[Inspired]

My issue with Dynascape never got resolved, but not from a lack of trying on their part. So to be fair I though a little comparison might be interesting. This is part of a mailer I received from an AutoCAD retailer.

Quote:
"If you're currently working with a 2004 Autodesk product, there's important information you should know. As of March 15, 2007 2004 Autodesk products will be retiring. Autodesk will no longer be providing technical support or upgrade pricing on 2004 based AutoCAD software".

It goes on to talk about special prices on upgrades now till July 31st, but you get the point. They all say the same thing. Technology is moving ahead so quickly and to keep up we cannot afford to support the older software. Personally, I think it's a sales and market share issue, but I'm not a software business owner and I don't really know the challenges they face.

I do know it's a drag and an expense for us as users/business owners. Always buying the upgrades and dealing the problems that occur each time. Usually about the time everyone in your office gets up to speed the software company will "retire" that version and the chaos starts all over again. However, unless someone can show me a better way, that is what I/we have to deal with. When I had employees and two companies to run, Quickbooks was the best way but I grew to hate Symantec (spelling?). I will think twice before buying anything they build now. I always try and find another product from a different company, even after six years.

I really like the word, "retiring", though. I can visualize some poor marketing person pulling his/her hair out coming up with that one.