Traditionally, the responsibility of discovering written evidence prescribing the location of property lines has fallen to the surveyor. Curiously, the ALTA/ACSM Land Title…
Category: Point to Point
The Ethics of Competence
Subconsciously, we know better. But somehow we have been persuaded to believe that ethics can preclude incompetent practice before it is attempted. The…
The Doctrine of Monuments
There can be no question but that monuments reflect society’s interest in the preservation and stability of land boundaries. Although surveyors rarely argue…
The Marketplace of Ideas
In publications, writers inevitably express opinions that offend some readers. Occasionally we receive angry letters responding to one aspect or another of an…
Least Squares Boundary Analysis
From time to time surveyors argue with me over the use of least squares analysis in boundary retracement. Because the arguments tend to…
Breaking the Record
At a recent state convention I learned a new surveying term: "Breaking the Record." This refers to publishing boundary dimensions that differ from…
Our Image as Surveyors—Part 3
In the last issue we examined the impact that oral and written communications have on our image. Surveyors, like other design professionals, leave…
Our Image As Surveyors—Part 2
To a large extent, image is self-inflicted. Our actions and appearance project indications of our character, if not our expertise. Interestingly, the public…
Our Image As Surveyors
Subconsciously, others deem all variables under our control as a reflection of our character. There is a near constant complaint that surveyors are…
Geo-WHAT??
Well, well. And now we’re told that unless we change the name of the profession, we will sentence our successors to eternal irrelevance…