Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
April 1, 2007

Volume 2, Number 42 — Sunday, April 1, 2007

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

3.  Google Earth - A View from Space

In the Using Google Maps article, we saw how we could find a location on the maps. Then, we saw that we could see a satellite view and even a hybrid view with the map superimposed over the satellite view. We could zoom, too.

Google has another neat satellite-view program. This one is Google Earth, which is free and is part of the free Google Pack software package.

There's not much I can say about Google Earth. That's because I don't know where to start...

Let's try some bullet points:

• You start in space, looking at the Earth. You can turn the Earth with the pointers, or by dragging it, or by double-clicking on a spot.
• Double-clicking on a spot on the globe makes you fly to it -- the globe turns, smoothly scrolling the display. Your double-clicked spot is now in the center.
• Double-clicking on the spot again zooms closer. But, it's easier to control zooming with the scroll button on the mouse.
• There's a search box, where you can put in a location and zoom to it — even if its on the other side of the globe.
• There's a pre-defined set of locations, which are complete with little round indicators with crosshairs in them (they look like the heads of Phillips screws). These are photos, from that point, supplied by individuals. When you click on one of them, not only does it open to show you the photo, but the satellite photo stays in the background -- and rotates to the corresponding viewing angle.

I was just looking at Google Earth trying to figure out what to write. I think I spent about an hour playing with it.

Time flies when you're having fun...

Get Google Earth — free in the free Google Pack!

Get Picasa photo editor — free in the free Google Pack!

Get Firefox with Google Toolbar — free in the free Google Pack!

Get Google Desktop — easier searching — free in the free Google Pack!

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4.  Online Movie Review Site

I've come to value the information available via the Internet much more than the limited information in my local newspaper. Although I still subscribe to the daily newspaper, I can find information about everything except local, current events more easily via the Internet.

One of my favorite uses is to check what is coming at the movies — and check the reviews to make sure it's worth spending my money. After all, by the time I buy two adult tickets, soft drinks and popcorn, the total is almost $40.

Rotten Tomatoes.com is my movie site of choice. I pick a current movie and set my zip code to find locations and times near me. Or, I can pick a movie and see review excerpts from 20-40 reviews — complete with "Rotten" or "Fresh" ratings, including a composite rating from all the reviewers.

Sometimes, I've gone anyway...and been disappointed in the movie. Other times, I've waited until it came out on DVD and either bought or rented it...and been disappointed.

On the other hand, I've also read reviews and still gone to see the movie — and enjoyed it. The Last Mimzy is one of the latter category. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 55% rating, with a composite "Rotten" status. Both my wife and I enjoyed the movie. It goes on my "DVDs to be purchased" list, too.

The neatest thing about Rotten Tomatoes is that so meany reviews are excerpted there, with links to the original reviews, as well as having schedule information, too.

The reviews at RottenTomatoes.com include older movies, too. If you're thinking about watching an old movie on television, check it out at RottenTomatoes.com. You'll probably find it reviewed there.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Volume 2, Number 42 — Sunday, April 1, 2007

Copyright © 2007 Terry A. Stockdale.  All rights reserved.