Point of Beginning articles from August 2004

Point of Beginning archives from August 2004

Writing the licensure test.(Editor's Note)(National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying)
August 1, 2004... Last May, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) sent out its periodic survey, the Professional Activities and Knowledge Survey (PAKS), asking 5,000 geomaticians "to rate the importance of statements describing...

Offsets.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2004... March 2004 The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) would like to respond to several statements in Dennis Mouland's March 2004 [Offsets] article "The Surveyor's New Clothes." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Editor's note.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2004... June 2004 [In your list of instructions and questions for surveyors heading out to work in the field,], [y]ou forgot the most important one: "Be sure [to] wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident." [This reminds] me [of] a comic...

Massachusetts marks Center of Population.(The Latest News)(Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers (MALSCE) Inc.)(Center of Population )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... On June 2, 2004, the Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers (MALSCE) Inc. marked the state's Center of Population in Natick, Mass., which is 18 miles west of Boston. The Center of Population is defined by the U.S....

Alabama passes right of entry clause to Licensure Law.(The Latest News)(Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors)
August 1, 2004... The Alabama State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, with the help of the Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors (ASPLS), successfully lobbied for an amendment to the Alabama Licensure Law in May. A new...

NGS announces NSRS readjustment time frame.(The Latest News)(National Geodetic Survey)(National Spatial Reference System)
August 1, 2004... The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) announced the time frame for the readjustment of horizontal positions and ellipsoid heights for the National Spatial Reference System's (NSRS) GPS stations. The readjustment of the NSRS will begin in June 2005...

U.S. Coast Guard initializes seamless DGPS service with Canada.(The Latest News)(Differential Global Positioning System)
August 1, 2004... The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Canadian Coast Guard have initialized a procedure to provide seamless Differential Global Positioning System (DPGS) service along the two countries' shared border. DGPS offers increased positioning...

GPS for better flow: geo-locating fire hydrants for a county GIS aids developing area.(geographic information system)(global positioning system)
August 1, 2004... The U.S. Census Bureau has reported that half of the nation's 10 fastest growing counties are located in Georgia. Growing at a current population rate of 14.4 percent and currently ranking at 55 of the top 100, Gwinnett County in metropolitan...

Mapping the past: digital surveying preserves a part of ancient Egypt.(Cover Story)
August 1, 2004... One of the first things a surveyor learns when studying surveying is how ancient Egypt was perhaps one of the earliest civilizations to use surveying--in much the same way we use it today. The "rope stretchers," as surveyors were referred to in...

Total station and GPS methodologies aid surface mapping of archaeological site.(Technology Profile)
August 1, 2004... Ongoing research endeavors on private lands in Dove Creek, Colo., and a recently worked site known as Mitchell Springs Archaeological Complex overseen by the Mitchell Springs Ruin Group have provided a unique opportunity for research...

The CAD enforcer: the importance and how-to's of CAD standards.(Cad Standards Enforcement)(computer aided design)
August 1, 2004... What are CAD* standards and what should they accomplish? CAD standardization allows anyone in an organization to access, interpret and disseminate information efficiently and quickly, and in a uniform manner. What is the enforcement of CAD...

A legal look: whose documents are they, anyway? Part 2 of 3.
August 1, 2004... In my last column (June 2004) we began the investigation into the legal answer to the question "Whose documents are they, anyway?" It became immediately apparent to me that there is no quick answer to this seemingly simple question. There is no...

From the field: the story of Jennifer Marks, LS, and her impact on land surveying.(Biography)
August 1, 2004... Fresh out of college with a bachelor's degree in geology from Boston University, Jennifer Marks began working in the early 1980s as a drafter for a Madison, Wisconsin-based land surveying firm. "I've always had an interest in drafting and...

Eager, reliable and trustworthy.(Product and Literature Showcase)(Allen Precision Equipment)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... At Allen Precision Equipment, the relationship with our customers never ends with the sale. Our comprehensive training program for robotic and GPS equipment is offered at your choice of locations and includes direct access to our technical...

NEW Thin Line post.(Product and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Introducing the NEW Thin Line post. Lightweight, easy to install in most soil conditions and will not rot or become brittle in the cold. Only 1" wide and available in 5- or 6-foot lengths. Use the Thin Line post to mark rights of way,...

Carlson Survey 2004.(Product and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Carlson Survey 2004 is the classic "win-win" situation for the small survey and engineering firm. Carlson Survey 2004 incorporates core AutoCAD 2004 and SurvCADD features for the affordable price of $1,495. From data download to finished plat,...

Quik-Mark inverted marking paints & chalks.(Product and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Diversified Brands' (Cleveland, Ohio) comprehensive program of Krylon Industrial Quik-Mark inverted marking paints and chalks are now available with the engineered Glove Grip spray nozzle. The specially engineered nozzle allows for easy,...

Leica System 1200: GPS1200.(Product and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Leica Geosystems introduces a world's first in surveying--the bringing together of two technologies, GPS and TPS, into a single surveying system. The GPS component of System 1200 utilizes a high precision GPS measurement engine with fast...

New! MicroSurvey tracker.(Product and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Our new data collector featuring Windows CE .NET 4.2 on an XScale processor, DB9 connector, 128 MB memory and more. Available in 200 and 400 MHz models. As an added benefit, Basic and Pro modules of MicroSurvey's FieldGenius 2004 data...

Survey automation: "every process will be digital, mobile and virtual".(Product and Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2004... The LMS Z360 LiDAR platform is configured for the transportation sector and 3D scanning. Configuration examples are 8,000 points per second data rate, 200-meter range, beam focus capability, high-speed data acquisition interface with multiple...

Series 130R3 Reflectorless Total Stations.(Product and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Sokkia Corporation's Series 130R3 Reflectorless Total Station offers the longest reflectorless phase EDM range in its class--up to 350 meters (1,140 ft). Featuring Sokkia's cutting-edge RED-tech EDM, the Series 130R3 provides outstanding...

Z-Max surveying system.(Product and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The Z-Max surveying system from Thales Navigation is a precision GPS surveying solution designed for topography and construction. Offering superior RTK performance, an innovative design and a total software solution, Z-Max delivers survey-grade...

New cable-free RTK GPS+ system extends range.(Product and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The HiPer Pro is Topcon's newest, cable-free RTK GPS system. A UHF transmitting radio is integrated into the base and rover, providing RTK operation over a range up to four miles. Range can be doubled using an optional repeater. The HiPer Pro...

The Trimble R8 GPS system ... now it's a wireless base!(Product and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The latest Trimble R8 now offers an internal 450 MHz transmitting radio option. Say goodbye to cable hassles at the base station and hello to easy wireless setup! As a wireless base or rover, Trimble R8 brings accuracy and high-quality...

TDS Survey Pro 4.0.(Product and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Survey Pro gives you a complete set of capabilities for all your survey projects. It's fast, easy to use and reliable--no wonder it has been the most popular surveying software since 1995. And now, Survey Pro 4.0 includes 12 new enhancements,...

2004 miscellaneous software survey.(Illustration)
August 1, 2004... 2004 Miscellaneous Software Survey Program/Version COLUMBUS 3.5 Carlson Software Investigations 4.0 Manufacturer/Distributor Best-Fit Computing Inc. Carlson...

Topology.(geographic information systems)
August 1, 2004... In the realm of GIS, at the very core of it all, lies a single concept: topology. What is topology? Technically, and in GIS terms, topology defines the spatial relationships between features. It is the "glue" that holds everything together. ...

Rules of layout.(Back to Basics)
August 1, 2004... In my recent articles, I have followed a theme of discussing layout. This has included the methods of intersecting lines, of using the 3/4/5 and of base line offset. This month's topic establishes some basic rules of layout followed by many...

Who are we, anyway?(On the Level)
August 1, 2004... Surveyors have a practical and pragmatic view of themselves and their profession. We understand the importance of our work in the support of construction and we hold in highest regard our role as the sole experts in the determination of the...

NavCom Technology.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... 401 NavCom Technology announced the availability of VueStar, a complete global navigation system configured specifically for all aerial survey applications. VueStar offers decimeter-positioning accuracy in real-time to surveyors working...

Leica Geosystems.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... 402 Leica Geosystems introduced the Rod-Eye Classic handheld laser sensor for general construction applications. The new laser sensor features an LCD on both the front and rear for fast and easy visual reference, and has a working diameter...

Thales Navigation.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... 403 Thales Navigation announced enhancements to the Z-Max survey system's Fast Survey field software and GNSS Studio office software. Updated Fast Survey software enables users to modify and choose the network of their preference, to save...

Thales.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... 404 Also, Thales announced enhancements to its single-frequency survey system, ProMark2. Surveyors can extend their ProMark2 basemap coverage to any region around the globe by adding a MapSend WorldWide Basemap. Adding Worldwide basemaps...

Trimble introduced the Trimble Systems Extension (TSX) and Leveling modules for the Tripod Data Systems (TDS) Survey Pro 4.0 field data collection software package.(New & Notable)
August 1, 2004... 405 Trimble introduced the Trimble Systems Extension (TSX) and Leveling modules for the Tripod Data Systems (TDS) Survey Pro 4.0 field data collection software package. The TSX module is available in two configurations: the Total Station...

Precision Midwest.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Precision Midwest, Warrenville, Ill., opened two new Trimble authorized sales and service locations in Des Plaines, Ill., and Altoona, Iowa. Precision Midwest provides Trimble surveying and mapping product sales and rental services for northern...

SurveySA.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... SurveySA, San Antonio, Texas, announced Jennifer Braune as the firm's new office manager. Braune comes to SurveySA with more than 15 years' experience in all aspects of the surveying business. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Riegl USA.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Riegl USA, Orlando, Fla., relocated its corporate offices. The new office is located at 7035 Grand National Drive, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32819.

KAPPA Mapping Inc.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... KAPPA Mapping Inc., Bangor, Maine, welcomed Stephanie Sturtevant to its photogrammetric mapping team. Sturtevant, a senior photogrammetric specialist, holds a bachelor of science degree in spatial information engineering from the University of...

Consul-Tech.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Frank J. Guiliano, PSM, joined Consul-Tech, Miramar, Fla., as the statewide mapping director and quality control officer. He supervises mapping projects, establishes and enforces quality control processes, and creates proposals and...

Lochrane Engineering Inc.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Lochrane Engineering Inc., Orlando, Fla., appointed Robert W. Monaco, PSM, as project manager for the survey division at its Orlando office. Monaco brings more than 22 years of surveying knowledge and experience in the central Florida area. ...

James W. Sewall Company.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Weiler Mapping, Old Town, Maine, a division of James W. Sewall Company, promoted Mat Andrews to GIS project manager. In this position, Andrews manages a range of GIS consulting projects to support municipal clients in their efforts to manage...

Ferris State University.(Turning Points)
August 1, 2004... Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Mich., announced the 2004 graduating class of the Surveying Engineering program. Front row from left: Prof. Sayed Hashimi, Richard Newton, Michael Stocking, Brent Feyen, Max Clever, Alan Naumowicz, John...

Surveying solutions.
August 1, 2004... Each month we present a surveying problem from the second edition of 1001 Solved Surveying Fundamentals Problems by Jan Van Sickle, PLS. As in the following example, the answer will appear beside the problem, in a shaded box. We hope you enjoy...