Land Surveyor Blogs

I. Introduction: The Timeless Importance of the Compass in Surveying

Overview of the Compass

The compass, with its simple yet profound mechanism, stands as one of the most pivotal instruments in the history of navigation and surveying. For centuries, this device has been indispensable to explorers, sailors, military commanders, and land surveyors alike. Its core function—indicating direction based on the Earth's magnetic field—has not only facilitated seafaring adventures but also played a criti

The Alidade: A Comprehensive History, Its Impact, and Its Role in Modern and Future Land Surveying

I. Introduction

The alidade stands as one of the most enduring and significant tools in the history of land surveying, embodying a legacy that stretches back to some of the earliest civilizations known to humanity. Its roots can be traced to the ancient world, where it was employed as a fundamental device for determining directions and angles, a critical function in an era when the accurate chartin

I. Green Surveying - Bridging Bioengineering with Ecological Sensitivity

Overview of Green Surveying

"Green Surveying" represents a transformative approach within the field of land surveying, where traditional methods are reimagined through the lens of ecological sensitivity and sustainability. As the environmental impact of human activities becomes increasingly evident, the need to integrate sustainable practices into every aspect of development and land management has never been more urgent. G

Tachymeter: A Vital Tool in Land Surveying

Land surveying is a critical profession that has played a significant role in the development of human civilization. One of the essential tools that have been instrumental in advancing the field of surveying is the tachymeter. A tachymeter, also known as a tacheometer, is a surveying instrument used to measure horizontal and vertical distances with high precision. This device has a rich history and has significantly impacted the surveying profession. In

The Transformation of Surveying Training Through Virtual Reality

Introduction

Virtual Reality (VR) is transforming professional training across various fields, and surveying is no exception. Traditionally, surveying has relied heavily on hands-on fieldwork and extensive technical knowledge, requiring both classroom-based theoretical learning and practical, on-site training. While effective, this approach has several limitations, such as dependency on weather conditions, the availability of suita

The First Ascent of Denali: A Surveying and Mapping Perspective

On June 7, 1913, Hudson Stuck, an Alaskan missionary and seasoned amateur mountaineer, etched his name into the annals of exploration history by leading the first successful expedition to the summit of Denali. At an imposing height of 20,320 feet, Denali—also known historically as Mount McKinley—reigns as the highest peak in North America. This landmark achievement transcended the mere physical and logistical challenges it posed; it

Building the Brooklyn Bridge: Bridging Cities and Innovating Surveying Practices

On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge gracefully arched over the East River to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn, forever transforming the urban landscape of New York City. Celebrated as an engineering marvel, the Brooklyn Bridge stood as the largest suspension bridge of its era. It not only connected two bustling boroughs but also symbolized the union of traditional craftsmanship and emergent technologies of the late 1

John Adams Relocates Federal Government to Washington 

On May 15, 1800, President John Adams issued a significant directive that would forever alter the landscape of American governance—ordering the federal government to relocate from its provisional capital in Philadelphia to the newly established seat of power in Washington, D.C. This move was much more than a mere logistical shift; it was a monumental undertaking that would require meticulous planning, unprecedented coordination, and a deep

International Land Surveyors Week 2018 (June 17-23) is for Land Surveyors in any country on earth to celebrate the value of professional land surveyors in society.

This is our 4th year celebrating the surveying profession worldwide on this week and it is slowly changing the industry into a more open and connected situation for surveyors all around the world. Just ask yourself a couple of questions.  Have you recently noticed all of the surveying magazines and forum websites pushing the idea

As a global community with absolutely no budget, we have created quite a few milestones this year and that is all because of you and your undying commitment to your industry!  But don't take my word for it...check out our annual report!

A short video about our 2017 year together

2017 SURVEYOR COMMUNITY ANNUAL REPORT

This year we grew by over 3500 members, now well over 13,000 surveyors worldwide

Our Facebook page grew by over 6000 followers- now with over 47,000 followers!

Every single month

Land Surveying is Timeless:

Shared Experience is Education for those new to the field. There are no shortages on complaints around the internet about newbies relying too much on tech. However, the veteran land surveyors are just now- for the first time in history- sharing and documenting their expertise from the field. Students and new surveyors simply have never been exposed to the methods and approaches to land surveying rooted in history. If you think you have nothing to contribute, consider

I've been thinking a lot lately about sharing a story here on Land Surveyors United so that other land surveyors may learn more from me, because I realize that I have something to share.  I imagine that many of you might be in the same place with this.  Perhaps we have not yet begun to feel the crunch that will be involved when there becomes a scare and our industry is compromised due to fading into other technologies.  So today, I am going to make an attempt by writing a story about writing a s

Happy International Surveyors Week 2012

When I started building Land Surveyors United back in 2007, I never imagined that this project could become so enlightening. Every single day that I wake up on this earth, I am greeted by passionate and driven land surveyors from virtually every location on earth, sharing their experiences and finding solutions to their problems on the network.  Together with RLS Scott Warner of Wisconsin, a set of dedicated calendar days have been determined which will fo

Basic Tool Mason Plum Bob

Zero Error Tool

It is truth that books were written from experiential but no one can do any thing by book, because fun is knowledge based and shifted from a practical person to others followers.

About 25 years ago a mason question me that what is man made thing which has no error, I went to think about man made machines daily used equipment, tools etc and guessed many things, he reject all my pointed tools, then I tired and let him to tell me, he did not replied only sho

S t r i p p e r :  C o n f e s s i o n s  o f  a  L a n d  S u r v e y o r
B y  P e a n  C h e n e y i n g  P L S

(Originally published in Gulf Coast Surveyor, September 2011 under the column "Chain!")

PART 3

STRIP SEARCH

Jack called us wanting a Standard Land Survey on 2 parcels that had been cut out of a large lot in an old recorded subdivision. He would only say that he needed the survey for a possible transaction on the properties in the future and that there was no Title Insurance Company involv

The Ally Oop

By Pean Cheneying, PLS

I received a phone call from Mr. Smith about a problem he was having with his neighbor Mr. Jones. They were in a boundary dispute over the location of a fence recently constructed by Mr. Jones. I warned him that if he hired me my opinion may not be in his favor. Mr. Smith signed the proposal so we began work on the project.

The project was in an area that I was very familiar with near the medical and museum district in the heart of the large city where I practi

When We Are All Dead...will Surveying be with us?

When we are all long gone from this earthly plain, there will still be droves of ambitious new surveyors entering the industry, many without even the slightest clue about the origin of ideas, reasoning behind practice or history of method. Those surveyors will most likely find themselves Googling their questions and concerns only to find your brilliant solution on our network, having been answered years before by some dead guy who really knew wha

I Am Going To Tell You How to Future-Proof Your Surveying Business
If you have, you are among the whopping 3% of business owners in the world who has claimed their business on the Google maps and in Google Local Search. Just run a quick search for Land Surveyors in your local area and see where you fall in the search results. If you haven't yet claimed your business you will be missing out on a LOT of business over the next 24 months. I want to help you out with making this claim if you haven't y