Sweat, Mud, and a Mission: Volunteering in the Peruvian Amazon When Stefanie and I were invited to join a Be The Change Volunteers (BTCV) project in the Amazon, we didn’t hesitate. It was a chance to do something meaningful, with amazing people, in a place few ever get to experience firsthand. We didn’t sign up for comfort—we signed up for purpose. What we didn’t expect was how deeply this experience would stay with us: hard manual work under a jungle sky, dolphins and drones, and a classroom that represents more than just four walls. It represents possibility and hope. Read more →

Want to Build Community? There’s a video from Sasquatch 2009 where one guy starts dancing alone on a hill. He looks funny and an outlier. Then someone joins him. Then a third. Then a wave of people run in to join the dance party. Suddenly, it’s not weird -it’s a party or a community sparked by one lone dancer. Read more →

Happy New Year from Between the Lines and Cascade Technology Consulting! As we usher in 2025, I want to take a moment to thank my amazing clients who helped make 2024 such a fulfilling year. Your trust and collaboration have been instrumental in driving meaningful transformations, and I am excited to continue our partnerships as we move into this new year. Read more →

Fall is in full swing here in Central Oregon, and it’s not just the changing leaves that make this time of year special. Alongside the vibrant yellows and reds of autumn leaves as well as larch pine needles, the region’s... Read more →

AEC Hackathons have been incredible and inspiring, leading to the formation of actual industry startups with products born from hackathon-generated ideas. I've personally participated in two events, one in Seattle and another in Copenhagen. If you ever have the chance to participate or even just attend, take it—it's enjoyable and you witness innovation at the very moment it ignites change in the industry. Read more →

Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks it's been! Read more →

If you're an AUGI member who attended #AUGICON24, you should have received an email this morning containing instructions on how to access the video replays of our AUGICON 2024 event. You'll also be joining our new AUGI Community Platform! Not... Read more →

Such a great time over the 2 days for the inaugural AUGI CON24 event. Thank you to the 1000+ registered attendees from over 40 countries that attended, presenters, panelists, and AUGI board. User helping Users Community and all volunteers. The... Read more →

In 1-hour, AUGI CON24 Day 2 begins with a fantastic lineup of speakers, including special guest Shaun C Bryant! I will be leading an 8-person AEC Software Industry panel later in the day and there are many great live sessions... Read more →

The first 2-day AUGI CON event by AUGI starts tomorrow is and will be full of great sessions from a community of expert users of the software products and is not marketing or sales-related. It is also FREE to attend. Read more →

I’m leading a panel on AEC Industry Software at AUGI CON 2024 on the 2nd day. This 90-minute panel is not aimed at marketing or sales pitches, nor will it be a debate. Instead, it is designed to be an informative and engaging 90-minute discussion that highlights various perspectives and experiences from industry experts and software developers. Our goal is to provide our live audience, primarily AEC software users, with valuable insights into the evolution of AEC software, its current challenges, innovative solutions, and a look into what the future holds.To ensure the session is as enriching and informative as possible, we are assembling a group of panelists (AEC Software, AEC Startups, and AEC Industry Experts) who can contribute unique viewpoints on these topics. Read more →

On April 26th at 3 pm EST I will be moderating a 1-hour panel discussion of AEC Software with AEC Industry panel members covering AEC industry trends, innovations, and some glimpses on where they think the AEC software industry is going, or should. This panel will be very diverse perspectives and of interest to both end users and those throughout the AEC industry. This isn’t marketing, or sales related, just a fun AEC discussion panel. Read more →

Join us April 25th and 26th for the first AUGI CON event with several expert presenters and panels. Review the event schedule, register, and spread the word about this free event from the largest independent CAD & BIM users group.No... Read more →

The AUGICON24 Call For Speakers has begun, and there are two ways for you to speak. I know several have a class proposal in their back pocket that they haven't submitted to other events or had declined by other events. This is an opportunity to shine to the largest CAD & BIM user community. Read more →

If you're like me, always digging around for ways to up your game in the design world, you've probably heard of AUGI. But if you haven't joined yet, you're missing out, big time. Let me break down why being part of AUGI is a game-changer, especially with the cool perks like the Autodesk Developer Network (ADN). Read more →

In today's technology-driven world, beta testing and pre-release programs are vital for the development of software, cloud, and mobile applications. These strategies are key to unlocking the full potential of any product. Read more →

Unpacking the Rose, Bud, Thorn Technique: A Game-Changer for Feedback This approach simplifies feedback into three categories: "rose" for positives, "bud" for potential, and "thorn" for challenges. Ideal for those seeking quick feedback solutions. Read more →

Creating a successful online community requires more than just a gathering of individuals with common interests. It's about cultivating an environment that fosters growth, learning, and meaningful connections. Read more →

If you could not join us last week for the annual general meeting for AUGI, you can watch the meeting recording. Once a year, AUGI holds its annual meeting with the Board of Directors and the general membership. At this year’s meeting, the year 2023 was reviewed, financial reports were presented, a few guest speakers, and a new vision for the coming year were presented. Read more →

The AUGI Annual General Meeting is next Thursday, Dec 7, at 3:00 EST. Once a year, AUGI holds its annual meeting with the Board of Directors and the general membership. At this important meeting, the year is reviewed, financial reports are presented, and a new vision for the coming year is articulated. All are invited, and encouraged, to attend this open meeting. We hope you will enjoy the chance to see your AUGI leaders in action - hear about the great things that AUGI has accomplished this year - and discover AUGI’s plans for the new year. Read more →

This Virtual Autodesk support assistant, offers tips, automation help, and coached training for Autodesk products. It uses content from the web and learnings abstracted from that to offer helpful info to trouble shoot issues or learn new skills for Autodesk products like AutoCAD, Fusion 360, and Revit. I also created several other assistants including one for SolidWorks and one to give love advice from a Dung Beetle named Lovebug. Read more →

Discover the journey of the first AUGI Advisory Board Member, reflecting on a longstanding commitment to the AUGI community since 1997, and outlining the vision for future collaboration and innovation in the CAD & BIM user group. Read more →

Explore the transformative impact of communities in today's digital world. From shaping products and services to fostering innovation, discover how communities drive industry change and why businesses are keen to engage. Read more →

In today's competitive business landscape, companies are constantly searching for that unique edge to differentiate themselves from the rest. While many strategies can lead to short-term gains, there's one tried and true approach that stands the test of time: being an authentic, customer-focused company. But what does that truly mean, and how can businesses achieve this? Read more →

After attending 32 Autodesk University events, I won't be at this year's event, and no longer work for Autodesk. However, my tradition of providing tips to make the most of Autodesk University (AU) continues. This guide aims to help you not just survive, but thrive at AU 2023. Read more →