Stupid government
I’m downloading a viewer so I can display CAD files for work. Apparently this software has government restrictions on it, preventing it from being exported to hostile nations. Before I can download it, I’m asked to reply affirmatively with the following statements:
I am not a citizen, national or resident of, and am not under the control of, the government of any country to which the United States has prohibited export of technical information, such as (as of 6/15/01): Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria.
I will not download or otherwise export or re-export the software, directly or indirectly, to the above-prohibited countries nor to citizens, national or residents of those countries.
I am not listed on the United States Department of Treasury list of Specially Designated Nationals, Specially Designated Terrorists, and Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers, nor am I listed on the United States Department of Commerce Table of Denial Orders.
I will not download or otherwise export or re-export the software, directly or indirectly, to persons on the above-mentioned lists.
I will not use the software for, and will not allow the software to be used for, any purposes prohibited by United States law, including, without limitation, for the development, design, manufacture or production of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons of mass destruction.
Uh, okay. I know the company is just legally covering its ass on this one, but this step is just stupid, insofar as it’s intended to stop nefarious activities. I cant imagine that Mohammed al-Nutcase is getting ready to work on some nuke blueprints, when he reads this warning and gives up.
It’s also a pain in the ass for me, Law Abiding Citizen, because in order to answer affirmatively and honestly, I have to look at the Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals list. And good luck finding the other lists.
Dumbasses.
Its been my experience that there are no good viewers out there…Free ones anyway. Their printing capabilities are usually non-existent and other useful functions are hard to use. I’ve downloaded a couple of them when a file comes across my desk with that dreaded “incompatible file” error message pops up.
As for having to go check with the Dept. of Treasury list…can’t say I’ve ever seen that. Try refining your search to include the extension. dwg for autoCAD or dgn for microstation (the software TxDOT uses).
If you get in a bind, send me the file and I’ll convert it to a pdf for you. Call it a “French” benefit for blogging on LST!
Thanks for the offer, Adam. I downloaded eDrawings, and it seems to work okay. Viewing is easy, and I can print the thing, but it’s hard to zoom and print. Might take some getting used to, but I think I can handle it.
That said, I might take you up on the PDF offer.
By the way, I love that FedEx commercial. “We don’t get French benefits?” It always cracks me up to hear someone say, “You’re always wrong.”
It used to be that AutoDesk would give you VoloView Express for free. Now they only give the .dwf viewer. I could get you a copy of VoloView if you want it. Another one I found (but haven’t used) is here:
http://www.bravaviewer.com/freeautocad.htm
I don’t personally use Microstation, but I have a friend who does, and he could probably get you their “official” viewer without too much fuss. I’m not sure which particular file types you need to view, but like Adam, I’d be happy to help you out if I can.
Reminds me of the visa waiver form that all us foreigners have to complete when entering the US asking us if we’re Nazis or terrorists. Did someone in homeland security really think that would “get” some bad guys? Really?