Not an adequate answer
That the equipment manufacturers do not want their equipment primarily marketed to surveyors is not an adequate answer. Heck I don't want my services to cost less than $1000 an hour, but that is not a feasible plan. POB is primarily a surveying mag with some engineering readers. Look at their November 2009 qualified circulation: 41.4% surveyor, 11% CE, 25.2% both. That means the rest of the qualified: all GIS, Imagery, constuction and others only account for 7.1% of their subscriptions in the private sector (according to their website the private sector accounts for 84.7% of subscriptions). Considering those numbers, it is economic suicide to basically tell those readers that they have no input in what you are providing. They basically told us that if we did not like it we could look elsewhere. That is fine.
Read it and weep
Most of the surveying instrument manufacturers for decades have viewed surveyors as the cash cows for expansion into other fields, and surveyors have provided the cash.
You can believe that from me, an industry insider for many years, or just believe what you want. I'm not looking to start an ongoing controversy on the new board, but to point out some facts for thought when it comes down to making a choice. All of those here have made some kind of a choice.
If you don't see POB as trying to move their board and focus to the broader Geomatics industry, I don't know how you could miss it. It's a stated goal!
The 7.1% figure you state is correct of course, and as they see it, that is the PROBLEM from their sponsors' point of view. If you think that the instrument and software manufacturers are completely altruistic supporters of surveying, I would respectfully say that you can look at the new POB board and draw conclusions from that.
I am sure they are not altruistic
But I also think that before getting that 7.1% number up that telling that 60+% to take a hike is financial stupidity.
But to each his own. RPLS decided our opinions were irrelevant. That is life. I now think they are irrelevant.
altruistic?
Man, to early in the morning for fancy words, now my head hurts.
Good point, Carl
All the more that surveyors should be familiarizing themselves with their state's Surveying Practice Act, holding the line and working with their BORs and legislators.
Read it and weep
I hear ya CZ. In my opinion, any surveyor that needs or wants equipment or software, know exactly what they want and where to get it. Advertising drives POB, I predict that by this time next year POB will be called Geosomethingornother and will be strictly a GIS publication, which is alright by me. I used to enjoy the stories, but the last few years even those seem to reek of paid advertisement.
The people of our community is what made the board what it was. Not POB. The wealth of information that the archives hold is invaluable and I am inclined to think that is what the editor thinks is her trump card. One thing that I have noticed is that she can be real specific until it comes down to what we actually care about, then it is "its in the works..it's coming..oneday...yadayadayada". They are stringing it out purposely. Do not be surprised when their numbers come in waaaaaaay below their projections that something does not mysteriously happen where they can only be viewed through the old site, which will be read only and only accessible by signing in at the new site.
