Folks,
I would like to solicit ideas about a pattern-drafting software FAQ to post to the group.
Do you own *and use* pattern drafting software (as opposed to "I bought it/got it as a gift/whatever, but it's still sitting in the drawer/never got it to work/whatever? If so, which one(s), including which versions, add-ons, etc.? (Please answer this question whether or not you want to help compile the FAQ -- I want to include that as informal survey results.)
What would you like to see in a pattern-drafting software FAQ?
What would you *not* like to see?
What kind of information or suggestions was or would be most helpful to you when you were or are looking at pattern-drafting software?
What would you, the pattern drafting software owner, have liked to know about pattern drafting software before making your purchase that you found out afterward? Did you make any mistakes in selecting your software, and how could someone else avoid making the same mistake?
What would you, the potential pattern drafting software purchaser, like to know about pattern drafting software packages in order to help you make your selection?
If you tried pattern drafting software and gave up on it, would you mind sharing your experience so that someone else would benefit?
I know the two major camps of software owners have very strong feelings about their own software, myself included, and I am hoping to stay away from personality-worship, commercial endorsements, personal biases, competition-bashing, naming brand names, testimonial-type comments, etc., and stick to objective facts (including the above informal survey of how many active newsgroup readers use each of the various software programs), and in that vein I pledge to you that I will do my utmost to keep my own very strong personal biases off the FAQ as well (and I also will welcome correction if someone feels I have fallen short on that regard).
Once I get an outline of what people think would be good or bad things to include, I will solicit more contributions from here (and, if nobody objects, also from the major pattern drafting software discussion areas
-- mailing lists, web fora, etc.) for content to the FAQ from folks who have something to say and who wouldn't mind being included.
You may reply here or to my email address, mmeahan at sonic dot net, and thanks very much for your help.
Melinda