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Power Line Systems January 2007 Newsletter

In this issue:

1. Year In Review
2. 2007 User Group Meeting
3. Upcoming Classes
4. Web Site Additions and Revisions
5. Current Versions

Year In Review

In 2006, we released version 8 featuring Google Earth export and a new structure data editor. The Google Earth export provides unprecedented visualization capabilities and the structure data editor introduces the much anticipated phase independent insulator properties. In 2007, we plan to continue balancing new features with improvements to commands that you have used for years.

Version 8.10, released coincident with this newsletter, is a good example of balancing the new with attention to the old. New features include a NESC 2007 loading option in PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE and TOWER. All of our applications now run on Windows Vista and we now support this new platform. Some of the improvements to existing commands include a friendlier Terrain/Coordinate System dialog and the addition of graphical output options to the Terrain/Clearances functions. Our work is largely guided by your suggestions, so please let us know what you like and what you would like improved. A great opportunity to do this will be the 2007 User Group meeting.

Our software continues to be the worldwide industry standard in line design tools with 111 new clients in 44 countries adopting them in 2006 alone. We'd like to thank these new clients as well as all of you who have been with us for years for making 2006 another excellent year. We look forward to continuing to work with you in the New Year to make the worlds best transmission line design software.

2007 User Group Meeting

The 2007 User Group meeting will be held on April 17th and 18th. San Diego Gas & Electric Company has graciously agreed to host this meeting in their offices in San Diego. Anyone who would like to present a project or technique to the group is encouraged to contact Otto Lynch with your topic or idea.

Classes

• Design of Transmission Line Structures and Foundations January 15-19, 2007 in Orlando, Florida (Check availability)
• Computerized Transmission Line Design: PLS-CADD Hands-On Training January 22-26, 2007 in Orlando, Florida (Check availability)
• Design of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD February 12-16, 2007 in Springfield, Missouri (Space still available)
• Design of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD, March 26-30, 2007 in Madison, Wisconsin (Space still available)
• Design of Transmission Line Structures and Foundations October 8-12, 2007 in Madison, Wisconsin (Check availability)

Web Site Revisions and Additions

• The January 2007 edition of the TOWER manual can be downloaded using the Help/Check for Updated Manual command in TOWER.
• The January 2007 edition of the PLS-POLE manual can be downloaded using the Help/Check for Updated Manual command in PLS-POLE.
• The January 2007 edition of the PLS-CADD manual can be downloaded using the Help/Check for Updated Manual command in PLS-CADD.
• Technical note: PLS-CADD Google Earth Integration Tips
• Technical note: Running PLS Software on Windows Vista.
• PLS-CADD criteria files for the 2007 NESC are now available in the Online Library.

Current Versions

The current shipping versions of our software are listed below. These versions are the first to feature support for Windows Vista and the last that will run on Windows NT 4, 98 and ME.

We strongly encourage you to upgrade to the current release of all the applications you own. To do so please send us email at upgrade@powline.com or use the Help/Download Upgrade command. This would also be a good time to use the Help/Check for Updated Manual command to make sure you have the latest version of the manuals. As always, we welcome your suggestions and comments on our software.

We wish you all the best in the new year.

Staff of Power Line Systems, Inc.