BS: Do you play with google earth maps?

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 02:55 PM

Yes all the time - especially when looking for houses

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Jul 17 - 06:32 AM

So - no world music then?

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 18 Jul 17 - 03:40 AM

I tried playing with Google Earth maps, but got on better with Bert Weedon's 'Play In A Day'.....

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Jul 17 - 10:52 PM

There are some other quite interesting maps in my bookmarks. I forget about them for a while, then someone re-shares, or I go looking and rediscover something of interest.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Jul 17 - 05:29 PM

If he's missing them, I believe we can offer him a zimmer (can't work out the history there - must have missed to return it but dad now has 2 after different problems), and some things to raise a bed (I replaced what they provided with castors that work out better) we are waiting to be picked up. Not convinced Jack is of the thuggish type at all but maybe a couple of objects to hurl there....

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Jul 17 - 04:50 PM

Jack you're not missing a pair of crutches are you?

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Newport Boy
Date: 17 Jul 17 - 11:00 AM

Robin - I doubt you will see any local paths. Google isn't doing this camera work itself. It's lending a Trekker camera to the National Trails and they intend to cover them all. Google then processes the results.

The camera weighs 25kg and is carried well above head level, making balance difficult. The Pembrokeshire trail (180 miles) took 28 days with two wardens sharing the work. The time includes days out because of bad weather.

Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 17 Jul 17 - 05:05 AM

Streetview only gets to about 3/4 mile from our house. If they do all the footpaths we should be visible as we are on the annual Rossendale Round the Hills walk. That's how we noticed the house when we were looking for one in the area.
Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 10:01 PM

Well Jack... I'd recognize her anywhere in the future by her leather handbag... ☺

I only once saw a Google car, and it was almost out of sight down a side street in Takoma Park MD.

They did manage to come down my street on a very pretty day in early May when flowers were in bloom... so screen captures of the area can be useful if I want to sell the place.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 07:33 PM

No idea. It came the day after a teenage girl died from a dud Ecstasy pill at a house party in the village, which also didn't seem to lead to anyone being convicted of anything, so maybe the two were related. The police here never tell the public how cases resolve and the press can't be bothered asking questions.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 07:27 PM

One way for fame I suppose! Stock photos, etc. I believe the BBC did have a run years ago of using the HEC (it used to press the pre painted steel into front panels for washing machines at Hotpoint, Bodelwyddan - when Hotpoint made things there - could make the offices shake when "on form") for industry stories but I'd imagine this place is local to Edinburgh.

Did the police solve it?

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 05:23 PM

Look at Main Street, Newtongrange, across from the intersection with Fourth Street, and that's my wife waiting at the bus stop between Newton Stores and Style Challenge.

She only realized she was there when an Edinburgh paper used that as a stock location shot for a bizarre crime story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-37689645

The crime actually happened way out of sight at the other end of the village - they could have got the right location with a few seconds' mousing.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 05:03 PM

No.
Pc is about 12years old and I think earth is too big for it?

I do use Google maps though for checking locations and junctions and journey times and public transport info.
And I use Google My Maps
https://www.google.com/maps/d/ lots, for holiday maps ... pinning cafes & pubs etc
And My Maps too for folk club info.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 03:58 PM

In the Faroes they have some people covering the area on foot and bicycle- - but they also have a google camera on one (or more?) sheep! There's a great facebook page featuring the islands (not the whale slaughter than goodness, just the picturesque villages and views)
Someone mentioned earlier about walkers / runners wearing a camera gear on their back to cover remote areas - that has definitely happened in Scotland, a guy was featured on the news doing it -- can't remember if it was an island or somewhere in Highlands- -

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 11:56 AM

Acme my post didn't take regarding Guatemala ancient archeology.
Your interest and knowledge is the kind I am looking for.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Newport Boy
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 06:02 AM

FWIW they are equipping ramblers with backpacks and sending them along public rights of way, mostly in scenic areas. Not that I have seen any evidence of their walkings yet.

Here you go - the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
PCP

Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 01:29 PM

There are some places... like an Italian seaside resort, or Hawaiian volcano... where they take a shoulder mounted camera and walk out to some spot where you can't drive. In one, we can see the 'guide' appearing in odd shots along the way. They also have tricycles and motorbikes.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Mr Red
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 01:20 PM

One time I was walking down a road when the Goggle car came past. As it approached I pointed at it. The driver must have seen me & re-traced his steps, because that road does not show me front or back.

FWIW they are equipping ramblers with backpacks and sending them along public rights of way, mostly in scenic areas. Not that I have seen any evidence of their walkings yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 01:11 PM

Brilliant Bill. I could drive walk round the corner and walk Bodysgallen woods tomorrow, either to catch a bus to LLandudo or say to come up Goedlodd way - I knew most of the paths. For me, some nostalgia there..

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 01:01 PM

messed up the HTML..
Ok... the little sign on the gate says "Skerryvore".

That's the best angle... the photo car only takes a pic every X number of seconds.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 12:58 PM

Your good at this Bill! It was an older gate in my time and not that grand (last I heard it as for sale, Skerrvore was up or £750k but we were a lot more primitive...) but you got it.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Senoufou
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 12:48 PM

Ha Bill, the 'very rural and odd byways' covers our last house. The road wasn't 'adopted' and our massive and ghastly Leylandii hedge meant the house itself wasn't visible from the lane anyway. The camera van for Google Street View stopped at the end of the lane in the 'adopted' road, so we remained a well-hidden secret.

That's why the chap with the aerial photo managed to sell me a copy of it. I expect the house is on Google Earth though. I'll have a look sometime.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 12:37 PM

Ok... the little sign on the gate

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 12:36 PM

Some of the things that look as roads on your map are/were when I lived there, just tracks, Bill and I wouldn't describe (in my time) the later part of what looks like Ffordd Pentre as more than a footpath. The map is a bit misleading in that way.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 12:22 PM

I am fortunate to have a fast, strong connection. I can look at almost any location that is not protected. The UK is very well covered, except for very rural and odd byways. I will use your notes and look at the various houses.
(That 'map' is just a screen capture from Google Earth... I can do the same from ground level for the major roads. In Bryn Pydew, they didn't drive very far off the main road.)

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 11:45 AM

(had not seen the map when I posted. Great find!)

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 11:20 AM

Yep Bill, I know of that thread but thanks. Hope I'm not boring you too much with this and I'd had a few to drink last night but... I think Skerryvore road starts at what called "the green", really only a triangle where a few roads join. By that way of thinking, Old Swan is the first house. Skerryvore Road joins Frith road at some point but in places like that, you know the house names more than road names. From Swan, if you found it, you would come to a sharp bend with a right hand turn that is a private/non maintained road and leads to Goedlodd woods. Skerryvore is just before there.

Anyway, not to worry, it's quite remarkable that someone in the US can just home in on Skerryvore Road without looking further.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 11:04 AM

Acme... get a job in military intelligence, and you'd be able to read books over people's shoulders. ☺

I also use GE to follow stories and history. I even found the pub where Sam Larner (old English folkie) sang many years ago.
I discovered that the house where my father was born (*1907)in Pitcairn, PA is still there and in use. I now have photos of it over 100 years apart.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 10:57 AM

Jon... I found this page where that area is being discussed, but the exact location of "Old Swan" and "Skerryvore House" evades me.
Here is the general area

Yes, perceived distances vary... it can take me as long to drive 20 miles in city traffic as I could do 100 miles once out of town.... depending on the time of day.

(Yep Donuel, I often wonder just how many photo vehicles Google has.)

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 10:31 AM

When interesting archaeology or history stories come my way I hop on Google Earth and take a look around. Many discoveries have been made by people who know what they're looking at from above and go out to the sites to poke around. I'd love to be able to get much closer to the ground that Google Earth allows, and people have made recommendations. Were those within Google Earth, or are they offerings from other companies?

I spent years working for the U.S. Forest Service and drew a lot of maps. There were many occasions when the work involved consulting aerial views of the land, so I've started this kind of armchair exploring decades earlier than Google was around.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: leeneia
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 10:19 AM

I do enjoy Google Earth and Google Maps.

To find my way somewhere
To look up towns mentioned in songs
To look at a house I'm considering buying
To study geology

Thanks, Donuel.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 10:35 PM

I drift further Bill but Skerryvore house had great views. You'll need the map but I think it was Penlithrig you would see from my parent's bedroom, certainly an outlook to Snowdonia. In the garden you could see from say the road to Penmaenmawr right across to the Great Orme in Llandudo.

Dropping down another road (Pydew is on a hill some parts 1 in 4), Esguryn, would (but I don't know if it's on Google) at one point gives a nice view of Conwy Castle.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 09:34 PM

Yes, indeed. But mostly to find things, not play around. I also use the ARCGIS maps available for this town and county and others around the country. Those are generally available through the city or county website. Well, maybe not someplace like Seehorn, Illinois, but bigger towns. Come to think of it, the county site may have Seehorn on it. I'll have to check.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 09:25 PM

Every time I try to fold a map up I crack another tablet screen...

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 09:23 PM

Oh and seemed a long way from Liverpool to me but the A55 speeded up journeys that sort of direction. Of course distances seem different depending where you are from and the US is a big country and the UK is small... For another, I can find it hard to work out my brother in oz's distances...

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 09:05 PM

I once lived in the house called Skerryvore, Bill (Also "Old Swan" with a bit of Kent in the middle of our twice living in Pydew) both of those are on that road. Skerryvore has been extended a bit and modernised since our time.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 09:03 PM

Holy cow Bill, now I can drive in India, Uzbekistan and Mongolia!

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 09:01 PM

Will look in tomorrow

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 08:58 PM

I dropped in right on Skerryvore road... I could probably get a screenshot of where you used to live.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 08:55 PM

It helps me learn geography... it's not far from Liverpool.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 08:53 PM

Yes... went right to it, and am in street view. That is WAY North

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 08:37 PM

See if you can find Bryn Pydew, N Wales, Bill. I used to live there and is the place I've tried "driving" from.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 08:31 PM

I use Google Earth constantly. I don't travel that much anymore, so I don't really need GPS (though I'd love to have it to play with), but anytime I need to visualize a location, I look DOWN, then if possible, at the street view. As a hobby, I just 'drive' down random roads... mostly in the UK and Australia, as those are the best covered.... but huge areas of other places are now available.

see here!

I also use it to provide an easy guide to a local festival where my wife & I organize the crafts... Glen Echo, MD

(I have also been to Donuel's house a couple of times, as he lives only about 10 min. from me, but needing several tricky turns to find. It really helps to see the area before going there.)

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 07:25 PM

Must try to find the site I used for historic maps, bbcw. One thing it showed me was why "school cottages" weren't close to what I knew as (I think closed late 50s/ early 60s, before my time) the school. Late 19th C maps show an earlier school in the right place.

Started off as reading some info someone had quoted from a "walks in the area" guide. Having lived in the property in question, I knew some bits of what it said about a house one would pass by wasn't quite right. That said the searches (finally settled by the current owner showing my brother who knows her the deeds) showed something that I didn't know. The house was known as once being a (parlour) pub and I thought that was the case. There was an old inn marked on the deeds as ruins but it was what in my time was the garage for the house, bot the house itself. The house even had a different name, someone must have named it after the pub later...

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 06:48 PM

I'd rather just enter an address.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 05:53 PM

If you want to look at Lancashire(UK) try the MARIO pages on the local government site. It shows all the property boundaries and has a photo overlay plus some historic photos as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 04:11 PM

I encourage you to use the 3D earth maps. You can zoom in from miles above and go down to ground level from any angle. Talk about a higher perspective!

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 04:08 PM

I've tried "driving" down roads I used to know with it but found it a bit frustrating. I guess it could be fun but our (say 2.5Mb) connection doesn't seem fast enough for that game - lots of pauses waiting or then next small bit of road to download.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Senoufou
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 04:06 PM

Gallus, it was Tompson Motors in Giles Street Edinburgh, and it's true!
It wasn't until a year later that the thing was loaded onto Street View, and the phone calls began. You can see the video.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you play with google earth maps?
From: Senoufou
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 03:58 PM

A chap came round the houses in our last village selling framed photos of each house taken from an aeroplane. I haggled (the price he was asking was ridiculous) and in the end got it much cheaper without the frame. (After all, who else would want to buy it?)
When we looked carefully at the photo, we could see a tiny white dot in the half-acre garden. It was Minty, out trying to catch birds. Caught in the act!
The pic came in very handy when we sold the house. It gave a very good idea of the plot and the fields all around.