Mystery ?¿? X-CAD: FREE Mechanical Design Software ?¿?

[gerald_d]

Okay guys, I've had 2 mails from colleagues coaxing me to sign up for X-CAD (http://www.x-cad.net), so I've already used one of my disposable e-mail addresses for this.

Anyone heard anything else about this "X-CAD"? I think it might be one of the big boys (like SolidEdge, Solidworks, AutoCAD) with a scheme to get increased market penetration......but it could also just be a harvester of mail addresses. Either way, don't send me a mail to tell me about it!


An interesting commentary (http://www.cadwire.net/commentary/?40521)
A discussed blog (http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/blog/2005/06/xcad_trackomete.html)

And if you are in the mood to check new websites, have a look a Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/). Have checked a few addresses in the profiles on the Forum, and some of you Botters are way overdue for mowing your lawns!

[Brady Watson]

Yeah I saw that too on a couple of the Yahoo groups. Some say it is Alibre's stunt, but at this point it is anyone's guess. The thing is, if they are harvesting e-mails...are they also harvesting your real name & address? Guessing that this is a downloadable package...with a 3 week wait time to get it because the servers are all clogged up from all 100,000 people trying to dl their copy at the same time...

-B

Hey Gerald...it's been raining a lot over here ok?

[gerald_d]

They are not insisting upon real names and addresses, I got a confirmation mail by only filling in the e-mail block. The worst that could happen is that the number of spammers who have my mail address goes from 5548 to 5549.

(Interesting to see all the school busses parked opposite the ShopBot address
)

[Brady Watson]

Seems fairly legitimate...I signed up using my spam account...we'll see what happens. Watch it get to like 99,998 on 8/1 and they say, "Sorry folks...just a few more woulda had it...better luck next time. Oh...BTW a Chinese mortgage finance company just bought us out and will be contacting you soon...." LOL!

Yeah...you didn't know about the busses? Right across the street is the 'Shopbot School for Wayward boys'...LOL!

-B

[gerald_d]

I'll rather buy a router from a company that has a school for wayward girls across the road.


Aerial pic (http://www.scapenotes.com/notes/messages/2020/4705.jpg) with SB on left from Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/). I first thought they were sawdust dumpsters!

[mikejohn]

Gerald
I came to ShopBots to get away from images like those

......Mike

[gerald_d]

Hey Mike, how can we get you to smile these days?

[dvanr]

Hey Mike,

Are these the kind of images you like to see? Any of these sites around the UKamp for Shopbot?


www.temporarytemples.co.uk/default.html (http://www.temporarytemples.co.uk/default.html)

[Brady Watson]

Guess you've seen this one then...spotted in England not long ago. It's amazing...could it be an omen???


7567







All work and no play...you know the rest.

[dvanr]

LOL , I'd like to see the Cropbot that did that !!

[gerald_d]

Gee Brady, that CropBot's z-axis is way off!

[Brady Watson]

How can you tell by just looking at the picture??? LOL!!!!

-B

[amorgan]

The x-cad.net domain is registered to Donna Fallin or Donn Fallin in Austin Texas. It could happen, but it seems a little odd that someone would miss spell their own name.

Are any of the major CAD companies in the Austin area?

[gerald_d]

Alibre (http://www.alibre.com/default.asp) is based in Richardson, Texas (a Dallas suburb).

[btk]

I am pretty certain that it is Alibre.
Not only that they are both in Texas, however it has been pointed out that Alibre website and the X-Cad.net website are on the same server just off a few IP Addresses.

Needless to say, Alibre is a good product, so worth signing up.

Brian

[gerald_d]

In the first weeks of the "game", the registration confirmation mail was sent out by the Alibre server.

Even if some of us have no intention of ever using something like Alibre, please still consider signing-up to enable a 100 000 count hit by the deadline, and allow thousands of hopeful students, hobbyists, etc. to get some free software.

[srwtlc]

I used one of my spare addresses too. At last check, it looks like approximately 43,635 yet to go.

[gerald_d]

16,500 to go

I can see this thing being download once only, must register online and get authorisation code, not transferable. If your hard-drive crashes, that's the end of your freebie.

[srwtlc]

7568 I smell what your steppin' in!

[gerald_d]

Today Alibre announced that X-CAD is, in fact, Alibre Design Xpress, a new addition. View the press release (http://www.alibre.com/xpress/news/press-release.asp?source=http://mail.google.com/mail/?&ik=674125f8de&view=cv&search=cat&cat=Mach-N%20Forum&th=105341fc8ab87cc4&lvp=-1&cvp=0&qt=&tls=10000&zx=62zyanmqys2t).

[davidallen]

They've passed 100k, anyone get an email?

da

[gerald_d]

Nope, nothing.

[gerald_d]

This was in the verification message:

"Assuming 100,000 people register, on August 1 you will receive an email message with instructions on how to download the free software."

[srwtlc]

I got a "Goal Acheived" email today as some of you may have also and read this little statement.....

All free versions of Alibre Design Xpress require an Internet connection and will display a banner of Google ads through a built-in web page. No third-party adware is installed on your system. If your Internet connection is lost we have taken steps to ensure that you can save your work. The Internet connection requirement can be turned off for a small fee.

Hmmm...."Banner Ware" or a small fee....I wonder what their idea of a small fee is.

[gerald_d]

CAD with an internet connection and advertisements? I don't think that I am even going to bother to download it when it becomes available! Alibre has put itself firmly into the "gimmick" category as far as I am concerned. Up till yesterday I was willing to give them a shot, but I think they have turned a lot of potential serious customers against them by associating themselves with the banner-ads guys.

[mikejohn]

Well, we all know "There's no such thing as a free lunch!"
I will stick with what I have also.
...........Mike

[hespj]

I guess I'm not a "potentially serious customer" - I'll give it a go.

[hespj]

"I wonder what their idea of a small fee is."

$49

http://www.alibre.com/xpress/software/review-neeley.asp

[gerald_d]

Well, I think that some good may have come out of this issue for me after all.....

Doing a Google on "Alibre Scam", I found this interesting web page (http://www.upfrontezine.com/2003/upf-359.htm). The story about Alibre having had their code stolen makes me slightly sorry for them, and might explain their unconventional approach to rush a new product onto the market.

However, the really fascinating (and helpful) part is the story about AutoCAD LT -Extender. To realise that what appears to be AutoCAD LT 2000 sitting right here on this PC, is in fact nearly a full version, if it can be un-locked......

[davidallen]

The Alibre website has a discussion forum about the new CAD offer. Lot's of flaming going on. many bad feelings.

honestly though, if you don't want it, don't download it. just don't do it.

[mziegler]

Has anyone on the forum download and try Alibre Design Xpress? How does it compare to other 3-d modeling software? Is the ad-free upgrade worth the 49 bucks? Thanks in advance.

[Brady Watson]

Yes.
After taking a test-drive, I am as disappointed as most of the others that have downloaded the free software in hopes that it would be something useful. Alibre originally stated that it would be a full 3D product, but seems to have pulled a bait and switch mid-stream. I guess nobody really has room to complain for something that is essentially free. I feel that while this marketing stunt has gotten Alibre widespread exposure, it may have warned off more potential customers than it attracted.

-Brady