Welcome to this week's edition of the POB eNews ...

I have a specific routine every morning. I stumble downstairs still half asleep (I'm an early riser), pour myself a giant mug of coffee, boot up my laptop as I finish waking up, and then I spend the next hour or so scanning through the latest headlines on Google News, Yahoo News and my local papers online for any stories of interest. The last time I picked up a physical newspaper was in a hotel in Salt Lake City, but I didn't have time to read it right then and it was too bulky to carry with me, so I left it behind without more than a cursory glance at the front page.

"That's precisely what's wrong with today's readers," the media journalists lament. "No one is taking the time to actually read beyond the headlines anymore!" But that's not true. Personally, I'm more interested in news stories than I ever have been in the past, and I'm spending far more time delving into the subjects that interest me. But that's the key--I want to read about the subjects that interest me, not just the ones the newspapers and reporters choose to cover. And with the way content has evolved into a digital, completely searchable format, I really can have it all.

It's no secret that the economic recession has hit especially hard in the publishing world. Around the nation, dozens of newspapers and magazines have been shuttered, and others are frantically struggling to rein in costs as advertising revenues have dwindled. Thanks to our loyal supporters, POB has been holding its own, but our readers have undoubtedly noticed that our issues are thinner this year than they have been in the past.

But here's the thing--we're actually growing. Yes, our print issues are a little smaller, but we're providing surveying and mapping professionals with more content than we have in the past on a broader range of topics through more channels. Readers can stay on top of the latest news through POB eNews, subscribe to RSS feeds on our Web site, follow my updates on Twitter, comment on hot topics in our blogs, read a variety of in-depth feature articles in our Web Exclusives, earn PDH credits in our informative Webinars or instantly click through to topics of interest in our newly relaunched digital issues. And we're not done yet--we're putting the finishing touches on a new Facebook page that will allow us to easily notify our fans about the latest stories of interest as well as POB-related news such as events we're attending or hosting and any magazine developments.

Our goal is to provide the content you want in the format you want it. For those who prefer print, don't worry--our print issue isn't going away. But it's a digital world, and we want to make sure you have all the information you need right at your fingertips.

Check out our new digital issue if you get a chance, and look for more details on our Facebook page soon. As always, I welcome your feedback. Please contact me anytime at pobeditor@bnpmedia.com or connect with me on Facebook.

See you online,

Kristi Grahl, POB Editor 

P.S. If your company has a Facebook page, let me know--I'd like to become a fan!

The 2008 Surveying & Mapping Industry Software and Equipment CLEAReports indicate fewer plans to purchase CAD and data collector software, data collector controllers, tripods, and robotic total stations in 2009.

Learn more about future purchase intentions, highly desired brands, and software/equipment trends by contacting Sima Patel at patels@clearseasresearch.com or 248.786.1626.

What is the best way to make continuing education more effective?

• Increase the number of CE hours required for licensure.
• Create more national CE courses and require state boards to accept national credits.
• Develop more independent resources that offer CE courses. 
• Create more online and distance learning opportunities.
• Reduce state board restrictions and allow more personal responsibility in CE course selection. 

Take a moment to vote at www.pobonline.com.  

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! Following each chapter helpful review questions and answers. Retail Price: $89.85 CLICK HERE to purchase.

Visit AECstore.com to view our all of our surveying resources and products!  Call Stephanie at 248-244-1275 with any questions.

Offshoring Minnesota map work angers legislators
A company hired by the government to create aerial maps of nine counties in southeast Minnesota is doing much of the technical work in India after laying off 10 employees in Maple Grove who had similar skills. 

Eastham has worked as surveyor for more than 30 years
When Ronald Eastham has visited students for Career Day at local schools, he's brought up Mt. Rushmore. 

Forge residents, TU staking out claims
Whose property is it? Whose property should it be? A number of residents on the north side of Stanmore Road in Rodgers Forge found questions like that reeling through their minds ...

Mystery stones may have Mason-Dixon survey ties
Who would have thought that stone markers near here would have "DaVinci Code"-like ties to the past? 

To read the latest Surveying in the Headlines, click here.

Marshall Lancaster & Associates, Inc., a Dallas-area surveying firm, has openings for Project Manager, Party Chief, and Survey Trainees. 

Excellent growth potential and benefits. 

Visit our Employment section at www.mla-survey.com.  

Must-See Video:
"Fun ways to void your warranty...and keep your data"

Carlson Software user conference attendees were treated to a presentation from Rob Campbell, president and CEO of Juniper Systems, which has partnered with Carlson to make the Carlson Surveyor hand-held data collector. A highlight of Campbell's presentation was this amusing video that  shows a Carlson Surveyor hand-held being misused and abused--yet it refuses to die. From being run over (multiple times) to being used to jack up a pickup truck or hammer a stake to--last but not least--popping the top of a much-needed drink after all that hard work, the video is sure to amuse and impress. Warning: Don't try this at home or in the field--no matter how much you're tempted. Click to Site Prep, POB's sister publication, to watch.

Topcon SurveyMaster Version 1.1
SurveyMaster is a complete survey software solution to manage job site and surveying data efficiently while providing a deliverable print or plot.

Joke of the Week: Divine Payback
Father Francis Norton woke up Sunday morning and realizing that it was an exceptionally beautiful, sunny spring day, he decided he just had to play golf.

So, he told the associate pastor that he was feeling sick and convinced him to say Mass for him that day. ...

Problem: Advanced Mathematics Problems: Areas
An existing rectangular parcel of land was measured many years ago with a Gunter's chain and was found to contain 40 ac. The original surveyor noted later that the chain used to make the measurements was one link too short. Assuming that the error was evenly distributed throughout the measuring, what was the area of the parcel?

A. 39.20 ac
B. 39.60 ac
C. 40.40 ac
D. 40.80 ac

Cool Link of the Week:  Video: USGS Crews Measure Historic Flooding
USGS scientists monitor stream flow during the historic flooding taking place in Fargo, ND. This information provides critical information used to estimate flood dangers and helps protect lives and property.

CLICK to access the rest of this week's Fun & Games.