Point of Beginning articles from March 2006

Point of Beginning archives from March 2006

My dream for the profession.(editor'spoints)(Editorial)
March 1, 2006... I'm an "expert" daydreamer. I practice it frequently. Oftentimes, my thoughts involve the surveying profession. And oftentimes, they involve the betterment of the profession. Allow me to share with you one of my recent escapades of the...

Locating liberty: December 2005.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2006... I enjoyed Mr. Babcock's article on "Locating Liberty." I was particularly interested and puzzled by the "Philadelphia Foot." Those early surveyors may have known how long a foot was, but the problem could have been that the hooks on the links...

Traversing the law: January 2006.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2006... I have read Mr. Lucas' latest installment and am compelled to comment. First, I agree with at least one thing that Mr. Lucas [wrote]: "... there are licensed surveyors who should not be practicing boundary survey work." Unfortunately, I do not...

Orbimage acquires space imaging.(newsline)(OrbImage acquires Space Imaging Co. )
March 1, 2006... Orbimage of Dulles, Va., one of the major national forces in the commercial high-resolution satellite imagery market, finalized the acquisition of Denver-based Space Imaging on Jan. 12, 2005. The combined company will do business under the...

New Mexico requires surveyors to disclose insurance.(newsline)
March 1, 2006... New provisions in the New Mexico Engineering and Surveying Practice Act require mandatory disclosure of a surveyor's professional liability insurance. This requirement, which went into effect July 1, 2005, is for all contracts and agreements...

Orthorectified Landsat digital data now available from USGS.(United states. Geological Survey)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began offering selected Landsat 4, 5 and 7 satellite data at no cost in late December 2005. Orthorectified Landsat data is available for free download from the Global Visualization Viewer (GloVis) at...

White House continues support for Landsat.(LandSat program)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... On Dec. 23, 2005, the White House Office of Science and Technology issued a policy memo to continue the LandSat program. The Landsat program is the longest running program providing vital images of the Earth's surface from space. The first...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2006... MARCH 1-4 ISPLS 2006 Idaho Society of Professional Land Surveyors Boise, Idaho 208/658-9970 home.velocitus.net/ispls 1-4 LSAW 2006 Land Surveyors Association of...

Conforming to design: digital as-builts serve as part of lifecycle design.
March 1, 2006... SVT Contractors has a story like many other surveying engineering firms across the country. On a site work project for a new school, SVT was required to submit as-built drawings as part of the contract. The scope of work included grading, and...

California firm uses online property document database for fast and efficient research.(technologyprofile)
March 1, 2006... Christopher W. Lerch, PLS, spends a lot of time at his desk doing important research for clients and preparing jobs for field crews. The principal and senior surveyor with Laugenour and Meikle Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors (L & M) in...

How to be safe: NSPS foundation sets out to teach surveyors best safety practices in upcoming video.
March 1, 2006... Bruises, stings, hives, rashes, cuts, sunburn, frostbite, over-inhalation of toxic gases. Sound unpleasant? How about hearing loss, broken limbs, drowning, debilitation and death? More unpleasant? These are some of the risks field surveyors...

Autodesk.(informationshowcase)
March 1, 2006... Autodesk Map 3D software, the leading platform for creating and editing spatial data, delivers practical mapping functionality to organizations that need to integrate CAD and GIS information. Autodesk Map 3D complements existing GIS...

Leica SmartRover is newest addition to system 1200 family.(high performance global positioning system)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Leica Geosystems has announced the introduction of the SmartRover, a new, lightweight, high-performance, all-on-the-pole RTK GPS surveying instrument. Weighing just 2.8 kg (6.16 lb), the SmartRover is 30 percent lighter than other...

Three ... two ... one ... stored.(informationshowcase)
March 1, 2006... It's that fast and that easy to measure or stake out height difference and distance with Sokkia's newest digital level--the SDL50. Its large memory holds up to 2,000 points of data, and with a simple "SDL TOOL" software download from...

FOIF.(informationshowcase)
March 1, 2006... FOIF has introduced the new RTS700 total station series to the international market. The instrument provides many advanced features you now expect in a total station: 32-bit CPU, 16 MB of internal memory, alphanumeric keyboard, GUI (graphic...

SOKKIA GSR2700 is Fully Integrated L1/L2 GPS System.(informationshowcase)
March 1, 2006... SOKKIA's GSR2700 IS Fully Integrated L1/L2 GPS System offers completely cable-free surveying. It includes a high-precision, dual-frequency GPS receiver, Bluetooth wireless technology, antenna, memory, batteries and an internal data link for RTK...

New Topcon Positioning systems website: topconpositioning.com.(informationshowcase)
March 1, 2006... Time. The better you use it, the more you have. Topcon's new website--topconpositioning.com--is designed to provide you fast access to the latest news and information on the complete line of our highly productive precision positioning products...

Traverse PC.(informationshowcase)
March 1, 2006... "Traverse PC is easy to learn and use. It is common-sense logical. I was able to create drawings after a couple of hours of instruction. The software produces quality drawings, and the technical support, for questions regarding the 'fine'...

New! Trimble NetR5 Reference Station.(informationshowcase)
March 1, 2006... The Trimble NetR5 Reference Station offers elegant engineering, user-friendly hardware and powerful supporting software. Use the Trimble NetR5 as a standalone receiver or as part of a Trimble GNSS infrastructure solution. [ILLUSTRATION...

Tripod Data Systems.(informationshowcase)
March 1, 2006... Tripod Data Systems (TDS) now offers an even more affordable version of its popular TDS Recon data collector. The new Recon NX, which includes 200-MHz and 400-MHz models, meets tough military standards and features Survey Pro software. Recon NX...

How 3D laser scanning can save lives.(industryscan)
March 1, 2006... Surveying bridges, roads and tunnels can be bad for your health. Across the country, traffic density is on the rise. And regrettably, commuters have little patience for lane closures and related disruptions to their daily routines. The lack of...

Tool tips.(giaamailbag)
March 1, 2006... Q I have a two-part question. I have a total station setting for curvature and refraction correction. To turn it on, I have to select from one of two constants to be used in the correction. Which one should I be using? The second part of my...

Risk assessment for the professional surveyor.(onthelevel)
March 1, 2006... In my last POB column ("Surveyor vs. Surveyor," October 2005) I discussed the surveyor's role as professional witness in negligence cases against other professionals. This month I would like to look at a related issue: the professional...

Limitations on the boundary surveyor's liability.(traversingthelaw)
March 1, 2006... In February, we looked at the boundary surveyor's liability with regard to boundary determinations. Although that article seemed to be chock-full of bad news for the boundary surveyor, especially with regard to third-party liability for...

Surveying support for mapping projects.(fromthegroundup)
March 1, 2006... Surveying and mapping professionals have worked closely together in the production of topographic and planimetric maps over time. However, tremendous changes in technology over the last several years have affected the balance between the...

How much safety training is enough?(safetysense)(Cover story)
March 1, 2006... Over the past 35 years, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has progressively put more emphasis on training. The agency emphasizes that employers are responsible for providing safety training to all of their employees, and...

2006 Advanced Total Station Offerings.(productsurvey)
March 1, 2006... As an addition to our tabulated survey, information for POB's Advanced Total Station Offerings has been provided by the respective manufacturers. For more total station specifications, visit the websites listed under each entry. ...

R.D. Whitling & Associates.(turningpoints)(merger)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... R.D. WHITLING & ASSOCIATES, Murrysville, Pa., merged with the National Survey & Engineering division of R.A. SMITH & ASSOCIATES INC., Brookfield, Wis. The merger allows National Survey & Engineering to provide land surveying services to clients...

Landmark Engineering Inc.(turningpoints)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... LANDMARK ENGINEERING INC. (LEI), Phoenix, Ariz., now offers its premier civil engineering, surveying and land planning practice through V3 COMPANIES LTD. (V3), bringing new opportunities to clients in Phoenix and Tucson. The Landmark office...

Sterling Systems.(turningpoints)
March 1, 2006... STERLING SYSTEMS, Madison Heights, Mich., an Autodesk partner, announced a new location for its Ohio office. STERLING SYSTEMS-OHIO can be found inside Enterprise Place, a 125,000-square-foot office building located at 3401 Enterprise Parkway,...

Autodesk Inc.(turningpoints)
March 1, 2006... AUTODESK INC., San Rafael, Calif., named Carl Bass as president and chief executive officer effective May 1, 2006. Bass was also appointed to the company's expanded board of directors. Carol Bartz, who has served as CEO since April 1992, will...

Merrick & Company.(new appoinments)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... MERRICK & COMPANY. Aurora, Colo., a provider of LiDAR, digital ortho imaging, photogrammetry and GIS mapping, appointed William (Bill) Emison as MARS product manager. Emison is responsible for sales, marketing, product development, and the MARS...

Woolpert Inc.(consulting services for Woolpert clients)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Paul Klimas, GISP, rejoined the WOOLPERT INC. team in Lansing, Mich., as a project director. His responsibilities include IT-geodetic related consulting services for Woolpert clients. Klimas previously served as a project director for more than...

Clary & Associates Professional Surveyors and Mappers.(turningpoints)
March 1, 2006... CLARY & ASSOCIATES PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS AND MAPPERS. Jacksonville, Fla., welcomed Mike Colligan as the company's newest surveyor-in-training. Colligan's duties include research for map preparation; production of boundary and topographic...

Trimble.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... TRIMBLE introduced the DSM 232 Receiver, a GPS receiver capable of submeter, decimeter and centimeter accuracy for both harbor and waterway applications, and for system integrators. With the DSM 232, one receiver can be used for positioning...

Tripod Data Systems.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... TRIPOD DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) announced the Recon NX series, a low-cost version of the TDS Recon data collector that includes 200-MHz and 400-MHz models and offers the same performance as all Recons, but does not include CompactFlash expansion...

Optech.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... OPTECH announced the ALTM 3100EA (Enhanced Accuracy) 100 kHz airborne laser terrain mapper, which enables users to achieve greater accuracies for their large-scale mapping requirements. Under optimal conditions, users can achieve elevation...

NavCom Technology Inc.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... NAVCOM TECHNOLOGY INC. introduced TruBlu, a Bluetooth compatible wireless device, enabling cable-free communication between NavCom's GPS receivers and Bluetooth-enabled controllers. The new TruBlu accessory provides users with added flexibility...

Laser Technology Inc.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... LASER TECHNOLOGY INC. (LTI) released the TruPulse 200 laser, which can range as far as 3,000 ft (1,000 m) to a non-reflective target and has the ability to obtain 1 ft (30 cm) accuracy to higher quality targets. With every press of the fire...

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging announced Leica Photogrammetry Suite (LPS) V9.0.(new & notable)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... LEICA GEOSYSTEMS GEOSPATIAL IMAGING announced Leica Photogrammetry Suite (LPS) V9.0. Aimed at high-volume production photogrammetry organizations, LPS 9.0 provides an efficient means of editing seams for sizable projects that may involve a...

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging released Leica Virtual Explorer V3.0.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... Also, LEICA GEOSYSTEMS GEOSPATIAL IMAGING released Leica Virtual Explorer V3.0, which seamlessly integrates terabytes of spatial data into an interactive "digital earth" that can be distributed to users worldwide. The Leica Virtual Explorer...

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging announced Erdas Imagine V9.0.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... Additionally, LEICA GEOSYSTEMS GEOSPATIAL IMAGING announced ERDAS IMAGINE V9.0, which facilitates the ability to load, read and edit both raster and vector data within the enterprise environment. Updated enterprise capabilities in the new...

Krylon Industrial.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... KRYLON INDUSTRIAL released Quik-Mark solvent-based Fluorescent Orange inverted marking paint with a no-fade formulation. A wider spray-through cap opening eases use with work gloves, and a new locking tip provides convenient storage inside a...

Software by D'Zign.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... SOFTWARE BY D'ZIGN released a revised and expanded second edition of its programming workbook, "Surveying Solutions for the hp33s," which gives step-by-step instructions for input of programs into the Hewlett-Packard 33s scientific calculator....

Prosurv LLC.(new & notable)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... PROSURV LLC announced Prosurv cEZ version 1.5. Version 1.5 offers new "past-baseline" computation ability. This complements the previously released "pre-baseline" computation ability. Together, they allow the computation of station and offset...

Leica Geosystems.(new & notable)(Leica Geosystems AG introduced the SmartRover)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... LEICA GEOSYSTEMS introduced the SmartRover, an all-on-the-pole RTK GPS surveying instrument that weighs 2.8 kg (6.16 lb). Consisting of the Leica AT1230 SmartAntenna and Leica 1250 Controller, the SmartRover is designed to be fully compatible...

Sokkia.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... SOKKIA announced that the Series30R reflectorless total station series now incorporates communication functions designed to increase work efficiency. The Bluetooth wireless communication function is available for Series30R as a factory option...

Sokkia.(new & notable)(Sokkia Company Ltd introduced the SDL50 digital level for construction applications)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Also, SOKKIA introduced the SDL50 digital level for construction applications. In combination with Sokkia's RAB-code staff, height difference and distance can be measured simply with the touch of a key in less than 3 seconds, with the result...

General CADD Products Inc.(new & notable)(computer-aided drafting and design software )(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... GENERAL CADD PRODUCTS INC. released General CADD Pro Version 4.1. New features supported by Version 4.1 include: ACAD DWG/DXF file import/export up to version 2006, XREF display, MDI (Multi Document Interface), VCD/VCS file input support,...

Leica Geosystems HDS.(new & notable)
March 1, 2006... LEICA GEOSYSTEMS HDS announced Cyclone 5.4 software to streamline field and office workflows for high-definition surveys. Key new features include: six new visualization tools for faster navigation through point cloud data; "single user"...

Surveying solutions.(funandgames)(Brief article)
March 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)
March 1, 2006... Courtesy of The Museum of Surveying. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Editor's note.(construction workers training)
March 1, 2006... As we move into the year 2006, many construction site preparation firms proceed with a cautious optimism. While rising energy costs, health care costs and material costs are a growing concern--along with finding suitable employees--design and...

Muscle machines: a look into the electrohydraulics of construction equipment.
March 1, 2006... Since the 1950s, hydraulic systems have been the main muscle of construction equipment. Driven by changes in the market over the years and in response to both government mandates and customer expectations, hydraulic systems have become more...

Form enhances function: today's stormwater control plans give way to visually appealing, multi-purpose designs.
March 1, 2006... As land development races across our nation, the need for stormwater control increases exponentially. Acres and acres of land with the capacity to absorb water and transmit it to the aquifer are being replaced by impervious surfaces including...

Consult-a-professional: the changing construction industry requires efficient training to stay ahead.
March 1, 2006... Once upon a time (long ago... um, that's about five years ago), designers, contractors and other end users of technical software, hardware and equipment could make a purchase, and with minimal outside help, be up and running in a relatively...

An allied approach: advice for contractors and dealers on improving their relationships.
March 1, 2006... The more I hear about new products and technology designed to give contractors an advantage on the jobsite, the more I wonder about what contractors really need. GPS, machine control and guidance systems, virtual reference stations and...

Bobcat.(As Seen at World of Concrete)(Bobcat Co.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Bobcat introduced K-Series skid-steer loaders (S130 through S300) and compact track loaders (T140 through T300). New to the K-Series loaders is the SmartFAN cooling system, a hydraulically driven cooling fan that senses machine operating...

Caterpillar.(As Seen at World of Concrete)
March 1, 2006... The new Caterpillar E-Series backhoe loaders--the 416E, 420E and 430E--deliver high-performance hydraulics and enhanced operator comfort. The 420E and 430E are offered in integrated toolcarrier configurations for applications that benefit from...

Komatsu.(As Seen at World of Concrete)(Komatsu America Corp upgraded machine)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Komatsu America Corp. PC600LC-8 hydraulic excavator is an upgraded machine with increased speed and stability, an improved Tier 3 compliant engine and enhanced serviceability. The PC600LC-8 has a flywheel horsepower of 386 HP and an...

Quest Solutions.(As Seen at World of Concrete)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Quest Solutions' release of Quest Earthwork 7.0, the latest version of the company's cut-and-fill measuring software, contains improved 3D graphic capabilities. Now, instead of a grid of bright-colored lines, users see a much more realistic...

Topcon.(As Seen at World of Concrete)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Topcon's CTS-3000 series total station features onboard software that simplifies staking. An extended keyboard enables easy operation and data input. The system software can also be operated with a handheld data collector like Topcon's FC-100....

Trimble.(As Seen at World of Concrete)
March 1, 2006... The Trimble SPS700 robotic total station incorporates new robotic technology for increased speed and longer battery life and offers highly efficient layout capabilities. The total station also features direct reflex (DR) reflectorless distance...

Vertigraph.(As Seen at World of Concrete)(Vertigraph Inc announced new features for SiteWorx Cut and Fill Takeoff Version 2.0 software)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Vertigraph Inc. announced new features for SiteWorx Cut and Fill Takeoff Version 2.0 software, an easy-to-use system or calculating cut and fill volumes and material quantities. New features include: a digitizer interface for calculating cut...

Volvo.(As Seen at World of Concrete)
March 1, 2006... Volvo excavators are tough, reliable, productive, and provide high performance and superior operator comfort for greater efficiency. All Volvo excavators feature the Volvo-exclusive Advanced Control System (ACS), which balances engine power...

SPAR 2006: Capturing and Documenting Existing-Conditions Data for Design, Construction and Operations.(conferences ahead)
March 1, 2006... Event Name: SPAR 2006: Capturing and Documenting Existing-Conditions Data for Design, Construction and Operations Organizer: Spar Point LLC Location: Sugar Land Marriott Town Square, Sugar Land, Houston, Texas Dates: March 27-28...

World of Asphalt 2006 Show & Conference.(conferences ahead)
March 1, 2006... Event Name: World of Asphalt 2006 Show & Conference Organizer: Association of Equipment Manufacturers, National Asphalt Pavement Association, and National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association Location: Orange County Convention Center,...

NACE Annual Meeting and Management & Technical Conference.(conferences ahead)
March 1, 2006... Event Name: NACE Annual Meeting and Management & Technical Conference Organizer: National Association of County Engineers Location: Amway Grand Hotel, Grand Rapids, Michigan Dates: April 9-13 Expected 2006 Attendees: 350+ ...

ACSM Annual Conference.(conferences ahead)
March 1, 2006... Event Name: ACSM Annual Conference Organizer: The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping Location: Caribe Royale Resort, Orlando, Florida Dates: April 21-26 Expected 2006 Attendees: 1,500 Exhibitors (as of print date):...

Websites of use.(RESOURCES)
March 1, 2006... www.siteprepmag.com www.epa.gov www.osha.gov www.transportation.org www.fhwa.dot.gov www.artba.org www.dbia.org www.asoe.org www.cmaanet.org www.agc.org www.abc.org www.asaonline.com

New options for LEICA MC200 Digger Excavator guidance solution.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
March 1, 2006... Leica Geosystems has launched key new options for its successful MC200 Digger Excavator Guidance System. The options, which include Dual Slope, Rotation Compensation and Bucket Tilt, provide a major extension of Leica Geosystems' MC200 Digger...

Going forward with full service.(CASE STUDY)(construction)(Case study)
March 1, 2006... One-stop shopping for site preparation services can be a big plus for large-site developers. When seeking contracts for big-box sites, full-service site prep firms may gain a distinct advantage over their competitors by offering developers an...