14 DAY TRIAL // Queerly as it may sound, when I first discovered Google Earth, I thought of my deceased geography teacher? Mr. M was a sort of decayed genius - quite droll though - who was struggling to catch our attention, at times by bringing film slides instead of his oak index and his dusty maps back to classes. Ungrateful as we were, his only gesture that made us happy was letting us go home earlier? but now I know he's smiling down from heaven, for Google Earth redefines geography and much more.
What can I say? It was like discovering the ultimate tool to materialize all the places I fancy. Apart from the flying around option - which can make you feel like you're able, at last, to travel with the speed of thought - the entire planet becomes an open playground. Now I'm thinking about all the explorers that never had the chance to see the faraway corners of the Earth and had to stay content with their dreams. Let's admit it: few have the opportunity to actually see the places of their dreams. Well, Google Earth makes it come true, although some of the locations are not very detailed. You're just at a mouse-click away from all the things that you want to see: the terrain structure, the roads and buildings, the points of interest. In short, the greatest geography lesson of all times! (I wish I had Google Earth when I was at school?it wouldn't have been an ordeal to learn about all the other countries, by staring at a still map, with only a few colors and no chance of "insight". And, of course, Mr. M would've become our favorite teacher.)
What could be easier? You just move up and forth, rotate, zoom in and out and tilt as well, creating a new vision of the locations. The navigation can be made not only by using the mouse, but the arrow-keys, even in diagonal.
It isn't a mere map; you can see quite precise satellite pictures too, especially for the well-known places. Very funny as well is the thought that you might actually know the people in those tiny cars wondering around at the exact moment the pictures were taken. All those clouds over Nairobi or some blur effect on a not so detailed Gaza Strip?.also humorous?.the hand of nature that is.
Anyway, you'll discover other interesting options, like picking some places and creating a sightseeing tour, or visualizing all buildings in 3D mode. For the textured 3D models, there is the possibility of loading the Collada XML files format and all the shapes will become more realistic. The layers are presented in three types of views: Core/All/"Now Enabled", the last one showing the chosen layers for your personalized search depend on your interest. For example, you can select the geographic features, the borders and the roads, or you can choose to see parks, shopping and services centers, restaurants, lodging places, gas stations and so on. Of course, you can easily change the choices you have made in the layers section.
For example, I've satisfied my curiosity by checking the Data Gathering layer and I think that's an interesting detail if you try to find out the exact date, the cloud cover or the environmental quality regarding the pictures taken from NASA satellites.
I'll also tell you about the description balloons, which I find very nice. Just click on an underlined name and you can read a short description like the population of a city, an address of a restaurant, as well as related topics and links for them.
Maybe it isn't necessary for me to tell you what Google Earth could be used for. But I'll do it anyway, 'cause I'm thrilled with the options it offers. In this case, I'll mention the Placemark tool, which allows you to add a detailed description too, for each and every location you're interested in. Whether you're planning a trip or you simply like the idea of creating virtual routes, after placing the marks, you can enjoy a sightseeing tour. Don't hesitate to use the F-11 shortkey to enter the full screen mode - that gave me a bit of a Superman (or should I say Superwoman) feeling, flying around and taking a closer look to the terrestrial shapes.
Alright, I admit it?.I'm quite elated by Google Earth. Mr. M, I'm currently in love with your favorite subject matter! Now I know you just lacked the right tools?
Ok folks, I'll let you discover new places and redefine visions for yourself, but not before bringing good news for French, German, Italian and Spanish speakers, for there are localized clients in order to satisfy their needs. Google Earth was created for all explorers, conquerors and dreamers as well. I hope you'll have fun in your searches at least as much as I had in mine?it can make living people happy too, you know?
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
