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I’m obsolete
Ironically I just threw a 10-yr old gnss set-up into the dumpster a couple of days ago because it became obsolete and is no longer supported and no longer works. Today the same gnss equipment manufacturer’s brochure showed up in the mail.
The disposable society way of thinking is just not for me anymore. Fortunately I’ve reached the end of my own useful term and can limit my surveying to the equipment on my shelf that doesn’t rely on manufacturers’ software lifespans.
Frustrating!
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6 Replies
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It is in everything. Tv’s washing machines and other appliances.
I enjoy technology but. The whole approach of its done throw it away is not a good design for sure. Unfortunately we are still going down the path of why fix it just toss it buy a new one. I think we will see more building of our own equipment again at some point. I know a few who have some prototypes built completely from scratch. Not pretty but functional. They just need software that a surveyor could use. They mostly go for accuracy .
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I hear you @clearcut . Hello surveyors. The GIS arena has, may I suggest, a much bigger lift to keep up with obsolescence in the hi precision side of things. Check this out.
Phone/Tablet with shelf life of 2, 3 years. Bluetooth receiver (must have augmentation in field. Post processing in office, not possible).
Middleware software, a requirement to pass NMEA across from bluetooth receiver into the mapping software on device.
Mock locations, on Android in some circumstances to be enabled for said software to engage with hi precision input.
The actual mapping software to store positions. Subscription or purchase.
Microsoft Authenticator installed for dual factor authentication for activating the mobile software.
Security software like MaaS360 or intunes on Android to log into phone/tablet.
Not done yet….
Construction of the published web layers in ArcGIS online, requiring login.
Internet for downloading data to device before the field (who has good internet in remote locations) to cache data. construction of tiles for background data if no cell in field.
Returning from the field, syncing data into published layers and editing in desktop software.
Man, we miss the “handheld” that a company would produce, with proprietery software without internet. Garmins anyone???
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We don’t use Tripods anmymore…we don’t even have to bubble up the GPS…our poles collapse and extend to the bottom to hit the ground instead of reaching upwards
I can’t remember the last time a crew used a 100′ tape
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I keep my skills up using my 300 ft steel tape on the farm. Lol. Of course chaining pins used as well because i am solo much of the time. I can’t deny that sometimes I just like the feel of pulling a tape and squaring something up. Possibly a art that will pass away with time. But a skill that is actually needed today that would help some have better understanding even if done as a check. So the magic of the dc button and store results could somewhat somehow be truly understood.
I have actually been told by survey managers that using a steel tape is not accurate. I just smile and laugh.
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I don’t agree. Our freezer failed after 40 years, and our Sears microwave is going strong at 43. Well, I did replace the light bulb, once. My Dell XP (which I love) is 13 and my Leica 1230 GPS is 17 (I have a brand new Dell waiting in the wings just in case). My survey work vehicle, a 2001 Camaro, is all scratched and banged up but runs great. Pure guess $1,000 a year in maintenance and replacement parts but still a heck of a lot cheaper than a new one, and I have no pride.
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The old freezers and such last way longer. My first freezer and fridge were given to me by my parents when i got married the first time. They we’re already 20 plus years old at the time. Both made it through 10 plus years of marriage and all the traveling while in the service. Had them both after for several years. Remarried and still had them. Came home after being gone for a week. Wife now coming into her last trimester to deliver our first together. Fridge had gone out All food lost. Called repair man. He comes out has no idea how to fix. Called another he was older and said he could fix very easily but might take a bit to find the parts as it was so old. Bought a new fridge put old one in garage. New fridge lasted two weeks under warranty lost all food they fix. One month later 3 days before the youngster hits the ground breaks again. They fix two months breaks again. Old fridge fixed put back in and lasted a year or two. Before another part broke. Bought another new one when we moved and it lasted 4 years before breaking. Freezer basically was still working but all the braces that held compressor and such underneath had give way rusted out. Used lid to clean fish for a while. Lol we had the old washing machine and dryer i have had from my parents since the 90’s up until 5 years ago. Ran fine just wore out. Now we buy the most simple machine we can no fancy buttons they seem to last. But not as many years as the old stuff. Sears was a good place to shop. I remember mom and dad checking scratch and dent for chest freezers and such. Of course we had several growing up for deer. Veggies that were not canned and beef. Fish. Of course milk jugs full of water for ice on hay days. To cool down watermelons for lunch and make homemade ice cream.
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