GPS Technology; Benefits Outweigh the Invasion to Privacy

GPS technology is one of the many useful products to come from our military ingenuity. In addition to advancements in computer and signal technology, GPS equipment will only get better, more affordable and more useful over time. GPS has proven to be a vital instrument in disaster recovery and relief efforts in regards to global disasters such as the 2005 tsunami in the Indian Ocean and Hurricane Katrina. The future uses of GPS will only be limited by our imagination, and as long as we can think outside the box, GPS technology and applications will only improve. The only negative that may arise is the fear of GPS technology becoming personally intrusive but I believe that the benefits will be far greater than the invasion to privacy. A summary of those benefits may be read at the following link: http://www.gps.gov/applications/safety/index.html

Additionally, the link Dr. Edwards suggested for the GPS tutorial, http://www.trimble.com/gps/index.shtml , was very informative. I also found the following links to be very helpful, http://www.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm & http://www.profsurv.com/newpsm/archive.php?issue=85&article=1191


I am all for technological advancements and GPS and its uses is in that category, therefore I will not fear any personal intrusion and will welcome the future of GPS modernization.

GIS/GPS for Utilities

This is basically a summary of how GPS is used to locate assests (valves, pipes, manholes, etc...) in water/wastewater utility

GIS/GPS Used in Utilities
— Local utilities have incorporated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for databases, map viewing and modeling.
— The GIS aids in asset management, business development and emergency management

Uses by Water/Wastewater Utilities
— Asset Management - Knowing of location of infrastructure located throughout the city
— Water and sewer lines
— Water valves and hydrants
— Sewer manholes
— Water treatment facilities and wells
— Wastewater reclamation facilities
— Using GPS tools to locate assets creates the GIS databases for maps. These maps are then used in daily operations for maintaining the water and wastewater infrastructure

GPS and Business
— In water utilities knowing the exact location is critical for daily operations and emergencies
— For customers to have water services they must connect to existing water and sewer mains. GPS data lets utility workers and contractors know where to dig without disruption to services or damage to existing piping

Emergency Management
— When water lines or sewer lines suddenly break utility workers must respond immediately to restore service.
— Having valves, pipes and manholes properly GPS saves time and money for efficient repairs.
— Having the exact location of the utility infrastructure verified with GPS and stored in a GIS database creates a utility well managed for daily operations and emergency response

How to Post a Blog

Yikes! How do you post to a blog?

Well, you must first be recognized as a contributor to the blog. If you've completed all of the necessary steps, your name will be listed under contributors on the left-hand side of the blog.

After you do the next part once or twice, posting to a blog will become very easy. It looks more complicated than it is when you read the instructions below.

If you want to create a new post, you click on "New Post". You can do this in either the intial window that opens when you log in, or in the blog, which you can access via "View Blog".

In the blog window, click on "New Post" in the upper right hand corner.

Then click the "Posting" tab.

Click the "Create" button.

You will be in the "Compose" window.

Add a title. Type in your text. Click the "Add Image" button (looks like a mountain with a tree and blue sky) and follow instructions to add an image. To add the image, you browse to your image file and select it, choose whether you'd like the blog image to be on the left, middle or right, accept terms of service, and then click "Upload Image".You can do something similar if you wish with video.

Once you're done, click the "Publish Post" button.

You can then click on "View Blog" in the new window to see your new posting. You will be taken to the blog.Your new posting will appear separately from my old posting and from all others'.

If you wish to edit or modify your post, you can click back on "New Posting" in the upper right hand corner, and then click on "Edit Posts" in the new window that appears. You will be taken to a window where you can view, edit or delete your post. If you choose edit, then you get to edit your post and republish it.

- Dr. Edwards