| This week I had my socks knocked off! Which, after | | | | "Tilt" the perspective. You can change your view all |
| being in the industry for over 25 years, is tough to do. I | | | | the way down to the surface and then pan around in |
| came across a posting on Slashdot about a new | | | | all directions to get the sense of how things look. I |
| mapping application from Google called GoogleEarth. | | | | could go on for several thousand words about all the |
| At first my thinking was that this was just another | | | | features included in GoogleEarth! Oh, and did I mention |
| extension of the already cool Google Maps online. But | | | | that it's FREE?There are several versions of the |
| then I discovered that it was a downloadable client | | | | application but the Free version is the one that will suit |
| application. Humm. So I took the plunge. Then I lost over | | | | the needs of most individuals. But, for just a minor $20 |
| 4 hours of productivity for that day. (And I won't | | | | cost, you can add support for GPS, spreadsheet |
| mention how much since then.) And everyone I | | | | importing, path drawing, and annotations. There is also |
| showed it to that day ended up gawking and drooling | | | | a $400 Professional version which provides the ability |
| as well.GoogleEarth is a new application that jumps | | | | to import site plans and use the business related |
| leaps and bounds over what we used to consider to | | | | features. The ART of Software Development in |
| be mapping applications. GoogleEarth takes the geo | | | | GoogleEarth is in the innovation that the Google folks |
| topology data from the satellites and turns it into a | | | | have introduced in this technology, and making it |
| earth wide mapping application. Not just pretty pictures! | | | | available to everyone on the internet. Being able to go |
| But true mapping functionality layered on top of the | | | | and visit a location that you've never been to before, |
| pretty pictures. As these screen shots can attest, the | | | | can be a great comfort before going on your planned |
| capabilities of this application are amazing! Some of the | | | | trips. Or you can just do some virtual sight seeing in |
| incredible features of GoogleEarth are: Pushpins can | | | | exotic locations. I spent over an hour just flying around |
| be added to the map with notes about the | | | | Hong Kong! GoogleEarth has a very easy to use |
| location.Once you have several pushpins, you can right | | | | interface. And the streaming data from their servers |
| click and select "Directions from this..." then "Directions | | | | was a lot faster than I would have expected for the |
| to this...", and receive driving directions between the | | | | quality of mapping that's being presented. (I am on |
| two points. Then, you can have GoogleEarth drive | | | | DSL.) Keep in mind though that GoogleEarth is CPU |
| from point A to point B with the "Play Tour" button. | | | | Intensive! The faster the PC the better. While |
| Then drool some more as GoogleEarth flys above the | | | | GoogleEarth might work with dialup, I expect that the |
| entire course. | | | | data stream would present some long waits for |
| Layers, Layers, and more Layers! Want to see all the | | | | zoomed in details.Be forewarned! When you download |
| street names? Just turn on the "Roads" checkbox. | | | | and start using GoogleEarth, be prepared to spend |
| How about the local grocery store? Just click on the | | | | some time exploring. You'll find yourself going back to it |
| "Grocery Stores" checkbox in the Layers window. | | | | every chance you get, just to explore new areas. And |
| Little shopping carts appear on the map. Just a small | | | | be sure to email me if you see any alien space ships |
| sample of what's avalable in the layers is: City | | | | at Area 51!GoogleEarth can be found at: Trimble, The |
| Boundaries, Postal Code Boundaries, Railroads, Water, | | | | ART of Software DevelopmentTimothy Trimble is a |
| Coffee Houses, Malls, and much more! Want to see | | | | award winning, freelance writer, and software |
| some buildings? GoogleEarth allows you to see | | | | developer. He has written a book for Microsoft Press, |
| computer generated buildings with their true form and | | | | articles for significant computer industry trade |
| shape for various major cities. You should see Las | | | | magazines, and is currently working on his second |
| Vegas! | | | | computer technology book to be published in early |
| Another great jaw dropping feature is the ability to | | | | 2006. |