 Baffled by technology? You needn't beClick here for our technology zone
How to stop web viruses
How to spot unwanted spam
Widget wizardry - essential information on your desktop
Convert old vinyl records into digital format
How to get subtitles on digital television
High Definition TV - do we really need to be HD ready?
Book your doctor via the TV
The iPhone - behind the hype
Share and edit photos online
Listen to the radio on the internet Share videos using YouTube
Making phonecalls using Skype
Quality PCs at a bargain price
Jargon: Translated into plain English
The best digital recorders
Which Sat-Nav?
Should you get an iPod?
Taking perfect digital pictures
Safe trading on eBay
More from SagaGetting the best deal: How to cut the cost of living
'Geriatric1927': The unlikely web superstar
Celebrities, columnists, public figures, real lives
Make your money work for you
Gardening: Great ideas for green fingers
Relationships: is no-strings love the answer?
|
|
Explore the universe with Google Earth and Google Sky
Imagine being able to see the whole world at the click of a button and stargazing from your living room; well you can, with Google Earth, writes Sian McLachlan
What is Google Earth?
Run by search engine and general internet top dogs Google, this virtual globe programme allows users to zoom into real satellite photographs of anywhere in the world.
The viewer will show houses, parks, ponds and even cars in the street from an aerial view. The resolution is so crisp, rather scarily you can even make out the odd figure or two. It also offers pictures of and information about specific areas and a 3D view of some of the world’s most spectacular sights like the Grand Canyon and Mount Everest.
Its capabilities aren’t restricted to the Earth, however, as Google have just launched Google Sky, which allows users to explore the universe.
An add-on to the original Google Earth, this programme shows users a 3D view of our planet’s surface as well as giving amateur astrolgers the chance to browse through images of millions of stars and galaxies.
How do I get it?
Google Earth can be used on both Macs and PCs and is available to download. All you have to do is visit the Google Earth homepage, click on the ‘Download Google Earth’ icon and follow the instructions on the screen. By downloading the newest version to your computer, it will automatically include Google Sky software.
How much does it cost?
The basic Google Earth programme is free to download and is more than sufficient for users who just want to have a look around, view images and plan out basic routes.
Google Earth Plus costs $20 and is billed as the programme for map enthusiasts. You can plug your GPS device into the system to see your current position in real time and upload data from your travels to re-live the experience. It’s also useful if you’re searching for a house, as it shows homes for sale and their proximity to local amenities.
Google Earth Pro costs a whopping $400 but, thankfully, is only designed for professionals and its capabilities are exhaustive.
Is it worth it?
As a free service, Google Earth is one of the best available on the web. Once you get the hang of it, you can spend hours discovering the world or looking back at places you have been. As technology improves, the possibilities truly are endless.
This article was created: 13 September 2007.
This article was last edited: 13 September 2007.
 Email  Back to top
|
