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  • 1.  new computer(s)) Software and printers

    Posted 10-10-2017 11:02 PM
    YES - change can be difficult.  As some of you know - I had my MacBook Pro and all the stuff in the briefcase stolen in a car break-in while at an ArchiCAD meeting in Seattle Jun 22. (eve of my 73rd birthday.  Spent Birthday filling out Police reports, and two months gathering data for Insurance. (note the November meeting is in the same location).  Park off the street.

    When I added up to total cost of hardware, software, glass (window) and a CPAP machine it was about $14,800+.  However, the mental cost, stress and upgrades was much higher.  It has taken almost 4 months to put it and me to put everything back together.  However, the stress affect on me has been the hardest.  Find as I type on this new MacBook Pro (a non-store model)  that it will move and delete items as I am typing - disconcerting to say the least.  

    Learned a new term "recoverable depreciation"  Insurance will pay you for the lost ability to use something due to changes in technology. 

    Then the new MacBook Pro has all new connections so- printers, mice, hard drives, printers and literally everything had to be replaced. 
    Bought both an EPSON 7620 (13x19) printer; and should receive the HP T120  24" - to replace my Epson1520 17" printer this weekend.

    Found Graphisoft will convert the early projects (back to 4.111) on my computer for free. Thankfully they had been backed up on my Time Capsule.  

    And I still don't know how to use the Stair Tool (the subject of the meeting).  

    I agree annual updates are not always the easiest thing to acclimate to and incorporate into practice.

    The rate of change seems to be increasing.  Unless we  are all using the same software every day - it is had to adjust to both hardware and software change simultaneously.

    We review plans by other the majority of the time and work some on internal projects. However, We - The VA has moved to BIM Only submittals for Major Projects and provides 
    BIM models for all medical space, and equipment, including quantities and costs - that will download into ArchiCAD, Revit or other IFC compatible software.
     
    I miss my  old Mac PowerBook G4 keyboard and 17" screen.  But I do not miss my drafting table and parallel rule 1962 - (I started in high school 1960 with a T-square).

    I was an early adopter of Macintosh & McDraft and then McDraft Pro, and MacProject Pro, Dreams and then ArchiCAD. 4.111  to present, but know less how to use AC20 or 21 than AC 11- AC17 which was second nature

    Have a nice evening.

    Michael


  • 2.  RE: new computer(s)) Software and printers

    Posted 10-11-2017 07:06 PM
    Michael, sorry about what happened in Seattle (I have been trying to justify attending one these events but it hasn't yet worked out for me this year). Regarding theft, I fear your situation as I also travel frequently for projects (and use the same system you have). Sounds like you are back to being functional now so I won't comment on that but ask instead if you are applying any different risk management strategy now that you have been through the process? Do you work off iCloud storage more than your HD?

    Also, your projects (types) sound interesting. A fair number of my projects are also in the Healthcare sector (non-GMO) but none of these have been 'BIM-only' deliverables, yet.

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    Rex Prater AIA
    Principal/Owner
    BALANCE architecture + design, PC
    Eugene OR
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  • 3.  RE: new computer(s)) Software and printers

    Posted 10-12-2017 08:34 PM
    Kind of related (not in terms of the physical theft, but the aftermath) -- your General Liability Insurance (you do have that coverage, right?) may be helpful, especially if you have the additional coverages called "important papers" and your computers.

    Last spring I opened an attachment that I shouldn't have (let that be a lesson, if there's an Excel or Word file from someone you don't know, the "invoice" is not something you want to see), and got the "Locky" ransomware.  Insurance wouldn't pay the ransom, but they did pay me for time lost trying to retrieve things, and they did pay for two different computer consultants to see what they could do.  Consultant #2, a "you might want to talk to these guys" recommendation from the insurance company's computer forensic person, was able to get everything back.  And, other than the deductible, insurance paid for it all.

    The payment for time retrieving items (I did a lot of opening up of emails and re-copying documents that I'd emailed out) was part of the "important papers" coverage.  They would have paid for re-drafting of drawings, starting from prints or pdfs, but that wasn't needed.

    It does help to have a record of everything that is on your machine, in the way of software; along with the computer, your access to the software that you bought was stolen, too.​

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    Joel Niemi AIA
    Joel Niemi Architect
    Snohomish, WA
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