Spolsky is a software entrepreneur in New York. His blog, "Joel on Software," is enormously popular for the wisdom and down-to-earth strength of his writing.

He now writes a monthly piece for "Inc."; this article is on the power of "impossible" ideas. Worth checking out.

Autodesk held its World Press Days in San Francisco earlier this week. The bottom line: Autodesk is focusing on helping customers integrate all the product lines where it makes sense. The use of REVIT for facilities, integrated with the use of Inventor for the machines that get placed in the facilities, along with Civil 3D for the site - you get the idea.Running throughout the presentations was the thread of sustainability. Green designs were featured, and environmental impact considered in each case study.CEO Carl Bass kicked off the event, and was accessible throughout. There is the clear sense that the company is blossoming with an engineer at the helm.Autodesk's digital prototyping message was prominent, and several speakers went into some depth to explain that this approach to the automation of design is well-thought-out, and is sound both philosophically and organizationally.The firm now has a Plant division and corresponding products. Integrating many pieces they already own, and some that are coming, this...

As the Engineering and the Software industries have changed over time, the priorities of users and vendors have diverged. The old industry model of doing business selling products may be becoming obsolete as a new model of selling service takes on momentum in other software industries. Engineering SaaS maybe the next Killer App in Engineering Software as it will change the fundamental value proposition for businesses. Both Engineering firms and Engineering Software providers should seriously look into this new model of business.