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Welcome to this week's edition of the POB eNews ...
In just two weeks, POB will host its first Webinar in partnership with Missouri University of Science and Technology. To get a better idea of what this Webinar will cover, we interviewed Joe Paiva, presenter of Are You Keeping Up with Technology, or Is Technology Outrunning You
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POB: What does your Webinar title mean?
Joe Paiva: Well, two things really. The first and most obvious is to help the attendees understand the advances in technology that have occurred recently and which of the new technologies on the horizon seem most viable. The second is to help users of what is considered primary "current" surveying technology-total stations and GPS-assess whether they are using it appropriately.
POB: With the current recession, why talk about technology?
Joe: While not everyone is running out to buy new technology, this is precisely the time to evaluate, consider and fine-tune how technology is used. This includes consideration of the people who use the technology and improved decision-making on what technology to use on a particular task.
POB: What types of technologies will you discuss?
Joe:
I'll begin with total stations and GPS. It is likely that most people performing surveying services today are using one or the other or both. However, the refinements that have occurred are worth exploring so that opportunities for maximizing the cost-effectiveness of these technologies can be understood. In the case of total stations, the primary refinements are the introduction of reflectorless surveying and the so-called robotic features. Both increase the opportunities for performing surveys with one person. But the manager needs to understand how to integrate those capabilities into the workflow. Not all work can be done with one-person crews, even with these technologies. With
GPS-and specifically RTK GPS-the refinement du jour is RTN, or real-time networks. Not only does this technology permit the use of one-person crews to get work done, it also cuts back on the number of GPS receivers per crew.
POB: What do you mean about technology outrunning the user?
Joe:
There's a tendency on the U.S. surveying scene for survey practitioners to relegate much of their responsibility in providing services to their new-fangled equipment. So when I talk about technology outrunning the user in this case, it relates to the perceived disadvantages of these technologies. Not only must users be informed on how the technology works so that they can make the decision about whether the technology is appropriate to use in a particular situation, but they also need to understand when these technologies may be underperforming. Some technologies have become so "black box" that it can be difficult for the uninformed to know when they are not performing properly. Thus,
rather than reducing the necessary skills, knowledge and aptitude of the users, new technologies can actually increase these requirements. The outrunning happens when managers respond to these new technologies by reducing the skill level of the personnel they send out with these technologies.
Wendy Lyons
eNews Editor
P.S. This month, we want to know what sector of the economy your firm sees the most potential for growth in 2009. Take a moment to vote in our quick poll at www.pobonline.com. |
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Win a FREE seat!
Submit a "quotable quote" about surveying (original or attributed, 75 words or less), and you'll automatically be entered in a random drawing to win a free* seat at Joe Paiva's January 22 Webinar.
Send an e-mail to pobeditor@bnpmedia.com with the subject line "Webinar Contest." The best quotes will be published by POB.
Hurry. Entries must be received by January 12.
*Winners wishing to earn a PDH credit from this course will be required to pay the $15 processing fee for the credit. (This fee is already included in the regular tuition rate.) |
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Enter POB's Highlights in Surveying Contest
Highlights in Surveying recognizes great surveys and surveyors around the world. The contest winner will not only hold bragging rights but also a $2,000 check from POB. We've completely revamped the competition format for easier entry. Visit http://his.pobonline.com to learn more. |
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 The January issue is online!
Whether the job is spanning a river or managing its flow, surveyors can have an oar in the water, too.
In our cover story, Controlling the Sway, find out how surveyors used modern technology to streamline construction of British Columbia's massive cable-stayed Pitt River Bridge. Then immerse yourself in
Flood Control from the Air to find out how advances in LiDAR data collection technology improved flood management in the Red River Basin between North Dakota and Minnesota. Then paddle on over to
Strategies for Success in 2009 and Beyond to get advice for weathering the recession from equipment dealers, surveyors and other professionals. Be sure to check out the transcripts of the interviews, which are posted at the end as a Web exclusive.
Speaking of Web exclusives, we have two this month. Bail Yourself Out is advice from a sales strategy expert on how to stay buoyant in a stormy economy. Then it's back on shore with
A Futuristic Corridor, in which crews race to complete a 20-mile survey for Utah's I-15 CORE project.
Also, be sure to check in on what our industry experts, Jeff Lucas,
Mark Meade, Joe Paiva, and
Harry Ward , have to say this month.
Finally, if you're thinking about purchasing machine control, before making a decision, click to POB's annual
surveys and check out product specifications in a searchable, user-friendly online format. |
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"GPS for Land Surveyors," Third Edition, by Jan Van Sickle
A perfect working guidebook for surveyors, mappers, geographers, planners, managers, GIS practitioners, civil engineers, environmental engineers, consultants, regulators, and students.
This book is written by land surveyors for land surveyors. From fundamental theory to practical application, the book covers GPS without excess pages of complicated math, yet it is not over simplified. This user-friendly manual gives you all the tools to understand and use GPS techniques in everyday practice. In a concise format, this book teaches the basics of GPS technology, common hardware, surveying methods, survey design, planning and observation, and much more!
Since the last edition of this international bestseller, GPS has grown to become part of a larger international context, the Global Navigation Satellite System. Both GPS and GNSS technologies are becoming ever more important in the everyday practice of survey and mappers. With GPS for Land Surveyors, Third Edition, you can stay in the know on the latest GPS techniques, technologies, codes, and signals.
What's New to the Third Edition?
· Sections on Real-Time Network Services, Block IIF, and control segment modernization · GPS code, such as the M-code, L1C, and L2C
· An entire chapter dedicated to GNSS
· Discussion of the Russian Glonass system
· Chinese Beidou system, and the Japanese QZSS
From fundamental theory to practical application and advanced technologies, the book covers GPS without pages of complicated math. It demonstrates the basics of GPS technology, common hardware, surveying methods, survey design, planning and observation. Additionally, each chapter includes helpful review questions and answers. GPS and GNSS are revolutionizing the practice of surveying and mapping.
Retail Price: $89.85 Follow this link to purchase. Visit
AECstore.com to view all of our products for the surveying industry. |
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PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR
Tampa Bay area, stand-alone surveying firm is seeking a PLS&M licensed in the state of Florida.
Must have office and field experience, possess good management and communication skills, thorough knowledge of platting, boundary, construction layout autoCAD and GPS.
E-mail resume to surveyorapp@live.com. |
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The Technology Benchmark:
Get Over It-The Economy is NOT Coming Back
A Blog by Harry O. Ward, PE
Over the past few months, I have visited people in engineering and surveying companies that are under financial stresses the likes of which they have never experienced before. Many people seemed to take their talking points from the same sources because they all had a similar mantra: "We will hit bottom in 2009, and when the market picks back up in 2010 and 2011, we will be ready." However, I believe this is flawed thinking. ... To read on, follow this
link. |
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Joke of the Week: New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep
10. Read less.
9. Put on at least 30 pounds.
8. Stop exercising.
7. Watch more TV ...
Problem: Land Boundary Law: Order of Call and the Priority of Monuments
A deed describes a lot that is shown on a recorded plat showing 1-in iron pipe monuments set at each corner. However, the description in the deed makes no mention of the iron pipe monuments and describes the boundary lines only by bearings and distances. If a surveyor retracing the boundary finds some of the original 1-in pipe monuments in positions that do not agree with the measured bearings and distances in the deed, which evidence should yield, and why?
(A) If the surveyor is convinced that the 1-in iron pipe monuments are undisturbed, the bearings and distances should yield. ...
Cool Link of the Week: GIOVE
The Netherlands-based Galileo In Orbit Validation Element (GIOVE) Web site provides up-to-date information to the public on the GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B satellites. In addition to a variety of information, the "GIOVE-A&B Signal In Space Interface Control Document" can also be downloaded from the site.
Click to POB's Fun & Games page to access the rest of this week's posting. |
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Survey Could Shift Monroe-Bibb Line
Ato Crumbly woke up to a monumental change in his front yard. A few days ago, he lived in Bibb County. Now a stone monument seems to put his home, and about a dozen others on his street, in Monroe.
City to pursue aerial surveys
Sealy Economic Development Corporation in Texas opts for an aerial survey over LiDAR to provide topographic mapping and high-resolution aerial imaging.
Land grabs in Jones?
New aerial mapping and surveying techniques accussed of being used by large real estate firms and international land and timber entities to shave off land from old boundaries in Missouri.
To see more of the latest Surveying in the Headlines, follow this link. |
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