CAD vs. CAD: The Next Move

I hear rumors that SolidWorks has expressed an interest in using open source (as Autodesk is already using for some GIS products).

This is the analogy explained to my source: The only thing Microsoft is scared of is Linux. Also, SolidWorks thinks that lightweight clients are finally making great strides (cf: AJAX).

Mix together 'open source' and 'over-the-Web delivery of applications.' Look at who SolidWorks is up against. And then figure what SolidWorks could cobble together.

All speculation, of course. And, after the great letdown of Google's keynote speech at last week's CES, I'm not expecting much.