Do you know what a total station is? How about Lidar or photogrammetry?
If you do, then you probably should have a subscription to Point of Beginning (POB).
Point of Beginning (POB) is a useful magazine for any professional in the business of or involved in surveying and GIS.
Published 12 times a year and available for free to professionals, POB averages about 80 to 90 pages per issue. Topics discussed often include stories on the use and implementation of new technologies, challenging jobs and new products.
The Basics
Each issue of POB is broken into two general sections. I say general because the format of the magazine is much more “freeform” than most magazines. There is no specific “feature,” section or other design elements like many magazines. Not that it really matters though, the information you need is all right there.
So in an issue of POB you will find several major articles, including the various cover stories. These features also include columns by various geospatial/GIS professionals going over various topics in the GIS world. The articles are all well written and easily understandable (more so if you are familiar with the topics). In general, most of the writing in POB is geared towards a general audience who has an interest in geospatial/GIS technologies and methods. I’m not GIS man, but I do have a working knowledge of it and have no problem following along in the magazine.
Besides the features, there is also a Departments section that includes a column from the editor, a letters to the editor section, a quick overview of new and notable products and services, news about key players in the business, a collection of classified ads, and index to all the advertisers in POB, and a surveying puzzle at the very end of each issue.
POB also offers a website (www.pobonline.com) where articles from the current issue are posted, subscriptions can be obtained, and more current news and updates can be found. POB also offers an electronic “magazine” that is emailed out once a week with updates, news and discussions. You can sign up for the email magazine at the website.
To obtain a free subscription to POB you must be a professional who is involved in some for with surveying and/or GIS. I first got a subscription when I was working in Maine and was quite involved with the implementation of a new GIS system. Here in Massachusetts, I’m not quite as involved with GIS and surveying, but it helps to stay up-to-date with what is going on and I have maintained my subscription. My guess is that it isn’t very hard to get the free subscription.
Do I Need It?
POB is a good resource for everyone involved in surveying and GIS technologies. Because it is written with the average reader in mind, both beginners and seasoned veterans will be able to follow stories and articles and neither will finish POB feeling left out or lost.
Plus POB is free – and it is always nice to get something enjoyable to read in your in-box at work instead of more things to do.
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