Keeping Up With the Tools

It is important, and difficult, in this time of rapidly changing technology to keep up.  I think that most every one will agree with such a bland and obvious statement as that. But what does it really mean?

Should you stay one release behind so that all the bugs are worked out?  Should you always buy and install the newest release immediately?  Is there a happy medium somewhere?  Many people work for a firm or corporation where the decision to upgrade is completely out of their control.  What should they do?

I am not a big fan of the one release behind theory.  In my opinion there has not been a BAD release of AutoCAD since release 13.  If you used it then you know what I am talking about.  In my previous posting I talked about the Shrinking Pie Syndrome and I think that by staying one release behind it is far to easy to fall into that trap.

I often wonder how many of us just click the, "Don't show me this again." option when the new features window pops up the first time you load the newest version.  The number would be large I'm sure.

If you are like me then you want to be able to look at what is not only in the newest release but the next one also.  I want to not only be able to see what I have, but I want to know what is coming down the pipe from the software company in the next release.  I don't want to just be on the leading edge of technology.  I want to be on the "bleeding edge".

  If you don't know how to get a glimpse into the mind of a software developer and your skills of prognostication are not what you would like them to be.  (I always wondered why psychics have these run down looking buildings in the worst part of town.  If I could see the future I would pick a wining stock or two and just retire.)  The best way is to get involved with a local user group (LUG).  Try WWW.AUGI.COM for all of the Autodesk users out there.  The LUG that I am involved with does a "What's new in AutoCAD" with every release.  This is a great opportunity to see the best of the new features in one shot .

The AUGI site can help you find a LUG near you and then you can get involved to whatever extent you are comfortable.

Another good option is to take a class or two from a reseller or a local tech school.  This option is a good one but usually require two thing that most of us do not want to put out.  The first thing is money.  A reseller class can range from $200.00 up to $1000.00 depending on how the class is structured and how much personal attention you want.  The second thing is time.  These classes are almost always during the work day which will require time off from work.

If none of these options appeal to you.  I suggest getting involved in Beta testing program.  Autodesk has a great Beta program that allows you to get a glimpse of the upcoming release for free.  On top of that you actually get to tell them what you like and don't like about the new version!  You can help find the bugs BEFORE they go out into the rest of the world.

They guy who runs this Beta program is Shaan Hurley.  Shaan is a great guy who really cares about the product and the people who use it.  Everyone has to get past him and his team before getting into the Beta program.  The best way to get started is to click here ( myfeedback.autodesk.com ) and sign up.

This is the best option for those who work in an environment where they have no say in when an upgrade takes place.  The Beta program is free. Which is a big plus for the budget minded tech junky.  Then, when Autodesk releases everyone from the nondisclosure that is required, informed suggestions can be made to the powers-that-be regarding upgrading and whether it will help improve the process or not.  (Also, Beta tester looks great on a resume.)

Beta testing can be a fair bit of work, but I think the opportunity to look ahead and plan the integration of new tools and features is well worth the time for those of us who want to stay at the head of the industry.

My personal opinion is that you should upgrade every release and learn all the new features but only implement the ones that will add efficiencies to your daily routine.  A massive overhaul of your companies work flow is usually a major undertaking and a serious pain in the rear.  (Although it can be necessary from time to time.)  The need for this can be drastically reduced by staying with the current release and at least looking at all of the new tools at your disposal.