Point of Beginning articles from September 2005

Point of Beginning archives from September 2005

Building house #20.(editor'spoints)
September 1, 2005... In October 2004, surveyors with Kem-Tec Engineering of Eastpointe, Mich., helped to begin a new life for a seven-member Puerto Rican family. The job was a boundary survey. The location was Detroit. The client was Habitat for Humanity...

Editor's points: July 2005.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... I just finished reading your editor's points in the July edition and felt that I needed to respond to the last paragraph asking for input from surveyors. As far as a national licensure of certified photogrammetrists, I feel that is beyond my...

Editor's points: June 2005.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... Your editorial prompted me to go back to your March 2005 issue and again look at Matthew Mitchell's article on the lack of professionalism. Your decision to publish it was a correct one. We do not and should not want to live in a vacuum. ...

The GPS observer: June 2005.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... In your June article you stated that it is always good practice to take a second shot to points during the course of an RTK GPS survey. My question relates to something that you didn't cover: once you get back into the office, would the final...

French surveyors roll out GPS network: by the first half of 2006, 1,900 French chartered surveyors will have the opportunity to benefit from a nationwide Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)--the largest real-time GPS network to be implemented at a single time.(newsline)
September 1, 2005... In April 2003, the French Order of Chartered Surveyors (OGE) began the endeavor for a system to provide realtime, centimeter-accurate positioning across the nation. The French GNSS, which is known as the TERIA network, will integrate satellite...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
September 1, 2005... SEPTEMBER 11-14 APWA 2005 Congress American Public Works Association Minneapolis, MN 816/472-6100 www.apwa.net 13 ACSM Mapping Exhibit Capitol Hill Club,...

Bridging the Gap III: a report on the third annual Survey and GIS Summit hosted by ESRI.
September 1, 2005... "It's all about the data." This was the main point made by Mike Weir, surveying industry manager for ESRI, at this year's Survey and GIS Summit held July 23-26 in conjunction with the 25th annual ESRI User Conference in San Diego....

A plan for tomorrow--today: an RTK GPS network provider excels with increasing subscriptions while enhancing the state of Georgia.
September 1, 2005... Rex Webb has seen it all. From Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers as large as refrigerators in the late 1980s to today's compact, Bluetooth-enabled wireless GPS rover, the survey manager for Lowe Engineers, a full-service engineering,...

Making the most of machine control: surveyors can expand their businesses by offering site control and data prep services.
September 1, 2005... Sometimes the things that intimidate us, or seem strange or extraordinary to us, may be the things that will help us to succeed. Take machine control technology; it is a mystery to many how it works but could be a lucrative area of the field to...

Progressive GPS network in Nevada facilitates real-time long baseline positioning.(technologyprofile)
September 1, 2005... In an effort to create a GPS use network consistent across jurisdictional lines. Washoe County in northwestern Nevada implemented a regional GPS reference network in 1998. Today, with the advancement of a wide-area setup for RTK solutions, the...

Adapting professional principles. If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got; change makes change.(The Business of Surveying)
September 1, 2005... This saying has been around for a long time, but it says it all regarding the choice to stay the same or to teach oneself to become a success--and a successful professional. It's usually easy to notice characteristics in others that aren't...

Tool tips.
September 1, 2005... Q I have several prisms that are damaged with miscellaneous cracks, chips and breaks. I know that such damage reduces EDM range, but are there any other negative impacts? I haven't been able to detect any from my survey results. A In...

Reporting on GPS developments.(thegpsobserver)
September 1, 2005... I rarely do this, but for this column I'm acting as a reporter on two different topics. First, the GPS modernization program has experienced problems that have caused the U.S. Department of Defense to delay the first launch; this update is a...

Setting grade on the construction site.
September 1, 2005... Setting grade (elevation) may well be the most frequent use of leveling on the jobsite. Initially, the leveling activity will be concentrated on establishing bench marks throughout the jobsite. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After the bench...

Cyclical independence.(professionaltopography)
September 1, 2005... Much of the work surveyors and mappers perform is based on other businesses and business activities that are of a cyclical nature. Some of the business cycles are seasonal. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For example, construction work, whether...

2005 GPS equipment survey--geodetic receivers.(productsurvey)(Illustration)
September 1, 2005... 2005 GPS Equipment Survey--Geodetic Receivers MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR ITT Leica Leica Industries Geosystems Geosystems RECEIVER MODEL Rascal-8 GX1230 GX1220...

2005 GPS equipment survey--mapping/positioning receivers.(productsurvey)(Illustration)
September 1, 2005... 2005 GPS Equipment Survey--Mapping/Positioning Receivers MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR Leica Geosystems Leica Geosystems RECEIVER MODEL GS20 PDM GS5+ Manufacturer's Phone Number ...

2005 GPS post-processing software survey.(productsurvey)(Illustration)
September 1, 2005... 2005 GPS Post-processing Software Survey Product Name TurboSurvey TurboSurvey Software 2 Software 2, Static...

New TDS Ranger: more power, new wireless capabilities, plus field-proven ruggedness surveyors depend on.(productofthemonth)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... The next-generation TDS Ranger builds on years of experience and feedback from thousands of surveyors working in the field. Featuring integrated wireless as well as slots for CompactFlash (CF) and Secure Digital (SD) cards, the new Ranger...

TSC2 Controller.(new & notable)
September 1, 2005... TRIMBLE introduced the TSC2 Controller, an advanced handheld field computer designed for integrated surveying solutions using both GPS and optical total stations. Equipped with Microsoft Windows Mobile software for the Pocket PC operating...

GPSNet version 2.4 software.(new & notable)
September 1, 2005... In addition, TRIMBLE introduced GPSNet version 2.4 software, designed to connect multiple GPS receivers in a reference station network. Key features include: RINEX Shop, a web-based application allowing field users easy access to...

RealWorks Survey software version 5.0.(new & notable)
September 1, 2005... Also, TRIMBLE introduced RealWorks Survey software version 5.0 to leverage the rich point cloud data set provided by advanced 3D laser scanners. Version 5.0 incorporates a series of new precision tools and features allowing surveyors to produce...

Carlson Software.(new & notable)
September 1, 2005... CARLSON SOFTWARE released Carlson Survey 2006. The new version offers a complete survey solution with the added bonus of contouring, volumes and basic profile entry and drafting. It is fully compatible with AutoCAD 2004, 2005 and 2006 drawings....

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging.(new & notable)
September 1, 2005... LEICA GEOSYSTEMS GEOSPATIAL IMAGING released Leica Photogrammetry Suite (LPS) V8.7 Service Pack 2 (SP2)--ADS40 Update. The update provides users the ability to process images captured with the Leica ADS40 Airborne Digital Sensor. Concurrently...

Optech Incorporated.(Airborne Laser Terrain Mapper)(ZinView)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... OPTECH INCORPORATED introduced ZinView, the latest software development for Optech's ALTM product. Developed as a complementary tool for Optech's existing software packages, ZinView allows users to quickly process their data and check for gaps...

Golden Software Inc.(new & notable)
September 1, 2005... GOLDEN SOFTWARE INC. released Grapher 6, an upgrade to its Grapher 2D and 3D graphing package that includes contour and 3D surface plots. Users can create contours or a 3D surface from any XYZ data file, an existing Surfer grid file or a USGS...

Traverse PC Inc.(new & notable)
September 1, 2005... TRAVERSE PC INC. released TPC Desktop V8.5. The TPC Desktop series comes in three surveying editions: personal ($799), premium ($1,299) and professional ($1,799). TPC V8.5 builds on the No CAD Zone and Universal Map Sharing of previous...

Allen Osborne Associates Inc.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2005... Allen W. Osborne passed away on May 6, 2005. Osborne was the founder and president of ALLEN OSBORNE ASSOCIATES INC., Westlake Village, Calif., a provider of GPS survey, timing and navigation technology now owned by ITT Industries. Osborne...

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging.(turningpoints)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... On July 5, 2005, Leica Geosystems GIS & Mapping officially changed its name to LEICA GEOSYSTEMS GEOSPATIAL IMAGING. This new name better reflects its position as a provider of solutions that power the entire imaging workflow. Also, Leica...

Topcon.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2005... TOPCON, Livermore, Calif., announced two high-level promotions: Joe Brabec serves as Topcon's chief technology officer (CTO), and Jamie Williamson serves as senior vice president of sales and marketing. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Optech Incorporated.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2005... OPTECH INCORPORATED, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, announced that its Laser Imaging and Industrial Products divisions were combined into the Industrial & 3D Imaging Division. The previously independent divisions now share common administration,...

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS).(geospatial information science and technology)(The ASPRS Foundation, Inc)(Robert N. Colwell Memorial Fellowship Award)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND REMOTE SENSING (ASPRS) established the Robert N. Colwell Memorial Fellowship Award. Friends and colleagues of Dr. Colwell (1918-2005) created this award as a memorial to him from donated funds to be...

Applied Mapping Inc.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2005... APPLIED MAPPING INC. (AMI). Jacksonville, Fla., welcomed Steve Long as a GIS specialist. Bringing 20 years of experience in maps and charts applications, and 15 years of GPS experience to his position, Long is primarily responsible for...

Leading Edge Land Services.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2005... LEADING EDGE LAND SERVICES, a professional surveying, mapping and GIS firm, opened an office near Atlanta at 5044 B.U. Bowman Drive, Suite 106 in Buford, Ga. The office is led by Ken Brown, PLS. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Sidwell Company.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2005... THE SIDWELL COMPANY. St. Charles, Ill., a provider of GIS, photogrammetric services and commercial mapping products, named Neal D. Carpenter as president and CEO.

Hollis Engineering Inc.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2005... HOLLIS ENGINEERING INC., Orlando, Fla., named Michael T. Rudd, PLS, vice president of surveying services. Rudd provides professional experience in all aspects of land surveying services and 3D mapping.

BL Companies.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2005... BL COMPANIES. Baltimore, Md., announced that Michael Gates joined the survey department as manager of surveying services. Gates brings more than 20 years of experience in land surveying and 12 years of network administration experience. ...

Atwell-Hicks.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2005... ATWELL-HICKS. Ann Arbor, Mich., appointed Brian R. Wenzel, PE, as the firms new president. Wenzel will also continue to serve as CEO. Board Chairman and CEO Robert G. Macomber, PE, PS. relocated to the Tampa Bay area to lead the company's...

Navcom Technology and C & C Technologies.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2005... NAVCOM TECHNOLOGY. Torrance, Calif., and C & C TECHNOLOGIES. Lafayette, La., announced a five-year extension to their agreement for the distribution of C-Nav GPS. This agreement enables C & C Technologies to provide NavCom's StarFire...

Surveying solutions.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... 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...