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.

[aderack.livejournal.com]

Hey, they've got good data for Maine now! It's kind of weird having my tiny home town (population ~2000) in the same resolution as downtown San Francisco.

[eb-oesch.livejournal.com]

Try making the Earth spin forwards, and then backwards, and then forwards again. If you spin the Earth too far forwards -- and if you lacked the scientific background to fully comprehend the original Superman movie, then you'll have to trust me on this -- then the subject will be propelled forwards in time past the instant when she no longer finds spinning globes interesting. If you spin the globe too far in the other direction, she will be returned to her initial bored state. So you've got to keep her locked into that narrow range. Don't forget to compensate for the normal passage of time with a slight preponderance of backwards spins.

[mmcirvin.livejournal.com]

Speaking of Superman, the other fun thing one can do with Google Earth and a baby is the Baby Flight Simulator: get a view toward the horizon at low altitude, grab the ground and pull, then hold the baby up in front of the hurtling vista and make hovering and banking motions to taste. This can reliably entertain a three-month-old until your arms get tired.

I am sure many authorities in child development will tell me this is a terrible thing to do, since anything involving watching a lighted screen will rot your child's brain. I am, however, compensating by reading books to her as often as possible, to teach her the important fact that heads are big and toes are little, whereas trucks are big and trikes are little.

[mmcirvin.livejournal.com]

I didn't even notice at first that they put the tools for scribbling on the map into the free version.

(I think you've been able to import Sketchup models for a while now, but the ability to scribble directly in the map view is more useful.)