Would you join a Mathcad Group?

What is a group? What benefit would there be to being in the group?

Some of us are still trying to navigate in this new environment; trying to learn how to see the new posts while not being hassled with the ones we've already read.

I thought the Mathcad subset of PlanetPTC community WAS the Mathcad group!

BostonDan wrote: I was looking at the list of groups members have created. I noticed there wasn't one dedicated to Mathcad users. Or even one that teetered on the subject. Would you join a group for Mathcad super-users? It could be regional too, "Mathcad users of the U.K." "Russian Mathcad'ers" etc. What kind of group would you create? -BostonDan

Dan,

How about something like - Engineering with Mathcad, Engineering calc's with Mathcad.... etc

Could even make sub groups which allow user to find collabs in a similar industry to thier own. Say for instance 'Pipeline Engineering', 'Subsea Engineering'.

Just a thought.

Mike

I'm beginning to suspect that this post explains the basic problem I have with PlanetPTC/Mathcad replacing the old collaboratory.

I thought of the collaboratory as a Mathcad Users group; a place to get and give advice about any problem you were trying to solve using mathcad. The issues might be anything from how to use the editor to how to set up the DE solvers to basic and not-so-basic understanding of the sciences behind the problems. When I logged into the collaboratory, I WAS part of that group.

When BostonDan says there are no Mathcad groups he's illustrating a major difference in the way he (PTC) and I view the purpose of PlanetPTC. I want the exchange of ideas and opinions that the old collaboratory represented. BostonDan expects me to form or join subgroups inside PlanetPTC to organize picnics.

Dan, if you look at the collaboratory closely enough, you'll see that it's a group. You can find, "When you're in town I'll buy you a pint." and, "Do you ever get to ...," and other social interactions. They're there, buried in the more important (to me) process of helping people with problems or getting help with mine.

I've already joined a Mathcad group. The only other one I qualify for is "Cranky old Mathcad users."

I think that I have the same issue as Fred. I used the old collab as an aid in my work, and tried to help out as I could in return. Unlike a number of forums I have come across, the exchanges were (predominantly) professional. The collab structure was perhaps not flashy, but it was very efficient, in the use of my time, for getting and giving advice on Mathcad and various problems to which it was applied. This is a key expectation. First and foremost, I am looking for a place where I can very easily get help with a key tool of my job (or education, etc). Quick in and out, few frills required; only those that support/enhance the basic mission. I have no expectation of the site as a social network. I also have no objection to it serving that role, as long as it won't add to my overhead if I choose not to use that part of it.

Perhaps some clarification of PTC's expectations and use of the site will give the old collab users some insight to what they can expect. I see it mainly as another professional aid, which value will directly depend on the quality of the technical content and on how efficiently(timewise) I can take advantage of it. For this, I suggest that working out the bugs and adding the basic features should be at the top of the list. To use a jmG-like turn of phrase, polishing the scratches on the car's paint job doesn't make a car run better if the basic problem is an engine that's skipping.

Lou

(Another cranky old mathcad user)

Dan,

Maybe another idea>>>>>

Jean mentioned that there use to be a group/thread/sub forum named Mathcad Guru's. How about dedicating groups/subforums to certain members "Mathcad gurus" such as Jean,Tom,Richard,Valery.....ect to name a few.

Each "Mathcad Guru" could have their dedicated section choosing what gets popsted.....etc

Say I wanted help with Excel components I could directly ask Tom a question, Jean for plotting, Richard and Stuart for programming......etc.

Obviously the GURU'S would have to accept.

Just a thought!!!!!!

Mike

Short answer is 'No'. I am using the Mathcad group from time to time for professional reason (obviously!) and have no intention of having to deal with "social" aspect. Maybe it's a "young" thing. Getting closer to retirement I might be getting grumpier by the day I guess. It will distract and drops productivity, etc. If other have plenty of time on their hands then good for them - I don't. I like how very regular users are responding to queries in a short and extremely useful fashion - I do to when I can and feel I can add value (no that often I'll acknowledge).