Eric D. Colburn, PLS

eCampus.com Affiliate Link

“Many architects, landscape architects, and interior designers are self-employed or are partners in small firms. These professionals must understand the management, administrative, and planning skills that are critical to the success of a design firm–and apply them to a small business profile. The revision of this best-selling book addresses the latest changes that affect the successful management and growth of small firms.” Professional Land Surveyor Source: eCampus.com

This is a book that you have to read. It is one of the best books I’ve read that is specifically written for Architects, Engineers and Design Professionals: Professional Land Surveyors included.

I stumbled across this book shopping for business books at a major bookstore, not believing that something so related to our industry has even been written. It was well worth the price and in reading this book I improved my business, business skills and business outlook.

I rate this book 4 RODS out of a total possible 4 RODS.

Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)

Say Hello to The New Kindle

Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines

Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback

Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots

Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
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Announcing Surveying Books Page.

Please visit our Surveying Books Page on this site, created today.

You will find land surveying books and surveying related books, books on AutoCAD, Business and GIS. I’ve included the following small sample of the books you will find.

Surveying Books:

• Brown’s Boundary Control and Legal Principles
• Evidence and Procedures for Boundary Location
• Interpreting Land Records
• Forensic Procedures for Boundary and Title Investigation
• Measuring America: How an Untamed Wilderness Shaped the United States and Fulfilled the Promise of Democracy
• GPS for Land Surveyors, Third Edition
• Land Survey Review Manual

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Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty by Harvey Mackay is a great book for everyone, with valuable networking information you can use in your personal and business life.

In these difficult economic times, having the right contacts in the right place when you need them, will make the difference between survival and failure. As the title states, ideally you would want your network in place before you may ever need them; but there is no time like the present to begin your networking well.

I rate this book 4 RODS out of a total possible 4 RODS.

Engineering Design: A Project Based Introduction will be released on August 18, 2008.

You can pre-order yours by following the link below (or above, as you like).

Engineering Design: A Project Based Introduction

Clive L. Dym

Release Date: August 18, 2008

Now that the weekend is here I would like to go a little off course (And why not? You’ve all worked very hard this week and have earned a little rest and relaxation with your family) and make a recommendation for a little weekend good living – Grilled Pizza!

There is a little prep work required upfront but the results will amaze you. You can certainly make your own pizza dough, or it can be purchased at your local market. Stretch it out to the size you like (it doesn’t have to be perfectly shaped) with it being fairly thin, but not so thin that it will burn or that toppings will fall though it. Place the stretched dough on the grill and cook it until the bottom is nicely browned to your liking. Flip the dough over, brush with olive oil and add your toppings. Continue grilling until the bottom is done and your toppings have heated up nicely. Remove and eat!

You can add whatever toppings, sauces and herbs you like but they have to be ready before the dough hits the grill. You can pre-grill some vegetables like onions, peppers, mushrooms -whatever you like, just have it ready to go. Also, shred any cheeses beforehand that you want to add to your grilled pizza. Mostly, think outside the box (some pun intended) and experiment with different cheeses, vegetables and meats that you wouldn’t normally get with your usual take-out pizza. If you can grill it, it will probably be good on a grilled pizza.

Compared to your usual take-out sauce and cheese laden pizza, I think you will find home made grilled pizza’s can be a more healthful alternative. Don’t be afraid to try different flavors beyond the usual Italian style pizzas (although they great too).

Here are a few grilled pizza ideas from the Grilled Pizzas and Piadinas book pictured above.

• Thai pizza
• Gamberian Pizza (with shrimp and pesto)
• Morrocan pizza (with chicken and a sweet curry glaze).

Here’s a few links to other blogs that had grilled pizza recipes that I found interesting:

• Step by step instructions for making grilled pizzas
• saramcmartin
• honeymuffin
• indianfoodsco
• cookingquest
• zarajspook
• ihavenothingtotalkabout
• wikipedia.org/wiki/Grilled_pizza

Now I simply must go eat – I’m so hungry just thinking about grilled pizzas!

07-31-08 fixed links noted above.

AutoCAD® Lynn Allen’s Tips and Tricks For Using AutoCAD 2009

Lynn Allen’s Blog: AutoCAD 2009 Tips and Tricks booklet has arrived!

Click on the link above and you will open Lynne Allen’s Blog post announcing that her free AutoCAD 2009 Tips and Tricks booklet is available for download.

This booklet is full of useful AutoCAD tips and tricks from beginning to end. Some of them I had tripped over in my daily work with AutoCAD Civil 3D, in my land surveying business, but most were “AHA, so that’s how you do that” moments.

Read this and I guaranty you will improve your productivity with AutoCAD immediately.

I rate this booklet 3 RODS out of a total possible 4 RODS.

This is an excellent book, is well written and is full of insightful knowledge and techniques to improve your business life, personal life and general outlook on life.This is not a book about land surveying but I think everyone will benefit from reading this book.

At times the writing and ideas may seem far-fetched, or over-the-top to you because the writers, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Les Hewitt, are extraordinarily upbeat and positive, which could be unnerving to some of you (I’m sorry, but all too often we let the negative rule our lives). However, if you only read the chapters about bad habits, Focusing Strategy #1 Your Habits Will Determine Your Future, and consistency, Focusing Strategy #8 Consistent Persistence, I think you will recognize yourself in this book and finally understand why you may not have been as successful as possible. I have used the information and techniques in this book to make a significant improvement to all aspects of my life, business and personal.

I also would recommend The Power of Focus for College Students: How to Make College the Best Investment of Your Life (Power of Focus) and The Power of Focus for Women: How to Live the Life You Really Want.

I rate this book 4 RODS out of a total possible 4 RODS.

Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008 is a must read if you are using, or plan to implement, AutoCAD Civil 3D. I bought this book last year and I refer to it all the time.

Written by Dana Probert, E.I.T., James Wedding, P.E., along with Mark Scacco, P.E., and Jason Hickey, this book gives comprehensive information, tricks and tips, and is suitable to be read in its entirety, or chapter by chapter as necessary. The accompanying CD includes tutorial files and third-party utilities and plug-ins. I used Q-Legal for AutoDesk Civil 3D, on the accompanying CD, and liked the way it took AutoCAD Civil 3D parcel data and transferred and formatted a legal description.

I didn’t always use the tutorial files provided, instead mostly using real data and land surveying projects from my land surveying business, but I recommend them to anyone trying to learn to use AutoCAD Civil 3D, as they are setup for each tutorial eliminating any issues you may encounter and think its your data (although you learn a lot this way).

I rate this book 4 RODS out of a total possible 4 RODS.