Hey, thanks for the replies, guys... I actually just figured it out myself ! Hopefully this can help somebody else in the future... In Internet Explorer 6, click "tools", "internet options", select "advanced" tab, scroll down to "use passive FTP (for firewall and DSL modem compatibility)" and CLEAR the checkbox, "apply", and voilla welcome to the FTP site !

Software ? Internet Explorer version 6 ? Or did you mean something else ? I am only accessing from home. I have cable internet here. I am behind a router. I tried disabling Windows XP's firewall... I have no other firewall... I am "administrator" of this computer... I start by clicking the link in the forum. The site tries to open but windows looks to be searching... bottom of browser says "getting contents of folder" after a few seconds (20 ?) I get a window popping up that says "an error occurred opening that folder on the FTP server" "make sure you have permission." "Details: the operation timed out" I have tried this on several occasions with the same result... I don't have any trouble getting to ftp.mastercam.com

I have never been able to access it... Is there a likely explanation for this ?

I've been using Mastercam for around 4 years now. It's the only CAD/CAM software I've ever really been exposed to. Previously, I was just a rank and file mid-level moldmaker but recently our programmer was terminated and I am the next best guy on MasterCam. Hence the handle "M.I.T.H.S." ! I was overwhelmed at first because the shoes I am filling are pretty big but so far I'm doing well (at least partially because of this forum). Yes, I've been to Eastec a few times but not recently.. We are a small shop building molds for parts from the size of a quarter to the size of a man-hole cover. We have 7 full time people. The company is called Ferron Mold and Tool.

Peter, I am in Dayville, CT... in the NE corner of the state. No problem about the handle...

Cadist, quote: Or You can right click on any toolpath goto options--»display--»off Exactly what does this do ? I tried it and got a "display options" window... Did I do something wrong ? More specifically to the point, I would like to be able to quickly review one operation at a time. I have seen a quick display of each toolpath as I complete each one but how can I make only one that I created earlier display ? You might suggest backplot but some toolpaths take sooooo long to backplot that I would love a quicker way... For example, I have a toolpath that is 78334K which displays in about 1 second after I press the "toolpaths" button but if I backplot it I am looking at several minutes... How can I isolate only one operation for this quick display ?

GEEZ ! I live right in Connecticut and it's been almost a week ! Maybe somebody is walking up here with it...

I know I'm almost off topic here but I can't resist... We had a "toolmaker" from a temp service that wanted to put the probe end of the edge finder in the collet and spool it up with the rest sticking out ! WHOA Who is screening these guys ?

earlier in this forum, somebody put a link to the calendar area of Mastercam's website... You just supply your sim # and mailing address and they send one out (while supplies last...)

We use a program called second copy 2000 to automatically backup only what's changed in the .MC9 folder. This program is totally customizable and works great. It saves to 3 other machines in the building. I can't imagine burning CD's or DVD's for this stuff... Having the software means there's nothing to accidentally forget... Also, old files are compressed in .RAR format and archived in a separate folder which is also stored automatically on 3 other computers periodically throughout the day... Saves a huge amount of space !

Thank You all. I already feel very welcome here. I only just made my first post but have been reading for weeks now. It is obvious that there are many brilliant people here...

Does anybody notice any performance or other difference with the USB sim ? Is there any reason USB is more desirable ?