I attended the Morning AU Welcome with presentations from Lynn Allen, Carl Bass Autodesk CEO, Jonathan Knowles Director of Cool Things at Autodesk, and Jeff Kowalski Autodesk CTO. There was some really cool things shown and it all culminated with a grand finale of showing of future ideas and concepts live such as Metropolis which was shown live like Google Earth for the Deign World on 20 High Definition screens powered by 40 HD projectors in a full 360 degrees around the audience of over 7500 people. This high definition bliss was all produced by a Tablet PC controlling 20 high end screaming HP PCs live and drilling right down to the query of where a certain type of tree was in a city and a BIM model. I posted some photos from the event although lighting has been difficult. I also posted some of the photos I took yesterday when I snuck behind the scenes and watched Metropolis for the first time with my jaw wide open as Brian Mathews said "what do you think" I don't think I could say anything for a minute as I was speechless. So many things were racing through my mind seeing all that live spatial metaverse/multiverse rich an juicy design data on the 360 degree high def screens even including the question of "I wonder if I could sneak in late at night and play Halo on this system".

Perhaps it was coincidence but when I visited this computer area they called "The Hive" and I attempted to check my BlackBerry 8800 for email it started to freak out and I can no longer use it except to answer phone calls. Coincidence or not perhaps the multiple gigabit wireless connections from the 20 high end PCs freaked out my poor defenseless BlackBerry.

In preparing to transport some of my Autodesk 25 year anniversary artifacts to my booth for display I noticed that I have one extra pair of vintage and unused AutoCAD R14 flip flop sandals. Sure I could auction them on eBay and retire on a small island with a beer (ok not really) but I figure I can give them to wither the winner of this years AUGI Top DOG AutoCAD competition, the longest AutoCAD user in attendance with proof, or a person that is current active Autodesk MyFeedback participant and willing to wear them in a pair of shorts at the beer bust and the rest of the week and spread the word about Autodesk MyFeedback and give hugs to those who ask. Still have not decided on which flip flop giveaway criteria but I will. I should also mention the bonus is these flip flop sandals leave the words "AutoCAD" "R14" imprint in the sand when you walk. These excellent R14 Flip Flops will be on display at booth 900 along with Weapons of Mass Construction aka modeling clay for a fun challenge named "What's Created in Vegas, Stays in Vegas" but this is a G rated Challenge folks (speaking directly to Melanie's husband Mike Perry). I also have 2 brand spanking new AutoCAD 2008 Certification Study Guides to give Away among other nice freebies.

I wanted to thank Robin Capper a New Zealand Kiwi blogger, a friend, and nice guy. He came up to me after the presentation and he read one of my greatest losses this year was when all my luggage was stolen by a so-called Costa Rican policeman. Sure I lost camera gear and a ton of clothes and goodies but my New Zealand All Blacks jersey from Kiwi Mike Burke was in there. Robin gave me a replacement from New Zealand.

I finally got to meet a few people in person that I have not met such as Autodesk PR Paul Davis.

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I guess I could go on and on but that will have to wait as I need to get down and set up the Autodesk MyFeedback Booth as it will be opening after the AUGI Meeting tonight for the annual Beer Bust.

Cheers,
Shaan