[Elliott]

http://earth.google.com/

Google Earth is essentially a program that allows you to find any location in the world, and see it. It uses satellite information to get the images, so obviously some areas are more clear than others due to coverage. It's been pretty popular at school lately, so I though I'd share it with you guys as well. You will need a speedy internet connection (56k won't cut it) and a decent computer to use the program to the best of its ability, but when you do I'm sure you will agree it's amazing.

Google, is there anything they can't do?

[Eugine]

I personally think Google is trying to dominate the internet at any cost, they are getting too darn like MS in terms of strategy, if they can't get you to follow them they incinerate you.

Google Earth, I've never tried that program really, I've heard about it though, I think its interesting but it has brought up some issues lately like giving terrorists view of big cities to plan their attacks without actually going to the city and what not.

[Elliott]

The difference is, Google offers quallity. This program is awesome, gmail is the best free webmail service, they have the most used and most popular search engine. Microsoft creates insecure operating systems, and bloated products. It's not a fair comparison.

And I'm sure terrorists could get big maps of cities without the help of Google, or going to the city Eugine ;) .

[loz]

google is awsome and my friend lives like 10min away from the google campus lol...anyways I FOUND MY HOUSE X_X

[Golden Djinn13]

I saw this on G4 and thought the same thing as Eugine, but Agatio has a good point

[Elliott]

Putting the whole "internet domination" thing aside, this is a great program, no matter who made/makes it. The ability to find any place in the world and zoom in on it is just awesome.

[Zaffa Dot Xom]

Agatio, on Sep 17 2005, 09:07 PM, said:

The difference is, Google offers quallity. This program is awesome, gmail is the best free webmail service, they have the most used and most popular search engine. Microsoft creates insecure operating systems, and bloated products. It's not a fair comparison.

And I'm sure terrorists could get big maps of cities without the help of Google, or going to the city Eugine ;) .

Then again, think about pedophiles; if they somehow managed to get a hold of some poor defenseless little girl's address, they'd find it right on Google Earth.

[Elliott]

There is always street directory's though, which actually have street names, numbers and more travel details than Google Earth, why wouldn't they use those instead?

[Golden Djinn13]

Either way you look at it, anyone can get info that could be dangerous, off of things like these

[loz]

Agatio, on Sep 17 2005, 09:51 PM, said:

There is always street directory's though, which actually have street names, numbers and more travel details than Google Earth, why wouldn't they use those instead?

actually, google earth gives phone numbers and stuff of restaurants and stuff, I found the number of our hollywood on it X_X this even gives directions to places and everything...

[Max]

Just to clarify, Google Earth is based on the old product Keyhole, which Google bought a few months ago. Keyhole has been available for several years, and so terrorists or pedophiles or anyone could have had this power in this hand for a long time already. Also, the satellite imagery it uses is publicly available from other sources, so that argument is really a not valid.

I had used Keyhole before, and so am glad that Google has made it known to such a greater number of people, as it is a nice utility.

[Gardna]

Omg one day they will own the Earth ;)

[Someone Else]

I've heard of it, but didn't get a whole name on it.

Thanks for showing it, Agatio. I am now going to fire this thingy up...

Anyway, to anwser all of your questions about terrorists, places like New York just aren't very highly defined, being somewhat of a smear when you zoom in on it.

I find it funny that Indiana is covered by a big gray "sheet".

By the way, if anyone wants to see my house, it's the one with a gray-blue roof and a big tree in the front. o.o

[loz]

actually, the images on googleEarth are pretty old, because by my house the stores down the street arent even built yet or even started yet on Googlearth but they have been open for about 2 years now.

[Zaffa Dot Xom]

I was trying to look around my old place on this puppy, and all of it had a fluffy .JPEG texture to it. I couldn't even see my old house. XD

[loz]

*goes to the eiffel tower* -poke-

[Someone Else]

The Eiffel Tower didn't appear 3D for me. D:

Did it work for anyone else?

[Zaffa Dot Xom]

How do you go into a 3D view, anyway? o_O

EDIT: Nevermind. Found out how.

[Yuki]

o.o ... My computer may not be able to run eet. Due to the fact that my computer is old and...complicated X_X

[Izar]

I beleive I posted about Google Earth not too long ago, but it may already be past page 3 somewhere.

We've used it since it first came out. It's really good, but we have something better that gets live satalite feed.

[loz]

what is it izar O_O

You should be trouper enough to know that was SPAM - Eugine

[Elliott]

I searched for Keyhole and Google Earth and there was no previous topic Izar. And I really hope you got warned for that loz.

[Zaffa Dot Xom]

Agatio, on Sep 18 2005, 06:58 PM, said:

I searched for Keyhole and Google Earth and there was no previous topic Izar. And I really hope you got warned for that loz.

Now, now, we're amongst friends [and little children], here.

I'd like to know what Izar meant, as well. Hopefully it's something like Keyhole, 'cause it's rather easy to use.

[Someone Else]

loz, on Sep 18 2005, 03:17 PM, said:

what is it izar O_O[/b][/color]

Even though that was rather... spammeh... I'd like to know what this Live Satellite of yours is too, Izar.

[Elliott]

So you know, it's not live, it's not video, and most of the pictures are fairly old.

[Izar]

Why are you all asking. One person needs to ask, more questions is just getting an excuse to get that post in. I have no clue what it is because my dad uses it. It may have been Virtual Earth, but I am not sure.

[Elliott]

I think live satellite feed is a bit of a tall tale. Live feed would only really be available to the government, special forces and groups like that, not available for free download to anyone with an internet connection just yet.

[Someone Else]

Izar, on Sep 21 2005, 07:25 PM, said:

Why are you all asking. One person needs to ask, more questions is just getting an excuse to get that post in.

1) Because I can.
2) So that you know many people are interested in it.
3) There is no rule that states I can't post about agreeing and feeling the same way about someone else's question, at least as far as I know.

Anyway, Agatio's right, civilians probably don't have the sort of authorization to use such a tool that invades privacy. I heard that in the U.S., only the president has access to Live Satellite. That's probably false, because the President can't do anything with Live Satellite himself, and besides, George W. doesn't know how or have time to use that sort of thing, so he'd have to have someone else do it for him.

[Eugine]

Quote

because the President can't do anything with Live Satellite himself, and besides, George W. doesn't know how or have time to use that sort of thing

Finally an American admits they have a dumb President ruling over them :P

That was SPAM! - Eugine "_"

[Someone Else]

Uhh, actually we've been admitting it for a long time.

[Sea of Time]

Is gmail by invitation only? If so, can someone send me an invitation. Send me a PM if you could so i can give you my email.

Please don't be lazy, I want gmail!!!

[Eugine]

SoT, that's kind-of off-topic but I'll send you the invite, PM me with your current email address and I'd give you an invite.

I tried Google Earthing my country (Grenada) and all I got was a simply copy of the island with the name of some places there. :P

[Sea of Time]

Eugine, on Sep 23 2005, 01:16 PM, said:

SoT, that's kind-of off-topic but I'll send you the invite, PM me with youre current email address and I'd give you an invite.

Sorry, I didn't want to post that in the twin thread in the Common Room because I probably would be ignored.

Anyway, Google always does a great job with everything they do and this will probably be no exception. I wonder when they will actually release Gmail to the general public?

[Izar]

Agatio, on Sep 21 2005, 09:30 PM, said:

I think live satellite feed is a bit of a tall tale. Live feed would only really be available to the government, special forces and groups like that, not available for free download to anyone with an internet connection just yet.

Tall tale...? :lol: Not only available to the governemt. Think: Small Businesses, The News, and other things of the sort. Houston News has Doplar and live satalite feed. Also Global Positioning Satalite. Not only that, but we didn't get it off the internet, it aint a free download.

Anyways, Wind dude, "Because I can" is a very immature statement. You and the others could have posted something else instead of the almost exact same thing. And why would only the government have it? It's not a big deal, pricey, but not a big deal. And the thing we got is from my dad's job.

Now, back on the topic of Google Earth. It barely sees my road, and can't see my house. Virual Earth sees my house, it's not the live one, so I'll ask my dad.

EDIT: Ah! I see what you mean by live, you mean it instantly changes. I would have to have a really fast computer and connection for it, or have GPS, or be in a news station. What I mean by live, I mean it changes and updates ALOT faster than google earth, Virtual Earth, etc. I think google changes it's feed every month or so, virtual earth is about that same. The one my dad uses changes every week or so.