Google Earth; Your Virtual Map Of The World

June 2, 2007 by
Filed under: Computer/Internet Help 

Google Earth has got to be one of the coolest, free “toys” that I’ve found on the internet! I can sit in front of the computer for hours and not realize it. Moving from one location to another, anywhere in the world I want to go. I’m constantly checking to see if I can find a friend’s house, or somewhere I’ve been on vacation before, or just looking for a place I’d like to go someday!

If you’re not familiar with Google Earth, it uses satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings to put the worlds geographic information on your computer monitor. You start out with a global view of earth from outer space, yellow lines marking boundaries. You can then either search and zoom manually, using your mouse, or you can type in a town name or address and automatically “fly to” that spot and zoom in on it. When you’ve found a location you think you’d like to return to in the future, you can just add a placemark, name it, and this area will be easy to find next time.

Wanna get an idea of what the terrain is like in Iraq? Just look on Google Earth. Want to check the elevations of that trail you hiked last year in the Appalachians? It’s on Google Earth. If you use your imagination, it can be like taking a vacation without leaving the comfort of home! (well…that may be pushing it a little). I’ve just found it fascinating to be able to jump from one side of the world to another in an instant. In most areas, you’re able to zoom in and easily make out homes and cars. I was very impressed with the resolution and quality of the images. (I think it’s neat to find busy airports and look for planes that have just taken off or are about to land).

This is a great learning tool for kids as well. My daughter and I will sit and look up places all around the world. Who needs a globe or a map anymore when you can go there on your computer!

Downloading and navigating Google Earth is pretty easy, although I know it has features that I’ve never used before. You can download from here:


Google Pack really has a ton of great software in addition to Google Earth, (FREE!)

Download it and check it out. I know you’ll have a ton of fun with it!

Chris

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Comments

9 Comments on Google Earth; Your Virtual Map Of The World

  1. Cade on Tue, 5th Jun 2007 4:54 pm

    2. I think that this is a great view. We have a neighbor that we realized has not moved his crappy old car for years after taking a look at this thing. It is definitely an enjoyable experience to get a different view on life from this.

  2. Chris on Tue, 5th Jun 2007 7:48 pm

    3. Indeed I find it fascinating as well! I hate to even start looking around because one thing leads to another, and the next thing you know it’s midnight and “way” past my bedtime!

  3. Samir on Thu, 7th Jun 2007 1:20 am

    4. Agreed. It is extremely easy to get “lost” in Google Earth.

    Once you’re hooked of course you need your regular fix, even when you’re on the road and away from your nice instal at home. That’s when FlashEarth and WikiMapia come in handy. Wikimapia’s user tagging and labeling system can make this even more addictive. Be warned!

  4. Chris on Thu, 7th Jun 2007 1:05 pm

    5. Thanks for the info Samir! I’ll definitely check these out!
    Chris

  5. El Yanqui on Sun, 10th Jun 2007 9:47 am

    6. I love Google Earth and find it useful as well. I can send a picture of where I live to friends and family clearly showing which way to go from the nearest tube stop to reach my flat.

    It also enables me to show relatives back home a little bit of my neighborhood and where I live. I think it’s a great tool.

  6. Natron on Wed, 20th Jun 2007 11:21 am

    7. Has anyone seen the new Street View release of this by Google? Pretty cool stuff.

  7. Play arcade games on Mon, 21st Jan 2008 1:42 am

    8. very intresting reading, keep up the good work man

  8. map on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 1:50 am

    9. Is Google Map Street View an invasion of privacy? I think Yes.

  9. Virtual Campus Maps on Sun, 13th Sep 2009 6:32 pm

    10. It’s amazing what people are doing with Google Maps mashups now. I wrote a post a few days ago about Interactive Fire Maps with a few examples from the recent wildfires in Southern California. It’s amazing the range of uses and functionality set just in what you would think is a very limited category of map uses.

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