Point of Beginning articles from January 2002

Point of Beginning archives from January 2002

Career daze. (Editor's Note).(surveying and mapping profession is in need of new blood)(Editorial)
January 1, 2002... The surveying and mapping profession is in need of new blood. Current surveyors are retiring and new people are needed. Many state rosters show a dwindling number of new licensees and many schools have low numbers of graduates planning to go...

Letters to the Editor.(name change of "land surveying" to "geomatics")(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2002... September 2001 I wish to commend W. Tom Foster, PLS, for his excellent letter to the editor in the September 2001 issue of POB concerning the socalled name change of "land surveying" to "geomatics." His statements reflect my sentiments...

Errata.(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2002... Trimble mapping software products were excluded from the Data Collector Software Survey in the November printed edition. These products' specifications can be found in the online version located at www.pobonline.com, Product Surveys, 2001 Data...

Mapping community aids areas in wake of terrorism. (The Latest News).(World Trade Center Attack)
January 1, 2002... The reality of an America touched by terrorism hit Mike Aslaksen, staff cartographer for the Remote Sensing Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's National Geodetic Survey (NOAA NGS), as he traveled toward Ground Zero...

GIS users share technology's many applications on GIS Day 2001. (The Latest News).(National Geographic Information Systems Day)
January 1, 2002... What single event can tie government, education, environmental protection, land use, health care, firefighting, law enforcement--and many other fields--together in one day? Answer: National GIS Day. The goal of GIS Day is to celebrate...

Brighter economic days ahead, analysts say. (The Latest News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The forecast for construction in 2002 may look dark as a thundercloud, but there's a silver lining ahead according to leading construction economists and analysts. Analysts gathered to discuss and assess North American construction...

TSPS celebrates 50th anniversary at historic-themed conference. (The Latest News).(Texas Society of Professional Surveyors' annual convention)
January 1, 2002... Tropical plants, exotic fish, birds and butterflies at the Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston, Texas, lent a tranquil feel to the atmosphere of historic charm surrounding the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (TSPS) annual convention, held...

Balancing the education equation: The education formula now includes videotapes and the Internet.
January 1, 2002... Although there are requirements for licensure in every state, surveying programs don't exist in every state. The equation is not balanced, thus tilting the scales and allowing the potential for more surveying professionals to be impeded. ...

Steering by Satellite: GPS improves productivity at a surface mine.(Global Positioning System)
January 1, 2002... Imagine this... You are a bulldozer operator. Your job is to move large volumes of earth for land reclamation at a surface coal mine. This is precise work. You must make sure that the finished surface matches the exact contours of a...

Contamination breakdown: Using new technology to solve old problems on a contamination site.
January 1, 2002... It is no secret that contamination taints the environment. But, for environmental professionals, it can also corrupt the processes used to identify sites suspected to have contamination. Traditional identification methods, such as reviewing...

Free flowing solutions: Cincinnati water agency improves with land development desktop solution.
January 1, 2002... Many government employees toil in relative obscurity because the public can't see and appreciate the work they do. But the work of a big city utility agency is in front of you every day--as clear as a glass of water. Turn on a faucet in...

Learning GIS from a distance. (Surveying GIS).(Geographic Information Systems)(third article of this series)(Virtual Campus, the ESRI Distance Learning site)
January 1, 2002... As we begin the second year of exploring that Argus known as Geographic Information Systems, let us take a brief look back so we may move ahead. In the third article of this series we touched on some of the options for surveyors to obtain the...

Airborne 1. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... Airborne 1 Corporation is scheduling western and national "Road Show" tours to apply the latest technology to your projects or to give you an opportunity to put the data to your most rigorous tests. Participants only pay ferry for the distance...

Carlson Software. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... Carlson Tsunami - the "CAD in the field" survey data collection system. Carlson Tsunami allows you to collect your data directly in a DWG file. You can actually see points and lines appear on the screen as you shoot them. Carlson Tsunami...

ChrisNik. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... The Thunderbolt is a multi-functional manual impact tool that creates over 4000 psi on impact. Use it to dig up survey markers in the road faster and safer. It can be used with 21 different tool heads like driving rebar or a bull-point for...

Ashtech-Thales navigation. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... The Ashtech ProMark2 with Ashtech Solutions (L1) delivers high-quality results at the lowest cost of any entry-level, high-precision GPS survey system. In addition, ProMark2 is the first and only system to deliver a combination of...

Carolina CAD Solutions. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... The Newest Oldest CAD Source As one of the oldest Autodesk dealers in the nation, Surveyors Supply Company's CAD division has a new name: Carolina CAD Solutions. From the early '80s we have been the source for CAD, data and IT solutions....

Crain enterprises. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... Consistent sub-second stability, even with robotic total stations, is now reality with the new Tri-Max composite tripods from Cram. With patents pending on eight separate innovations, the new Tri-Max tripods are truly in a class by themselves....

Nikon. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... Stakelt Construction Stake-out Software Construction staking has never been faster, easier or more accurate thanks to Nikon's new Stakelt construction layout software. The new software eliminates hours of calculations and minimizes...

Topcon positioning systems. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... Topcon introduces integrated GPS + receiver/data collector Topcon has introduced the Odyssey-E, a fully integrated, cable-free, GPS + receiver with built-in Windows CE-based controller, PDL radio, and rechargeable batteries--plus room for...

Tripod data systems. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... The TDS dealer network is now distributing a full line of Trimble 3000 series mechanical total stations. No matter what your job requirements are today, the 3000 series total station is simply the most practical, most economical survey...

Sokkia. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... Sokkia recently released Stratus, a new, low-cost GPS surveying system. Stratus is a single-frequency, 12-channel receiver, with integrated Pinwheel Technology antenna and rechargeable batteries. Stratus is designed for the occasional GPS...

Product Survey Preview: An update on 3-D laser scanner technology.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... With this, our second survey dedicated to 3-D Laser Scanners, there has been a few changes. Not to the focus of the survey, which is still on scanners of interest to the surveying profession, but changes to the laser scanner industry sector...

GIAA Mailbag: Q&A.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Q: I calibrate my EDM by making a check measurement against a 100-foot tape. I adjust any discrepancies by changing the prism constant in 1 mm steps. This method seems to work and saves me a lot of time and effort over taking it to a dealer for...

Mission planning. (The GPS Observer).
January 1, 2002... In the last column (November 2001) I showed how to locate SATINFO data on the U.S. Coast Guard website. What I'd like to do in this column is describe how to determine what satellites are available, and where they are located, at a specific...

Common-sense checks of construction layout. (Back to Basics).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Is it laid out correctly? Does it look right? These are fundamental questions that all field engineers should ask themselves after establishing any points in the field. This article provides some helpful hints experienced surveyors and layout...

Pacific Crest Corporation. (Turning Points).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Pacific Crest Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif., added Mario Gosalvez as a new member of its sales team. As a sales manager, Gosalvez will assist the sales team with business development strategies and channel management. He has more than 20...

Carlson Software. (Turning Points).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Carlson Software, Maysville, Ky., announced that Dean Goodman, Don Morrison and Jeff Smith are now part of the C&G division. Carlson Software acquired C&G Software Systems Inc. in November. Goodman is a co-founder of C&G, and is responsible for...

Texas Society of Professional Surveyors. (Turning Points).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Texas Society of Professional Surveyors installed new officers and directors at its annual convention in October. Leading Texas surveyors are: (Top row, left to right) Directors Paul Hubert, Roger McDonald, Mickey Nowell, Jerry Cutts, KC...

Paragon Imaging, Woburn, Mass., and Galileo Group Inc., Melbourne, Fla. (Turning Points).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Paragon Imaging, Woburn, Mass., and Galileo Group Inc., Melbourne, Fla., signed a strategic hyperspectral imaging partnership. The alliance will combine Galileo's spectral detection algorithms with Paragon's image exploitation tools (ELT Series...

Goodkind & O'Dea. (Turning Points). (Shawn T. Kelly appointed assistant manager).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Goodkind & O'Dea, New York, N.Y., announced that Shawn T. Kelly, P.E., has joined the firm as assistant branch manager for construction services. Kelly assists in the management of the construction branch and further increases Goodkind &...

Horizon Surveys. (Turning Points). (appoints Paul Burn VP).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Horizon Surveys, Las Vegas, Nev., announced that Paul Burn, PLS, is its new vice president and business partner. Burn comes from G.C. Wallace Inc. in Las Vegas. All personnel and product announcements must be accompanied by a photo to...

Cyra Technologies Inc. (New & Notable).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Cyra Technologies Inc. announced the availability of nine new case studies on the use of Cyrax 3D Laser Scanning technology for actual projects. The case studies describe the applications, project scope, work practices, project metrics/costs...

Autodesk released Autodesk MapGuide 6. (New & Notable).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Autodesk released Autodesk MapGuide 6, the latest version of its Web distribution solution. The new version includes faster data delivery, easier data management and shorter application development time. It comprises three main software...

Applanix released Position and Orientation System for Land Vehicles 220. (New & Notable).
January 1, 2002... Applanix released Position and Orientation System for Land Vehicles 220 (POS LV 220). The POS LV 220 has the same features as the POS LV 420, but uses different inertial sensors. POS LV 220 is available with the RT option, which dedicates the...

Trimble released Constructor 55. (New & Notable).(company product introduction)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Trimble released Constructor 55, which offers onboard data storage. Constructor 50, 55 and 100 are a complete line of construction site layout and data collection solutions designed to simplify layout by eliminating the need for measuring...

Trimble announced that Trimble Link v3.0 software. (New & Notable).(company product introduction)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Also, Trimble announced that Trimble Link v3.0 software is now provided as part of Autodesk's Land Desktop 3 software. The integration allows users to transfer data directly between Land Desktop and Trimble's TSCe Controller running the Trimble...

Leica Geosystems. (New & Notable). (launches TPS700 Performance Series stations).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Leica Geosystems introduced two new models of TPS700 Performance Series total stations featuring automatic target recognition (ATR). The new TC700auto total station and TCR700auto reflectorless total station are the first of their class with...

CAiCE Software Corporation. (New & Notable). (contract with Leica Geosystems Inc.).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... CAiCE Software Corporation announced that it has entered into a cooperative software development agreement with Leica Geosystems Inc. Through this agreement, Leica's TPS DataPro data collection system will be integrated with CAiCE's Visual...

Accord Services Corporation. (New & Notable).(surveyor drill product introduction)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Accord Services Corporation released John Henry Carbide Surveyor's Drills. The drills, John Henry and John Henry Jr., were designed by a surveyor and manufactured specifically for surveyors. Both drills use carbide bits for long life and fast...

Maptech. (New & Notable).(software product enhancement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Maptech added a GPS sleeve by NAVMAN to its Pocket Navigator software. The sleeve currently only works with Compaq's iPAQ Pocket PC. The Pocket Navigator/GPS solution gives access to detailed USGS topographic maps, NOAA nautical charts and FAA...

XYZworks. (New & Notable).
January 1, 2002... XYZworks now offers a pole mount specially made for Pocket PCs and designed for robotic and GPS users. The Surveyors Pole Mount uses Velcro to attach directly to the back of a Pocket PC or to any of XYZworks' Window Cases, and adjusts to any...

PENTAX Corporation's Survey Instrument Division. (New & Notable).(released two new total stations in the reflectorless R-Series)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... PENTAX Corporation's Survey Instrument Division released two new total stations in the reflectorless R-Series. The R-122n has a DIN angle accuracy of two seconds, distance accuracy of 2mm + 2ppm and two keyboard/displays. The R-123N has a DIN...

Surveying Solutions. (Classic POB).
January 1, 2002... Each month we present a math 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 these...

RPLS.COM connection.(surveying online services details)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Welcome to a new feature from your POB magazine: rpls-dot-com connection. This bulletin board for surveyors has become so popular and such a rich source of surveying information that it seemed a logical step to periodically feature some...

Trimble Engineering & Construction. (Product and Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... Trimble Toolbox Brochure The new Trimble Toolbox brochure presents the Integrated Surveying product line from the combined force of Trimble and Spectra Precision. To-day, Trimble brings you the most complete and integrated set of surveying...