Point of Beginning articles from February 2004

Point of Beginning archives from February 2004

Surveyors on tape.(Editorial)
February 1, 2004... Imagine watching C-Span one day and seeing a surveyor representing the profession and discussing the value surveyors provide the public. How about hearing a radio spot about surveying on your drive to the jobsite? How about seeing land...

Letters to the editor: November 2003.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... I read with interest the letter from Paul Sample. As a licensed surveyor and former surveying business owner I have seen both sides of the employer/employee relationship. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I realize that surveying companies charge...

The latest news: November 2003.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... The NCEES needs to police its own work. I recently took the test. In preparation for the test, I ordered the study guide to assist in my review for the test. When reviewing the suggested texts contained in the appendix, I was extremely...

Louisiana's vanishing act.(The Latest News)
February 1, 2004... In the post-Civil War era, residents in Louisiana moaned and groaned about flooding in the area, according to Cliff Mugnier, Surveying Instructor & Chief of Geodesy at Louisiana State University. "Now they're moaning and groaning because...

NIMA becomes NGA.(The Latest News)(National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) officially became the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... When the 2004 Defense Authorization Bill was signed, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) officially became the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). "The new name--NGA--better reflects the completeness of what this agency...

NCEES prohibits more calculators.(The Latest News)(National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In response to concerns about inappropriate actions before, during and after tests, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) announced an enforcement of Exam Policy 15 in August, which "strictly [enforces]...

Face-off! Arizona surveying firm's strong business practices earn it sitework contract for the fastest built stadium in the United States.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... As if it isn't strange enough that desert state Arizona has a hockey team, it is stranger that they originally played in an arena designed for a basketball team. The Coyotes, Phoenix's Wayne Gretzky-managed NHL team since 2001, needed its own...

A lesson in GIS--at 19,000 feet: how an all-girl expedition collected GIS data on a tropical glacier in Ecuador.
February 1, 2004... Most agree that education is critical in sustaining a steady flow of bright, motivated, well-prepared young people into the geomatics professions. A key element to this sustainability (and potential growth) is getting more students interested...

Evolutionary effects: POB talks with TDS about its new hardware platform, its latest Recon modules, collaboration with Nikon and the future of the company.(Tripod Data Systems)(Interview)
February 1, 2004... When a multitude of changes occur to one company in a short period of time, its customers--both current and potential--often have questions about how they will be affected. Tripod Data Systems (TDS) of Corvallis, Ore., is a good example. After...

SubSurface Instruments: SubSurface Instruments announces another first: lifetime warranty on the ML magnetic locators (ML-1 and ML-1M).(Product of the Month)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2004... * First and only lifetime warranty on the ML locators: "Lasts a lifetime, and then some." * First five-year warranty on metered units (April 1998, now replaced by lifetime warranty). * First one-hand operation locator (April 1998). ...

Leica Geosystems.(Special Product Focus: Digital Levels)
February 1, 2004... Leica Geosystems' DNA10 and DNA03 digital levels provide rapid, accurate solutions for a wide range of leveling applications, from topographic and construction surveys to first-order leveling and monitoring. The DNA10, with standard deviation...

Sokkia.(Special Product Focus: Digital Levels)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Sokkia SDL30 is an efficient digital level designed primarily for height and elevation measurement. The SDL30 uses Sokkia's patented RAB-Code (Random Bi-directional) rod, and great accuracy, precision and range. Accuracy in a 1 km level...

Topcon.(Special Product Focus: Digital Levels)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Topcon's DL-101C and 102C digital levels use the exclusive Advanced Image Processing (AIP) Technology, which guarantees the highest accuracy digital measurement and makes the DL-100 series ideal for high precision applications including...

Trimble.(Special Product Focus: Digital Levels)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Trimble DiNi series of digital levels records precise digital measurements in as little as three seconds, avoiding human error and maintaining data integrity. It then stores measurements for easy transfer to Trimble office software or to...

2004 Laser surveys.
February 1, 2004... Participating Manufacturers AGL Lasersource www.agl-lasers.com CST/berger www.cstsurvey.com Laser Reference Inc. www.proshotlaser.com Leica Geosystems www.leica-geosystems.com MIKROFYN Positioning...

[begin strikethrough]Surveying[end strikethrough] Serving the construction industry in the 21st century.(Viewpoint)
February 1, 2004... Not too many years ago (seems almost yesterday) construction layout was accomplished by a surveying crew of several people pounding stakes, hubs, flats, lathes and paddles into the ground. Technology, however, has required surveyors to...

Using base line offset layout.(Back to Basics)
February 1, 2004... In earlier POB articles, layout by intersections and using the 3/4/5 method were described. This month's topic is base line offset (see Figure 1). Base line offset layout is a simple method of layout that is used for residences, commercial and...

Crain Enterprises Inc.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Crain Enterprises Inc., Mound City, Ill., appointed Keith Raymer as business development manager for Surveying Products. Raymer comes to Crain after a 26-year relationship with Sokkia Corporation of Olathe, Kan. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Psomas.(Turning Points)(Pountney Consulting Group Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Psomas, with CEO Blake Murillo, Los Angeles, Calif., announced that San Diego-based Pountney Consulting Group Inc. has joined the firm. Pountney, headed by president Peter Pountney, has been providing civil engineering and land surveying...

The Connecticut Association of Land Surveyors (CALS) has re-elected Jennifer Marks, LS, as president for her second term.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Connecticut Association of Land Surveyors (CALS) has re-elected Jennifer Marks, LS, as president for her second term. Marks, director of land surveying for BL Companies, Meriden, Conn., is the first woman president of CALS.

Leica Geosystems, Norcross, Ga., acquired Tritronics Pty Ltd, a supplier of integrated machine automation and site management solutions for the mining industry.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Leica Geosystems, Norcross, Ga., acquired Tritronics Pty Ltd, a supplier of integrated machine automation and site management solutions for the mining industry. The integrated solutions offered by Tritronics incorporate a number of automated...

The Professional Surveyors Education Foundation Houston, Texas, elected Andy Sikes, PE, RPLS, as president.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Professional Surveyors Education Foundation, Houston, Texas, elected Andy Sikes, PE, RPLS, as president. Lance Liccketto is vice president and Paul Kwan, RPLS, is secretary/treasurer. Other directors are Nelson Smith, RPLS; Marion Clark,...

Design Consultants Inc. (DCI).(Turning Points)(Everett J. Chandler, Peter Gammie, Patrick Reffett, Keith Tornifoglio)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Design Consultants Inc. (DCI), Somerville, Mass., announced organization changes. Everett J. Chandler, PLS, is director of the survey department; Peter Gammie, PE, is director of engineering; Patrick Reffett oversees DCI's planning group; and...

Time for paraprofessionals?(Professional Topography)(Column)
February 1, 2004... Some professions, many professions actually, use the term paraprofessional to designate aides who help the professionals with their work. Surveyors refer to aides sometimes, especially in government positions. But mostly it is the "crew" or the...

Managerial communication.(The Business Side)
February 1, 2004... In all the years I have spent in the surveying/engineering business I cannot recall hearing the term "communication" used many times in reference to the management of a surveying or engineering firm. I've heard the terms profit, employee...

Leica Geosystems GIS & Mapping released the Leica Photogrammetry Suite (LPS).(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Leica Geosystems GIS & Mapping released the Leica Photogrammetry Suite (LPS). The LPS product suite consists of Core, Stereo, Automatic Terrain Extraction, Terrain Editor, PRO600 and ORIMA. These digital photogrammetry products have fast...

Blue Marble Geographics released Geographic Transformer 5.0. Version 5.0 automates steps in the process for a true batch transformation, allowing users to load an entire directory for direct reprojection to a common output coordinate system.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Blue Marble Geographics released Geographic Transformer 5.0. Version 5.0 automates steps in the process for a true batch transformation, allowing users to load an entire directory for direct reprojection to a common output coordinate system....

Ideal Industries Inc. introduced the Twist-a-Nut--a 7-in-1 screwdriver/nutdriver offering a 3/16" and 1/4" slotted head, a #1 and #2 Phillips head, a 1/4" and 5/16" nutdriver, and a connector wrench.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Ideal Industries Inc. introduced the Twist-a-Nut--a 7-in-1 screwdriver/nutdriver offering a 3/16" and 1/4" slotted head, a #1 and #2 Phillips head, a 1/4" and 5/16" nutdriver, and a connector wrench. The universal connector wrench formed into...

Tripod Data Systems (TDS) enhanced the Nikon NPL-302 Series pulse laser stations.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Tripod Data Systems (TDS) enhanced the Nikon NPL-302 Series pulse laser stations. New measurement speeds (in seconds) for the NPL-302 Series are: Prism Mode: precise 1.6 (initial 2.6), normal 0.6 (initial 2.2) and Reflectorless Mode: precise...

CBI Systems Ltd. introduced the ptbase software package, a database designed to store survey points.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... CBI Systems Ltd. introduced the ptbase software package, a database designed to store survey points. It includes a map interface that allows instant access to information relating to each stored survey point including photos, coordinates, etc.,...

I-SiTE Pty Ltd released the I-SiTE 4400 Laser Imaging System.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... I-SiTE Pty Ltd released the I-SiTE 4400 Laser Imaging system. Setup, backsight coordinates and instrument height are stored with the scan data, so the scan is always located in the correct coordinate system. A digital panoramic camera...

Safe Software Inc.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Safe Software Inc. announced FME Suite 2004. New additions to FME 2004 include FME Application Extenders for ESRI ArcGIS 8.3 and Autodesk Envision. FME Application Extenders enable users to directly read FME-supported formats from within their...

Visi Image.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Visi Image announced the addition of the 3Dguru LR system, a high speed hemispherical laser scanner offering a range of 36.5 m on all sides, extended from 21.5 m in 1st Generation (SR) systems. The 3Dguru LR unit provides both a horizontal and...

Spicer Corporation.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Spicer Corporation announced ViewCafe 3.2. New features include native 3D viewing, markup, measurement and interrogation capabilities for SolidWorks, SAT, Pro/E, STEP, CATIA and VDA-FS models; Microstation DGN 8, Office 2003 (Word, Excel and...

Globexplorer released ImageAtlas 2.0, its new aerial imagery viewer that provides instant online access to nationwide aerial imagery and street maps for anyone with a web browser--no software downloads needed.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... GlobeXplorer released ImageAtlas 2.0, its new aerial imagery viewer that provides instant online access to nationwide aerial imagery and street maps for anyone with a Web browser--no software downloads needed. Users can order high quality photo...

Dressta rolled out new Landfill Arrangement Crawler Dozers with turbocharged engines, 3-speed countershaft powershift transmissions, 2-speed geared type steering drives, six speeds forward and reverse, and modular-type double-reduction final drives.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Dressta rolled out new Landfill Arrangement Crawler Dozers with turbocharged engines, 3-speed countershaft powershift transmissions, 2-speed geared type steering drives, six speeds forward and reverse, and modular-type double-reduction final...

GiveMePower released a new version of its PowerCAD CE mobile/wireless software, created specifically for Microsoft Corporation's latest Windows Mobile 2003 operating system.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... GiveMePower released a new version of its PowerCAD CE mobile/wireless software, created specifically for Microsoft Corporation's latest Windows Mobile 2003 operating system. Utilizing Windows Mobile 2003 improvements including enhanced wireless...

LizardTech Inc.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... LizardTech Inc. announced its geospatial imaging DjVu and MrSID file formats are supported within new LEADTOOLS Version 14. Using MrSID, users can instantaneously view and manipulate images, locally and over networks, as well as seamlessly...

ESRI added several new data sources to ArcWeb for Developers, its suite of GIS Web services.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ESRI added several new data sources to ArcWeb for Developers, its suite of GIS web services. Subscribers to ArcWeb for Developers can now obtain instant access via the web to real-time traffic information from TrafficCast, current weather from...

Reed Construction Data released the RSMeans 2004 Cost Data books and CostWorks software with updated pricing of all line items.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Reed Construction Data released the RSMeans 2004 Cost Data books and CostWorks software with updated pricing of all line items. The 2004 editions include new information and price changes for lumber, steel, asphalt, insulation, PVC, and trade...

GeoConcept SA.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... GeoConcept SA announced the GeoConcept Pocket 2.0, a mobile GIS application that gives detailed cartographic information for the whole of Europe (via Navtech) and features a view handler. GeoConcept data is uploaded to GeoConcept Pocket before...

Meet Sam the surveyor.(Sam the Surveyor)(Jessie Hummel)(Biography)
February 1, 2004... Name: Jessie Hummel, PSM Registered/licensed in: Florida Survey Manager, Mehta & Associates Inc., Winter Park, Fla. Other professional credits: BS in civil engineering, BS in surveying, MBA in project management, notary public ...