Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more

Subject: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 07:33 PM

I assume some have heard of this, and even if you haven't, you may have seen news programs beginning to use it to show hurricane images and tracks, etc.

go here for a tour and explanation

This, I regret to say, requires a broadband connection to really be useful, but it is beyond astounding what they are able to do. Besides things like images of Katrina and its aftermath, it can show streets in most populated areas in the US, Canada and the UK, and in the US it can show 3D images and tilt to show buildings from differen angles.

Also, it will allow looking up directions, like Mapquest and Google Maps, but if you wish, you can push a VCR-like button and the directions page will FLY you along the route noted in the directions!!!

I submitted my address in Maryland and my old address in Kansas, and watched the scenery zoom by at something like 200 MPH at 1000 ft elevation! I guess I could have watched the movie for several hours...but....

I post this because, IF you are doing something like trying to find the Getaway for the first time, you can get a feel for exactly what the route involves...or if you are just trying to find your way in a strange town.

(I have not tried it for UK addresses, but it says it works for a lot of it)

This technology was bought by Google from a company called "Keyhole", and there are still forums where people post links to
interesting satellite photos from all over the world and discuss, and play 'guess what' games..etc...etc.

This is one example of technology being used for really practical purposes, and I'm glad I lived long enough to see it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 07:38 PM

note...this is software you download to YOUR computer and it then downloads the images and data you ask for. Those images on the Katrina page require you to have the software to view it...but IF you do, it loads the program and takes you right to the selected spot.

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Snuffy
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 07:41 PM

The Google maps site seems to have mapping for USA and much of Canada; UK and major towns in Ireland; and Japan (in Japanese characters!).

But the hi-def aerial photos cover many other places like Hong Kong, Sydney, Moscow etc.

Go look

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 07:45 PM

I have not flown a lot in airplanes..maybe 15-18 trips, but I always loved seeing the world from above and getting a perspective on what it was really like. This allows me to go from a view of the entire Earth, to being able to identify the cars in my driveway beside my house! You can enter longiture & latitude or addresses...or just a city.

In a pay version, you can import GPS readings and such tricks...

I wonder what it will all be in 10 years!

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: mack/misophist
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 08:33 PM

To judge from the related news stories, they use standard satellite photography. Some are quite unhappy about it. South Korea, for example. And the chairman of Google has blacklisted CNET for showing people his house.

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 08:45 PM

Try Google Moon as well - including the extreme close-up...

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 10:16 PM

yes...I love the detail! It links science with tradition!@

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 11:38 PM

I don't care HOW trendy the technology is-- you can't Google MY moon! The details are all secret!

~S~

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Sep 05 - 03:13 PM

...*grin*...but neither can you moon Google

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 05 - 03:19 PM

I can too if I wanna! So can you-- OK, let's synchronize asses and give 'em a good waggle.... see if the satellite photo turns up.

I know, have a mass-mooning at the Getaway on one of the warm, sunny afternoons, and then go look and see it it make G.E.

~S~

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 05 - 03:21 PM

... and if "intelligent life" is watching Earth from outer space, let them meet our humor FIRST-- not the people we've elected as representatives of our minds!

"Take me to your Comedian."

~S~

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Sep 05 - 03:38 PM

so...you gonna moon Google, or moon the moon? I don't think backing up to yer PC will get a lot of attention from satellites...*grin*...and if you intend to just aim skyward, 'cept for the fancy military satellites, I don't think resolution is up to the challenge! (well, not to MY skinny butt anyway!)

I guess we could get a critical 'mass', so's to speak, of butts, and be visible to those aliens, but not knowing THEIR sense of humor, it might get us 'interesting' results!

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Sep 05 - 06:59 PM

There's also http://virtualearth.msn.com/, but I think I like Google Earth better.
-J

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Sep 05 - 07:15 PM

well, I can't get MSN's site to do ANYTHING...maybe they have some sort of cookie or javascript. Or maybe they won't talk to Opera browser! Google Earth does it all .

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 01:08 PM

Anyone know how to get better resolution with the zoom in function. Everything looks great until I go for close-ups and then it's all fuzz. Do I need to pay the $20 to upgrade to Plus?

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 03:51 PM

Supposedly, you can SEE all areas the same in all versions, but pay versions have higher resolution printing options.
Some areas just have not had high-res photos taken yet. You'll notice the color change as you move from a high-res urban area to a countryside where cows are not worth imaging. There is gradual upgrading as time passes.
My house shows fine, but many more rural areas are not considered high priority....and certain potential military targets are pretty well blanked out. My father's hometown of Lost Springs, Kansas, is several levels less detailed than my house in a DC suburb.


There are also a few places which have managed to get their sites declared 'sensitive' and not available to good resolution.

Subject: RE: Tech: Google Earth- amazing maps, photos, more
From: Rumncoke
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 04:22 PM

The red dot for Upper Parkstone is just by my back door - at least it must have been when they took the picture.

If you look at the South of England, find the diamond shaped Isle of Wight, then look just to the north of the circular harbour - that is Poole harbour, and you should find Poole town, then Parkstone, then Upper Parkstone.

You can see the apple trees and the aviary in the garden, the conservatory - really rather weird.

I can look at the houses of my relatives except for those in York, which I supose is not photographed in detail yet.