Point of Beginning articles from November 2003

Point of Beginning archives from November 2003

Thank you.(Editor's Note)(Column)
November 1, 2003... At the beginning of nearly every autumn season, I set out on a vacation, hoping to see new places and learn new things. I often seek out new territory as I did this year, but I also found myself trekking back to a much favored area in Utah:...

Viewpoint.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... August 2003 Well done. One of the biggest problems in our profession today is that we have allowed others (lenders, realtors, attorneys, etc.) to incorporate the word "update" into our vocabulary. In doing so, they turned us against...

A pioneering exchange from IHEEP.(The Latest News)(International Highway Engineering Exchange Program)
November 1, 2003... Every year, the International Highway Engineering Exchange Program (IHEEP) conference takes place in the president of the organization's hometown. The pioneering spirit that abounds in current president Michael Watters' hometown of Cheyenne,...

Remote and rugged: a surveying project in Tanzania offers unique challenges.
November 1, 2003... Really tough surveying jobs tend to involve a group of common challenges: harsh weather, challenging terrain, distance from resources--and sometimes even the occasional wildlife encounter. And, really, Joe Paiva, PhD, PE, PLS's 2002 summer...

Uncovering an extraordinary world: archaeologists in Sudan excavate with laser precision.
November 1, 2003... In the barren desert regions of northern Sudan along the eastern bank of the Nile lies a narrow band of rocky, red land called Tombos. Year' round the wind blows dry and strong, temperatures hold in the '90s and higher, and the soil is largely...

Techno mix: integrating the proper technology into surveying projects helps national firm grow strong.
November 1, 2003... Founded in 1911, Woolpert LLP of Dayton, Ohio, has always held a strong commitment to technology. Since its beginning, Woolpert has equipped its employees with the latest instruments from mechanical calculators to early model air conditioning...

Data Collector Software Survey: Optical Surveying Data Collection Software.
November 1, 2003... MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR C & G Software Systems Inc. MANUFACTURER (ENTER SAME UNLESS ABOVE IS A DISTRIBUTOR) Same PRODUCT NAME OR MODEL NUMBER CG-FieldPlus SUGGESTED...

A firm conversion: the ins and outs of transitioning ownership in a surveying company.
November 1, 2003... The process of transferring ownership in a privately held company to the next generation is often a difficult and time-consuming task. Sometimes, there is an obvious leader that the second generation willingly accepts. At other times, there are...

Comic corner.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Submitted by Wendell T. Harness, PLS, Tucson, Arizona. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tool tips.(GIAA Mailbag)
November 1, 2003... Q: I am an LIST at a small engineering and surveying company. I have been trying to determine the basic steps to make sure our instruments are properly maintained and calibrated. What about cleaning? Are there certain chemicals or materials I...

Geoid models.(The GPS Observer)(Column)
November 1, 2003... In this month's column, I will discuss the geoid models developed by the United States National Geodetic Survey (NGS). It is possible to determine orthometric heights to a fair degree of accuracy using real-time kinematic (RTK) technology with...

Long backsights and short foresights.(Back to Basics)
November 1, 2003... The title of this article is probably misleading. It was intended to get your attention, and, if you have read this far, it has succeeded. The title doesn't refer to the leveling process where backsights and foresights are equal or balanced to...

Leica Geosystems (through its Cyra/New Business Div.).(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 401 Leica Geosystems (through its Cyra/New Business Div.) announced the Leica HDS3000 scanner. Leica also announced Cyclone 5.0, its next-generation software for processing and managing laser scan data. The HDS3000 time-of-flight scanner...

Topcon introduced the GTS-230W series of electronic total stations featuring cable-free, remote data collection.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 402 Topcon introduced the GTS-230W series of electronic total stations featuring cable-free, remote data collection. Utilizing Bluetooth wireless technology, the GTS-230W series communicates directly with the Topcon FC-1000. Four models...

Topcon introduced the PG-A1, a dual-frequency, dual-constellation GPS+ antenna featuring precision micro center technology and an integrated ground plane to help eliminate errors caused by multipath, allowing users to work with greater efficiency.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 403 Also, Topcon introduced the PG-A1, a dual-frequency, dual-constellation GPS+ antenna featuring precision micro center technology and an integrated ground plane to help eliminate errors caused by multipath, allowing users to work with...

Trimble introduced the NetRS reference station GPS receiver.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 404 Trimble introduced the NetRS reference station GPS receiver. The NetRS features Trimble's new R-track technology, which includes the capability of tracking the new Civil Signal (L2C) scheduled to be available in 2004. The receiver...

Trimble introduced new features for GPSBase and GPSNet version 2.2 reference station software packages.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 405 Also, Trimble introduced new features for GPSBase and GPSNet version 2.2 reference station software packages. GPSBase is designed for the setup of a single-site GPS reference station and operates continuously to provide either RTK or...

MENSI launched RealWorks Survey V4.(Mensi Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 406 MENSI launched RealWorks Survey V4. RealWorks Survey V4 provides tools for users to import an existing feature code library or create their own. Feature codes can be exported directly to Autodesk AutoCAD and Bentley MicroStation....

Tripod Data Systems (TDS) added Bluetooth wireless technology to Survey Pro data collection software on the TDS Recon rugged handheld computer.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 407 Tripod Data Systems (TDS) added Bluetooth wireless technology to Survey Pro data collection software on the TDS Recon rugged handheld computer. Using a Socket Communications (Newark, Calif.) Compact Flash card with Bluetooth, the Recon...

Thales Navigation introduced the Z-Max with Bluetooth wireless technology for data transfer between the GPS receiver and the surveyor's handheld controller.(New & Notable)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 408 Thales Navigation introduced the Z-Max with Bluetooth wireless technology for data transfer between the GPS receiver and the surveyor's handheld controller. The system is modular and the modules can be used interchangeably on-the-fly...

Carlson Software Inc.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Carlson Software Inc., Maysville, Ky., hired Bob Bailey as director of data collection sales, David Pluym as director of government sales and midwest representative, and Donnie Stallings, PLS, as a programmer. Bailey is based at the company's...

Leica Geosystems.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Leica Geosystems, Atlanta, Ga., hired David Donahue as director of sales for the northeast region. Donahue spent eight years in the 1980s as direct sales representative and regional sales manager for the Wild Heerbrug Company, now Leica...

PBS & J.(Turning Points)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Phillip D. Miller joined PBS & J's (Orlando, Fla.) National Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) division as a senior IT specialist. Miller supports payment systems with an initial focus on toll systems and business process management....

Surveying solutions.
November 1, 2003... 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...