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Article: A body of knowledge: defining profession of surveying is paramount to reversing inaccurate public perception.
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- Article date:
- April 1, 2008
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 BNP Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In February, two bills altering the licensing requirements for surveying in rural areas were introduced in the Alabama Legislature. In a news story on the bills, the following rationale was given: "PVC pipe made everyone a plumber. The wire welder made everybody a welder. GPS made everyone a surveyor." (1) This perception of the profession should be of great concern to the surveying community.
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As positioning technologies evolve and mapping capabilities become more prevalent due to GIS, the notion of "everyone can be a surveyor" could surface again and again. Some reasons for this perception is the lack of understanding of what a ...