Point of Beginning articles from September 2006

Point of Beginning archives from September 2006

Oh, the places you've gone!(editor'spoints)("Oh! The Places You'll Go!")
September 1, 2006... One of my favorite books is the Dr. Seuss book "Oh! The Places You'll Go!" In addition to the distinguished Seuss artwork, the content carries the reader through situations that are eventful and memorable--showing how life is a journey for...

Point of view: May 2006.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2006... Matthew Mokanyk's [article] made me realize how important it is to occasionally, if not regularly, remind our younger peers of past (but still relevant) developments affecting our profession. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mr. Mokanyk has...

Shah Capital Partners acquires Thales Navigation.(newsline)
September 1, 2006... On July 20, an investment group of six companies led by Shah Capital Partners (SCP) of Paris, France, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Thales Navigation, San Dimas, Calif., a division of Thales Group. The transaction, which took...

Trimble celebrates New Westminster location.(newsline)(Trimble Navigation Ltd.)
September 1, 2006... On Tuesday, August 1, Trimble celebrated the opening of its new Westminster, Colo., location with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony took place on the new building's main steps and was executed by Trimble President and CEO Steve Berglund...

New forensic and security organization aims to find truth.(newsline)
September 1, 2006... This past March, attendees at the SPAR 2006 conference on 3D laser scanning formulated plans to create an international nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering the development of forensic and security metrology. As a result, on July 10...

ACSM seeks support to pass national surveyor's week resolution.(newsline)
September 1, 2006... The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) has supported two Congressional bills this year to promote recognition of National Land Surveyors Week. In January, the U.S. Senate passed Resolution 361, which establishes the third week in...

Calendar of events.
September 1, 2006... SEPTEMBER 10-13 2006 APWA Congress and Exposition American Public Works Association Kansas City, Mo. 816/595-5241 www.apwa.net 10-14 IHEEP 2006 Conference International Highway Engineering...

A summer of surveying: college student gains real-world experience in the field.(Cover story)
September 1, 2006... When Patty Solecki returned to Albion College in southern Michigan last month to start her junior year, she had a different story to tell about what she did over her summer vacation. While many of her peers were waiting on tables, flipping...

A crash course in forensic scanning: forensic surveyors and engineers end investigation for reliable tool with application of laser scanning technology.
September 1, 2006... For many years, folding rulers, tape measures and black and white photography were the standard tools of the trade for collision reconstruction engineers. Armed with these tools, experts collected as much data as possible to evaluate a...

At the scene of the crime: how surveyors use LiDAR technology to benefit law enforcement.
September 1, 2006... Anyone who has seen the popular television show "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" knows that technology now plays a key role in solving crimes. Most law enforcement officials, however, point out that technology alone--without the use of sound...

An instrumental experience: the story of Grimes Surveying & Mapping Inc. and its evolution of forensic surveying.(Editorial)
September 1, 2006... In a mild-mannered yet assertive tone, David Grimes tells me about his experiences surveying, emphasizing the importance of honesty, integrity and smart business practices. From his home office overlooking a private golf course in Ventura,...

A rock-solid legacy: revisiting and honoring the Sixth Principal Meridian and the 40th Parallel.
September 1, 2006... What drew 300 people to gather at the site of a rock in the middle of a deserted road in northern Kansas this spring? It was the history behind the rock. This particular rock stands as the initial point for the Sixth Principal Meridian (6th...

An end to the pin farm: Huntsville, Alabama introduces the section corner identification project to eradicate multiple corner sections and ensure accurate corner coordinates.
September 1, 2006... About 20 years ago, when surveyors of the city of Huntsville, Ala., keyed in subdivisions via plat or legal description based only on estimated section corners, a subdivision could be as much as 50 ft off from its true location in any or all...

Tool tips.(giaamailbag)(surveying instruments)(prism/antenna poles)
September 1, 2006... Q I know that the bubbles on my prism/antenna poles can go out of adjustment. How much of a problem is this? And how do I check them to see if they're in adjustment? A The critical factor is the sensitivity of the bubble on the antenna or...

NCEES efforts for protecting the profession and the public.(onlicensureissues)
September 1, 2006... Surveying licensure has helped protect the public for more than a century. And while some of the challenges the surveying profession faces today to meet this mission are new, some have been with the profession from the beginning. ...

Is GPS the only show in town?(thegpsobserver)
September 1, 2006... Satellite positioning with GPS is the dominant method of surveying throughout the world. For high-accuracy surveying, relative positioning prevails; two receivers gather data at the same time and the difference in position between the receivers...

Simple checks of tribrachs and plummets.(backtobasics)
September 1, 2006... Are you having a problem with the angles you are turning? Do you wonder why the distances you are measuring don't compare to known distances between two points? There are many factors that can affect both angles and distances measured in...

A look at Carlson software Survey 2007 and Civil 2007.(thetechnologybenchmark)
September 1, 2006... In addition to selling software to the civil engineering market, Carlson Software of Maysville, Ky., has long filled a niche in the surveying and construction markets with its Autodesk-based SurvCADD software. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

2006 web-exclusive GPS surveys: POB rolls out its GPS hardware and software surveys in searchable, comparable user-friendly online format.
September 1, 2006... Whether you're shopping for geodetic GPS receivers, mapping/positioning receivers or GPS post-processing software, POB has the information you need to make your purchasing decisions. Our annual tabulated survey--now in an online searchable,...

Topcon America Corporation.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2006... TOPCON AMERICA CORPORATION, Paramus, N.J., named David Mudrick as the new president and chief executive officer of the management holding company for TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS (TPS) and TOPCON MEDICAL SYSTEMS (TMS). Replacing Susumu "Scott"...

RBF Consulting (RBF).(turningpoints)
September 1, 2006... Randy Mrowicki, PLS, joined RBF CONSULTING (RBF), Las Vegas, as survey manager and senior associate. Mrowicki brings more than 24 years of professional surveying experience to RBF. He is an active member of the Nevada Association of Land...

Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science.(appointment of Gary Jeffress as director of Texas A and M University)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Dr. Gary Jeffress was appointed director of the CONRAD BLUCHER INSTITUTE FOR SURVEYING AND SCIENCE on the campus of TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI. Jeffress has been with A & M-Corpus Christi for 16 years, serving as a professor of...

Clary & Associates Professional Surveyors and Mappers.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2006... CLARY & ASSOCIATES PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS AND MAPPERS, Jacksonville, Fla., announced Mike Bellars as the company's newest survey crew chief. Bellars oversees a variety of projects performed by the company's survey field crews. ...

Woolpert Inc.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2006... Scott Cattran was named director of GIS at WOOLPERT INC., Dayton, Ohio. Cattran brings 14 years of GIS experience to the position, specializing in strategic planning and enterprise information management for Woolpert's utility, municipal,...

Loyola Spatial Systems.(appointment of TJ Frazier as technical sales representative)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... LOYOLA SPATIAL SYSTEMS, Virginia Beach, Va., announced that TJ Frazier joined the firm as a technical sales representative for HDS and survey systems. Frazier is based in Frederick, Md., and provides consultation and technical support to...

BL Companies.(turningpoints)
September 1, 2006... Robert Landino, PE, and BL COMPANIES, Meriden, Conn., finalized an agreement where Landino sold his shares in the company. Landino will no longer serve as CEO and chairman of the board of directors but will remain as a consultant to BL...

The Schneider Corporation.(Schneider Corp. (Indianapolis, Indiana) and ProMap Corp mergers as The Schneider Corporation)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... SCHNEIDER, Indianapolis, Ind., and PROMAP, Ames, Iowa, two of the Midwest's leading providers of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) services for land development, joined forces. Schneider retired the ProMap name and merged the two companies...

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) released the new GMS-2 GIS handheld mobile GPS receiver.(new & notable)
September 1, 2006... TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS (TPS) released the new GMS-2 GIS handheld mobile GPS receiver. The unit is the industry's first GIS-GPS product with dual-constellation tracking; an integrated digital camera linking photos to feature locations; an...

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) released upgrades to TopSURV field controller and Topcon Tools software.(new & notable)
September 1, 2006... Also, TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS (TPS) released upgrades to TopSURV field controller and Topcon Tools software. TopSURV Version 6.04 software now includes: upgradeable new Contractor module designed specifically for contractors; unique...

Tripod Data Systems (TDS).(Tripod Data Systems introduces TDS Recon handheld computers)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... TRIPOD DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) announced the next generation of its TDS Recon rugged handheld computer. The new Recon X-Series gives users the option of integrated Bluetooth and 802.11g wireless capabilities and comes with Windows Mobile 5.0. The...

Seco Manufacturing Company Inc.(new adapters for global positioning system mount)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... SECO MANUFACTURING COMPANY INC. introduced a new adapter that will allow rods with topo shoes to be held securely to its GPS Truck Door Mount. The adapter bolts to the plate where the point of a rod currently sits. The adapter holds 2.5- and...

Seco.(Seco Manufacturing Company Inc. introduces new adapters)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Also, SECO introduced a new prism pole accessory called the Topo Shoe and Point Combo. This new product includes both an aluminum point and an aluminum topo shoe. The shoe and point are both drilled so a quick-release pin can either keep them...

Leica Geosystems.(Leica Geosystems Inc introduces GPS900 GPS surveying instruments)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... LEICA GEOSYSTEMS introduced the GPS900 GPS surveying system. The GPS900 RTK System is a complete base and rover system packaged in a single case, providing a complete turnkey GPS surveying solution that can be easily transported to and from the...

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