Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

It seems like every other year or so when a radical new form of flu breaks onto the international scene. Scientists and health experts the world over have to divide their time evenly between developing an applicable vaccine for the disease and simply tracking the bug’s spread. Thankfully, this latter activity is made much easier with GPS tracking devices.

This year, the need for tracking technology might not be as great. Admittedly, pigs carrying swine flu don’t travel all that fast. However, flocks of birds carrying the H5N1 strain across Asia still represent a great threat, and understanding where and when these animals travel is vital to predicting and preventing the spread of the next great flu pandemic. Small GPS tracking devices are therefore placed on birds such as Mongolian whooper swans. The trackers are held in place by a small harness designed to fray and deteriorate after a couple years, saving zoologists the trouble of re-catching the bird and freeing it from its tiny burden.

Weather satellites then track the birds and their respective flocks wherever they go, feeding data to scientists tasked with understanding how these dangerous diseases spread. That data is used to note common migratory patterns, as well as deviations in movement that are particular to flocks infected with a specific strain of flu. Health officials are warned of danger zones, and further human exposure is averted.

Thankfully, when carefully managed and humanely applied, GPS tracking devices can make a huge impact on the health environment of the world today.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to inquire about writing services

Using a Tracking Key to track a vacation has always been an interest of mine just to see how it works.  With the Tracking Key obtained from Rocking Mountain Tracking, I was able to go on a 1300 plus mile vacation and then view the results of the trip once I arrived back home.

GPS Tracking Key by Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc.

What I liked about the Tracking Key

The unit is very small and unobtrusive.  It fits nicely in the palm of your hand.  Using the instructions that came with the device, I placed it in an inconspicuous place right inside of the vehicle.  Actually, I wanted to challenge the unit to communicate with the satellite to which it reports, so I placed it on the center console of my rental car just to see what happened.  The good news is that it worked like a charm.  There were few signal interruptions (if any) and the device remained in a visual location so that I would not forget to remove it upon my return.

The software was easy to load and use.  I installed it according to the included instructions and the CD.  Once I restarted my PC, the software came up and when I inserted the Tracking Key via USB port, it recognized the device instantly.  I made a test drive around town (about 12 miles or so) and then brought back the device to download into my PC.  It took only a few minutes for the data to be downloaded, deleted from the Tracking Key, and then viewed via Google Earth mapping software.  Once I left on my trip, I made sure the unit had two fresh AAA batteries.

After I returned I downloaded my trip and viewed the results.  I like the fact that it showed my stops along the way and the time of day that it recorded those stops.  The visual lines on the map that tracked my progress were realistic and accurate.  It also showed my maximum speed of 76.3 MPH during the trip and marked the location on the map where it occurred.

What I did not like about the Tracking Key

This is a passive GPS Tracking device, which means that real-time in-progress tracking is not possible.  But, that is not a defect, just a feature that it does not possess.  Even if it did have that feature, it would not have aided my trip, but it would have been a nice security feature in case something happened.

All-in-all the Tracking Key is a solid device that delivers great details and can provide one with a realistic view of a trip or tracking of a normal routine with a vehicle (or any other device to which it is attached).

The Tracking Key also has a place in the monitoring of persons of interest in order to verify actions and activities.  The ability to see stops and speed monitoring can help parents make sure that their young driver is doing what they are supposed to be doing.  And that can provide real peace-of-mind.

By Greg Bartlett

GPS trackers can sometimes recover the most precious of things. On the night of Sunday, August 16th, Hahn-Bin Yoo was riding in the backseat of a cab on its way into New York. The 22-year-old South Korean-born violinist was exhausted after spending the weekend in the Hamptons and practicing at a local theatre. Next to him on the seat was a $500,000 violin built by the 19th century master Pressenda, whose surviving instruments are considered history as well as art. The violin was borrowed, so when Yoo realized later that he had left it behind in the taxi, he was more than a little upset.

Fortunately, the Taxi and Limousine Commission of New York recently installed GPS trackers on their fleet of vehicles, which allowed them to identify which cab had taken the route Yoo said he traveled the previous evening. The driver, Dalbir Singh, was more than happy to return the violin, which was still in the backseat where Yoo left it.

GPS trackers are increasingly finding their way into taxis as companies realize the benefits of the technology. Recovering lost items is a plus, but fleet tracking systems also provide a way for management to ensure drivers are keeping to their assigned areas and taking the best routes for their passengers. Drivers can also look back at tracking data and see which streets gave them the most business. The information improves the company’s efficiency and identifies ways to better serve its customers.

In this case, instrument and artist were reunited, thanks to a little footwork and a conveniently placed GPS tracker. Yoo was certainly grateful. The New York Daily News quoted him as saying, “It is like recovering a lost baby.” Maybe next time he’ll keep the instrument in a kiddie carrier.

By Greg Bartlett

Uh-huh, that’s your kid behind the wheel, and he’s pulling away without you in the car with him. Now, now, don’t have a heart attack. Sure, he still seems like your baby – wasn’t it just yesterday you brought him home from the hospital? – but he doesn’t feel that way. And the driver’s license in his pocket says he can legally drive on his own now. While you were still riding with him, it was easy enough to pretend this wasn’t going to happen, but now you have to face reality. Your son is driving by himself.

But what about all the dangers out there? Will he speed while he’s getting lost in his music? What if he gets distracted with his iPod and swerves across the lanes? And what will this newfound freedom mean for him? Will he get to school and work on time, or will he go someplace else instead? What if he starts driving to areas and visiting friends you don’t approve of? Since you’re not there with him anymore, you don’t know what he’s doing.

Actually, you can know. All it takes is a GPS tracking device. Put it in his car, and you’ll be able to monitor his activities while he drives. The GPS tracking device will inform you when he reaches school or work, and will even let you see his speed and the stops he makes. If you see erratic driving behavior, you can call him or at least confront him when he reaches home, reminding him not to play with his iPod while driving.

A GPS tracking device will also allow you to see if your son really is going where he said he was. When you check the stops he made, you’ll be able to determine how long he was at each stop, so you can see if he was at work the whole time like he claimed, or if he went to his friend’s house for a couple hours instead. You can even be alerted if he’s driving after set hours or outside of predetermined boundaries.

Your son’s new driver’s license, giving him the privilege of driving by himself, doesn’t have to give you a heart attack. You can focus instead on how it will help you – you won’t have to drive him wherever he needs to go, and he can even run errands for you. A GPS tracking device will help you move your son towards safe driving.

By Greg Bartlett

Terrorism still has its hold in places throughout the world – but people desiring justice and freedom to prevail are fighting back. In 2008 alone, Maoist terrorists in India murdered 74 law enforcement officials and 22 civilians. A computer expert in India has proposed a plan – using GPS technology – that would enable the law enforcement of India to protect their personnel knowledgeably.

The United States developed its Global Position System (GPS) during World War II and has made access to this radio navigation system available to the public since the 1980’s. Satellites in this only fully-functional global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communicate with GPS receivers to record the navigational coordinates of the GPS receivers at any given time. This technology has been used by many different professionals in many different fields, including medicine, military, agriculture, transportation, law enforcement, and sports. By implementing this system among their personnel, the Indian police may be able to save many lives.

The above-mentioned computer expert in India has proposed the use of GPS tracking in locating an Indian law enforcement agent at any given time. Should a police officer be kidnapped by terrorists, such as the Maoist terrorists, using this system the Indian police officials could locate their kidnapped personnel and work quicker and more accurately than ever before to recover their officer. By attaching a GPS tracking device to each of their police officers, Indian officials could carefully monitor their law enforcement officers and help ensure their safety.

By Greg Bartlett

Your children have been excited about this for months, and if you’re honest with yourself, you have been, too. Today you’re bringing home your new Samoyed puppy. She’s fluffy, white, cute, and excited about being a member of your family. Now that you’ve finally got her in your arms, you know this is going to be the perfect dog for you.

After hours of playing with her and showing your puppy her new yard and toys, you finally go inside to eat your supper. Your kids are eager to go back outside to play with her some more, and when you finally let them, they come running back inside moments later, crying that the puppy isn’t there.

Your Samoyed puppy was expensive, so you definitely don’t want to lose her. Besides, you’ve already fallen in love. Thankfully, there is an easy way to find her. When you brought her home, you took the precaution of putting her collar on – and on the collar, there’s a GPS device.

The GPS device will allow you to pinpoint your puppy’s exact location. You didn’t have time to set it up today, but you’ll be able to create a geo-fence, and if your puppy wanders outside that boundary again, you’ll be instantly alerted with a phone call or text message. Right now, though, all you have to do is go to the computer and check to see where your puppy went. The GPS device is informing you that she’s in the area of the nearby creek, and since you can also monitor her speed, you can tell it looks like she’s there on her own – not stolen.

If someone does come along and spots your expensive puppy and doesn’t want to give her back, well, you’ll at least be informed. The collar is lockable and if it’s removed without using the key, you’ll receive an alert. You can then call police immediately with your puppy’s last location. Right now, though, that’s not necessary. All you have to do is head out to the creek and retrieve your exploring Samoyed.

Your GPS device will help you keep track of your puppy while she grows. Even if she never loses her curiosity and desire to explore, you’ll always be able to find out where she is. Your lovable new family member can continue to play and enjoy your family instead of getting lost and then stolen, injured, or even killed.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to inquire about writing services

Negative messages are all around us that tell us that we can no longer be successful in business because there are too many regulations and poor economic conditions.  It is only true if you believe it.  There are still many reasons to be in business today.  And we enumerate some of those for you here.

Free Enterprise is Strong

This is the absolute best time to be in business because the opportunities to excel have never been more open across the board.  Some may complain about perceived inequities, but the bottom line is that more people have more chances to start and succeed now than at any time before.  These opportunities have arisen because of the global connectedness of people and businesses through the Internet.  The world is at your fingertips and your ideas and products can be marketed and sold like never before around the world.

Negativity Fails

The only time that negativity succeeds is when you give it a foothold in your life.  Do not misunderstand:  realistic outlooks are right and proper, but being negative for negativity’s sake is not a way to build a business.  There are those who never allow the negative to push them down and they are the ones who find opportunities among the naysayers.

Opportunities Abound

Even in slower economic times, opportunities are all around us.  If it means having to wait until things turn and begin to move ahead, there are those who get in now, and will ride a wave to success when things do begin to surge ahead.  They will be at the front of the wave enjoying a ride to success.

Good Examples are All Around

If you look hard enough in your community, you can and will find businesses that are making it in spite of the odds.  Businesses like this are easy to emulate and owners are quick to share their experiences if you ask.  Among such examples are auction businesses that are skyrocketing in success due to businesses that are failing.  These auction businesses make available very expensive assets to other businesses that need to acquire them at a low cost.

You Can Protect Against the Bad

You should take action to protect your business and assets to make sure that you do not become a victim of theft (for example) which can have serious consequences for your business.  Outfitting your most expensive assets with GPS tracking devices can help you recover them should they become stolen.  You can provide location information to the local police who would much rather recover them instantly instead of having just another open case of theft lying in a manila folder on an investigator’s desk.

Look to the good that is out there for your business and opportunities that exist for making money right now.  Capitalize on them and you will be glad you did

By Greg Bartlett

These days there are so many expensive little gadgets. Between your phone, laptop, pocket PC, music player, or whatever other device you carry, you have a lot of expensive items. And some of them attract others who are also interested in their cost – only they don’t want to pay you for them in the first place.

Some people unwisely leave valuables, such as phones, music players, or laptops, in their cars while they shop or eat at a restaurant. And sometimes the people come back to find their possessions stolen. Unfortunately, many of these items are never recovered, but with GPS tracking, you may be able to get your stolen items back.

GPS monitoring permits you to locate and observe any item you choose to track. If you want to find out where your car has been, how fast it’s been going, and what stops have been made, a GPS unit will keep track of all that information for you. If you want to track your hunting dog while he is running free on the farm, you can make sure you know if he leaves the geo-fence you set up.

But some other objects, such as your expensive electronics, can also be tracked with GPS. Burglars, attempting to steal furniture and TVs from homes, have been caught because the items were equipped with GPS tracking and the owners were alerted the moment their possessions had been moved. The owners then called police, who were able to track the stolen merchandise and arrest the burglars. Boats and cars have also been recovered because of GPS units alerting owners to suspicious behavior.

What about that laptop? Sure, you can track that, too. GPS monitoring can be used in and with all sorts of electronics, as some Massachusetts individuals could happily attest to when their electronics were stolen from their car and recovered because of GPS device. In Illinois, GPS tracking led police to the location of some thieves, allowing the police to recover around $4,000 worth of equipment stolen from cars.

No matter what it is you want to monitor, GPS tracking will enable you to locate and follow any piece of equipment you own. Whether you just want to just locate your car or to ensure that you’re alerted the moment your belongings are moved – signaling a possible burglary – or whether you want to make sure that you will be able to recover any stolen property, GPS will help you keep track of your belongings.

By Greg Bartlett

Since the early 1990’s, the Virginia Aquarium has organized an annual dolphin count along Cape Henry and even into Chesapeake Bay. With 17 year’s worth of statistics pooled, the Virginia Aquarium is a good source from which to draw data on the numbers of dolphins that traffic north and south along the eastern coast of the United States. On August 1, 2009, volunteers met along these beaches in Virginia for this annual dolphin count – with lawn chairs and sun protection in tow. This year was unusual, however, for several reasons, but particularly because the Virginia Aquarium had set as a goal the calculating of the speed of dolphins. How could this be done? Could a volunteer do this even from land? With GPS tracking, the answer to both these questions is: yes!

GPS, which stands for the Global Positioning System, is the United States’ global navigational satellite system (GNSS) – the only system of its kind in full operation. GPS dates back to World War II and is operated by the United States Air Force. Since being released to public use in the 1980’s, GPS has become common-place for many people of the twenty-first century. The number of and variety of uses of GPS seem to only be as limited as the human imagination. GPS navigation and GPS tracking are both products of the U.S. Air Force’s Global Positioning System. Communications between satellites in GPS and GPS receivers allow the navigational coordinates of the GPS receivers to be calculated and logged 24/7. GPS tracking, in particular, monitors the “trail” made by any person, animal, or object – to which a GPS device is attached – to be tracked at any given period of time. How could such a system help in calculating the speed at which dolphins travel along the coast?

Volunteers were asked to help monitor the speed at which dolphins travel along the eastern coast of the United States by using GPS tracking units. A GPS tracking device was given to each volunteer involved with this aspect of the Virginia Aquarium’s 2009 annual dolphin count. Each volunteer was asked to then spot dolphins and choose one to follow by walking, in pace with the swimming dolphin, from the shoreline. Each time a volunteer witnessed the dolphin’s leaping from the water, the volunteers were to shoot a GPS position, while walking parallel with the dolphin on shore. Thus the longitudinal coordinates of the dolphin’s position could be accurately recorded over a brief period of time. The distance traveled could then be figured, and the speed could be calculated. Thanks to GPS tracking a difficult task was made simple!

By Greg Bartlett

The mayor of North Providence, Rhode Island is passing laws to incorporate GPS technology into the everyday life of their city. Mayor Lombardi began by placing GPS tracking systems on 14 public works vehicles. The small town is also using GPS tracking systems to make their dump trucks more efficient, decreasing the number of needed dump truck workers from 30 to 23.

Mayor Lombardi believes that this change will save the town money, in spite of the monthly service fee on each real time GPS tracking device. Using their new GPS tracking systems, the city of North Providence can increase their production and cut down on wasted time and vehicle misuse, all of which will save the town money.

Citizens of North Providence are not all on board with this change, however. Many believe that a switch to GPS tracking systems should be across the board for every city owned vehicle, including the mayor’s car and that of the city Chief of Police. Some of the citizens feel that all of the city officials and employees should be monitored if any of them are in order to have fairness across the board and to make sure that all city employees use their time and vehicles properly.

Regardless of how many vehicles are tracked, real time GPS tracking systems will point out any area of inefficiency and help city governments as well as businesses operate their vehicles in the most beneficial and cost effective way.