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Professional Land Surveyor Product Review: Magellan Triton 2000 Handheld Navigation System

April 30, 2009 in 3 RODS, Associate Membership, Business, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Equipment, Magellan, Product Reviews, Rated As

Magellan Triton 2000

Magellan Triton 2000

While not necessarily thought of as a tool for Professional Land Surveyors, the , none the less, is a very handy tool for Professional Land Surveyors and outdoor enthusiast, alike. The Magellan Triton 2000 has proved to be a good tool to have in any Professional Land Surveyor’s tool box.

What I liked about the Magellan Triton 2000 is:

  1. The full-color display. It was easy to read and the touch-screen worked well. While it was easy to read in full sun light, the real strength is using the Magellan Triton 2000 in low-light conditions, like under heavy tree canopy. In the woods, the screen is very readable, I think even better than out in the brighter locations.
  2. The Magellan Triton 2000 takes 2 megapixel photos with geographic locations in the field. This can be a great way to take photos of the monuments you find in the field, and then be able to distinguish between them geographically back at the office. With a regular digital camera, if you’re not careful, it can be hard to tell what the photos you took in the field actually represent. With the Magellan Triton 2000 you now have a way to incorporate these photos into your project GIS.
  3. The Magellan Triton 2000 comes Read the rest of this entry →

Professional Land Surveyor Product Review of EcoStakes

April 7, 2009 in 4 RODS, Associate Membership, Berntsen, Business, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Equipment, Product Reviews, Rated As

What value would you give to your survey monuments if they could provide longevity, be easily found and are environmentally friendly, too? One solution that provides all of these benefits is the EcoStake, available exclusively from Berntsen.

Berntsen was kind enough to provide me with a small sample of the EcoStake in the different sizes, markings and colored tops to try out. I was interested in seeing if the EcoStake made a good survey control point, being easy to set yet solid, and be easy to relocate. The fact that the EcoStake is a product made from recycled plastics and is a “green” product appealed to me, also.EcoStake with Orange TopEcoStake with Pink Top

EcoStake Facts:

Read the rest of this entry →

Staying Small Successfully: A Guide for Architects, Engineers, and Design Professionals

April 3, 2009 in 4 RODS, Associate Membership, Book Reviews, Books, Business, Land Surveying, Rated As

Staying Small Successfully: A Guide for Architects, Engineers, and Design Professionals (Hardcover)

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.

Professional Land Surveyor Product Review: Sawyer Permethrin – Clothing Insect Repellent

March 23, 2009 in 3 RODS, Associate Membership, General, Land Surveying, Product Reviews, Rated As

It’s that time of the year again when things warm up and Deer Ticks decide that we make a good meal. This would only be a minor inconvenience, at worst leaving you with a case of the heebie-jeebies, if it weren’t for the fact that these little blood suckers carry and transmit Lyme Disease.

I recommend taking precautions to avoid getting Lyme Disease. I’ve had it a few times and it’s no fun. As a matter of fact, it comes with some serious symptoms, such as:

  • Rash. You may develop a small red bump initially and it may be warm to the touch and mildly tender. It may then form a rash as small as 1/4 inch or as large as 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter. This type of rash is most often identified as a “bull’s-eye” rash having a red ring around a clear area with a red center. This rash only affects about 70 percent to 80 percent of people infected with Lyme disease. I’ve had Lyme Disease four times, and only once have I had the “bulls-eye” rash.
  • Flu-like symptoms. A fever, chills, fatigue, body aches and a headache may accompany the rash.
  • Migratory joint pain. If the infection is not treated, you may develop bouts of severe joint pain and swelling several weeks to months after you’re infected. Your knees are especially likely to be affected, but the pain can shift from one joint to another.
  • Neurological problems. In some cases, inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain (meningitis), temporary paralysis of one side of your face (Bell’s palsy), numbness or weakness in your limbs, and impaired muscle movement may occur weeks, months or even years after an untreated infection. Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and changes in mood or sleep habits also can be symptoms of late-stage Lyme disease.
  • Less common signs and symptoms. Some people may experience heart problems — such as an irregular heartbeat — several weeks after infection, but this rarely lasts more than a few days or weeks. Eye inflammation, hepatitis and severe fatigue are possible as well.

If left untreated Lyme disease can become a serious and life threatening.

Sawyer Permethrin - Clothing Insect RepellentOne product I’ve had great success with keeping Deer Ticks off of me is Sawyer Permethrin – Clothing Insect Repellent.

Product Features

  • 6 OZ. Pump N’ Spray
  • Odorless Permethrin
  • Repels & Kills Mosquitoes, Chiggers, Mites & Ticks, Including Ticks Which Carry Lyme Disease & Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
  • A Treatment For Clothing. Do Not Apply To Skin
  • Effective Through 6 Washings
I’ve been using Sawyer Permethrin – Clothing Insect Repellent on my clothing and work boots when I’m working in the woods and I’ve found this product works as promised. On a couple of occasions when I forgot to apply it before going into the woods and then Deer Ticks were crawling up my pants legs, I sprayed them with Sawyer Permethrin – Clothing Insect Repellent and the Deer Ticks fell off and died immediately.
Having had Lyme Disease, from deer ticks, a few times – protection from these pest is important to me. Another benefit is that it also keeps away most other insects you will encounter surveying in the field.
I rate this product 3 RODS out of a total possible 4 RODS.

Professional Land Surveyor Forum

February 12, 2009 in 4 RODS, Associate Membership, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Business, Continuing Education, General, Land Surveying, News, Rated As, Surveying Software

Announcing the Professional Land Surveyor Forum!

The Professional Land Surveyor Forum is a FREE professional grade site that provides you with all the features you need and expect from a professional bulletin board. I think you’ll find it to be the best, feature rich, forum bulletin board in the industry.

You can check out the Professional Land Surveyor Forum, as a guest with limited functionality, or you can register a username, enabling all of the forum features. This will allow you to maintain a consistent identity while posting and keep track of what you’ve read, no matter where you’re working from or what computer you’re using, including wireless access. You’ll be able to fill out a personal Profile and use the built-in Personal Message system. You’ll also be able to subscribe to email notifications, monitor your Forum activity and more.

Feature List

Join the Professional Land Surveyor Forum Now!

  • Secure
  • Easy Registration and Setup
  • Calendar Support
  • Communication
  • User Profiles and User Options
  • Member navigation and authentication
  • Member tracking and tracing
  • News and announcements
  • Polls
  • Cool Posting Features
  • Statistics
  • User Resources
  • Wireless access

I’ve created several forum discussion boards to get the Professional Land Surveyor Forum off the ground. Feel free to contact me if there is a specific discussion board topic that you would like to see added.

Current Forum Topics (more to come!)

  • General Discussion Board
    • Feel free to talk about anything and everything in this board.
  • AutoCAD Civil 3D Board
    • Tips and Tricks Forum: Talk and share about your best AutoCAD Civil 3D (or AutoCAD in general) Tips and Tricks.
    • Upgrade Forum: Talk and share about AutoCAD Civil 3D Upgrades.
    •  Help Forum: Talk and share about help issues with AutoCAD Civil 3D.
  • Business Board
    • Getting Paid Forum: The trials and tribulations of accounts collections! What works and what doesn’t? Real life stories!
    • Marketing Forum: Talk and share about your best Marketing ideas.
    • Starting a Professional Land Surveying Forum: Talk and share about starting a Professional Land Surveying Business.
  • Career Board
    • Seeking Employment Forum: Post a little bit about you, if you’re seeking employment, and what employment opportunities you are looking for.
    • Employment Opportunities Forum: Post Employment Opportunities available within your company.
  • The Economy Board
    • Stimulus Plan Forum: Discussion about the Economic Stimulus Plan.

Check out the Professional Land Surveyor Forum now!

 

Surveying, Mapping and GIS: The Need for Integrated Physical and Information Infrastructure

February 2, 2009 in 3 RODS, Associate Membership, GIS, Land Surveying, Links

Professional Land Surveyor Recommended Link:

Surveying, Mapping and GIS: The Need for Integrated Physical and Information Infrastructure.

Check out this post from the great blog by David G. Smith PE PLS at Surveying, Mapping and GIS.

Business Video: Playing to Your Strengths – BusinessWeek

December 13, 2008 in 4 RODS, Associate Membership, Business, Business Videos, Land Surveying

Play to Your Strengths

Senior BusinessWeek Editor Diane Brady talks to Marcus Buckingham about his new book, The Truth About You: Your Secret to Success. His message is to Play to your strengths instead of trying to manage your weaknesses

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LivingRheum.com Goes Live

October 27, 2008 in 4 RODS, Associate Membership, General, Links, News

My wife, Jo-Ann, has started her own website and blog at LivingRheum.com to write about her experience with having Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). She was diagnosed with RA at the age of 36 and has been courageously fighting this disease and finding ways to make her life better.

Jo-Ann writes on her About Me page,

“I wanted to start this site for people like me who not only were looking for support in dealing with the daily ups and downs of the disease but also as a resource for those of us who are looking for information on what can help us live healthier, happier lives with Rheumatoid Arthritis.” 

Prior to writing at LivingRheum.com, Jo-Ann has often helped others with RA understand the disease, finding a good doctor, discovering methods and strategies to live with RA - All important, but mostly being a good listener, friend, and sharing what works for her.

She also writes on her About Me page,

“My hope is that through this site that you can find ways to live with Rheumatoid Arthritis better.”

I rate this website and blog 4 RODS out of a total possible 4 RODS.

NASA Connect Segment explaining surveying and how surveyors use geometry.

September 12, 2008 in 2 RODS, Associate Membership, General, Land Surveying, Land Surveying Videos


NASA Connect Segment explaining surveying and how surveyors use geometry.


Here’s a surveying related video made by NASA for it’s NASA Connect series that explains basic land surveying methods and use of geometry. Although the video is geared towards children to show the real-life use of geometry and is a limited demonstration as to what surveyors do, I think it does a good job in showing how land surveyors use geometry and surveying equipment to carry out a simple (at least to us) task of laying out something, like a football field.

I rate this video 2 RODS out of a total possible 4 RODS.

Permethrin Tick and Bug Spray

August 25, 2008 in 3 RODS, Associate Membership, Land Surveying, Product Reviews

Sawyer Permethrin Pump Spray - 6 Ounce

Sawyer Permethrin Pump Spray – 6 Ounce

Insect killer and repellent for your clothing is effective against ticks, chiggers, mites and mosquitoes for up to 6 weeks. Non-aerosol pump bottle contains 6-oz. of repellent, or enough to coat 2 full outfits; a full outfit consists of shirt, trousers and socks. Repellent should be applied outdoors and before clothing is worn; hang clothing and spray, let dry for 2 hours (4 hours in humid conditions). One treatment will last up to six washings or six weeks before clothing has to be treated again. Effective against ticks that carry Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Contains permethrin, the same active ingredient that is also used in Duranon™ and Permanone®.


I have used Sawyer Permethrin Pump Spray – 6 Ounce with very good results. Having had Lyme Disease, from deer ticks, a few times – protection from these pest is paramount to me. Another benefit is that it also keeps away most other insects you will encounter surveying in the field.

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

Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty : The Only Networking Book You’ll Ever Need

August 22, 2008 in 4 RODS, Associate Membership, Book Reviews, Business, Land Surveying

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.

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

July 17, 2008 in 3 RODS, Associate Membership, AutoCAD, Book Reviews, Business, Land Surveying, News, Surveying Software

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

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.

Book Review: Mastering AutoCad Civil 3D

June 30, 2008 in 4 RODS, Associate Membership, AutoCAD, Book Reviews, Land Surveying, Rated As, Surveying Software

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.

 

 

My Rating System

June 29, 2008 in Associate Membership, Rated As

I will be reviewing books, software and equipment and I will use the following, land surveying related, rating system I’ve created:

1 ROD  = Not recommended.

2 RODS = Recommended with reservations.

3 RODS = Recommended.

4 RODS = Highly recommended.

For those unfamiliar with land surveying, rods are a unit of measurement from ancient times still used today in old deeds, surveys and government land grants.

1 Rod equals 16.5 feet and 4 rods equal 66 feet, or 1 chain.

Click on this link, Wikipedia-definition of Rod Length, for more information about rods and chains used for land surveying measurements.

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