Google earth and Geo Spatial Technology boom
Google earth is a virtual globe. Google earth originally named Earth Viewer is a software program which uses aerial photography, 3D views and satellite images to view and explore world’s different parts either using maps or birds eye views. Created by KEYHOLE, INC. a software development company which was later taken over by Google in 2004, Google earth is mainly used as virtual globe which displaces satellite images of varying resolution allowing user to virtually visit different parts like cities, and famous structures, roads, mountains etc.
Google earth is available in 3 different versions namely Google earth a free version, Google Earth Plus an advanced version with additional features like GPS integration, higher resolution printing, customer support via e-mails available at $20 annual subscription fee, and the 3rd version Google Earth Pro which is business oriented having additional features to Google Earth plus like movie making, GIS data importer & advanced printing modulus is available at $400 annual fee. Google Earth can run on different operating systems like Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Linux and Mac OS X & Free BSD. It is also available online for Firefox, IE6 & IE7. One can even operate them on iPhone OS.
Google Earth’s release in 2006 gave birth to a new public interest of geospatial technologies and applications. It is widely used by people to either navigate or adding their own data and making it available online through various sources such as BBS or blogs mentioned in the link above section.
Google Earth allows user to search address in some countries enter coordinates, or simply use the mouse to browse to a location. Google Earth has capacity to show 3D buildings and structures such as bridges and mountains. Some of the famous structures mainly from United States, England, Australia and New Zealand etc have detailed 3D views available on the web site. Which has caused worry to many countries as it is feared that this information might be used by terrorists. Other than this Google Earth is also accused of displaying images of sensitive structures like presidential houses, nuclear reactors around the world and such other places which could be used for massive destruction.
Some of the features available on Google Earth are as follows:
Sky Mode: It’s a feature which allows user to view astronomical images and stars. This feature was added in Google Earths 4.2 version. Google sky is produced Google through partnership Space Telescope Science Institute located in Baltimore.
Street View: Google street view was added in the 4.3 version. It gives 360 degree views of the selected streets and its surrounding metropolitan areas from around the world. A recent version has featured more than 40 cities from United States and Australia. Using this device one can analyze a photo from different angles and directions.
Flight Simulator: Using this feature one can fly to any supported location of the world. Though it’s only featured on two planes F-16 Fighting Falcon and SR-22.
Google Earth is available in 23 languages English, Arabic, Italian, Korean, Spanish, and Thai etc. [tags]Google, Google earth, using Google earth, features of Google earth, [tags]
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