Re: Whither goest DOS?

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "ballendo" <ballendo@y...> wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> In CCED"pfrederick1" wrote:
> > But seriously what are the major disadvantages to using Linux with
> > CAD and CAM?
>
> A serious question, not meant as confrontational,
> The recent linux Qcad thread is why I'm asking.
>
> Does Linux offer the variety of CAD/CAM packages that windows does?
> And,
> If I don't want EMC (or don't like it), do I have any other options
> for cnc motor control in Linux? (I have several choices in windows.)
>
> Thank you in advance,
>
> Ballendo

The short answer here is no of course. How can an operating system
platform that enjoys at best 1% of the total marketshare
"offer the variety of CAD/CAM packages" that a convicted monopolist
does? Why if anything else were true Microsoft wouldn't be criminals
in the eyes of the US federal government. Indeed we seem to have proof
positive that the consumer does in fact suffer.

Here's what I have collected from the net so far as per your
question:

http://www.linuxcnc.org/ you seem to be aware of this
http://www.linuxdevices.com/
http://www.bartels.de/baedown.htm
http://freeengineer.org/FREEdraft.html
http://www.linuxcad.com/
http://www.varicad.com/en/main.php
http://www.computer.privateweb.at/tech-edv/CADlinks.htm too many links
to paste here
http://members.xoom.it/er_cicca/step/step-0.2.tar.gz

this produced thousands of returns:
http://www.google.com/search?q=Linux+stepper+motor+control&hl=en&start=10&sa=N

Bear in mind that many of these packages including EMC come with
full source code so one not liking something does not preclude them
from altering it to suit their particular tastes.

BTW quite a while ago I downloaded the free QCAD and tried it out
myself. I never did figure out how to "erase" with it so found
it of little use to me really. I will have to revisit it and see
if it's become anymore usable over time.

Disclaimer:
What I have presented is in no ways meant to galvanize personal
feelings one way or another for, or against any product, or service.
I am just interested in Linux solutions to CAD and CAM myself and do
wish to stay on topic.