Open Source Design Need Software

If you have read my blog you might have picked up that my day job is doing Computer Aided Drafting(CAD) design of commercial piping systems. You probably also picked up that I am an proponent of free software. What you should also know is that I am very concerned with poverty issues around the world. I spend a lot of time, like many of you, thinking about how to solve the worlds problems. Also, my view is slanted by my position. Meaning I think about the things that I would need to solve the problems I would work on in the developing world. So, what have I concluded. Well, the world is full of problems that the best solutions are elegant designs. The developed world can afford inefficiencies that Africa can't. To enable developing nations to catch up many people are working on amazing technologies that make things better, faster and cheaper to produce in order to aid the poverty stricken regions of the world. Some examples are the One Laptop Per Child program that has been working to get computers into the hands of children around the world. If you like to listen to TED talks like me there are lots of people working on these problems.
The obstacle as I see it is the lack of Free Software for CAD/CAM and CNC. While there are small projects out there for this sort of stuff it doesn't even come close to projects like Blender3d and other similar technologies. I get exited about Open Source Hardware projects that could really have an impact like the self replicating 3d printer RepRap. But, it doesn't matter if you build a $300 machine that is like a $30,000 if the software to produce with it costs $6,000. There are a lot of challenges to solving the worlds problems and if we want a new Renascence of design we need the free software to do it. So this is my plea to the community. If you want to take on a project that could change the world here it is.
The next obstacles is the closed nature of the DWG format. Autodesk has exerted too much control over this file format. They have created an industry that relies on one of the worst file formats for design. It's closed and impossible to implement in open source. They frequently make changes to the format that break backwards compatibility and no one is really doing anything about it. They have almost complete control over the way that your world is designed. The impact of the DWG format is profound and we desperately need an open format to exchange design information.
This could not only have an impact on poverty but on science as a whole. Inventors can invent and build using computers to power innovation in the physical world. Architectural design could be kept as public record in an open digital format. It opens to the possibility for digital submission of designs for patents.
A new CAD system similar to AutoCad that is extendable to suit everyones needs isn't just a good idea it's a necessity. If you ask me it more important than any other free software project out there and no one is really working on it. That makes me sad and unfortunately I lack the requisite skills to even know where to start but maybe my little rant hear will spark something and then again maybe not. I'll keep doing research on it and keep my eye on the horizon and maybe one day if I get to a point I think I could do some thing I will. Till then I hope someone who does know what they are doing is working on it.

I'm a bad bad blogger.

I think it's silly to apologize for not blogging on a regular basis. Nearly every blog I read has at least one post apologizing for having not posted in a while. Like they have million of loyal fans dieing to hear the crap they talk about on there blog. Let's face it I didn't post even once in November and this it the only post so far in December. Do I feel guilty. No. If the four people that actually read my blog are upset I haven't posted in a while then they would have let me know. So, I'm not going to make some self serving excuse as to why I haven't posted. I'm just going to mock those that post about it. Saver the irony suckaz.

Oh Brother Where art Thou?

Today is a very special day for my big brother Dave because it is his birthday. It's hard to be close to each other when we live so far away. But, because of the wonders of the internet we keep in close touch. I'm very lucky to have such a great big brother who has constantly been an inspiration to me. From when we where little and he would read me books to letting me tag along with his friends when I didn't have any, picking me up from middle school in his car even though he didn't have to and playing music together. He has built me up when other brothers would have torn me down. So here's to you big bro' on your birthday. May your day be as good as mine are when I think about the good times we've had together.

My Message Must Be Clear, Even In Bad Weather.

Having recently experienced a situation where three people I was with wore a t-shirt over a long sleeve shirt, I thought I would examine the psychology behind this type of fashion statement.

By placing your favorite t-shirt over a long sleeve your telling the world "I have something to say and it cannot and will not be silenced by chilly weather." Frankly, I see their point. It takes a lot of time and effort, not to mention money, to assemble the perfect wardrobe of shirts that express all the things you love and hate. People must know your favorite bands, movies and comic book characters if they are going to make a fair snap judgment first impression. They must know that you hate the current president, whiners and mean people. You spent years seeking out the perfect tee to say to the world "I like this" or "I hate that." You went to concerts, conventions and conferences so that you could make the statement "I have a life and can prove it." Let's not forget politics. How will people know that you have wacko political views like anarchist, conspiracy theorist or republican? How will Tibet ever be free? "Don't have a cow, man", "Did I do that?", "I've fallen and I can't get up" You need to show you're up on popular culture by sporting a shirt with a catchy popular phrase that's going around. Ladies, if your t-shirts are relegated to the mundane task of under garment, how will men know that you are "Sassy", "Cute" or an "Angel"? Your dating life may as well be over. No one could be expected to purchase all of these in both long and short sleeve varieties, so that is why I say "Cold weather be damned!" Let your first amendment rights march unabated by a slight down turn on the thermometer. Just hope that it does not get any colder or we all will be relegated to dark ages of winter coats.

That's Right, I'm Turning Into "That Guy"

When I was younger I was really into comic books. My favorites where Spiderman, X-Men, Punisher, Silver Surfer and Night Thrasher. It was one of those hobbies that you get into as a kid because your friends, who you think are cool, are into it and then you find out that you really do like them. However, I grew up, and my affection for comic books faded. Then recently, I was watching a live episode of TRS at Comicon and they mentioned the upcoming movie "Watchmen". So, I looked into the graphic novel that is the basis for the upcoming movie and decided to check it out from the library.

All I have to say about "Watchmen" is "Holly crap, this is freakin' awesome." Obviously I'm a little late to the party since the comics came out in the mid 80's, but I loved it enough to write a review. This series for DC is what launched the genre of graphic novels. For the time period that it was written the art work is pretty good, not the most incredible I've ever seen, but good. Where this graphic novel excels is in it's writing. The premise of the graphic novel takes a completely different look at super heroes than my beloved comics of my youth. There is only one character with actual super powers and the story line deals heavily with what types of personalities would be drawn into masked vigilantism and why. Each character brings a different perspective to the table with it own quirks and baggage. Add to that with a plot of impending nuclear winter and intensive character development and you have a fantastic work of fiction. Even if you where never into comics as a kid, read this one before the movie comes out. You won't be disappointed. Reading this just might have taken my geekiness to the next level and made me "That Guy." You know the one that talks about graphic novels like there an art form that combines visual art with literature. Yeah, that might well be me now.

Perfection Thy Name Is Stupidity.

Every now and then, you hear a story containing such a perfect act of stupidity that it takes on its own beauty. In a strange way, that single act of stupidity becomes something of a piece of art in that no amount of effort could perfect it any more than it's originator has achieved. Kacie, my lovely wife, recently experience such an act. My oldest daughter wears glasses. Unfortunately, her not so old glasses where recently broke by her younger sister. Since we had already used our insurance on the first pair of glasses, we where left to our own devices to find replacements. Kacie, after much research, found that a local company could provide my daughter with two pair of glasses for around $100, not too bad. During the process of the sale the salesmen made a sales pitch to get Kacie to buy polycarbonate lenses, and Kacie respectfully declined. His reaction was to say "I don't think we can let you do that, I'll have to ask my manager". This "Manager" is the one who committed the act of stupidity that inspired this post. His reaction to my wife declining the polycarbonate lenses, at a cost of $35 per pair, wast to tell her, get this, "It's an unofficial state law that children have to have polycarbonate lenses". That's right, he took the route of enforcing "unofficial state law", apparently this law was pasted by him, our own "unofficial state governor" and his band of "unofficial state legislatures", presumably the salesman. This governing body obviously assembled by way of an "unofficial vote" by "unofficial voters" held on the "unofficial election day". I was not aware that we as Coloradan's had such an active "unofficial government" out to protect it's "unofficial citizenry". Here I am worrying about the actual election and now I find out that the real problems of our nation are being handled by this new "unofficial legislature". Seeing my own ignorance as to the existence of "unofficial governing bodies", I now implore you to get out the word and "unofficially" register as an "unofficial voter". After all, how can we affect "unofficial change" if we are not involved in the process...unofficially.

Bethany got another postcard from her Aunt Sara who is on a big trip around the world. Here you can see Bethany and the giant world map that her Aunt got her to plot the trip. Check out more pictures in the Flickr stream.