Got Google Earth? - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

JohnK · 03-16-2008, 08:26 AM

I downloaded Google Earth this morning and just spent the past two hours having my mind boggled. For those who might not be familiar with Google Earth, it is a software application that allows you to effortlessly zoom in on most anywhere you would want to go, certainly in North America, but actually on much of the planet, via an incredible database of satelite imagery. I had a great time exploring Guadalupe Mountains National Park and then some of the central Texas lakes and rivers; scouting out future kayaking adventures.

If interested, you can download Google Earth at:

Google Earth

Have fun, and prepare to "waste" a whole lot of time!

JohnK

kmerian · 03-16-2008, 10:23 AM

I love google earth, I have been wasting time with it for over a year!

I love the 3D rendering feature that allows you to (for example) stand at the top of Everest.

Also neat is Live Local Search, it gives low altitude aerial photos of many cities and areas, for example, here is the park HQ at Government Canyon State Park:
Live Local Search

JohnK · 03-16-2008, 02:04 PM

Thanks kmerian!

I just had another hour well-wasted

exploring Live Local Search. Definitely another cool site.

JohnK

kmerian · 03-16-2008, 04:39 PM

Another great time waster? Google Maps Street level views. You can go into many cities and look at a picture taken from a moving car.

Shannon · 03-16-2008, 05:44 PM

I love Google Earth, as well. In fact, when Justin and I were downtown (San Antonio) for my birthday in late December, as we were atop the Tower of the Americas (750 feet tall), I remember remarking to him -- "What we need are the Google Maps popup windows right now, tagging all these buildings and points of interest that we're trying to identify from way up here!"

Ditto on the Street View in Google Maps (maps.google.com). I just recently discovered that parts of San Antonio had finally been mapped, so I burned some time virtually "driving" some local roadways -- pretty cool. Here's the setup they use to create the 360-degree-view stuff for Street View: Google Maps zoom: here's the device and vehicle behind it - Boing Boing

Shannon · 03-17-2008, 06:32 PM

Also check out these new offerings:

* Google Sky

* Google Mars

* Google Moon

Source: Explore Space With Google Sky, Mars & Moon | Laughing Squid

ping_ping · 03-24-2008, 03:47 PM

Google earth has a built in flight simulator. Just hit Ctrl + Alt + A to bring it up.