AutoCAD 2009 - Shaan Spills The Beans
I sometimes wonder why companies make such a big hue and cry about their Non Disclosure Agreements. Maybe because they think that keeping something secret and then leaking it out makes it more interesting than making it public to begin with.
SYCODE is a member of the Autodesk Developer Network and we are given early access to products in development, which is a good thing. We are also bound by an NDA that keeps us from opening our traps. And then I read Shaan Hurley's interview in AUGIWorld Magazine wherein he (very tactfully) gives a "sneek peek" at the next version of AutoCAD.
"An interesting idea might be a future UI enhancement to take advantage of new operating systems and offer more productivity. Perhaps users would like an expansion of the Microstation DGN format to include V7 versions...[snip]... What would you say to a kind of macro that would eliminate the need to write customization for small repetitive tasks? Imagine programming without any code! You would be recording and then playing back, but not that simple. It would allow you to insert pause for input, not merely brainless macro recorder."
SYCODE is a member of the Autodesk Developer Network and we are given early access to products in development, which is a good thing. We are also bound by an NDA that keeps us from opening our traps. And then I read Shaan Hurley's interview in AUGIWorld Magazine wherein he (very tactfully) gives a "sneek peek" at the next version of AutoCAD.
"An interesting idea might be a future UI enhancement to take advantage of new operating systems and offer more productivity. Perhaps users would like an expansion of the Microstation DGN format to include V7 versions...[snip]
posted by Deelip Menezes at
9:58 AM
7 Comments:
NDA keeps the new features 'secret' so that potential new customers won't hold out until March (to get new features) if they are ready to buy now [in Dec for example].
By
Anonymous, At
6:49 PM, December 27, 2007
Autodesk would argue it did not break the NDA [legally-binding non-disclosure agreement], because its employee (1) is not bound by the agreement; (2) was speaking of possible features; (3) of a future release of AutoCAD; (4) that might or might not ship. Somewhat similar to a Autodesk employee speculating about future features in SolidWorks -- except that the employee has insider knowledge, presumably.
Autodesk pulled a similar stunt a couple of years ago when it allowed nearly a dozen hand-picked bloggers (including two of its own employees who blog) to break the NDA ahead of the date that other bloggers were still bound to.
Nevertheless, the early release of information -- no matter how vague
-- is frustrating to those of us who take NDAs seriously. At least one CAD journalist now refuses to sign Autodesk NDA agreements.
By
Anonymous, At
6:21 AM, December 28, 2007
It is unfortunate that some feel I cannot speak about anything that might or might not be future of UI and CAD in the context of the article about the past of Autodesk and AutoCAD. Should I leave speculation only to others, nah.
In response to Ralph... The perpetuation of calling into question reputable people that were not hand selected, not paid, or asked to do anything is sad. You and others that did this unfairly should really apologize for the unfair accusations made during the feeding frenzy on what was not a scandal or stunt.
It was a communication problem but people were released from the NDA to say what they wanted good or bad or nothing at all. Some of the comments about me were bad enough but when some called into question the customers who posted their own opinions that was too far and crossed a line. I would expect this from a super market tabloid but not those who consider themselves objective journalists.
Shaan
By
Anonymous, At
8:29 AM, December 28, 2007
Seems to me that having a Macro Recorder is only about 10 years behind the times. Why Adesk hasn't included this is beyond me. Even Pshop has had this for something like the last 4 or 5 versions now and Pshop while a great app always seems to be a bit slow on the uptake of new things.
Having been someone who has had to sign numerous Adesk NDA's it was annoying but understandable that they would want to control the amount and timing of publicity, but considering how badly their marketing has been on AutoCAD since probably around version 13 and up, they can use new insights into their marketing plans. I recall a 2 page list of all the advancements done in r12. I haven't seen a marketing pitch like that in 10 versions now that spelled out all the important new features. Instead they focus on 4 or 5 new features, most of which are only partly finished or poorly written and really won't be ready for prime time for another 3 versions.
Jon
www.archinature.com
By
Anonymous, At
2:03 AM, January 04, 2008
We are a Gold Beta Site and everyone was released yesterday (2-13-08) from the NDA, so expect to see and hear plenty more in the very near future. I have posted a number of v2009 items on my own website. I'll post more detail there very soon.
By
Anonymous, At
10:55 AM, February 13, 2008
www.lukewarmcoffee.com
By
Anonymous, At
10:56 AM, February 13, 2008
The fact that Autodesk puts people like Shaan Hurley (whose technical qualifications are essentially non-existent), out in front, is far more insulting than anything he did with regards to leaking.
Perhaps the only thing that gives him credibility is the leaking of information, as personally, I couldn't think of any reason why I would want to read about anything this individual has to say.
I would be much more interested in what senior management people with technical backgrounds have to say about products, as opposed to a semi-legitmate 'front man'.
By
Anonymous, At
3:52 PM, February 20, 2008
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