Point of Beginning articles from January 2006

Point of Beginning archives from January 2006

Total stations that share your values: Nikon total stations offer speed, accuracy and reliability--all backed by TDS service and support.(Tripod Data Systems)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... With Nikon[R] total stations from Tripod Data Systems (TDS), you don't have to compromise your values. That's because Nikon total stations provide the unmatched performance, ease of use and productivity you value--all backed by TDS' free tech...

Your year ahead--plan for success!(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... The state of the profession is in good shape. Surveying and mapping professionals continue to sidestep the unfortunate economic and employment conditions experienced by numerous other professions. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Recognition of...

Safe and sound: November 2005.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Every other Monday morning we have a safety meeting for the entire survey section including office personnel. The topics vary from meeting to meeting and often cover seasonal issues. Any safety aspect other than the planned subjects may be...

POB Online comments: November quick poll.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... In November, we asked POB Online visitors their views on the future of the surveying profession. Here is one comment. It is up to all of us to prove our worth in this crazy world. Soon enough most contractors will realize that the smart kid...

Erratum.(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2006... The November Data Collector Hardware Survey included an error in the entry for Carlson Software's Carlson Explorer 600+. Under the category "User Interface," the display is indeed touch-sensitive. The correct response to that field is "Yes."

North Carolina A & T State University to offer four-year degree in geomatics.(newsline)
January 1, 2006... North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA & T) is on schedule to begin offering a new four-year degree program in geomatics in the fall semester of 2006. While the degree program will serve a wide range of academic...

Galileo names satellites.(European Global Navigation Satellite System)(Galileo Galilei)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... On Nov. 9, 2005, the European Commission and the European Space Agency named the first two satellites of Galileo, the European Global Navigation Satellite System scheduled to be operational in 2008. Labeled GIOVE for "Galileo In-Orbit...

New law makes removal of property boundary markers illegal in New York.(newsline)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... An action spearheaded by Senator John J. Flanagan and Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol of New York to make it illegal for anyone to knowingly damage or remove property boundary markers is now coming to fruition. In early November, the New York...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... JANUARY 12-14 SDSPLS 2006 South Dakota Society of Professional Land Surveyors Mitchell, S.D. 605/348-1538 www.sdspls.org 18-20 ISPLS 2006 Convention Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors...

AU at 13: realizing ideas; Autodesk connects the dots at this year's user event.(Autodesk University)
January 1, 2006... Autodesk University at 13 proved to be nothing like an immature, inexperienced teenager. The event, held Nov. 28-Dec. 1, 2005, entertained as usual with its product evangelists, trendy music, creative themes, attention-grabbing...

Trimble Dimensions 2005: event makes a great comeback after a six-year hiatus.(Trimble Dimensions)
January 1, 2006... Depth and connectivity were two of the main themes at the Trimble Dimensions 2005 conference held October 24-26 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. Furthering on its "integrated surveying" approach to marketing from the early 1990s. Trimble...

Bridging the bays: GPS aids the construction of the world's longest transoceanic bridge.(global positioning system)(Hangzhou Bay Transoceanic Bridge)
January 1, 2006... With close to 20 years of preparation and construction, China's Hangzhou Bay Transoceanic Bridge--the world's longest transoceanic bridge--is scheduled for completion in 2008 and full operation in 2009. The notable transportation link in east...

Everyday virtual surveying: ASC has switched to laser scanning as standard best practice for urban interstate surveys.(American Surveying Consultants)
January 1, 2006... "Predictions are hard to make, especially about the future," once quipped famed Yankee Manager Yogi Berra. Because laser scanning--or high-definition surveying--has dramatically improved the way we solve transportation survey challenges, we're...

Real-time connection: a case study on Colorado's proposed RTK network.
January 1, 2006... Evolving technology in this profession requires surveyors to develop an understanding and to gain knowledge of the offerings available, and to subsequently meld those offerings with fundamental surveying techniques into their respective...

2006 editorial spotlight.(V.O. Schinnerer & Company)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... The 2006 Editorial Spotlight features news about manufacturers, dealers and service providers who serve the geomatics profession, including corporate activities, breakthroughs, company histories, and new products and services. All of the...

... Introducing the LaserAce[R] GIS Pole.(Benefits of LaserAce[R] GIS Pole)(Geographical Information System)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Compact, all-in-one GPS and Laser Offset Positioning System The LaserAce[R] GIS Pole is a NEW 'hybrid' laser orientation and positioning tool for use in Geographical Information System (GIS) measurements and data collection. The pole...

Tool tips.(giaamailbag)
January 1, 2006... Q When the target centering feature of my servo-driven total station is switched on and I do a visual check through the telescope, I often find that the telescope cross hairs are not on the target. There seems to be a constant offset above and...

Boundary by acquiescense.(traversing the law)(Column)
January 1, 2006... In the November issue we looked at the doctrine of "boundary by agreement," sometimes referred to as the doctrine of "agreed boundaries" or the doctrine of "practical location." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This time we will consider a...

Accuracy and precision.(professionaltopography)
January 1, 2006... Why do workshops and seminars on subjects such as accuracy and precision or errors get less response from the profession, as measured by attendance, than subjects such as legal descriptions or boundaries? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I'll...

Mistakes and errors from the field, Part 2.(backtobasics)(Column)
January 1, 2006... In 2005, I started this column with a discussion of mistakes and errors from the field. This topic came about from a questionnaire that I had sent out to surveyors, contractors and others who perform construction layout. [ILLUSTRATION...

Point Inc.(turningpoints)
January 1, 2006... POINT INC., Olathe, Kan., appointed Shigeyuki Sawaguchi to the position of vice president of business development. His primary role within the POINT organization involves developing strategic plans for future SOKKIA GPS products.

Novatel Inc.(turningpoints)
January 1, 2006... NOVATEL INC., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, acquired WAYPOINT CONSULTING INC., Calgary, Alberta. Waypoint is a precise positioning software company that produces real-time and post-processing position determination software using input from...

Lochrane Engineering Inc.(turningpoints)
January 1, 2006... LOCHRANE ENGINEERING INC., Orlando, Fla., promoted Christopher J. Leftakis, SIT, to project surveyor in the survey division. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

John Oliver & Associates Inc.(turningpoints)
January 1, 2006... JOHN OLIVER & ASSOCIATES INC., Brooklyn Center. Minn., announced Tom Arneson joined the firm as senior professional surveyor. Arneson has more than 30 years of surveying experience. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Digitalglobe.(turningpoints)
January 1, 2006... DIGITALGLOBE, Longmont, Colo., appointed Jill Smith to the position of president and CEO. Smith comes to DigitalGlobe with a wealth of experience leading commercial technology companies in the Internet, software and electronic publishing...

Digital Map Products.(turningpoints)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... DIGITAL MAP PRODUCTS, Costa Mesa, Calif., opened offices in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio to deliver its map-enabled software applications to Texas-based organizations that rely on geographic information. The company is cultivating clients...

Leica Geosystems.(turningpoints)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... LEICA GEOSYSTEMS, Atlanta, Ga., appointed Valerie E. Richardson to the newly created position of vice president of strategic marketing and business development for the Americas. As part of a strategic initiative to enhance product marketing and...

Intergraph.(turningpoints)
January 1, 2006... INTERGRAPH, Huntsville, Ala., announced that Peter Batty joined the company as vice president and chief technology officer. Batty brings to Intergraph more than 18 years of technology leadership experience in spatial and location-aware...

ESRI.(turningpoints)(appoints Brent A. Jones)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... ESRI, Redlands, Calif., announced Brent A. Jones, PE, PLS, joined the company as Industry Solutions manager. Jones graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in surveying engineering, is a registered professional engineer and licensed...

Allen Precision Equipment.(turningpoints)
January 1, 2006... ALLEN PRECISION EQUIPMENT, Atlanta, Ga., appointed Chip Teague as the sales representative for customers in the southern/coastal areas of South Carolina. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Submit announcement details, photos and a contact number...

Trimble.(new & notable)(Trimble 5800 Limited GPS System)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... TRIMBLE introduced the Trimble 5800 Limited GPS System, which combines a dual-frequency GPS receiver, antenna, UHF radio and battery in a single compact unit. Available as a base or RTK rover, the 5800 Limited features Trimble's Maxwell...

Kinematic Navigation CC.(new & notable)
January 1, 2006... KINEMATIC NAVIGATION CC released PPro2 Static software. PPro2 Static is a Windows software package that processes raw GPS observational data to improve positioning accuracy to the decimeter, centimeter or even millimeter level. The software...

Aide Cad Systems Incorporated.(new & notable)
January 1, 2006... AIDE CAD SYSTEMS INCORPORATED released a new version of PDF to DXF Converter, the utility that automatically converts PDF to DXF format for efficient editing in CAD. Aide PDF to DXF Converter is a Windows program that helps the user convert PDF...

PCI Geomatics.(new & notable)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... PCI GEOMATICS released Geomatica 10. Geomatica 10 introduces significant new features and enhancements, including Smart Digitizer technology for semi-automated feature extraction, enhanced charting, complete Oracle 10g support, and new...

Information Display Company.(new & notable)
January 1, 2006... INFORMATION DISPLAY COMPANY (IDC) announced the availability of its new Quick-Change Brackets, designed to enable users to move SpeedCheck driver feedback signs between several locations. The Quick Change Brackets eliminate the hassles and...

Traverse PC Inc.(new & notable)
January 1, 2006... TRAVERSE PC INC. released TPC Desktop V9.0. V9 reads/writes AutoCAD 2006 DWG files, extending TPC Desktop's AutoCAD compatibility from R9 to R2006. V9 includes additional DWG enhancements like support for raster images, ellipses and the ability...

Surveying solutions.(fun and games)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... 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...

Vintage ads.(funandgames)
January 1, 2006... Courtesy of The Museum of Surveying. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]