Lynnette's SolidWorks Blog

Where did the good go?

When wished a "good morning," what happened to the "good" in some people's response?  Occasionally you will hear "morning" as a reply.  And just when you think you've recovered from the unsubstantial wishes of the morning; the perps strike again!  You hear folks reply, "night" after wishing upon them a good night.

What happened to the good part?  Are they just wishing you a morning or a night?  It is inevitable there is going to be a morning and a night.  Of course I'm going to have a morning, and yes, there will be a night too.  Thank you for reminding me.  :)

Invite college students to User Group Meetings.

When I first started inviting students to come to user group meetings, I knew they would benefit from the information as well as the opportuntiy to network.  I had no idea just how much it would benefit the group as well!  These students (who are now graduates) have gone into industry; are designing amazing products, and continue to attend meetings as professionals.  Soon I will be persuading them to contribute to our technical sessions and the learning/teaching will come around full circle!

At the risk of sounding like a sap; I still get choked up seeing students transformed into professionals.  I'm amazed at their accomplishments and how well they're all doing as designers!  They are making this world a better place, and I'm honored they've allowed me to share in their journey.  Thanks CADD grads!  My life wouldn't be the same without you!

Are you on the campaign trail?

At the next SWUGONE meeting in April, we will be electing a Vice President.  This position has been well sought in the past and I hope this election will be similar!  If you would like to participate in the leadership and organization of this fabulous user group, please start campaigning now!

SwugONE April Meeting

F.Y.I.

SolidWorks User Group of Nebraska will meet again on Thursday, April 23 at 6:00pm.  We will be using the same room at Southeast Community College.  Details will be coming soon via e-mail.

If you would like to join our group; please e-mail swug_one@yahoo.com to begin receiving e-mail updates.  Thank you!

Novel Idea?

Thank you for your comments and feedback regarding “Ponder This.”  I have spoken with some of you personally as well as read your comments on this blog.

Wayne Tiffany, Sr. Machine Designer of Automatic Systems, Inc. put it best when he asked why industry would want a college to spend time teaching board drafting skills simply because that is the way we have always done it in the past.  While training people for today’s needs, we need to spend time using today’s tools.

Students spend three months learning the fundamentals and basic concepts of creating documentation adhering to industry standards.  Then, students are required to put those concepts to use.  The difference is; their tool is a CAD system instead of a pencil and T-square.

I’ve made the comment that SolidWorks is just a “glorified pencil.”  After the gasps finally came to a halt, I was able to explain this statement.  SolidWorks is a tool; as is a pencil.  We use tools to help communicate designs so a person or machine may produce those designs.  We could communicate those ideas/designs with a pencil and paper, but we have to remember our purpose.  We build stuff.  As my boss Dan Masters would say: “The contractor reluctant to use the nailgun when it first surfaced was put out of business because he couldn’t build houses fast enough with his ole hammer.”

I searched for pictures of people using the classic slipstick.  Most are in black and white.
Here is a picture courtesy of the "International Slide Rule Museum."

I ask; do students need to learn how to use a slide rule before they are able to operate a calculator properly to obtain answers to mathematical problems?  Isn’t it the end result that we’re really after?  Why does it matter which tools we used to get there?
 
Or imagine this: if we stopped teaching grade-schoolers how to hold a pencil altogether, would there be no more novels?

Virtual SWUGONE Business Card

Join the group!

Ponder This

Yesterday, SCC held its biannual Trades & Industries Career Fair.  44 companies set up booths to recruit and connect with future CADD graduates.

I had the opportunity to share in the excitement with students as they finalized resumes, researched companies, mapped out booths to visit, and mentally prepared for the event.

I remember back to when I created my first resume.  I took careful consideration to select the perfect font and height for my name, right-justified with a horizontal line below to highlight and distinguish from my contact information. Objective, Employment History, and Skills; bold and left-justified.  Italics added for emphasis on job titles and company names.  After reading and proofing with Merriam Webster and my little blue thesaurus, I headed to the office supply store.  I selected the perfect resume paper; evaluating texture and color of each available style.  I went back home and set my printer to the very best quality.  Then, slipped the perfect creations into a leather folder engraved with my initials.  Ahh, bliss.  My perfectionist OCD satisfied by these perfect sheets of paper.  Who wouldn't want to hire me?

Poor students.  They don't get to spend money on gas, paper, or printer cartridges.  They don't get to have conversations with their printer after a sweet gift of jam.  They simply perfect the content and click send.

Ponder this: at the fair, a gentleman asked why we do not require students to start off on drafting boards.

Great News!

My request has been approved and I will be able to attend SolidWorks World 2009! I will be sure to bring my digital camera and post blogs to share my experiences with you.

January 21, 2009.

As you may have heard, SWUGONE’s (SolidWorks User Group of Nebraska) president has stepped down, and as Vice President; I will be taking over the position. We will be asking for candidates to fill the position of Vice President at our next user group meeting.

Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 21; 6:30pm at Southeast Community College. Special guest and designer, Tom Fosler from Husqvarna Turf Care will be presenting an overview and basic principles of API for beginners and intermediates to automate and customize SolidWorks.

We will take a quick tour of the SCC Lincoln campus and as always, enjoy a dinner and networking before the presentation begins. I hope to see you!

A Question for you.