Re: Model Engineers are here

Hi Paul,

I realised that there are a few MEs on the list but they tend to be a bit
reticent and I wondered if this is because they feel overpowered by the
professionals who ooze experience. The point I was trying to make - probably
badly, is that there is a 'market' for good but inexpensive software and
electronics. Many of the MEs I know would, like me, be unable to persuade
the keeper of the domestic purse strings, of the need to expend hundreds of
pounds (or dollars) on a piece of software which, in an essentially hobby
situation, is unlikely to ever repay its cost and, more importantly, is of
no direct benefit to her! Neverthless, these same people would love to try
their hands at computerising equipment they already have or could make and
would, with the lateral thought processes which seem to afflict most MEs,
soon be able to inject a lot of useful ideas and tips into the forum. This
is where the inevitable 'them and us' situation of professionals who can
repay the cost of a suite of software on one job and the penniless but very
enthusiastic HSM causes difficulties in understanding. Fortunately, some
software houses are now realising this situation exists and are making
programs available free or at very reduced costs for 'private,
non-commercial users' but this concept doesn't yet seem to have percolated
into the realms of the types of program in which we are interested and the
software producers don't seem to realise that, if they allow users to become
'addicted' to their programs, they are likely to have a regular future
income from purchases of updates which may make up for the initial lost
income.

Ian
--
Ian W. Wright
Sheffield UK

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Devey <pdevey@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@onelist.com>
Sent: 19 October 1999 21:19
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Model Engineers are here


> From: "Paul Devey" <pdevey@...>
>
> Ian,
>
> Their are some model engineers on this list. Maybe we are a bit quite. It
> takes some effort to juggle carreer, family and workshop.
>
> I am working towards producing tangable products with a CNC lathe and
mill.
> I am surprised at the efforts that are involved. I am finding that their
is
> alot to learn for the casual player. My hats off to the professionals.
>
> Paul Devey
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ian Wright <Ian@...>
> To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@onelist.com <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@onelist.com>
> Date: Tuesday, October 19, 1999 2:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] What do we want?
>
>
> >From: "Ian Wright" <Ian@...>
> >
> >Hi gang,
> >
> >The one thing we are desperately missing at the moment is a Linux based
> >program to produce the g-code files from a drawing. We have the machine
> >control in EMC and we have one or two potentially useful CAD programs
(I'm
> >playing with Varkon at the moment and, with perseverance I reckon I
should
> >have mastered it by the next millennium!!! ;o) in the meantime, there are
> >others well under way in development and, for anyone who gets really
> >desperate, there are commercial programs which are very comprehensive
but,
> >it seems to me, we are still dependant on Windows based conversion
> programs.
> >As I am retired and thus quite cash-limited I would have difficulty
> >justifying the cost of many of the commercial programs and therefore see
> >linux and GPL programs as an ideal way forward. Any time penalties in
> >swapping between applications are of little consequence to me as the one
> >thing I have in plenty now is time! I'm surprised that we have not, so
far,
> >attracted many of the model engineering fraternity and wonder if this is
> due
> >to the high cost of commercial programs - if so it is a shame as people
of
> >that ilk often have a wealth of very useful information and expertise
which
> >they are only too willing to share.
> >
> >Ian
> >--
> >Ian W. Wright
> >Sheffield UK
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Bertho Boman <boman@...>
> >>
> >> Any suggestions for converting programs?
> >>
> >> Any suggestions for plugins in AutoCad?
> >
> >>Welcome to CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...,an unmoderated list for the
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> >bill,
> >List Manager
>
> > Welcome to CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...,an unmoderated list for the
discussion of shop built systems in the above catagories.
> To Unsubscribe, read archives, change to or from digest.
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> bill,
> List Manager
>