Friday Punch: Encourage Cross-Platform Dating to Promote Interoperability

Do you know that, if you’re a Windows user, you might be prevented from dating Apple lovers? True. On popular dating sites like Match.com or eHarmony, fellow singles don’t give a hoot about your operating system (OS), but at Cupidtino, the new dating site launched by a former Windows Mobile developer, you must first and foremost be an Apple fan boy or girl to sign up. Using Internet Explorer on a PC? Forget it. You won’t get past the home page.

Isn’t it about time we put an end to OS-based discrimination? Must it take a tragedy like Romeo and Juliet to bring together star-crossed lovers from these two households? I have neither the influence nor the instrument needed to bridge the Windows-Apple divide (still saving up for that iPad); nevertheless, on this Friday afternoon, when (I’m told) it’s perfectly acceptable to entertain silly ideas, I shall attempt to end platform-bias among eligible engineers and designers.

How many budding romances have been spoiled by interoperability, that ancient grudge that rears its ugly head in present day codes? How many promising starts have stalled because of collaboration misadventures? I urge you, CAD lovers, to take a stand against kernel intolerance.

So chin up, folks! If you’ve been getting the cold-shoulder treatment from members of the opposite CAD, here are a few icebreakers you might try:

• I’m parametric; you’re direct. Let’s meet in Fusion.
• I’m history-based; you’re history-free. Let’s be Synchronous.
• I’m on PC; you’re on Mac. Let’s chat in the cloud.
• I’ve been feature-based all my life, but I just can’t resit your push-pull techniques.
• Let’s combine my solids with your curves.
• Your dimensions are flawless. Let’s go to the next STEP.
• I’ll give up my AutoCAD R14 for your Wildfire.
• I’m open-minded; I use open source.

Of course, even with the best intention, there’s still the possibility that the integration effort might fail. When that happens, you might try a diplomatic retreat with the followings:

• There are just too many rough patches under the surface.
• We just don’t mesh well together.
• You use too many control points. I don’t know how to regenerate.
• Let’s try again after the next upgrade.
• I’m sorry. I’ve reached my maximum geometric tolerance.
• Our mating conditions just aren’t right.
• It’s not your CAD system—it’s you.

Good luck!