Demos in the download section. Expedition

[singlewc]

Hi,

I had an interview for a job using Expedition. I have not used that package before, and so they were convinced I could not help them.

Six months later, they are still looking for someone :-) and I am going to approach them again. It would be nice if I could at least see what Expedition is all about, and a demo would help.

I got the "expedition" file ifrom the download section, hoping to learn anything I can about it but it is not what I thought it would be.

Is there a way to make any use of this file? I was hoping for some kind of a program that would run, and show me what it is like, but I find no executable in the zip archive.

I tried to get a demo from the Expedition web site, but in addition to telling me it could take two weeks for them to even contact me, I don't have a broadband connection, or a network card at home, so I cannot provide a machine ID for them to attach to the software. Plus, I would need to use a friend's machine to get the demo on his high speed connection, and I am betting that without the right machine ID matchup, this just won't work.

Any suggestions as to how I can get a peek at this "mysterious" :-) piece of software so I would have a chance to speak intelligently about it to a potential employer?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

John

[randychase]

The demo file we offer is a library file and it requires you to own Expedition. Sorry!

[Colorado-PC-Dude]

Originally posted by singlewc
Hi,

I had an interview for a job using Expedition. I have not used that package before, and so they were convinced I could not help them.

Six months later, they are still looking for someone :-) and I am going to approach them again. It would be nice if I could at least see what Expedition is all about, and a demo would help.

I got the "expedition" file ifrom the download section, hoping to learn anything I can about it but it is not what I thought it would be.

Is there a way to make any use of this file? I was hoping for some kind of a program that would run, and show me what it is like, but I find no executable in the zip archive.

I tried to get a demo from the Expedition web site, but in addition to telling me it could take two weeks for them to even contact me, I don't have a broadband connection, or a network card at home, so I cannot provide a machine ID for them to attach to the software. Plus, I would need to use a friend's machine to get the demo on his high speed connection, and I am betting that without the right machine ID matchup, this just won't work.

Any suggestions as to how I can get a peek at this "mysterious" :-) piece of software so I would have a chance to speak intelligently about it to a potential employer?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

John

John,

Have you tried calling Mentor's sales office to see if they have any kind of demo packages?

Ben

[Skip Yutkus]

If your machine doesn't have a network card, then it would probably be to old and slow to run expedition, call a local sales office, as local as possible they'l get you a demo and a license within a day or 2 - it can be tied to your disk drive serial no.

Skip

(How's that for conflicting info?!!)

[singlewc]

Originally posted by Skip Yutkus
If your machine doesn't have a network card, then it would probably be to old and slow to run expedition, call a local sales office, as local as possible they'l get you a demo and a license within a day or 2 - it can be tied to your disk drive serial no.

Skip

(How's that for conflicting info?!!)

Hi Skip. I did the "demo request" on the web site, but it wanted the NIC ID so I probably won't even get a call. I figured I would ask around first, and will be looking for a local rep to see what they can offer that way.

I am unable to equate computer performance to a NIC tho. What kind of requirements does Expedition have? Any conjecture on why a demo would need to be locked to anything on the machine? Don't they want people to look at it, and let others have a peek as well? That used to be the way things worked <g>

I build my own machines, and living alone, with no broadband access available, so I never bother with a NIC.

Stuck in the dark ages in that respect. <shrug>

Much obliged.

John

[Skip Yutkus]

Sorry about the disparaging remark about your machine, the need for a hardware ID to make a license stems from the fact that Mentor uses FlexLM licensing - they have no "Demo Package", what you get is the whole ball of wax, maybe slightly scaled down, with a FlexLM license that expires in XX days, they will gladly extend it for you a couple of times, as I said before I'm pretty sure they can use your DISK ID Serial number in lieu of a NIC.

The other alternative is call the Company looking for a person and explain your situation, maybe offer to work/train for free for a week or 2 - could score you a huge amount of brownie points!!
I've done similar when I was much younger.

Skip

[randychase]

Why not just install a NIC?

If you want, I have extra ones laying around here. You can have one.

[newbie777]

dont really know which version of Expedition youre using.... but attached is the Expedition PCB User Guide WG2002 ( which could be downloaded from mentor graphics supportnet )

regards,
newbie

[newbie777]

file

[singlewc]

Thanks very much to everyone who replied. I have a bunch of NICs in the closet and if I ever get a 'demo' I could stick one in I guess. Thanks for the offer, Randy. :-)

I would download the user guide if I knew the URL to get it from.

I contacted Mentor via the web page, emails, a call, and a contact with the local rep. Supposedly, they will get back to me but their tone changes when I explain that I don't intend to buy it, and just need to see what it is all about. I doubt there will be any help forthcoming.

Must be a heck of a program because its protected so closely that it looks like no one can get a peek at it without plinking down cash. <g>

Anyway, I did offer to work for a bit without compensation to prove I can pull it off at one company, but that idea died almost instantly. Some places just seem to be more interested in hiring a technically perfect person, rather than someone who can learn, and grow, and contribute a lot of other experiences. I am sure its a fine program, but its a layout package, and I have used a ton for a lot of years and I think I could figure it out <shrug> Funny how some people get locked into thinking they have something so special and unique that only a few people on earth are capable of handling it.

Given a better employment environment, I would tell them to get lost and not bother me with such an attitude, but a job is a job, so I will keep working it as best I can.

Much obliged for the comments and the advice.

Thanks,

John

[newbie777]

im trying to upload the user guide... but it just doesnt seem to work ...can anyone please help...

[randychase]

How large is it? It might be too big. Also what format is it in?

You can email it to me at randy@pcbstandards.com and I can upload it.

[newbie777]

Its about 2Mbyte in pdf formate

[randychase]

Email it to me, I will host it.

[randychase]

Click Here to Download zip file (http://www.cpdserver.com/pcbstandards/Mentor/docs/exp_pcb_process.zip)