As part of their work, surveyors, engineers and other disciplines use information published on data sheets published by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). However many have difficulty finding the information they want in these data sheets. In this course former NGS Chief Geodetic Surveyor Dave Doyle, explains the many types of data sheets. He goes through the entire sequence of information and provides many helpful tips so that this course can serve as the “secret decoder ring” for many. In addition, Dave discusses DSWORLD, an NGS program that all users can access to view control mark locations against a Google Earth backdrop, but to also participate in a crowd sourcing activity that NGS encourages, but which is not widely known, to update mark location information and to add photographs to aid future mark visitors. Copious example data sheets that are discussed in the course are part of the downloadable materials that come with this course.
Objectives
- How to find and get data sheet information, including how to search for those that best serve your needs.
- Understanding the data sheet format; correctly identifying the current information about it including coordinates or elevation; and knowing how to use the copious metadata that is provided so that you only use the information that is appropriate to your needs.
- Interpreting the various coordinates published to zero in on the correct values you need to use, and also knowing why the superseded information about a mark is published.
- Learning how to use mark descriptions and recovery information, and how you can use DSWORLD, an NGS downloadable program, to aid your ability to find the marks of interest to you and how, as a user, you can improve the description and recovery information that future users will find valuable.
