Point of Beginning articles from March 2004

Point of Beginning archives from March 2004

What does our future hold?(Editor's Note)(Editorial)
March 1, 2004... Technology is more often than not thought of as good and beneficial. From the room-sized computers of the '70s to the handhelds of today that even high school students carry in the school hallways, technology has offered an upward swing of...

Editor's note December 2003.(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I read [the] December 2003 column with great amusement. The idea that an eight-minute video would threaten the security of land surveyors is indeed humorous. Whatever other differences Mr. Feldbusch and I may have, I vehemently agree with him...

A case of give and take January 2004.(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... It is important that all surveyors who do boundary surveys be familiar with the laws relating to adverse possession. Your article by D. Ian Wilson, LS, is a useful and comprehensive article giving the basics for understanding these laws. ...

Illinois celebrates Lewis and Clark.(Lewis & Clark State Historic Site Interpretive Center)
March 1, 2004... On Dec. 12, 2003, exactly 200 years after Meriwether Lewis and William Clark first arrived at Camp River Dubois, Ill., the state of Illinois symbolically re-welcomed the explorers and their Corps of Discovery with a grand commemoration known as...

Kansas cartographer creates sesquicentennial map.
March 1, 2004... David Carttar, a native of Lawrence, Kan., didn't appreciate his hometown until he returned to it after being in California for eight years. When he moved back, he decided to rediscover the place where he had been born and raised. While...

Viable viaducts: Nebraska firm scans 400 bridges in 30 days for a pioneering online truck permitting system.(Nebraska Department of Roads)
March 1, 2004... Getting stuck under an overpass while on a delivery is a trucker's nightmare. For many truckers, knowing all of the heights of the proposed bridges they will likely encounter on deliveries, thereby avoiding such an instance, is a dream. To...

Accessing digital connection.
March 1, 2004... over the past decade, advances in technology--both hardware and software--have benefited surveyors, civil engineers and their clients. Few today can imagine life without the modern total station, GPS or data controller, the device that controls...

Reflectorless revolution: a South Florida firm thanks technological advancements for more opportunities and safer conditions.
March 1, 2004... There may be times in surveyors' careers when clients require specific information that cannot be gathered due to cost or safety considerations, or that is simply beyond the surveyors' current ability to collect. Thankfully, as new technologies...

CST/berger.(Special Product Focus: Magnetic Locators)
March 1, 2004... Locate with one hand tied behind your back. Not that you'd want to, but the point is you can with a Magna-Trak 200 Series locator. The Magna-Trak 200 is ergonomically designed for complete one-handed operation. You can adjust volume and...

Dunham & Morrow Inc.(Special Product Focus: Magnetic Locators)
March 1, 2004... The state-of-the-art DML2000 magnetic locator packs all of its sophisticated electronics in an incredibly light 1.6-lb package. It is designed to be used in the most demanding environments at temperatures ranging from -20[degrees] to...

Magnawand.(Special Product Focus: Magnetic Locators)
March 1, 2004... The Magnawand Model ID2100 magnetic locator was designed to help the professional land surveyor. Using the patented Target Identification (TID) feature, the surveyor is able to identify between a vertical survey marker and unwanted objects. The...

Pipehorn Utility Tool Company.(Special Product Focus: Magnetic Locators)
March 1, 2004... Pipehorn Utility Tool Company, a producer of high frequency pipe and cable locating equipment, has introduced a new groundbreaking ferromagnetic locator--the Mag-Horn. The Mag-Horn quickly pinpoints deeply buried or paved-over iron or...

Schonstedt Instrument Co.(Special Product Focus: Magnetic Locators)
March 1, 2004... The locator that's always by your side, whenever you need it. When a new product comes on the market that allows you to lessen your load and increase productivity, it deserves some attention. The GA-92XT from Schonstedt is a portable magnetic...

SubSurface Instruments.(Special Product Focus: Magnetic Locators)
March 1, 2004... SubSurface Instruments Inc. has decades of experience designing, manufacturing, selling, repairing and supporting underground and underwater magnetic pipe and cable locators and water leak detectors. Two models of magnetic locators, two models...

Pipe mic II.
March 1, 2004... * Never go into confined places again! * Measurements are more accurate because you are measuring with a vertically plumb rod. * Made for Crain 25 ft SVR and USL rods. * Made of lightweight (2 pounds) non-rusting aircraft...

MSCAD 2004.
March 1, 2004... MicroSurvey's popular MSCAD 2004 is a significant software upgrade that will improve your business's productivity. It's also the first complete AutoCAD work-alike survey package to be offered for less than $1,000. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Leica System 1200: GPS1200.
March 1, 2004... Leica Geosystems introduces a world's first in surveying--the bringing together of two technologies, GPS and TPS, into a single surveying system. The GPS component of System 1200 utilizes a high precision GPS measurement engine with fast...

Mag Hub.
March 1, 2004... The new Mag Hub is magnetized for easy detection and zinc plated to resist corrosion. It has a large center point and looks like a standard survey marker. The Mag Hub is less than half the price of a stake and is easy to carry. Mag Hubs come in...

Series 30R3 Reflectorless Total Stations.
March 1, 2004... Sokkia Corporation's new Series30R3 Reflectorless Total Stations provide the longest-working range phase refectorless EDM on the market--up to a startling 350 m (1148 ft) of reflectorless range. With our patented RED-tech EDM technology, the...

Leica System 1200: TPS1200.
March 1, 2004... As the world's first single surveying system, Leica System 1200 brings GPS and TPS technologies to work together seamlessly for the very first time. The TPS component of System 1200 features highly accurate angle measurements (1", 2", 3", 5"),...

New TopSURV version 1.1.
March 1, 2004... Topcon has released a new version of its TopSURV software. Version 1.1 is available with a new roading module, stakeout options, expanded COGO, expanded data import/export and geoid models, enhanced GPS+ support and new functionality for Topcon...

A new era of surveying brochure from Trimble.
March 1, 2004... Whether it's GPS, total station, or scalable GPS infrastructure technology that will meet your surveying needs, Trimble offers you proven integrated solutions at the forefront of technology. And now we offer Trimble R-Track technology, unique...

Nikon total stations--now from TDS.
March 1, 2004... TDS now offers a full line of Nikon total stations. All feature superior optics for greater clarity and accuracy. They're lightweight, water-resistant, reliable and fast--so you can work more productively. New product literature includes the...

2004 advanced total station offerings: advanced total station offerings from industry leaders; an addition to our tabulated survey specifications data.
March 1, 2004... Laser Technology Inc. (LTI) manufactures and markets laser-based speed and distance measuring instruments, which utilize proprietary technology. Its products are sold worldwide and are used in a wide variety of applications, including traffic...

Tool tips.(surveying tools)
March 1, 2004... Q: We use a triple prism cluster that is triangular, but have noticed a stack of three arranged vertically, or even horizontally, used by other surveyors. Is one configuration better than another? A: First, triple prism configuration must...

Surveying solutions.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... 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 beside the problem, in a shaded box. We hope you enjoy...

A need for height modernization.
March 1, 2004... Our modern society is becoming increasingly dependent on geographic data that is accurately and reliably spatially referenced. (1) The ability to establish highly accurate horizontal positions on features has become much simpler in the last 10...

Martin Instrument, Austin, Texas, opened its new full-service facility carrying Trimble and Nikon equipment, as well as a wide range of surveying supplies, accessories, cables, and used and rental equipment.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Martin Instrument, Austin, Texas, opened its new full-service facility carrying Trimble and Nikon equipment, as well as a wide range of surveying supplies, accessories, cables, and used and rental equipment. The new location houses a training...

Leica Geosystems.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Hans Hess, CEO of Leica Geosystems, announced that Bob Williams is president of the company's surveying and engineering division for the Americas selling region. Williams replaces Matthew Smith, who moved to corporate headquarters in Heerbrugg,...

Trimble, Sunnyvale, Calif., completed its acquisition of MENSI, Fontenay-sous-bois, France, as a business area within the Trimble Geomatics and Engineering (G&E) division.(Turning Points)(Trimble Navigation Ltd)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Trimble, Sunnyvale, Calif., completed its acquisition of MENSI, Fontenay-sous-bois, France, as a business area within the Trimble Geomatics and Engineering (G&E) division. The business area, 3D Scanning Solutions, provides laser scanners and...

Jeffery N. Lucas, a 28-year veteran land surveyor, was admitted to the Alabama State Bar after passing the bar examination in February 2003.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Jeffery N. Lucas, a 28-year veteran land surveyor, was admitted to the Alabama State Bar after passing the bar examination in February 2003. Lucas is registered as a professional surveyor in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee....

Eagle Point.(Turning Points)(Eagle Point Software Corp)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Eagle Point, Dubuque, Iowa, promoted William C. "Butch" Herter to the position of survey products manager. Herter has 17 years of land surveying experience with degrees in both computer science and civil engineering.

Woolpert LLP.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... David A. Wilkins, PLS, joined Woolpert LLP, Atlanta, Ga., as a senior project manager. Wilkins is licensed in Alabama, Arkansas and Florida, and brings to Woolpert more than 30 years of land surveying experience.

GiveMePower Corporation.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... GiveMePower Corporation, Las Vegas, Nev., announced that Doug Medley, a former Autodesk reseller, joined the GiveMePower management team as a regional sales manager, spearheading an aggressive growth campaign in the Southeastern United States....

MACTEC Engineering & Consulting.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... MACTEC Engineering & Consulting, Alpharetta, Ga., named Paula Blaydes as San Francisco Bay Area Manager of the Site Development and Compliance Group. The Site Development and Compliance Group provides environmental regulatory compliance,...

Constructware enhanced Dashboard, its Internet-based application that mines project and program data, with a graphics-based toolset for summary reporting.
March 1, 2004... 401 Constructware enhanced Dashboard, its Internet-based application that mines project and program data, with a graphics-based toolset for summary reporting. The Dashboard toolset is an extension of Constructware's centralized database...

Avatech Solutions Inc.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... 402 Avatech Solutions Inc. announced Online Assessment Testing for Autodesk software including AutoCAD, Autodesk Architectural Desktop, Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Land Desktop. The assessment testing gauges performance and measures Autodesk...

Sokkia introduced its new Series 130R Reflectorless Total Stations SET1130R3, SET2130R3, SET3130R3 and SET4130R3.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... 403 Sokkia introduced its new Series 130R Reflectorless Total Stations SET1130R3, SET2130R3, SET3130R3 and SET4130R3. The Series 130R instruments feature Sokkia's RED-tech EDM that uses an ultra narrow visible red laser. Accuracy is [+ or -] (3...

Also, Sokkia added longer range reflectorless total stations SET230R3, SET330R3 and SET530R3 to its Series30R model range.(Models)(Sokkia Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... 404 Also, Sokkia added longer range reflectorless total stations SET230R3, SET330R3 and SET530R3 to its Series30R model range. Using Class 3R laser, these new models measure up to 350 m (1,140 ft) without reflectors (with Kodak Gray Card 90%...

Also, Sokkia introduced the DT610 to its line of digital theodolites, replacing the DT600.(digital theodolites)(Sokkia Corp)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... 405 Also, Sokkia introduced the DT610 to its line of digital theodolites, replacing the DT600. Battery life for the DT610 has been increased to 110 hours on two standard C alkaline batteries. The DT610 notifies users when the instrument comes...

Sanborn released a CAD-based version of CitySets, a digital data set of central business districts and select commercial areas available for 27 major U.S. cities.
March 1, 2004... 406 Sanborn released a CAD-based version of CitySets, a digital data set of central business districts and select commercial areas available for 27 major U.S. cities. Data contained in the CitySets product include geographic information that...

Golden Software Inc. upgraded Grapher 5, its 2D and 3D graphing package, by streamlining the process of accessing and editing all graph items.
March 1, 2004... 407 Golden Software Inc. upgraded Grapher 5, its 2D and 3D graphing package, by streamlining the process of accessing and editing all graph items. Four new graph types in Grapher 5 give users more options to determine which graph type displays...

IDEAL Industries introduced the MAG-TAPE, a 25-foot measuring tape featuring a magnetic tip that sticks to metal surfaces for fast, hassle-free one-person measurements.
March 1, 2004... 408 IDEAL Industries introduced the MAG-TAPE, a 25-foot measuring tape featuring a magnetic tip that sticks to metal surfaces for fast, hassle-free one-person measurements. The MAG-TAPE's tip acts as a second person, gripping tightly onto steel...

Eagle Point released the 2004 Q1 upgrade to its series of land development software applications. Highlighting the enhancement list is compatibility with MicroStation V8.1.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... 409 Eagle Point released the 2004 Q1 upgrade to its series of land development software applications. Highlighting the enhancement list is compatibility with MicroStation V8.1. The newest version is available to new users as well as current...

The surveyor's new clothes.
March 1, 2004... Some ancient tales and fables seem to address life's issues quite thoroughly. Aesop recognized complex social habits and then transformed them into stories easy to understand. One particular story that addresses the foolishness of human...

Meet Sam the surveyor: this month's candidate: Jeffrey Scott Barnes.
March 1, 2004... Name: Jeffrey Scott Barnes Credentials: Associate's degree in civil engineering technology from Purdue University Position/Company: Crew Chief, Ken Herceg and Associates, South Bend, Ind. Registered/licensed in: Indiana ...