GIS Tech News (#28)

GPS-Guided Earthmoving Gains Ground

The practice of guiding earthmoving equipment with GPS (Global Positioning System) units has been gaining acceptance in recent years, and industry sources expect the trend to continue for the foreseeable future. Technological advances, an expanding user base and competition among vendors are all helping propel this growth. 

Construction contractors have been at the forefront in implementing this technology, but designers are also playing a key role, because 3D models are required to represent grading surfaces for the GPS-equipped machines. The concept has opened doors for more collaboration and time savings through "stakeless" construction, but it has also raised concerns about data ownership, liability and accuracy expectations. Read More >>

Dialog Box: Readers Have Their Say

Cadalyst's Dialog Box -- the collection of letters from our readers that once appeared in each issue of the magazine -- has found its home on Cadalyst.com. This popular department is easy for some to find and easily overlooked by others, so we thought we'd bring each new installment to the attention of our newsletter readers.

In each month's Dialog Box, you'll find much more than two cents' worth of opinion and advice on topics such as:

• design software from a designer's perspective;
• the economics of international competition;
• working from home;
• and the positive and negative sides of outsourcing. Read More>>

UPCOMING GIS EVENTS
Cadalyst's complete list of upcoming events is always available on our Web site. Cadalyst's sister publication, Geospatial Solutions, also offers a full calendar of GIS-related events.

2007 ESRI GIS Solutions Expos
Various dates in January 2007
Various California and Nevada locations
These free events showcase GIS applications, solutions and services developed by ESRI business partners for ESRI software. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with ESRI partners and other users. Read More>>

WHAT'S NEW AT CADALYST.COM
Visit the GIS Tech News archives to view current and past issues online.

New! Hot Tip Harry Newsletter from Cadalyst
Cadalyst announces the latest addition to its lineup of e-mail newsletters, designed for AutoCAD power users and beginning programmers alike. Debuting January 16, 2007, Harry's Code Class: Tips for Programmers will offer insight and how-to for LISP, VBA and ObjectARX programming for AutoCAD. Best of all, Harry's Code Class is led by Harry himself (a.k.a. Contributing Editor Bill Kramer, author of Cadalyst's popular "Hot Tip Harry" column). Don't miss a single issue -- sign up for Harry's Code Class: Tips for Programmers today!

New Year, New Job?
If you're in the market for a new job -- or if you just want to see what's out there -- Cadalyst.com offers a Job Search that will help. Powered by Indeed, this search tool offers a state-by-state list of CAD-related job openings, or you can customize a search to find your own list of U.S. job openings based on the keywords and locations you specify. Check it out today! Use the Job Search button under the Resources section on any Web site page, or click here for a direct link.

Cadalyst Daily Update
For all the latest news and new products, subscribe to the Cadalyst Daily e-newsletter. Plus, every issue includes a feature you won't find anywhere else -- hardware and CAD software reviews, success stories, AutoCAD tips and much more!

WHAT'S NEW AT GEOSPATIAL SOLUTIONS  

Cadalyst's sister publication, Geospatial Solutions, offers a Web site packed with features, news, events and other information for users of geospatial technologies. Check out this latest news from www.geospatial-online.com:

Bentley Donates Software and Training to Assist American Red Cross Tsunami Recovery Efforts: The American Red Cross announced that Bentley Systems has donated software and services, valued at over $500,000, for the design and management of infrastructure in areas impacted by the December 2004 tsunami.

Pattern Works Switches to GiveMePower Developer Platform and Increases Sales: Pattern Works has increased sales by more than 200% by switching to the PowerCAD Embedded Developer Platform offered by GiveMePower.

Oce Introduces Multifunction Printer: Oce has introduced its TDS700 large-format monochrome printer.