WorldCAD Access

Practical Help for Ukraine

Mission Without Borders Back in upFront.eZine issue #1,126, I wrote... "If you would like to donate to an agency that has already been helping people in Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania for decades now (“boots on the ground”), and which upFront.eZine supports annually, then I would like to suggest Mission Without Borders at mwbca.org/ukraine. We did. Donations are used to provide emergency aid and food packages for people in eastern Ukraine. (Tax receipts available for Canadian donors only.)" Late last week, Mission Without Borders provided this update on their activities in the area: Inside Ukraine: Our Mission Without Borders team in... Read more →

I found an international debit card

Killing the exchange rate The only benefit to the EU was its original function: a single currency for many countries. Never mind that my German relatives were disgusted by stores switching DM to Euros, leaving the numbers unchanged, meaning everything doubled in price, overnight. For us non-European travelers, having a single currency is so-o-o convenient. Unless, of course, we also went to England. Or to Switzerland. Or to Sweden... Over the years, I employed a variety of ways to pay for things with our Canadian dollars in Europe: American Express travelers cheques -- remember those? Withdrawing Euro cash from European... Read more →

Why we love not flying

It is Cancel culture, but in the real world With all my international travel over the decades, we actually got to the point we were planning shopping trips in Germany: "No point buying it here [in Canada], we'll get it next time we're in Germany." Then the WHO shut down the world, but after 2.5 years we are finally booked for Germany again. Quite frankly, as much as we love travelling overseas, we found not-flying a rather pleasant experience. But, as we have family in Europe, it was time to see them again. When it comes to flying across oceans,... Read more →

Update 3: The Impact of CAD Vendors Leaving Russia

Cold War II CAD vendors who are shutting down their businesses in Russia (that I know about, so far): Autodesk PTC Siemens Graphisoft Dassault Systemes Altair Nemetschek Group Hexagon AVEVA SAP As well, these twenty 3D manufacturing firms and publications: 3dprintingindustry.com/news/the-additive-manufacturing-industry-supports-the-security-and-foreign-policy-course-of-the-german-federal-government-european-union-and-nato-205472. For its part, Nemetschek Group is doing the following actions: Organizing visas for local employees Providing refugee housing Donation matching for the humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine Suspending new business in Russia Suspending existing business with sanctioned individuals and organizations for the time being Update 3 (Apr 27/22): We had indications that CAD vendors do not get a lot... Read more →