, 2007)!

Mark your calendars for next year, Dec. 1-4, 2009.  AU 2009 will take place at Mandalay Bay, which should be interesting, moving to the other end of the Las Vegas strip.

Another thing that happens each year is the Beta release of the next version of Civil 3D during AU.  You can go to http://myfeedback.autodesk.com and apply to become a member of the beta program if you would like to see what's coming up and get ready to leverage some really great enhancements.