Google Earth

[mmcirvin]

While Google Earth still has user-interface issues, it keeps getting better. Performance has improved some more (at least in the Mac version) and I like the way the current version handles coincident placemarks. Also, I think I've said it before, but the compass-rose navigation widget is way better than the old controls they inherited from Keyhole.

Also, the Rumsey Historical Maps layer is pretty cool, though I wish there were more of them. Check out the 1787 map of Africa.

Making the Earth spin can placate Marjorie for up to thirty seconds.

Comments

[paracelsvs.livejournal.com]

I mostly use the direct mouse controls instead of the widget, but I must say I was happy when it was introduced, mainly because the old navigation icons were incredibly horrible, and I think they actually got worse when they tried to change them.

The new one doesn't try to look like the native OS, which is a good idea since they apparently had no idea how to do that.