Mike Puckett's Blog

Customer Portal Home Makeover

For those that use the customer portal, you will notice a new look, and some new functionality.  The portal is available to those on subscription service, and is a good source for information.  Here is a look at the new site:

One of the best features is the knowledge base.  There you can find answers to common problems.  I have used it a few times to solve installation errors.  So head on over and sign up.

Solidwork Customer Portal

Solidworks World Events Details Emerge...

Solidworks Events Manager Kerri Dunne attened the Los Angeles Area Solidworks User Group last week.  She was in attendance to help promote the annual Solidworks World User Conference being held in San Diego next January 20-23.  Durring the meeting Kerri  filled everyone in with more details surrounding the offsite events.

The main offsite event being held Tuesday evening Jan 22 will be in the Gas Lamp District in San Diego.  One of the streets of this historical area will be completely shut down.  All the restruants and bars will remain open, and attendees will be able to stroll in to try out different food and drinks!  Street entertainment will also be plentiful to keep attendees busy for the night.  Be sure to dress warm!

Kerri also shed some light on the CSWP event.  Exclusive first time details of the event uncovered what is sure to be one of the best CSWP events ever.  Attendees to the Monday night event will be treated to a trip to one of San Diegos unique ocean front party spots.  The Wave House will play host for upto 400 people that night.  The bar and restruant features beach front relaxation, multiple bars, entertainment, and two wave surfing simulation machines.  Take a trip over to their website to get all the details of this sure to be fun night.  If events from the years past, the event and the CSWP team are sure to have a top knotch event planned out for all.  Dont forget your wetsuit! 

Why You Should Attend Solidworks World Reason 16: Solidworks Model Mania...

So you think your good at Solidworks huh?  Think your fast enough to be the best?  Why not put your skills to the test then?  Each year at Solidworks World, attendees haave the chance to demonstrate their modeling skills, and compete for some hefty prizes.  Basically you get a few minutes to study a print, then you get to model it.  Once you are done modeilng it, they give you a revised print, and you make your changes.  The past winners have normally done this in under 10 minutes.  And the models arent some easy run of the mill design.  In true Solidworks style, they through you a curve or two.

For the COSMOS fans, there is even a COSMOS challenge to test your skills.  The prizes for both are normally high end graphics cards worth lots of money.

So if you make your way to San Diego, make sure to stop by the Model Mania booth and see just how good you are.  One hint: Dont try to accomplish this durring the welcome reception after having a few beers, you wont make it very far at all!

Inspired To Design???

If nothing more than a catchy phrase, it is none the less the theme for Solidworks World 2008.  Solidworks has released the schedule of keynote speakers for next year in San Diego.  While not as 'rock-star-ish' as those in the years past, next years speakers will have some good stories to share.

Most notable of the two non-Solidworks speakers is Robert Ballard.  Dr. Ballard is most notably known for his work with the Woods Hole Institute.  His explorations to the Titanic have been largely beneficial in trying to understand what happened that fateful night.  I myself always enjoy the documentaries surrounding the Titanic disaster, so hopefully his address wont be a yawn fest!

The second speaker is Dr. Don Norman.  Dr. Norman is a fellow and a guy, and a man, and an etc, etc, etc who wrote a book about design.  Anyhow, he is more in tune with the theme in regards to his work.  You can read more about him at the link below and decide for yourself if he will be a yawn fest.  He may just surprise everyone listening though.  Thats one of the great things about going to Solidworks World, you never know what to expect!

Take a look at the Keynote Address schedule HERE.

Why You Should Attend Solidworks World Reason 17: Autodesk Events...

No, don't be confused, this is a post about Solidworks World, and not Autodesk Preschool, er, I mean Autodesk University.  Anyhow, each year At Solidworks World you can sense an Autodesk presence.  Last year in New Orleans, they had bought just about every billboard in the airport, and even a few freeway signs along the way into town. 

In Vegas in 2006, they actually hosted an event out behind the Imperial Palace Hotel.  The signs read "The perfectly Engineered Party for Solidworks Users.  The sign even resembled the color theme for that years SW World.  So I took it upon myself to go check it out.  Once I discovered it was actually an Autodesk event, I changed my mind and decided to go do something more productive like kick rocks.

So why do they feel the need to make their presence felt each year?  I think it's much similar to the way a family dog sits next to the dinner table during dinner time.  They are waiting for scraps to fall on the floor.  Each year more and more Autodesk users switch over to Solidworks, And since Autodesk cant offer their users much in the way of cutting edge software, maybe a few billboards, and some free beer might win them back?  Either way, it's always fun to see what lengths Autodesk goes to each year.  Imagine if they put that money back into software development!

So when heading out west next year, keep your eyes peeled for Autodesk sightings, and snap a pic, let's see what they spent their time on this year!

Los Angeles SWUG to Host Solidworks Corp Guests...

The Los Angeles area Solidworks User Group will host two corporate guests from Solidworks at the October 11th meeting.  Solidworks Events Manager Kerri Dunne will be on hand to discuss Solidworks World 2008 answering any questions in regards to the San Diego event scheduled for January 20-23 2008. Kerri is the leader of the events team that produces this huge annual event that hosts over 3,500 guests each year.  Solidworks World is the worlds largest 3-D CAD event.

Also in attendance will be Richard Doyle.  Richard is the worldwide coordinator for Solidworks User Groups.  Richard will be on hand to present his "What's really new in Solidworks 2008" presentation.  This is a Solidworks World presentation that draws a big crowd each year.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 6:00pm, and is being held at the Radisson Suites Hotel 1211 E Garvey St, Covina CA 91724

All those interested in attending, and not previously notified of the meeting should email mpuckett@laocswug.com to attend, and receive a full agenda of the meeting.