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 cross-hairs 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…