Bumps in the Road

Oh, this brave new world…

I’ve been learning so much about communicating with the new Web 2.0 and 3.0 tools and social media. It is now possible to connect with people from all over the world based on common interests. Entire new business models are emerging, and I am actively studying and trying to take advantage of some of the new possibilities. It’s very exciting and liberating!

However, sometimes there are bumps in the road. Last week I posted a notice on ArchiCAD-Talk about a free ArchiCAD video tutorial I created that showed how to streamline the layer popup palette. I titled it provocatively Simplify Your Life, in an attempt to garner interest, and to make a metaphor. If you use certain ArchiCAD settings to streamline elements in your work environment, your (work) life will get a little simpler to manage, and by extension, you’ll be more efficient and perhaps a bit less stressed as you try to meet deadlines.

One of the respected members of that forum disagreed with my suggestion, and went beyond a simple statement of his preferences. He wrote “what (large) companies have you implemented this in and whose lives have you simplified? I’d like to hear from them…” I felt challenged, called-out, and responded vigorously. I went too far.

Although there were posts from two others who supported my idea, my reaction – to not only defend what I taught in that tutorial, but to list in great detail my background and accomplishments, along with quotes from ArchiCAD users who liked the video – overstepped the bounds in that forum.

There is a wonderful ethos on ArchiCAD Talk – a sense of community, one that values mutual assistance and active discussion of ideas. There are several hundred users who regularly post, and it is a lively place. When I pushed back in the way that I did, there were some that felt like I was only there to promote my commercial offerings (the Best Practice Course, etc.). Suddenly, I wasn’t seen as a member of the community, but as an interloper. Today I posted an apology, for I have truly learned from this experience.

Live and learn!
That’s my motto for today…

Bobrow Consulting Group Announcement

To Our Loyal Clients,

As of October 1, after more than 20 years, Bobrow Consulting Group is no longer a Graphisoft reseller.

I imagine this news may be a bit of a shock. Unfortunately, I’m not able to share with you the circumstances that led to this change. However, I see it as an opportunity to focus more on what I love to do: helping architects and designers use technology to communicate their vision and ideas.

This website will be redeveloped over the coming days and weeks to reflect our new focus.

What’s Ahead for Me and BCG

In the near term, I will devote myself to building on my years of experience with ArchiCAD; in the longer term, there are many options I am considering.

I am still available for training and support on a consulting basis for clients in California and around the world. I give a lot of one-on-one ArchiCAD training and support using GoToMeeting screen-sharing, which allows me to work closely with someone almost as if we were in the same room. Please don’t hesitate to call me at 800-752-4314 or email me when you would like some guidance or assistance.

BCG continues to maintain a network of consultants available for on-site training, project assistance and consulting contracts. In addition to working with ArchiCAD, we do renderings, presentations and website development work.

Best Practices Course and MasterTemplate

I am in the process of creating an amazing and powerful training course on Best Practices for ArchiCAD users. I’ll be teaching two series in Los Angeles in October (Saturdays 10/2 & 10/16; Wednesdays 10/20 & 10/27), then taking it on the road to other California venues this fall.

The Best Practices Course will become a web-based training program that will launch later this fall. For more info or to join our email list to get advance notice about the online course, please visit www.acbestpractices.com.

MasterTemplate is a great addition to any ArchiCAD-based office. It embodies Best Practices into the structure of a customizable office standard template file. Clients are enthusiastic about how much it helps them to work more effectively. I plan to develop MasterTemplate further and work actively to promote it to resellers and users around the world.

For more info or to purchase MasterTemplate, please visit www.actemplate.com.

You Can Still Buy Products From BCG

We will continue to sell and support other products including Cadimage, Artlantis, Piranesi and MachStudio.

Thank You

At this juncture, I’d like to thank you for your business and your loyalty, and look forward to continuing to work with you. I’ll be in touch again soon.

With great appreciation,
Eric Bobrow

New blog posts will go out to Twitter

I just set up WP to Twitter so that new posts on blog.bobrow.com go out to my Twitter account. I plan to post more often, and this will make it easy to let people know when there’s something new on the blog.