Trimble Sketchup - sad news today

sad evolution indeed. Certainly if you already paid for the full version before. I don't mind paying maintenance as long as there are regular changes.?ÿ

I also don't like all these surveying companies buyin all these products : sketchup by Trimble, Bricscad by Hexagon, Clearedge by Topcon, ... Sad and not good evolution, it tends to choose the manufactorers gear with the software.

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?ÿBricscad by Hexagon

oh no - wasn't aware of that one 🙁

am also not a fan of companies buying up the market - not good for the consumer and stifles innovation

?ÿ

Wait a minute - I thought Sketchup was a Google product??ÿ What are its uses in the surveying world??ÿ That is sad news, and such a Trimble move.

Let me think back to some of the good things we've lost over the years: Backdraft could change an AutoCAD drawing version without having to open an AutoCAD engine. A name escapes me but I remember paying $100 for a program that worked in AC 10 to create contour lines from points that had an easy way to alter the triangulation model, Generic CAD & Simplicity and Ashtech software to Trimble. Free Surveying magazines.

Paul in PA

reminds me of paying the $400 for Google Earth PRO about a month before they gutted it and made it free.?ÿ ?ÿ grrrrrrr

@allen-wrench

Google often sells their apps. From April 26, 2012 see this
https://techcrunch.com/2012/04/26/sketchup-google-first-divestment/

@andy-j

I too got burned with that one... Google Sucks

One of the reasons behind software by subscription is to take advantage of differentiation between capital and operating expenses in the US Tax Code; so if that doesn't apply down there you're doubly screwed.?ÿ ?ÿ?ÿ

Posted by: @james-fleming

One of the reasons behind software by subscription is to take advantage of differentiation between capital and operating expenses in the US Tax Code; so if that doesn't apply down there you're doubly screwed.?ÿ ?ÿ?ÿ

perhaps the tax code was written to assist the rental market... (lobbyists have huge influence and control)

If I like and want the software I will Buy it.
If it is only for rent I will take a pass.

It's a big world out here, there is no need to kowtow to the demands of a group of vendors.

@peter-ehlert and shortly thereafter, they removed the parcel map layer. Seeing the general location of tax map lines while doing a proposal without having to open another program was convenient

@paul-in-pa

LI contour?

I used LI Contour for awhile in the mid-90s.  It worked, but at the time it was kind of clunky.  I ended up springing for Eagle Point, as the user interface was so much better.  I'm sure LI Contour has advanced a lot in the last 25 years, and the price is certainly appealing (as it was in the '90s).  I'm just surprised to learn that it's still around!

@steven-metelsky

Most taxing entities or appraisal district offices will give surveyors a copy of their *.kmz file for free or a small charge to copying it to CD

Many have gone to what they call a map search option on their property search webpage.

@james-fleming I would think it's to have a more continuous cash flow rather than have customers make purchases only every 10 years. Services is a growing trend in tech companies.  There are some people who don't care about ever using updated software until it stops working on their computer or handheld computer, but I prefer having access to new features. 

@robertusa

When I setup a system, I need and expect it to keep working.

Some of our deadlines are tight and the penalties for missing them significant.

I don't want, and can't afford, to have things broken by a change to the software - especially when the software company isn't going to admit liability or to front the cost or the time of working out a fix. Geeks playing with things for the sake of playing do not impress.

And in this case, I'm sure not seeing usd$500 per annum worth of new features.