I Got Elected!

The AUGI 2010 Board of Directors!

Preparing for launch

Hi - Here at Autodesk, the marketing group is busy preparing for the launch of Revit 2011. There's always a web component to our launch plan but this year I want to expand our activity in the blogosphere, on YouTube, and several other areas within social media. To help inform that process, I've built a survey and would appreciate your input. I'm specifically looking for input from Revit Architecture users and buyers in the US. If you've got 15 minutes to spare, please take the survey so that I know where to spend this portion of our marketing resources. Thanks in advance. Here's the link and 'official' blurb. 

http://bit.ly/7rI9aA 

/* 
Autodesk is conducting research to understand how Revit® Architecture users and buyers engage in online social media, how social behavior is evolving in your business, and where business buyers choose to participate in online communities. 

This 15 minute survey will not ask for any personally identifying information. We will use your responses in aggregate only and will not attribute any responses back to you. 

AUGIWorld 2009 Issue 6

The latest issue of AUGIWorld is now available.

AU 2009 Classes Online Soon

Starting Friday, December 11, AU Online will have all of the class handouts, presentation materials, data sets, and screencasts of more than 500 AU 2009 conference and AU Virtual sessions, so you can access them anytime, anywhere, all year long.

Vote for AUGI 2010 Board of Directors

The polling has begun, click here to go vote for the AUGI 2010 Board of Directors.

AUGI Board Candidates Discussion Forum Open

Those that know me, know that Autodesk User Group International has been a big part of my professional career since 1994. I served on the Board of Directors (BoD) for 7 years and even spent one year as President. Since then I have remained on the sideline dutifully working on AUGIWorld and providing input when asked.

Well I'm trying to get into the game once again. AUGI has had a tough time since Sep 2008. It parted ways with SolidVapor (management company) and has struggled in this economy just as others have done. I believe I have the experience and vision to aid AUGI get back it's footing so I am running for the Board of Directors, for the 2010-2011 term.

This time around is again typical AUGI, full of power plays, politics, and drama galore. It is quite amazing how once you put on the volunteer hat that your passion for a given issue is magnified tenfold. The cool part is that I've been there and I think I can handle it once again.

This time around there are 8 open seats on the BoD with 2 returning, the new Board will be like a new football team, brimming with energy and drive. The potential is truly amazing! Unlike recent BoD elections, the ballot will not be a slate of names just up for a yes/no vote but rather a ranked ballot with 9 names for 8 slots. Someone will not make it, which is quite a shame because there are some great candidates (myself included of course)!

Joining AUGI is free, and becoming informed about the upcoming election is easy. Read about the candidates here! Then after Autodesk University, AUGI will hold the election and which you can return to the website and cast your votes! Vote for me, or not, but if you read this blog I very much hope you vote. Only with a high voter turnout will the newly elected BoD have the confidence in themselves that they have the complete backing of the membership, to do whatever it takes, and to steer AUGI in even better directions.

Catch me at Autodesk University and say "HI". Live long and prosper!

Just saw Star Trek 2009 - it rocks!

AU Discussion Forum - "Embedding Learning into the Product"

The AutoCAD User Assistance Team would like to invite you to a special event during Autodesk University this year!

On Tuesday, December 1st and Wednesday, December 2nd, we will be hosting a User Assistance Discussion Forum. We hope you will be able to join us for one of the sessions if you are planning to attend AU this year!

Discussion Forum: “Embedding Learning into the Product"

Description:
We will present our proposed changes to user assistance (help system, tutorials, animations etc.) for future releases of AutoCAD and other Autodesk products. The goal is to move more assistance into the product so it is available when you need it.

Help shape the future of Autodesk products. We would appreciate your opinions.

Who Should Participate?
Autodesk users who use the help system and training.

When Are the Focus Group Meetings?
Date Session Time Duration

Forum: “Embedding Learning into the Product"
Tuesday, December 1 5:00 –6:30 pm 90 minutes
Wednesday, December 2 3:00 –4:30 pm 90 minutes

All events will take place in the conference area in the Mandalay Bay hotel. Participants will receive a gift for their time.

How Do I Sign Up?
To sign up, fill out this brief survey:

Please indicate which session you are available to attend. The confirmation will include specific location, and an NDA will be required for all who attend.

In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, email to:
diane.serda@auotodesk.com.

Space is limited so sign up today! Please fill out the survey by Monday, November 23.

We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!

Best Regards,
The User Assistance Team

Twitter? I might be a twit...

I've waited it out and this tweeter thing isn't going away yet. So I might as well have a go at that form of communication as well. I suspect since the "bar" is a bit lower it might be easier than blogging about intelligent topics.

So my twit handle? @caddhelp of course... ;)

AUGIWorld Issue 5

The latest edition of AUGIWorld has been released.

AUGI membership is required to view it, but that's free!

Click HERE

AUGI | AEC EDGE

The latest edition of AUGI AEC EDGE has been released. Pretty good stuff in it, including an article by me. ;)

Click here to access it.