Between the Lines

Why Your Dog Thinks You're the Coolest (And Why You Should Too)

Okay, dog owners, let's get real for a second. Your dog probably thinks you're the best thing since peanut butter filled chew toys. And why not? You're the bringer of walks, the giver of treats, and the ultimate belly rub expert. But here's the thing – maybe it's time we start seeing ourselves through our dogs' eyes. Read more →

Beating the Heat: Locals and Tourists Flock to Central Oregon's Waterways

It has been a heatwave where I live in the mountains of Central Oregon and people including myself have been hitting the Cascade Lakes and river to cool off. I have never seen so many people floating the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District of Bend Oregon. Read more →

Why I Changed Up My Global Meetings

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we run global meetings. You know how it goes: most of the time, we're trying to juggle a bunch of time zones, and more often than not, we end up defaulting to US or European time zones because that might be where our HQs and main offices are, right? But, here’s the thing - it’s started to feel a bit off to me, and I heard from some they resented feeling as less important based on their location away from HQ time zone which was US-centric. So, I changed things up about 4 years ago. Read more →

Throwback Thursday - Farewell to Three Decades of Autodesk Memories

For 30+ years, I've been the proud curator of an ever-growing collection of Autodesk product memorabilia and history. What started as a personal hobby has grown into one of the largest collections of CAD history, spanning the evolution of one of the industry's most well known design industry software companies. My collection is a mix of items I've personally acquired and generous gifts from fellow CAD geeks, former colleagues, and industry veterans. It's a time capsule of Autodesk's early days Among the gems are one-of-a-kind pieces that tell unique stories of Autodesk's development like an AutoCAD-86 or 1.1 manual or floppy disk or Revit 1.0 CD-ROM. Alongside these, I've amassed a delightful array of geeky CAD paraphernalia – the kind that brings a smile to any long-time AutoCAD user's face like an “My Other Car Was Designed by AutoCAD” license plate holder, R14 mug or beach flip flops that leaves R14 in the sand, or first edition versions of CADalyst Magazine. However, as with all good things, this chapter of my collecting journey is coming to a close. The sheer volume of items has outgrown my ability to properly maintain, store, and showcase them. With a heavy heart, I'm considering auctioning off parts of the collection to ensure these pieces of software history find new homes where they'll be appreciated. A few items may go to non profit technology museum collections to preserve and display. To my fellow CAD enthusiasts and tech history buffs: keep an eye out for upcoming announcements. You might soon have the chance to own a piece of this CAD legacy. Whether you're looking for a rare artifact or just a fun blast from the past, there might be something in this collection for you. Read more →

Enhance Your Skills with Microsoft's Free Generative AI Courses

In today's rapidly evolving technology landscape, staying ahead of the curve is not just an advantage—it's a necessity. One of the most transformative technologies is Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI. Recognizing the immense potential and growing demand for AI expertise, Microsoft has made available eighteen free generative AI courses designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills. Why AI Skills Matter AI is more than just a buzzword; it's a fundamental shift in how technology interacts with the world. From enhancing business processes to enabling new forms of creativity, AI's applications are vast and varied. By diving into AI learning, you not only enhance your professional value but also open up new opportunities for innovation and problem-solving. Read more →