Update March 13, 2010: as I was completing the software's installation and reading the end-user license agreement, I realized that because of a confidentiality clause, if I accepted the terms, I would not be at liberty to publish opinions, screen captures or any other information on the software before its final release. Bummer! Since I am a proponent of free and open source software, I find myself in a peculiar position. But after some thought, I've decided to join the beta-test program under these conditions anyway; these are standard practice in the industry. I'm being pragmatic: if we are to see more professional CAD software on Linux (so it gains market share), we have to abide by these rules. So please be aware of this if you decide to join-in.

Soon after posting my Bricscad for Linux Alpha review, I received an invite to join the ARES Commander Edition Linux beta-testing program.

What's ARES? According to its developer Graebert, it's an all new AutoCAD-compatible software ("CAD-engine" is their word); it has an easy-to-navigate UI, full customization, and native availability on Windows (now), Mac & Linux (Q2 2010). Graebert, a company that also provides surveying and mobile solutions, launched ARES last month. I had read about this product's development last year in Ralph Grabowski's upFront.eZine (Ralph also maintains the popular WorldCAD Access blog). About 250 man-hours man-years have been dedicated to its coding, and for the past year, hundreds of users have taken part in the Windows version's beta-testing. Now beta-testing for the Linux version has started!

It looks like things are finally going to happen for CAD Linux users: in 2010, no less than two competing products (ARES and Bricscad) will be available as true AutoCAD alternatives on Linux.

I've already downloaded the ARES installer. After I install and test it, I'll write about it in this blog. That's going to have to wait till the final release, sometime in Q2 2010.

You can try it too if you want: the beta-test program is apparently open to all, you just need to register on Graebert's website. (the register page is hidden under "ARES & ARES Commander Edition for Macintosh OS X / Linux" post from February 9th.)