From: "Stinger"

I agree, unless you're trying to salvage something like a projection TV.

You can get an excellent Optiquest 19" with .21 DPI Horizontal resolution at
MultiWave for less than $170. That's an extremely good value.

You can see one he
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....iteria=BA19377

I'm not sure their budget will allow even that much. That's why they believe
using the TV as the monitor will save them money. I've been able to find them a
used Pentium 2 400MHz IBM Aptiva for $120. They want to keep total costs to
about $150.


We use these on our CAD stations at my office, and they are easier on the
eye than a 21" Sony Trinitron.


Are you a drafter/designer? I'm working with a bunch of
architectural/mechanical CAD folks right now trying to help them with
professional communication training. I'm sure you use AutoCAD, do you also use
Microstation?

"Michael Bryant" wrote in message
...
From: "Stinger"

I agree, unless you're trying to salvage something like a projection TV.

You can get an excellent Optiquest 19" with .21 DPI Horizontal resolution
at
MultiWave for less than $170. That's an extremely good value.

You can see one he
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....iteria=BA19377

I'm not sure their budget will allow even that much. That's why they
believe
using the TV as the monitor will save them money. I've been able to find
them a
used Pentium 2 400MHz IBM Aptiva for $120. They want to keep total costs
to
about $150.


We use these on our CAD stations at my office, and they are easier on the
eye than a 21" Sony Trinitron.


Are you a drafter/designer? I'm working with a bunch of
architectural/mechanical CAD folks right now trying to help them with
professional communication training. I'm sure you use AutoCAD, do you also
use
Microstation?


I'm the GM for a steel fabrication company. Our engineering people use
AutoCAD (as well as some industry-specific add-ons for it) in producing
"placing drawings" for various projects. Some of our sister companies
accomplish the same thing with MicroStation, but almost all colleges and
trade schools teach AutoCAD -- so we've found that we can ramp-up a new
detailer much faster with AutoCAD-based software.

As for drafting, it really looks like it's a dying art. Very few kids
coming up know much more than the basics "on the board," due to training
heavily in CAD. One of our most seasoned people still letters his drawings
(using a "triangle" and his "straight-edge") so perfectly (and quickly) that
the rookies watch him in awe.

-- Stinger

"Stinger" wrote in message
. ..

I'm the GM for a steel fabrication company. Our engineering people use
AutoCAD (as well as some industry-specific add-ons for it) in producing
"placing drawings" for various projects. Some of our sister companies
accomplish the same thing with MicroStation, but almost all colleges and
trade schools teach AutoCAD -- so we've found that we can ramp-up a new
detailer much faster with AutoCAD-based software.

As for drafting, it really looks like it's a dying art. Very few kids
coming up know much more than the basics "on the board," due to training
heavily in CAD. One of our most seasoned people still letters his
drawings
(using a "triangle" and his "straight-edge") so perfectly (and quickly)
that
the rookies watch him in awe.

I read somewhere that CAD really only saves time on changes rather than on
the initial drawing (unless of course that initial drawing can be started
from something similar). If you are starting completely from scratch,
experienced manual drafters can turn out a drawing as quickly as experienced
CAD operators. However, since almost every drawing is going to be revised
over the lifetime of a product, the time saving on changes is very
important.

I've heard that said too but it is mostly bull. Given equal ability, the CAD
draftsman will leave the board guy in the dust. Typically though, the board
draftsman will be much better at planning, layout and geometric construction
giving him the edge. The problem lies in education. Typically, drafting
courses these days spend most of their time teaching the software rather
than teaching drafting. People learn to rely on the software. This is true
of a lot of newer technology. Better tools should increase productivity.
Often, it doesn't. People just work less hard to compensate.

"Dee D. Flint" wrote in message
.com...


I read somewhere that CAD really only saves time on changes rather than on
the initial drawing (unless of course that initial drawing can be started
from something similar). If you are starting completely from scratch,
experienced manual drafters can turn out a drawing as quickly as
experienced
CAD operators. However, since almost every drawing is going to be revised
over the lifetime of a product, the time saving on changes is very
important.

Michael Bryant schrieb:


I'm not sure their budget will allow even that much. That's why they believe
using the TV as the monitor will save them money. I've been able to find them a
used Pentium 2 400MHz IBM Aptiva for $120. They want to keep total costs to
about $150.



Oh boy...
In the country where IBM has "invented" the personal computer are prices
for outdated stuff is that high?

Over here in germany you can get a P2-400 with 128MB RAM, 4GB HDD,
32xCD-ROM and a ATI RagePro 4MB graphics card and CreativeLabs
soundcard for 50,- to 80,- EUR. Keyboard and mose included and a 15"
Monitor is added for free....
I just sold a Dell GX1 desktop for EUR 35,- after noone wanted it for
EUR 50,-... Sure, it had "only" a P2-266 and 64MB RAM. Had a 15" monitor
included in my offer but there was no need for it to the buyer....

odo