[Tfug] CAD software that is friendly to Linux

[johngalt1]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Felix Tilley" <fetilley at earthlink.net>
To: "Tucson Free Unix Group" <tfug at tfug.org>
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 8:49 PM
Subject: Re: [Tfug] CAD software that is friendly to Linux


>> ===============================================================
>>
>> What sort of CAD software are you looking for?  Circuit
>> board design?  Or electrical circuit simulation?
>>
>> I don't think Tucson is very heavy on engineering.  Not
>> like Phoenix and the suburbs.

Bingo.

>> For electrical and
>> mechanical engineering, Raytheon is the biggest game in
>> Tucson.  The do some optics for their missiles, but I
>> think they are designed and manufactured by outside
>> vendors.
>>
>> Felix
>>

> Message: 4
> Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:40:15 +0000 (GMT)
> From: "Eric M. Gearhart" <eric at nixwizard.net>
> Subject: [Tfug] CAD software that is friendly to Linux
> To: tfug at tfug.org
> Message-ID:
> <23131583.191189770015734.JavaMail.root at mail.aerno.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Has anyone used Varicad? http://www.varicad.com
>
> The fact that it supports OpenDWG is encouraging... open
> formats like it and ODF are the way of the future IMO.
>
> Anyone in the engineering world have any input on this?
> I'm trying to figure out if there's a decent market for
> good CAD software on Linux... with all the focus on optics
> and electronics Tucson is pretty engineering-heavy right?


IMO, whatever market for engineers there is, is quickly
sopped up with old farts looking toward retirement,
Cali-phonies, and people who are way too qualified. Also, I
would imagine local engineering employers routinely do
nationwide searches for talent because of the
specialization. Possibly qualified people never get
interviewed because HR droids see the requirement, let's
say, "Standard Missile experience" and overlook
anything else. Furthermore, it's not so likely the hiring
manager is going to want to take the time to invest in
training someone. Then, if you are an old fart, you are at a
disadvantage because the up and comers can be exploited more
readily.

My take on the OSS software thing is that the training
providers are geared to AutoCAD and other "mainstream"
packages. So finding qualified people that are competent in
other packages is spotty. It's a Catch-22. If Pima or
someone else started offering OSS CAD training, the
possibility that some local design/engineering house would
be using it seems slim to me. The Tucson market is
small-town.

If you believe the Mayor, Tucson is engineering heavy. But
his job is that of a cheerleader and selling the community.