RobiNZ CAD Blog

AutoCAD to adopt XML Format as it's default file format

Goodbye to the current .dwg, and hello to new .dwgx based on XML and ZIP. Sorry, made that all up*. I got carried away after writing this post…. * It is true for DWF which is an open format that uses XML and ZIP as seen here Read more →

Microsoft Office to adopt XML Format as it's default file format

Robert Scoble first hinted and now it’s out many others are blogging about the announcement that the next Office will use Microsoft Office Open XML Formats as its default. Goodbye to the current .doc, .xls, .ppt and hello to new XML based.docx, .pptx, .xlsx What does this really mean*? Dare Obasanjo linked to a new blog – Brian Jones: Office XML Formats – with a heap of resources about the new XML Office Formats but these quotes sum it up for me: Brian Jones: "New default XML formats in the next version of Office" “These formats use XML and ZIP,... Read more →

The Personal Productivity Show Podcast

Cameron Reilly & Des Paroz have a new podcast about “Personal Productivity”. Its going to cover methods, habits and technology that help you get through what you need to get done! The Podcast Network :: The Personal Productivity Show #001 Topics include Activewords* and MindManager and Microsoft Outlook and Acer Tablet PC’s and “Getting Things Done“. * I’m trialing Activewords now and even though its early days I’m finding it really useful. After a week I’ve adjusted to using it and its adjusting to what I do and the productivity return is starting to show. I’ll give it a bit... Read more →

Things you can do with RSS, but I didn’t know you could!

Ellen Finkelstein has posted a link to a post by Tim Yang “ 15 things you can do with RSS (it was supposed to be 10, but I got carried away)” but adds some more “ things ” of her own These include sug... Read more →

AutoCAD DPI to DWF precision in Metric

Shaan has posted a useful conversion chart ( see right ) showing which settings to use to get a given precision in a DWF. DWF is capable of impressive precision but the default settings are rather low... Read more →

Nanotechnology blogged

I’ve been interested in Nanotechnology since reading Eric Drexler’s “Engines of Creation” years ago. Tonight I found the Foresight Nanotech Institute Blog – Nanodot – which was launched in 2000! Nanodot Blog Home page: http://foresight.org/nanodot/ Nanodot RSS Feed: http://new.foresight.org/nanodot/wp-rss2.php Foresight is the leading think tank and public interest institute on nanotechnology. Founded in 1986, Foresight was the first organisation to educate society about the benefits and risks of nanotechnology. At that time, nanotechnology was a little-known concept. Today, with the basic framework of public understanding in place, we are refocusing our efforts on guiding nanotechnology research, public policy and education... Read more →

TypePad & BlogJet updates coming!

TypePad is getting a revamp to allow easier management of comments & trackbacks. As this blog is both hosted on and created with TypePad I’m looking forward to seeing the new features. At the same time BlogJet, my favourite off-line post composition software, is also getting an update. This post was done with the beta using one of its new features. Group posting allowed me to send this post was sent simultaneously to both my CAD and Personal blogs in one operation from the beta – very cool. Everything TypePad - Upcoming Enhancements BlogJet 1.6 Beta 1 Read more →

A Storage Technology Presentation could be really boring or it could be like this...

If you had to tell someone how disk drives will be improved using Perpendicular Recording Technology which avoids the superparamagnetic effect it could be really boring or it could be like this: View the animation “Get Perpendicular” (Macromedia Flash + Sound Required) You’ll learn about Perpendicular Recording and highly effective presentation. Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Perpendicular Recording Storage Technology Web page Via Engadget Read more →