Point of Beginning articles from December 2007

Point of Beginning archives from December 2007

Educating inside and out.(editor'spoints)
December 1, 2007... Many think education is one of the keys to the success of a profession. In a profession like surveying where educational opportunities--through rank or institution--have decreased over the years, and where the general public lacks knowledge...

From the ground up: October 2007.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... The article "The International versus U.S. Survey Foot" by Mark Meade discussed an item that, as the author implies, is part of an issue misunderstood by too many surveyors. Knowing conversion factors is one thing. Knowing which lineal unit to...

Web site helps preserve Mason--Dixon Line.(newsline)(Website overview)
December 1, 2007... In October, the Mason & Dixon Line Preservation Partnership (MDLPP) launched a new Web site, www.mdlpp.org, to promote the true history of the Mason--Dixon Line. The MDLPP was established in November 1990 to record the stones that mark the...

House reviews National Surveyors Week resolution.(newsline)
December 1, 2007... On October 2, Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland submitted House Concurrent Resolution 223 to the House of Representatives, a bill to honor professional surveyors by recognizing their contributions to society. H. Con. Res. 223 is a...

Berntsen launches geocaching Web site.(newsline)(Website overview)
December 1, 2007... Berntsen International launched a new Web site dubbed "Caching Now," celebrating geocaching and bench mark hunting. The Web site, www.cachingnow.com, invites both professional surveyors and amateur geocachers to share their expertise,...

State updates: Virginia College offers surveying certificate program.(newsline)
December 1, 2007... In September, Tidewater Community College (TCC) in Hampton Roads, Va., began offering a new Land Surveying Certificate program. The new certificate was approved by Virginia's Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors,...

Minnesota honors first registered land surveyor.(newsline)
December 1, 2007... In the spring of 2006, Edward Otto, the 2006 president of the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors (MSPS), commissioned the painting of Norris (N.Y.) Taylor, the first licensed land surveyor in the state of Minnesota. Taylor served as...

Kentucky surveyors honor Lincoln.(newsline)
December 1, 2007... To honor the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, the Kentucky Association of Professional Surveyors (KAPS) and the American Chestnut Foundation planted several American chestnut trees on the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National...

GITA announces New Oklahoma chapter.(newsline)
December 1, 2007... The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) Board of Directors approved a new North American regional chapter in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Chapter joins 22 other GITA chapters, each created to sponsor local educational sessions and...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
December 1, 2007... calendarofevents DECEMBER 4-6 3rd International Conference "Earth from Space--the Most Effective Solutions" RDC ScanEx and NGO Transparent World Moscow, Russia ...

2007 Leica Geosystems HDS Worldwide User Conference: fifth annual conference highlights success of high-efficiency surveying.(Conference notes)
December 1, 2007... Leica Geosystems' HDS division hosted its 5th annual Worldwide User Conference at its headquarters in San Ramon, Calif., from October 22-24. More than 200 HDS customers representing 17 countries joined almost 80 Leica Geosystems staff for the...

A runway model [defined]: Ohio firm serves as foundation for the construction of the state's first U.S. de-icing airport facility.
December 1, 2007... Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is the largest commercial airport in northeast Ohio, serving almost 12 million passengers annually. Since becoming operational in 1925, the airport has developed a rich historical timeline that...

Monitoring the Mighty Mac: a monitoring test on Michigan's Mackinac Bridge shows how GPS can be a useful tool in collecting moving data over time and space.
December 1, 2007... In light of the tragedy that stemmed from the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis/St. Paul, there is a growing awareness of the age and safety of our nation's bridges. The seemingly simple question, "Is the bridge I drive across every...

Inventive measures: assembling a low-cost 3D aerial survey system in the Alaskan wilderness.
December 1, 2007... Hanging out of a helicopter with a 5-pound camera and gyroscope contraption in hand is not a common measuring method for a surveyor, but that is what survey manager Eric Stahlke, LS, found himself doing in May 2007. Stahlke and his survey team...

Chasing Amelia Earhart: advanced surveying technology aids a dedicated recovery group in its search for the aviation icon.
December 1, 2007... The Wright brothers, Charles Lindbergh and Howard Hughes all made their marks on the science and sport of aviation, but few names are as well known in the field as that of Amelia Earhart. While the Wrights, Lindbergh and Hughes are known for...

A rare find: reminiscing about a unique traversing instrument with unknown roots.
December 1, 2007... Since my first summer surveying job in the late 1960s, I've never considered another profession. What drew me to surveying was the chance to work outside; what has kept me in it is the bug you get from doing work you enjoy. [ILLUSTRATION...

Effects of informal development.(worldviews)
December 1, 2007... It is a matter of human rights that people are free to choose where they will live; however, it is also a matter of good governance to achieve sustainable urban growth. According to United Nations resources, approximately 50 percent of the...

Managing in hard times.(thebusinessside)
December 1, 2007... Editor's Note: The publication of this article interrupts Milton's series on "Company planning for the future." Because of the economic downturn that has affected the country, Milton chose to write this column specifically for business owners...

Original surveys and original surveyors.(traversingthelaw)
December 1, 2007... Over the past several months I have been inundated with e-mails, calls and letters concerning the issue of original surveys and original surveyors. Some of this attention was, perhaps, self-inflicted due to comments I made in an earlier article...

What's holding surveyors back?(thetechnologybenchmark)(Interview)
December 1, 2007... In September I was honored to speak at the California Land Surveyors Association (CLSA) Los Angeles chapter meeting and dinner on the topic of 3D data preparation and 3D machine control as it relates to surveyors. In my June column,...

Zoning in the United States, part 3.(onthelevel)
December 1, 2007... In our review of zoning in the United States, we've come to understand that zoning has been credited with protecting neighborhoods and property values but has also been blamed for excessively high housing costs and a lack of affordable housing....

Gravity anomalies.(thegpsobserver)
December 1, 2007... The first two articles in this series (POB August 2007 and October 2007) explained how to solve for geoid heights, N, using Stokes' equation. The gravity anomaly in that equation, [DELTA]g, has many different forms. In this article, I will...

Schonstedt Instrument Company.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... James Edward Inkster passed away on Oct. 5, 2007, at age 72. He was most recently employed by SCHONSTEDT INSTRUMENT COMPANY, and prior to that, worked for GENERAL SUPPLY and FORESTRY SUPPLIERS.

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... LEICA GEOSYSTEMS GEOSPATIAL IMAGING, Norcross, Ga., announced that Mladen Stojic joined the management team as senior vice president, Product Management and Marketing. Stojic, the former director of Enterprise and Visualization Solutions, has...

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... Also, LEICA GEOSYSTEMS GEOSPATIAL IMAGING announced that Christopher Tucker joined the management team as senior vice president, National Programs, with purview over U.S. Defense, Intelligence, Homeland Security and associated Federal Programs....

Allen Precision Equipment.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... ALLEN PRECISION EQUIPMENT, Duluth, Ga., appointed John Phillips as technical support manager. Phillips has been with Allen Precision for 19 years. He is involved with the customer training program and has been instrumental in the development of...

Bentley Systems Incorporated.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... BENTLEY SYSTEMS INCORPORATED, Exton, Pa., appointed Tom Clemons as vice president, Bentley Roads and Bridges Solutions. Clemons brings more than 30 years of experience, including seven years at Bentley, in civil engineering and geospatial...

Seiler Instrument.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... SEILER INSTRUMENT, St. Louis, Mo., celebrated 62 years of business under the same family ownership. Seiler attributes this to the support of its professional sales staff, full surveying equipment lines, service and repair facilities, support...

Navcom Technology.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... NAVCOM TECHNOLOGY, Torrance, Calif., a subsidiary of DEERE & COMPANY, appointed Jim Williams and Gregg Boorman as sales managers for NavCom's external business. Williams and Boorman are responsible for achieving NavCom's revenue and growth...

National Survey & Engineering.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... Bob Lucas joined NATIONAL SURVEY & ENGINEERING, Tarentum, Pa., a division of R.A. SMITH & ASSOCIATES INC. as survey project manager. Lucas owned and managed Lucas Land Surveying Inc., and recently closed his Glenshaw office after 20 years. In...

Lodestar Surveying Inc.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... G&L LAND SURVEYING INC., Beaverton, Ore., and TETSUKA ASSOCIATES INC., Portland, Ore., merged to form LODESTAR SURVEYING INC., headquartered in Beaverton. Principals Mark Lichtenthaler, Kevin Williams and Troy Tetsuka merged their companies to...

Greenhorne & O'Mara (G&O).(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... GREENHORNE & O'MARA (G&O), Laurel, Md., acquired SCR SURVEYING & MAPPING INC., Lynn Haven, Fla. SCR has a 26-year history of land surveying and mapping services in northwest Florida. With the acquisition, G&O strengthens its presence in...

Woolpert Inc.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... Jeff Padgett, PSM, PPS, CP, joined WOOLPERT INC., Dayton, Ohio, as a project director for the photogrammetry group. Padgett joins Woolpert with more than 32 years of photogrammetry and GIS experience. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Wilsonmiller Inc.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... WILSONMILLER INC. opened its new office in Sebring, Fla. The new office is located in the Wachovia Building at 3200 U.S. 27 South, Suite 206.

SECO Manufacturing Inc.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... SECO MANUFACTURING INC., Redding, Calif., hired Jose G. Alvarez as Latin America account manager. In this newly created position, Alvarez works with SECO dealers in Latin America. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Schinnerer Group.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... THE SCHINNERER GROUP, Chevy Chase, Md., named Jean Laurin as president and chief executive officer of its operations. Laurin has more than 20 years of experience in the professional liability and specialty lines insurance industry. Lorna M....

Professional Engineering Associates Inc. (PEA).(turningpoints)
December 1, 2007... PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES INC. (PEA), Troy, Mich., named James P. Butler, PE, as president. Butler served as vice president for the company for the past five years and as a shareholder for the past eight.

Leica Geosystems.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... LEICA GEOSYSTEMS introduced the Leica TPS1200+ Total Station. PinPoint reflectorless EDMs measure to distances to more than 3,000 ft. To improve instrument performance to reflectors, a new CMOS camera system makes pointing accuracies of 1 sec...

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... LEICA GEOSYSTEMS GEOSPATIAL IMAGING released a new version of Leica ADE with Oracle 11g compatability. Leica ADE contains Web-based and mobile enterprise applications for editing Oracle Spatial data in both a connected and disconnected...

Tripod Data Systems (TDS).(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... TRIPOD DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) released the Nomad 800LC rugged data collector with a built-in digital camera, TDS Survey Pro software, integrated Bluetooth, 802.11, GPS and 1 Gb of internal data storage. The Nomad features an 806 MHz Marvell PXA320...

Topcon Positioning Systems.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS introduced the TRL-35, a digital UHF radio for RTK communications. The TRL-35 uses digital signal processing (DSP) technology and advanced digital design; is compatible with GR-3, HiPer+ and HiPer XT integrated...

Topcon.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... Also, TOPCON released Field Tools for ESRI's ArcPad. With this new extension, operators can use the GMS-2 handheld receiver internal camera and compass, and have all the convenient GPS configurations and existing ESRI ArcPad functions. Any...

Topcon.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... Additionally, TOPCON announced a GSM upgrade for its GR-3 GNSS receiver. A GSM cell modem upgrade kit is available to GR-3 customers who originally purchased the radio version. The GR-3 incorporates Topcon's G3 technology to track all available...

Eagle Point Corporation.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... EAGLE POINT CORPORATION released Task Navigator for Civil 3D, part of the Pinnacle Series software and services. Task Navigator for Civil 3D is an add-on technology directly integrated into Autodesk's AutoCAD Civil 3D, providing end users with...

Precision Surveying Solutions.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... PRECISION SURVEYING SOLUTIONS released the DC50 Field Assistant. Weighing 9 ounces, the DC50 Field Assistant is the lightest full keyboard data collector and boasts a battery life of one month. It has the same software package included with the...

Golden Software Inc.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... GOLDEN SOFTWARE INC. introduced Didger 4, a software package that provides a single user interface for digitizing, geographic referencing, reprojection and coordinate conversion and mosaicking. Didger can automatically digitize polylines and...

PCI Geomatics.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... PCI GEOMATICS released the Geocor ProPack under the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Earth Observation Application Development Program (EOADP). Geocor ProPack is an addon module to the Geomatica 10 software suite. The software automatically extracts...

Metrotech.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... METROTECH announced the Easyloc, a single active frequency underground locating instrument. The Easyloc features a rugged housing, automatic digital display for greater locating productivity at lower operational costs. A new graphical display...

Bluebeam Software Inc.(new&notable)
December 1, 2007... BLUEBEAM SOFTWARE INC. released Bluebeam Conversion Server v3.0 for automated conversion of CAD, Office and Windows files to 11 formats including PDF, DWF and TIF. Bluebeam adds management and reporting tools to its latest version that simplify...

Allen Precision equipment.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Allen Precision has had the privilege of supporting the surveying industry for more than 30 years. Our customers benefit from the largest choice of solutions in the country, backed with a talented group of people dedicated to providing you with...

Berntsen International, Inc.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Berntsen International, Inc. celebrates 35 years as the leading manufacturer of survey markers. Thanks to all of our customers for your loyal patronage. We appreciate the confidence you've placed in our commitment to provide the finest quality...

CST/berger.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Since 1871, CST/berger has been known worldwide as the premiere supplier of surveying accessories. With the introduction of the CST-Series Total Stations, we now have a complete product offering. The CST-Series mixes great value with optical...

Benchmark Tool & Supply.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Benchmark Tool & Supply opened a second location in Concord, N.C., this past year offering a full line of surveying, engineering and construction equipment and supplies available for sale or rental, as well as a complete equipment service...

Carlson Software.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Software solutions in each of Carlson Software's main business areas--surveying, civil engineering, construction and mining--have been upgraded to better serve land development professionals. Carlson has partnered with top hardware companies...

Dunham & Morrow, Inc.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... In 2007 Dunham & Morrow introduced the Sea Pro, its first underwater magnetic locator featuring a proprietary automatic gain control, a diver's bone conduction earphone and a backlit panel meter. For more information, visit our Web site and...

Suzhou FOIF.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Suzhou FOIF established a new factory in the Suzhou-Singapore Industry Park, which allows the company to improve production condition and adopt an advanced assembly line that will improve work efficiency and product quality. The construction of...

Leica Geosystems.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Leica Geosystems continues to be the market leader in measuring the world. The year of 2007 was marked by ground-breaking technologies that continue to mold the future of the geospatial industry. * ScanStation 2: Fastest time of flight...

Lewis & Lewis.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... * 55 years in the land surveying profession * Land Surveying - Offshore Surveying & Navigation * Equipment Sales--Rentals--Repairs & Service For 35 years and continuing today to serve land surveyors by providing quality products,...

Hayes Instrument Co.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Already an industry leader, Hayes Instrument Co. joined a partnership with Earl Dudley, Inc. this year to become the world's largest positioning products provider. Hayes prides its success on listening to and fulfilling customers' needs. This...

Lengemann.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... During 2007, Lengemann increased the 'L-Net' GPS Network to 55 total sites covering most of Florida. We aren't finished yet... more to come in 2008! We've also added a 'Parts' section to our WebStore for your convenience! www.lengemann.us...

Magellan.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... The world's most affordable RTK survey solution, the Magellan ProMark3 RTK is now enabling a host of new users to reap the benefits of GPS RTK survey grade surveying and mapping. "With the ProMark3 RTK, we're getting everything we got with...

Positioning Solutions Company.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Positioning Solutions Company has been providing our customers with a complete package of survey and construction equipment, including GPS solutions, total stations, lasers, estimating tools, software, positioning optical instruments, supplies...

SECO.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... In 2007, SECO added digital video files to its website, surveying.com. A significant investment was made to upgrade an existing photography studio with appropriate sound and lighting equipment as well as in purchasing a digital video camera....

Silver Shield.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... www.silvershieldsystems.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Riegl USA.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Riegl USA is expanding the boundaries of 3D technology with the Riegl integrated mobile laser scanner system. The mobility of the system offers elevated levels of productivity and scanning efficiency with high ranging accuracy for terrestrial...

Seiler Instrument.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Seiler Instrument celebrated 62 years in business under the same family ownership in 2007 with the support of our professional sales staff, full surveying equipment lines, service and repair facilities, support and implementation. 2007, also...

SOKKIA GSR2700 ISX.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... The SOKKIA GSR2700 ISX fully integrated high-performance GNSS System is the industry's first talking receiver and first to offer multiple Bluetooth connections. The cable-free system features the AdVance RTK GPS + GLONASS engine allowing...

South survey.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... With keen dedication in R&D in recent years, SOUTH enjoys the latest advancements, such as improved GPS products, Win-CE total station and laser instruments to add more new items to the product range. As the leading role of the Chinese...

Summit Commercial Finance.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Summit Commercial Finance ranks number 1,330 on the first-ever Inc. 5,000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the country. Summit also ranked #35 on the Top 100 Inc. 5,000 Companies by Metro Region (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale) and #63...

Thacker Manufacturing, Inc.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Thacker Manufacturing, Inc. introduced the manually operated Contractor Series HercuLoc. Internal rotary latches at each corner provide better security than a shell. Steel torsion springs counter balance the weight of the cover and hold it...

Subsurface.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... In October 2007, introduced new invention: "Innspector 07" "All Materials Locator"... Plastic/PVC/Vinyl/Concrete/Clay, practically any buried target to around 4 meters. Handheld unit weights only 2.8 pounds and is completely portable. No...

Tripod Data Systems.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... In July 2007, TDS released its newest data collector, the Nomad, featuring a full 640x480 VGA display, backlit numeric keypad, 806 MHz processor, and a generous 15-hour rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The Nomad comes with Survey Pro and the...

Topcon Positioning System.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Designed from direct input with dealers and customers, Topcon Positioning System's new TopSURV 7 software has a new efficient database, graphical user interface, and works with the Topcon FC-200 or the new FC-2200 controller. Features include...

Trimble.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... Amid the rapid growth in demand for geospatial data, Trimble introduced a new vision for surveyors. Spatial Imaging augments the powerful airborne views of geospatial imaging with a useful new perspective: the ground. The 2007 launch of the...

POB online.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2007... www.pobonline.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Surveying solutions.(funandgames)(Reprint)
December 1, 2007... 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 below the problem, in a shaded box. We hope you enjoy...

Surveying shots.(funandgames)
December 1, 2007... Aluminum monuments that have fallen prey to the teeth of squirrels. Photo taken at the Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge in Lauderdale County, Tenn. Courtesy of Don Bennett. Have a photo to share? Send it to hohnerl@bnpmedia.com. ...