If you haven't seen Jon Hirschtick for a while, you may not recognize him. The revitalized founder of SolidWorks has lost his favorite-uncle gray beard and dropped a lot of weight. How much weight? He sizes me up and and declares "I've lost a Roopinder." Freed from the day to day running of the company, seems to be having the time of his life doing whatever he wants. He is very popular here at COFES -- a star actually -- and as a natural deal maker, he is never short of company. I don't know if he ever has a moment to himself. Yet, despite a myriad of tasks he assigns himself, Jon is also a blogger.
Jon Hirschtick then and v2.0 (from Facebook). The SolidWorks founder is also a blogger.
The ranks of bloggers have swelled. One journalist joked the number of bloggers is roughly equal to the number of people. With little barrier to entry (no license required, no editor to give the thumbs down, free blog software), anyone with Internet access can blog. I read Jon's post moments after he posts it (he is sitting next to me during a COFES keynote) and see he has picked up on a snippet from the speaker and elaborated on it with a tidbit of interest to CAD historians (It was Dr Joel Orr who introduced Jon to a venture capitalist, giving Jon's first company --not SolidWorks -- its big break). With this post, Jon has added value to his experience and recorded his thoughts. I wonder if this is would be of interest to TenLinks readers?
A couple of years ago I wouldn't have wondered. There are many bloggers amongst the audience. I check out their blogs. This being the 3rd day of the conference, several have already posted about it. Deelip Menezes has been busy, including what he found interesting at a few sessions and a quick onsite interview with Evan Yares. Martyn Day and Al Dean may be posting. COFES throws its own blogs into the mix. There is going to be be no shortage of coverage.
TenLinks has always strived to be comprehensive in its coverage. A couple of years ago, you could bet that if CAD, CAM or CAE was mentioned was mentioned, we'd report on it. But bloggers are changing the game. To be comprehensive now would inundate our readers. But who needs 10 posts about the same presentation? One recording is enough. A thought-provoking analysis might be added. A wry comment may not make the cut.
My job just got a lot harder. But hopefully our readers will benefit as we take care to find the gems, not just any junk that gets posted.
If people try to bring a glimpse of any new ideas on the table try to appreciate them and acknowledge them. But not to take the extracts and publish them as if they were viewed for the first time across the table.
Posted by: Sunith Babu | April 20, 2009 at 05:59 PM
Man, Roopinder. I for one am extremely glad on the coverage of COFES this year. It's been incredible insight to me as a user, writer and person generally interested in what is going on in the CAD world. Deelip's coverage was incredible. hearing from CEO's and the founders. wow. incredible. it's not a bad thing. not by a longshot.
noted: make Roopinder's job easier ;) btw, You know I'll attempt to keep putting up original content for ya to link up. :)
Posted by: Josh | April 20, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Is anyone NOT a cook?
While not everyone should be a blogger, I am thrilled that blogging gives the opportunity to those who have something useful to contribute to do so though a no-barrier platform.
Posted by: ralphg | April 20, 2009 at 07:37 AM