Point of Beginning articles from December 2008

Point of Beginning archives from December 2008

In search of inspiration.(editor'spoints)(Conference news)(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... Over the past few weeks, I've had a number of interesting conversations with surveyors and others affiliated with the surveying and mapping profession. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many of these discussions have revolved around the types of...

From the Ground Up: August 2008.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2008... I've enjoyed reading Mark Meade's "From the Ground Up" features in POB for some time and especially appreciated "Elevation for the Nation" (April 2008, August 2008). This initiative is getting a lot of attention lately. However, I find that...

Professional topography: September 2008.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2008... I read a large number of articles about the surveying profession, and most don't impress me. However, I was very impressed with this article. I think if more surveyors ran their business like a business, we would all benefit. I particularly...

The technology benchmark: October 2008.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2008... I read [Harry O. Ward's] latest column with great interest. While I wholeheartedly agree that formal education is a must to elevate our status as professionals, I feel Dr. Gibson has denigrated a large group of people who do not and never will...

Airborne LiDAR users invited to participate in online market survey.(newsline)
December 1, 2008... Geotechnology marketing firm Cary and Associates of Longmont, Colo., is conducting research on the growing global airborne LiDAR market. "We hope to gain insight into such things as the current size of the market, how fast it's growing, if...

ACEC-Illinois offers surveying, engineering scholarships for 2009.(newsline)
December 1, 2008... The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-IL) is accepting applications for its 2009 scholarship program for engineering and land surveying college students. "The hope of ACEC-IL is that through our scholarship program and...

NSDI Cooperative Agreements Program seeks proposals for FY 2009.(newsline)(Federal Geographic Data Committee)(Geological Survey)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) and the U.S. Geological Survey in October published a request for project proposals for the 2009 National Spatial Data Infrastructure Cooperative Agreements Program (NSDI CAP). To date, the annual...

POB opens 2009 Highlights in Surveying contest.(newsline)
December 1, 2008... POB is accepting entries for its fifth annual Highlights in Surveying contest. Designed to recognize successful surveys from around the world, the contest is open to projects completed between January 2008 and January 2009. There is no fee to...

Russia launches Glonass-M satellites.(newsline)
December 1, 2008... Three Glonass-M satellites launched successfully from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 25, 2008, according to BBC officials quoting Interfax-AVN, a Russian military news agency. The launch brings the total number of Glonass...

Calendar of events.(Conference news)(Table)(Calendar)
December 1, 2008... calendar of events DECEMBER 4-5 NHLSA Annual Meeting & Equipment Show New Hampshire Land Surveyors Association Concord, N.H. 603/895-4822 info@nhlsa.org www.nhlsa.org 8-12 Third...

Leading the charge: geomatics professionals address their leadership in environmental issues at INTERGEO 2008.(conferenceRECAP)
December 1, 2008... INTERGEO is a joint conference and exhibition of the German Association of Surveying (DVV) and the German Society for Geodesy, Geoinformation and Land Management (DVW). The annual event is usually held in various parts of Germany. Occasionally,...

Honoring our origins: rendezvous '08 participants pay homage to the birthplace of the Public Land Survey System.(Surveyors Historical Society)(Conference news)
December 1, 2008... If you can survey in Ohio, you can survey anywhere (or so the saying goes). The Surveyors Historical Society (SHS) Surveyors Rendezvous '08 was held Sept. 11-13 in Akron, Ohio, and was jointly sponsored by SHS and the Gathering of Potential...

The first footsteps: an exhibition at the Maryland Historical Society showcases documents and artifacts from the Mason-Dixon survey.
December 1, 2008... In 1768, astronomer Charles Mason from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich and surveyor Jeremiah Dixon completed what is arguably one of the greatest scientific and engineering achievements of all time--the survey of the Mason-Dixon Line....

Off the map in Egypt: a premier team of Yale Egyptologists uses advanced total station technology to uncover ancient history in the Western Desert.
December 1, 2008... Several viper trails marked the sand before them. As the Egyptologists made their way off the ancient desert road toward the limestone cliffs, they hoped the serpents themselves were long gone. The first person to the wall, Dr. John Coleman...

Sustaining the southwest: state-of-the-art GNSS equipment and software help the Bureau of Reclamation cost-effectively develop new water resources along the Colorado River.
December 1, 2008... Delivering 10 trillion gallons of water to more than 31 million people each year, the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation is the nation's largest water wholesaler. Reclamation has built dams, powerplants and canals in 17...

Workin' on the railroad: railroad infrastructure improvement projects open the door for surveyors who are willing to learn the basics.
December 1, 2008... Railroads are a vital part of North America's freight transportation system. According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR), more than 600 freight railroads operate in Canada, Mexico and the United States on over 173,000 miles of...

Pristine boundaries: a high-precision RTK system provides millimeter-level accuracy for boundary surveys in difficult terrain.(technologyPROFILE)
December 1, 2008... Nestled in the Gruppo del Baldo mountains halfway between Venice and Milan lies Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. Surrounded by towering pines and lush olive and lemon trees, the Alpine lake is 32 miles long and 10 miles across at its...

Dressing for jobsite safety.(backtobasics)
December 1, 2008... Safety is a topic often taken for granted by people who work in construction. Yet work-related injuries and fatalities occur more often in construction than in any other industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] These tragic accidents not only...

A national cadastre for the U.S.?(onthelevel)
December 1, 2008... My European friends in the surveying/engineering field often ask me about the American cadastral system and are always surprised to learn that we don't actually have such a system in our country. How can that be? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Why can't I make a profit?(thebusinessside)
December 1, 2008... Making a profit in the surveying/engineering business year after year has always been an elusive proposition. And when a surveying/engineering business becomes unprofitable, it's easy to blame the economy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

What's federal law got to do with it?(traversingthelaw)
December 1, 2008... I read with great interest Dennis Mouland's article in the August issue of POB about the next edition of the BLM manual. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I feel that Mouland's article needs comment for at least three reasons. First, he brought...

A look at how your association dues go to work for you.(thetechnologybenchmark)
December 1, 2008... A frequently asked question of state surveying associations is: "What do I get in return for my annual dues?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To answer that question, I turned to Jennifer Mauer, CAE, managing director of the New York State...

A strategic approach to building a National Spatial Data Infrastructure.(capitolgains)
December 1, 2008... In recent years, many initiatives have been promoted or endorsed to some degree by a federally funded research study. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] All of them are good ideas (see sidebar). Each would contribute to the well-being of the...

Between the Pages: A POB Book Review.(GPS for Land Surveyors)(Book review)
December 1, 2008... "GPS for Land Surveyors," third edition, by Jan Van Sickle Jan Van Sickles' third edition of "GPS for Land Surveyors" is written like a textbook with questions and answers in a review format at the end of each chapter. I commend him on...

Optech International Inc.(turningpoints)(Obituary)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Sebastian Sizgoric, president of OPTECH INTERNATIONAL INC., Kiln, Miss., died Sept. 26, 2008, at the age of 65. Sizgoric joined Optech Inc., Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, on its founding 34 years ago and became an important figure in the emerging...

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS).(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS (TPS), Livermore, Calif., announced the retirement of Dominick Auletto, vice president of TPS and a survey industry leader for almost three decades. He continues to work part-time for Topcon until the end of the year...

Topcon.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... Also, TOPCON expanded its partnership with GEOAGE INC., Jacksonville, Fla., a developer and supplier of mobile data collection, mapping and workforce productivity systems, to include nationwide coverage.

Hexagon AB.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... HEXAGON AB, Nacka Strand, Sweden, promoted Ken Mooyman, senior vice president of sales NAFTA, Leica Geosystems Inc., to president and CEO of LEICA GEOSYSTEMS INC. Mooyman is responsible for the company's performance in the NAFTA region. ...

State of California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS).(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... The STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) took delivery of 45 Trimble S6 robotic total stations from CALIFORNIA SURVEYING & DRAFTING SUPPLY INC. (CSDS), Sacramento, Calif. The large-scale deployment was conducted over the...

Wilson & Company Inc.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... WILSON & COMPANY INC., Albuquerque, N.M., acquired photogrammetric and geospatial mapping firm WESTERN AIR MAPS INC., Overland Park, Kan. The acquisition expands the services of Wilson & Company's Survey, Geospatial and Remote Sensing Division...

Wilson & Company.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... Also, WILSON & COMPANY named Western Air Maps' Eric Cenovich and Scott R. Perkins as associate vice presidents of Wilson & Company. Wilson & Company's Vice President Ryan Branfort transitions into the role of manager for the entire division...

Keystone Associates LLC.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... KEYSTONE ASSOCIATES LLC, Binghamton, N.Y., acquired 18 years of land surveying records from DAVID J. BEERS LAND SURVEYING, Hancock, N.Y., as part of an expansion effort into Delaware and Sullivan counties.

Pennoni Associates.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... PENNONI ASSOCIATES, Philadelphia, announced the relocation of its PENNONI ENGINEERING & SURVEYING OF NEW YORK PC office to 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001. The phone and fax numbers remain the same.

Merrick & CO.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... MERRICK & CO. opened a new office at 1093 Commerce Park Drive, Ste. 200, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

Merrick & CO.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... Also, MERRICK & CO. promoted Scott Gustafson, PE, to vice president and manager of the firm's Los Alamos, N.M. office. As a senior manager, he is responsible for providing leadership as well as overseeing all activities of the firm's Los Alamos...

Geospatial Holdings Inc.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... GEOSPATIAL HOLDINGS INC., Pittsburgh, hired David Vosbein as executive vice president of worldwide strategic initiatives and a member of the board of directors.

Dewberry.(turningpoints)(Dewberry and Davis L.L.C. appoints Keith Patterson)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... DEWBERRY named Keith Patterson, PSM, senior project manager in the firm's Tampa, Fla., office. Patterson manages remote sensing projects requiring aerial imagery acquisition, aerial triangulation, field verification, photogrammetric processing,...

Bay Design Group PC.(turningpoints)
December 1, 2008... BAY DESIGN GROUP PC, Gloucester, Va., named James M. Pruett, LS, an owner of the firm. Pruett has been employed by Bay Design since 2003 and is head of surveying services in the Northern Neck office. He is a member of the Virginia Association...

Riegl USA Inc.(new&notable)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... RIEGL USA INC. launched the VZ-400 high-precision scanner with multiple target capacity and an exceptionally wide field of view. The 10-kg VZ-400 takes 125,000 measurements per second while maintaining an accuracy of 5 mm and a range of 500 m....

Magellan.(new&notable)
December 1, 2008... MAGELLAN introduced a post-processing option and new features for the MobileMapper 6 hand-held GIS/GPS receiver. The raw data collection capability enabling post-processing is included as an option in the new version of Mobile Mapping field...

Magellan.(new&notable)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Also, MAGELLAN released new firmware for the ProMark 500 GNSS survey receiver. New features include backward compatibility with the support of the Ashtech RTK data correction format, the ability to use the GSM data mode to receive RTK...

Magellan.(new&notable)
December 1, 2008... In addition, MAGELLAN introduced Real-Time Data Server (RTDS) PC software that allows GPRS communication between one base and several rovers. The base can be fixed with a direct/local connection to the RTDS or mobile when connected to RTDS...

ESRI.(new&notable)
December 1, 2008... ESRI released ArcGIS API for Flex. With the Flex API, developers can combine GIS-based Web services from ArcGIS Server with other Web content, which can be displayed in simple, dynamic mapping applications over the Web or on the desktop. Users...

Navman Wireless OEM Solutions.(new&notable)
December 1, 2008... NAVMAN WIRELESS OEM SOLUTIONS introduced the low-power Jupiter 30 xLP GPS module. Featuring ultrahigh sensitivity and a surface-mount design, the Jupiter 30 xLP incorporates the new 65nm SiRFstarIII GSC3e/LPx chipset and provides up to...

Primacode Technologies.(new&notable)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... PRIMACODE TECHNOLOGIES introduced Calibrate, a least-squares software for Windows available for free download. Calibrate produces a statistical analysis of the electronically measured distances made over each segment of a published baseline by...

Optech Incorporated.(new&notable)
December 1, 2008... OPTECH INCORPORATED announced that the SHOALS coastal mapping system now includes seamless integrated processing of shallow water. This new capability improves the post-processing work-flow by enabling users to more accurately and more...

Softelec.(new&notable)
December 1, 2008... SOFTELEC released VPmap Series Version 3 for capturing spatial data from scanned maps. VPmap Series V3 includes full-function sets from Softelec's latest VPHybridCAD release and additional specialized tools for GIS and cartography applications....

Qcoherent Software.(new&notable)
December 1, 2008... QCOHERENT SOFTWARE released LP360 v1.6 and LP360 Classify v1.6 LiDAR extensions for ArcGIS. LP360 v1.6 provides ESRI GIS users the ability to leverage enormous LiDAR point cloud data sets. New features in LP360 v1.6 include LAS 1.2 support,...

Fortiusone.(new&notable)
December 1, 2008... FORTIUSONE launched Maker!, an easy-to-use Web application for nontechnical users to create actionable maps using their own data and FortiusOne's GeoCommons open source data. (www.fortiusone.com)

Terrago Technologies.(new&notable)
December 1, 2008... TERRAGO TECHNOLOGIES released TerraGo Mobile, a geospatial mobile application for nonGIS users. Compatible with Windows Mobile 5 and 6 operating systems, the solution delivers interactive, intelligent maps and images in geoenabled PDF format to...

Allen Precision Equipment.(2008industrymilestones)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Allen Precision Equipment has been dedicated to exceeding the needs of surveyors for more than 30 years. Now more than ever during these hard economic conditions, Allen Precision is focused on making sure we provide the best support, service...

Dunham & Morrow.(2008industrymilestones)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... In 2009, Dunham & Morrow will be celebrating its 15th year in business, and we are celebrating that milestone with the introduction of the Mag Pro III. While the instrument may look like your standard DML2000 magnetic locator, it is a full...

Leica.(2008industrymilestones)(Leica Geosystems AG)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is implementing one of the world's largest DOT-owned statewide networks of GNSS continuously operating reference stations (CORS). Provided by Leica Geosystems, the Iowa Real Time Network (IaRTN) is a...

Berntsen International Inc.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2008... In 2008, Berntsen launched a new line of permanent precision measurement targets. The RS Smart Targets are ideal additions to all surveying equipment as they ensure permanent documentation and evidence on the site and simplify observations....

FOIF.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2008... FOIF introduced the OTS 6800 series total station to the international market. The OTS 6800 series has a reflectorless range reach up to 200 m and integrates a powerful 32-bit CPU for fast data calculating and recalling speed. It also offers SD...

Magellan.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2008... Magellan's BLADE technology in the ProMark 500 RTK makes optimum use of Glonass. The successful ProMark 500 RTK receiver delivers state-of-the art GNSS in a smart, compact, light and cable-free design that gives you maximum mobility and...

Riegl.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2008... This fall, Riegl unveiled its revolutionary new V line of stationary, mobile and airborne 3D laser scanners. For the first time, fully digital signal processing and online waveform analysis in real-time gives the user the power to discover! The...

Sokkia.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2008... Meet SOKKIA's unbeatable GSR Family: * GSR1700 CSX: Our newest addition, this rugged L1 GNSS receiver completes topographic and control surveys easily. It's your affordable, powerful survey solution. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] *...

Surv-Kap Plastic Markers.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2008... Soon to come are durable survey markers for clearer identification featuring new recessed black letters for easy registration reading. Variety of colors include red, yellow, orange, blue, green, purple, pink, black, maroon and light blue. Fits...

SECO.(2008industrymilestones)
December 1, 2008... SECO introduced nearly 80 new products in 2008. These new favorites like the sleek aluminum QLV[TM] 12-foot prism pole have been praised by critics and surveyors alike. One of the most successful projects of the year was working with the...

SOUTH.(2008industrymilestones)(South Surveying & Mapping Co.,ltd)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... SOUTH is going to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, and a grand ceremony will be held in April 2009. The arduous upward journey started in 1989 with the keen pursuit to be the No. 1 manufacturer of surveying products in China. Having...

Surveying solutions.(funandgames)
December 1, 2008... Each month, we present a surveying problem from the second edition of "1001 Solved Surveying Fundamentals Problems" by Jan Van Sickle, PLS. The answer appears below the problem in a shaded box. We hope you enjoy this exercise for the mind. A...