From Toggle
Google-Earth is a software which allows seeing satellite photographs from any par of the world on your PC screen. The good thing from this utility is that it takes as a point of reference maps with an exhaustive level of detail, combining with Google searching engine, so that the user can find a place in just few seconds.
|
[edit] Descriptions
Google-Earth is one of the most curious, useful and enjoyable computer programs recently, since it allows visiting any place of the world immediately. To that end, you should only write the name of city or country on the searching engine and it moves you to the right place.
In principle, the perspective view is “from above", since it has a satellite photographs and maps combination. But at the same time, the user can arrange the focus, since the program uses a three-dimensional engine which allows going freely to any place.
Google Earth functioning is based on the technology called “streaming”: there is a user demand on the program, which is connected through a remote database in order to answer the request. Without any doubt, and bearing in mind the complexity of the information being handled, the data interchange speed between that database and the local computer is really amazing, since the building of a place with the corresponding three-dimensional elements is made in just few seconds. The good thing is that the request is made online, without having to download additional files to the computer.
Google Earth allows a direct interaction with models that can see on the screen, giving the user the chance of bringing the camera closer, moving it away, rotate it, or tilt it as you wish. Although there are places with a better resolution than others, the program visual quality is undeniable.
At the same time, the user can collaborate with the application creating three-dimensional models of structures and buildings so that they can be at the user disposal. As a result, it is possible to use Google SketchUp directly, a program specially designed by Google to that end. In addition, the utility has a direct incorporation with Wikipedia and Panoramio services, the first one to support articles and content within Google, and the second one for supporting digital images.
[edit] History
Google-Earthis actually the evolution of an old computer program called Keyhole, which had practically the same functions, but it was mainly base don satellite images.
In October 2004, Keyhole was bought by Google to the owner company (“Keyhole, Inc.”), and halfway through 2005 it appeared on the market with its actual name, in different versions to satisfy the user needs.
Throughout the years, the utility developers have been adding functions with the objective of completing the pack that Google Earth had, and thus on August 2007, the program 4.2 version comes out to the market, which has Google Sky incorporation: this software provides a view similar to that of Google Earth, but on the outer space. As a result, it seeks protection in satellite photographs taken with the Hubble spatial telescope, showing planets, stars, galaxies, etc, apart from adding excellent graphic details.
From that possibilities the program offers, many governments, enterprises, and institutions of different types start legal actions against Google Earth because they could use images with dangerous purposes that will put security at risk. Anyway, many suits have been withdrawn, while Google agreed in other cases to pixel the images to avoid details.
[edit] Features
- Satellite images.
The main characteristics of Google Earth is that users can have a perspective view from any place in the world, since it is connected to a database with millions of satellite photographs. They have a high detail level, which means knowing broadly speaking routes, paths, cities, towns, and any other location with only writing the name of it on the utility searching window.
- Maps.
The images that the user see while using Google Earth are not hold up on the vacuum, but they are shown on a series of maps. In that way, it is possible to see those images in an integrated way, allowing the user to go from one place to another without cuts, apart from seeing on the screen sites of interest, frontiers, boundaries, and other marks that are commonly find in cartographic representations.
- Full interaction.
The camera movement on the land is left to the user discretion, by moving to places that most pleases. This is due to the opportunity of bringing the camera closer or moving it away in any direction, rotate it, or even tilt it up to leave it almost horizontal. Thus, the user can have the chance of taking a ride over the city of interest.
- Three-dimensional buildings.
Maps and satellite photographs can be performed through three-dimensional models.To do so, you only need to tick the corresponding checking box, on the panel which is at the left side of the view area.
- Searching engine.
Google has become famous all around the world for having one of the best searching engines that can exist. It is completely incorporated to Google Earth, so it is of great utility to solve locations and move to different places, without needing to move the map.
- Google SketchUp.
In order to add a three-dimensional model to Google Earth it is necessary to design it previously with Google SketchUp, a 3D design utility created specially in order to work as a bridge between the graphic support and the utility. Using the tools that the application has is very simple, and figures and textures of any type can be added.
- Google Sky.
Google Sky can be described as the spatial version of Google Earth. It is a very complete utility which allows surfing among many different constellation, with the corresponding stars, planets, and other typical elements of the outer space. This application is included together with Google Earth, so it is necessary to download it separately.
- Command panel.
It is very simple to use Google Earth, since it has very intuitive commands. Also, a great number of the utility functions can be controlled with buttons and mouse movements, making it much more intuitive and fluid.
- Connection with Wikipedia and Panoramio.
Wikipedia is one of the sources from which Google Earth extracts contents, and it can be consulted directly form the utility interface. Panoramio, on its side, allows storing photographs from places all around the planet, and place them according to the coordinates on the application maps to consult them with just one click.
[edit] Minimum Requirements
- Processor : 500 MHz Processor.
- 'Ram Memory: 128 MB.
- Graphic Card: Graphic accelerator card of 16 MB of RAM memory.
- Free disk space : 60 MB.
- Operating System : Windows 2000, XP, or Vista.
- Screen Resolution : 1024x768 pixels and 16-bit colour depth.
- Connection Speed : 128 Kbps o higher.
[edit] Recommended Requirements
- Processor : 2.4 GHz processor or higher.
- RAM Memory: 512 MB or higher.
- Graphic Card: Graphic accelerator card of 32 MB RAM memory.
- Free computer space : 2 GB or higher.
- Operating System : Windows 2000, XP, or Vista.
- Screen Resolution : 1024 x 768 pixels and 16-bit of colour depth or higher.
- Connection Speed : 768 Kbps or higher.
[edit] Versions
Google Earth it is mainly a freeware program, but it has the possibility of expanding its functioning with better quality versions, for which you should pay a contract. This option that the manufacturer offers is due to the business potential that the application provides.
| Version | Outstanding contribution |
|---|---|
| | |
| | |
| | |
[edit] Videos
There is no video for this programs
[edit] Manuals
[edit] Plugins
- API of Google Earth.
It is an added element which allows adding through a script a complete simulation of the Earth with Google Earth functions directly on your Web site.
[edit] FAQ
- Can I freely manage Google Earth measures?
- Can I see three-dimensional buildings?
- Can I use Google Earth in Windows Millenium?
- The data that Google Earth offers, are they real?
- Where are controls?
[edit] Related Programs
There is no Related Programs