Point of Beginning articles from October 2008

Point of Beginning archives from October 2008

Reveling in the uncomfortable.(editor'spoints)(Editorial)
October 1, 2008... As the new editor of POB, I appreciate all of the information and advice I've received over the past few weeks from knowledgeable and well-meaning individuals in the industry. One statement in particular has stuck with me: "POB's readers are...

Surveying GIS: August 2008.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... I wanted to express my thanks to you and Michael L. Binge for the recent series of articles on implementing GIS ("Surveying GIS: Developing a new GIS."). His five-part series was very well written and direct. This series of articles helped me...

Letters: August 2008.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... I think John Boney ("Letters," August 2008) must have skipped the first couple of lines in the article "Time for Action" ("Editor's Points," April 2008), which read: "The 'Education Debate' continues in the surveying profession. In general,...

Traversing the law: June 2008.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... The tenor of the discussions on surveyor discussion sites, such as RPLS.com, and in several magazine articles and letters to the editor has bothered me for some time now. Surveyors are "staking out" extreme positions then defending the position...

Online master's degree in geographic information sciences launched.(newsline)
October 1, 2008... The University of Denver (DU) launched a master's degree in geographical information science for the 2008-2009 academic year. The new MSGISc degree is offered through a partnership between the Department of Geography at the University of Denver...

NGA debuts new public Web site.(newsline)(Website overview)
October 1, 2008... The Department of Defense combat support National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) announced in late August the launch of its redesigned public Web site, www.nga.mil. The NGA Web site now provides easier navigation and updated content about...

GPS satellite launch pushed back.(newsline)
October 1, 2008... The launch of Block IIR-20 GPS satellite, SVN49, has been postponed. IIR-20 carries a demonstration payload built by ITT, a Lockheed Martin subcontractor, that will temporarily transmit a third civil signal on the L5 frequency at 1176.45 MHz....

World's highest resolution commercial Earth-imaging satellite is launched.(newsline)
October 1, 2008... GeoEye Inc. successfully launched and deployed the world's highest resolution commercial Earth-imaging satellite, GeoEye-1, on Sept. 6. "This launch, and our important relationship with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), shows...

GPS-like lunar navigation system for moonwalkers to be developed.(newsline)
October 1, 2008... The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) funded researchers with $1.2 million in August to develop a navigation system that will aid astronauts of the Constellation Program's 2020 moon landing. The Lunar Astronaut Spatial...

Calendar of events.(newsline)(Calendar)
October 1, 2008... OCTOBER 30-October 2 INTERGEO 2008 Bremen, Germany 0721/93133-740 ofreier@hinte-messe.de www.intergeo.de 2-4 2008 Fall Conference Maryland...

Embracing change: the 2008 ESRI Survey & Engineering GIS Summit highlights new opportunities in geospatial technology.(conferenceRECAP)
October 1, 2008... Nearly 350 professionals attended the 2008 ESRI Survey & Engineering GIS Summit held August 2-5 at the San Diego Convention Center. The theme of the summit was "Building New Opportunities." Following the pattern of past ESRI events, the first...

Getting into deep water: sophisticated technology allows V3 Companies to complete a challenging waterfront survey.
October 1, 2008... Like many old parking structures in the United States, the Riverside Drive Parking Deck in Elgin, Ill., is in need of a face-lift. But it's not just the structure's mid-1960s facade that needs rejuvenation, it's also what lies beneath. Nearly...

A safety seal of approval: MICCS certification is reinforcing an Indianapolis firm's efforts to protect its workers and reduce costs.
October 1, 2008... For most survey crews, safe work practices such as carrying relevant material safety data sheets (MSDS), wearing hard hats and reflective safety vests, avoiding insect and snake bites, and protecting themselves from exposure to the elements are...

Connections for the future: a collaborative effort works to ensure New Mexico's GPS technology leadership.
October 1, 2008... Central New Mexico is the focal point for some of the world's most advanced applications of GPS technology for surveying and precision location. The Albuquerque Real Time GNSS Network (ARTGN) was implemented in 2007 as a real-time positioning...

A firm grasp of GIS: one firm's approach to GIS data management is refining FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Mapping (FIRM) process.
October 1, 2008... What's the best way to use geographic information system (GIS) technology to improve surveying and mapping? While many firms are beginning to employ modern GIS software "out of the box" to manage spatial information more efficiently and enhance...

High-tech in the hollers: a Kentucky firm uses GNSS to improve surveying speed and accuracy in tough terrain.(technologyPROFILE)
October 1, 2008... The region of eastern Kentucky and West Virginia is difficult terrain for land surveyors. The landscape is mountainous, and the vegetation is lush and thick, almost tropical. The "hollers" (valleys between steep ridgelines) can be deep, miles...

Commercial competition from universities.(capitolgains)
October 1, 2008... The issue of workforce development, training and education of the next generation of surveyors, photogrammetrists and other professionals and technicians in the geospatial field is becoming a topic of increasing concern. [ILLUSTRATION...

Designing a point database.(surveyinggis)
October 1, 2008... In several prior episodes of this column, we have talked extensively about the importance of data. We have also discussed the role surveyors play in the overall GIS landscape. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the course of those discussions,...

Insight into the development of OPUS-RS.(thegpsobserver)(Column)
October 1, 2008... Although I don't normally write about National Geodetic Survey (NGS) software programs, I'm making an exception in this column. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OPUS-RS (Online Positioning User Service-Rapid Static) is an operational program...

Boundary dispute resolution.(traversingthelaw)
October 1, 2008... Over the past few months, we've been concentrating on the problems that surveyors encounter and create. But surveyors also have an opportunity to become problem solvers, not just problem finders. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We all know the...

The story behind licensure.(thetechnologybenchmark)(Column)
October 1, 2008... In my June column, I urged engineers and surveyors to consider increased education requirements. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After reading my column, Dr. David Gibson, founding director of the geomatics program at the University of Florida,...

High-visibility apparel review.(safetysense)
October 1, 2008... In my March column, we discussed the new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations on high-visibility apparel, which take effect on Nov. 24, 2008. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I continue to receive questions from surveyors about...

Topcon Corp.(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... TOPCON CORP., Tokyo, acquired VOXIS INC., Point Richmond, Calif., a leader in laser scanner technology and high-resolution motion systems. The acquisition of Voxis culminates a development relationship of more than two years, which resulted in...

Hamilton Engineering & Surveying Inc.(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... HAMILTON ENGINEERING & SURVEYING INC., Tampa, Fla., acquired R.W. PATRICK & ASSOCIATES INC., South Houston, Texas, a full service civil engineering and surveying firm.

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS).(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS (TPS), Livermore, Calif., and SGE, Middletown, R.I., a multidisciplinary engineering, land surveying and GIS service firm, formed a strategic partnership in the areas of land use, asset management, utility operations...

Topcon.(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... Also, TOPCON appointed Richard Savage and Ron Ludchak to its telematics business unit. Savage is Western region sales manager-telematics; Ludchak is Eastern region sales manager-telematics. Their territories cover the U.S. and Canada. ...

Topcon.(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... In addition, TOPCON hired Dave Henderson as GIS national sales manager. He is responsible for GIS sales activities for Topcon's GIS dealer network in the United States and Canada.

Vertical Mapping Resources Inc. (VMR).(turningpoints)(Bill Swope appointed as regional manager )(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... VERTICAL MAPPING RESOURCES INC. (VMR), Scottsdale, Ariz., expanded into Northern California and named Bill Swope as regional manager of consulting and development for its new office located at 13389 Folsom Blvd. #300-304, Folsom, Calif. Swope...

Vertical Mapping Resources Inc.(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... Also, VERTICAL MAPPING RESOURCES INC. appointed Bret Okraski to principal. He maintains his current position as director of consulting and development. Okraski is an associate member of Valley Partnership, Arizona Professional Land Surveyors,...

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).(turningpoints)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... The NATIONAL COUNCIL OF EXAMINERS FOR ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING (NCEES), Clemson, S.C., commissioned Patrick J. Tami, PLS, as Western Zone vice president at the NCEES 2008 Annual Meeting. Tami is also the administrative officer of the Western...

Kuker-Ranken Inc.(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... KUKER-RANKEN INC., Seattle, hired Tom Bergen as general manager of its Portland store. Bergen has more than 20 years of experience in survey sales, service, management and manufacturing. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

John Chance Land Surveys Inc.(turningpoints)(Jimmie Stoute, Russell Walters and Blaine Thibodeaux appointed)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... JOHN CHANCE LAND SURVEYS INC., Lafayette, La., promoted Jimmie Stoute, Russell Walters and Blaine Thibodeaux. Stoute is senior vice president and manager of the Terrestrial Survey Services Division; Walters is vice president and manager of the...

Woolpert.(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... WOOLPERT hired Mark Ricketson, GISP, as an enterprise information management (EIM) project director for the Orlando office. Ricketson joins Woolpert with more than 20 years of experience developing, managing and implementing information...

Woolpert.(turningpoints)(Bob Brooks and Joe Cantz appointed)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Also, WOOLPERT, Dayton, Ohio, announced that Bob Brooks, CP, and Joe Cantz, CP, passed the written examination to earn certified photogrammetrist accreditation from the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). Brooks is a...

Keystone Precision Instruments.(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... KEYSTONE PRECISION INSTRUMENTS, Allentown Pa., promoted Daniel Fletes to robotic services manager.

Spalding Dedecker Associates Inc. (SDA).(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... SPALDING DEDECKER ASSOCIATES INC. (SDA), Detroit, announced that SDA co-founder Frank DeDecker, PE, PS, received the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award from Michigan State University's College of Engineering.

PBS&J.(turningpoints)
October 1, 2008... PBS&J, Tampa, Fla., named Robert J. Paulsen as president. Paulsen is also chairman of PBS&J and vice chairman and secretary of The PBSJ Corporation's board of directors. He succeeds Todd J. Kenner. Associate Editor Wendy Lyons compiles...

Trimble.(new&notable)
October 1, 2008... TRIMBLE introduced the scalable Trimble 5800 GPS System. Surveyors can begin with the L1, post-processing-only configuration. L1/L2 post-processing-only and L1/L2 full-RTK upgrades are available. The system combines a GPS receiver, antenna, UHF...

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS).(new&notable)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS (TPS) introduced the GLS-1000 scanner, an affordable, user-friendly instrument that operates as a stand-alone unit. With its internal memory, batteries and bright display screen, the lightweight GLS-1000 can operate...

Topcon.(new&notable)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Also TOPCON released TopNET+ Version 7.12 reference station software with data modeling. The software upgrade adds a new and improved RTN (network RTK) engine, which provides faster initializations, improved performance and support of a larger...

SECO.(new&notable)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... SECO introduced a mini instrument tripod (#5401-23-BLK). The tripod extends to 25.5 in and collapses to 19.5 in. Features include twist-locking legs, full-size feet with standard step cleats, a 6-in triangular flat head, a threaded 5/8 x 11...

SECO.(new&notable)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Also, SECO introduced a Traverse Kit (#2159-01-GRY) with SECO 62-mm prism (#6400-10). The silver-coated prism canister resists fogging and has less than 5 arc seconds of beam deviation. Features include an orange/white and black/white...

SECO.(new&notable)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Additionally, SECO released a tribrach (#2153-02-BLK) with a bright 650 nm focused laser dot that provides prompt and precise positioning over a point. Its pushbutton on/off switch located close to the tribrach body prevents accidental...

SECO.(new&notable)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Additionally, SECO agreed to manufacture Gardner Engineering's Rod Rest. The rod rest (#5214-01 for 1/4-in OD poles; #5214-02 for 1-inch OD poles) is a self-retracting "kick-stand" for poles and rods. It attaches quickly with one thumbscrew and...

Carlson Software.(new&notable)
October 1, 2008... CARLSON SOFTWARE introduced the Carlson Surveyor+ data collector and a trade-in program. The new Carlson Surveyor+ and Carlson Surveyor (not included in the trade-in promotion) are completely ruggedized with an IP67 water- and dust-resistant...