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Trimble's New Data Collector Streamlines Surveying Process

Trimble has introduced the TSCe(TM) Controller, the latest addition to the Trimble Toolbox(TM) of Integrated Surveying(TM) solutions. The TSCe is a powerful handheld data collector that uses sight, sound and touch to allow surveyors to conduct multiple tasks quickly and accurately. The TSCe Controller works in conjunction with Trimble GPS survey systems, Trimble Total Stations and other third-party Total Stations. The Controller runs most effectively using either the new Trimble Survey Controller(TM) version 10 or Tripod Data Systems' (TDS) Survey Pro software. This revolutionary, fully integrated solution enables surveyors to perform a variety of tasks simply by touching the screen. With its large graphic display and generous memory, surveyors can view survey data on a real-time map. Surveyors can also take existing mapping and design data into the field and view as a background map as they survey.

Visit : http://www.trimble.com/

GPS Tracking Devices Improve Air Traffic Safety

The U.S. Government has mandated the use of GPS as the navigational backbone for the U.S. Air Traffic Control System. Patents owned by Worldwide Notification Systems, Inc. (WNS) will support the development and deployment of this system. The first patented system allows aircraft to use a tactical display to identify forms of traffic and geographical objects that are in a pilot's path. This affects more than 14,000 commercial aircraft. A second patented system offers a new device that can be utilized in over 225,000 aircraft that eliminates the "search" portion of search & rescue missions. A third patented system supports the "Free Flight" program, which will allow aircraft to fly the shortest routes possible to their destinations, saving time and money.

Visit : www.wnsinc.com

Land Info and Pixxures Announce Strategic Alliance

Pixxures, Inc., the online destination for digital mapping products, and LAND INFO International, LLC, producer of the world's largest, commercial databank of digital geographic data, announced a strategic alliance to sell aerial photography, satellite imagery, vector layers, topographic maps, and other geospatial data through a co-branded online interface on www.landinfo.com and www.pixxures.com. The alliance matches LAND INFO's massive archive of digital geographic data from over 125 countries with Pixxures' state-of-the-art online delivery technology. The companies also plan to jointly develop new, value-added datasets, such as feature extraction and image processing. The benefits will directly impact geodata users in the civil engineering, telecommunications, U.S. federal and regional government, international government, environmental, agriculture, and other sectors.

Visit : www.landinfo.com and www.pixxures.com

Enhanced GPS device offers improved theft detection and tracking for stolen vehicles

Every year, the automobile insurance industry publishes new lists of the most-stolen motor vehicles. While newer technologies are available to thwart such thefts, none of them offers the level of sophistication of the Global Positioning System (GPS) based tracking and reporting apparatus patented by Worldwide Notification Systems, Inc. (WNS). The WNS system is so accurate that the vehicle's location is reported within three meters. The device's uniqueness lays in the flexibility it gives the central station to monitor and control certain aspects of the situation: Each vehicle with the device has a unique identifier signal, tracking and reporting begins automatically after a predetermined time, locations are reported to a central station, which then calls in the local law enforcement authorities charged with recovering the vehicle. The improved technology that enables these features is not available in existing alternatives. This device provides a highly efficient and cost-effective method of monitoring many devices simultaneously, enhancing the likelihood of recovery and minimizing the chances of damage. While this device is primarily intended to track stolen automobiles, the technology is easily adaptable to the tracking of other types of vehicles.

Visit : http://www.wnsinc.com

Trimble's GPS Timing Kit Now Available for Purchase Online

Trimble has announced that its Acutime(TM) 2000 Synchronization Kit can now be purchased online at trimblestore.com/timing. The Acutime 2000 Synchronization Kit is a high-performance, cost-effective reference time source that precisely synchronizes computers, servers and Internet applications using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. The Acutime 2000 Synchronization Kit is a plug-and-play solution that is easy to install and maintain. It can generate a pulse-per-second (PPS) synchronized to UTC within 50 nanoseconds (one sigma). It can also be used with network time protocol (NTP) and is ideal for synchronizing any time-dependent system or application.

Visit : http://www.trimble.com/timing

Asia News

Indonesia Satellite Association 'ASSI' Selects Platforms ARC System as National Standard

Platforms Wireless International Corporation,the developer of the revolutionary Airborne Relay Communications "ARC System" for wireless voice and data communications, has announced that The Indonesian Satellite Association ("Asosiasi Satelit Indonesia - ASSI"), has completed its feasibility studies for the selection of a High Altitude Platform System ("HAPS") as a national standard for Indonesia's Advanced Wireless Communications Program. ASSI recently announced and notified Platforms that it had selected and was recommending to its membership and to the Government of Indonesia, the Platforms ARC System as the HAPS platform of choice to provide national telecommunications and Internet services to the Republic of Indonesia, and as the strategic building block for the planned development of a Stratospheric High Altitude Platform System.

Visit: http://www.assi.or.id

5.1 earthquake rocks Kanto region-Japan

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 jolted the Kanto region centering on Tokyo early Friday, the Meteorological Agency said. There were no reports of any casualties.

The quake, which occurred at 6:02 a.m., measured 4 on the Japanese intensity scale to 7 in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, 3 in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, and 2 in Tokyo, the agency said.

The focus of the quake was about 60 km underground in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, the agency said.

According to East Japan Railway Co., the temblor caused delays on some train lines, affecting about 2,700 people.

The Japan Times: July 21, 2001

Fair on Information Technology in Guangdong

Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong province, is to host an international week on information technology (IT) and products next month.

The event, scheduled for August 27 to 30, will display Guangzhou's achievements in the past five years and the blueprint for the IT industry development over the next five year.

Forums and exhibitions will be staged during the fair, which is expected to attract hundreds of prominent figures from the IT circle, government officials, and experts.

So far, many leading companies such as China United Telecom have booked exhibition space in advance.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Thousands of Internet Cafes Closed in China

Some folks see it as a crackdown. However, the Chinese government wants folks to sees it as a massive clean-up effort.

Either way...thousands of Internet cafes across China either have been closed or ordered to do so, according to Xinhua, the government's official news service.

But, according to the Chinese government's official communique, state authorities are closing down the unlicensed cafe in an attempt to stem off tax evasion and prevent the proliferation of indescent material. Since they first appeared in the large metropolitan areas of China in 1997, Internet cafes have been sprouting up like mushrooms...in bookstores, clothing retailers or even the butcher shop.

However, unlicensed Internet cafes offer patrons lower-priced Web services by evading taxes mandated by the Ministry of Information Industry (MII), the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Culture, and the State Administration of Industry and Commerce. Those rules took effect in April.

Since April, the Chinese government has closed down 2,000 cafes. Another 6,000 have been order to shut down as part of a three-month examination. More than 56,800 Internet cafes or bars have now been inspected across the country during the three-month period.

Multicrore plan for computerisation of land records.

Jaipur, India. In an ambitious move the Rajasthan Government has planned the computerisation of land revenue records, across the state by 2002, after which their computerised copies will be supplied to the landholders and farmers at the tehsil level.

An expenditure of Rs. 16.2 crores is likely to be incurred on the implementation of the entire project. Computers have already been installed in 18 tehsils by June end during the current financial year, while sanctions for purchasing computers for another 140 tehsils has been given.

Official sources have said that the scheme was being implemented with 100 percent financial assistance provided by the Central Government.

Source: The Hindu, July 21.