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after 20 years in the non-profit arena, the one thing i'm certain of is
"it never hurts to ask.  
 
after using a trial  version of sketch-up (www.sketchup.com), i really
liked it.  but the price  is high $495 (high being a relative term )
anyway, i contacted the company and asked if they would be willing to
offer non-profits their educational rate of $99, renewable annually.
not a bad deal, really.
 
 
 
here's part of the reply i got from their edu salse person:
 
"So, the deal with our EDU license (also referred to as the Student
license) is that it cost $99 and is a one year license. We do not have
any educational licenses that are non-expiring. But, every dollar spent
towards the purchase of an EDU license is credited towards the purchase
of a non-expiring license later on. We look at it as a way to gradually
work into a non-expiring license. All upgrades are free with EDU
licenses. After you have a commercial license, upgrades are $95. they
can contact us at [log in to unmask] You may tell them to mention a
promo code when ordering and that they will get a discount. Thanks."

 
Here's the link to the page that has the lowdown.
 
http://www.sketchup.com/?title=License+Higher+Student
 
you'll have to download the form and fax it to them, but a small price
to pay, so to speak.  The liscense is good for a year, at which point it
will cost another $99 to renew, but that's pretty hard to beat.
 
if you're familiar with cad, the learning curve is not bad. after i ran
thru their online tutorials, felt somewhat comfortable after about 6
hours.  feel like a couple of days would be pretty productive.
 
like i said, never hurts to ask.
 
 
 
 
Jeff Courtman
4026 Richmond Ave.
Shreveport, LA  71106
cell: 214.450.8872
 
 

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