Google Earth ...You know you want it.
I've started looking at the Google Earth Client 3.0 Beta, a Windows
client app that uses Keyhole Markup Language to define and locate
locations across the globe. The client uses Google's powerful search
and imaging capabilites to allow free-flow searches of any area you can
imagine, and with map overlays and layering of resources, landmarks,
streets, terrain and more, the possibilities are endless. Google's KML
documentation defines how Keyhole is used within the client: "A KML
file is processed by the Google Earth viewer in a similar way that HTML
files are processed by web browsers. Like HTML, KML has a tag-based
structure with names and attributes used for specific display purposes.
Thus, the Google Earth viewer acts as a browser of KML files."
Some examples of images you can create:
This is the Clarity home office,
with a street grid overlay. Now isn't this more helpful and interesting
than those Mapquest directions? Most people could find our building
just by handing them this image.
I haven't forgotten about our friends out west, here is an image of San Diego
and nearby gas stations. And since gas prices out there are around
$3.75+ a gallon, I've included bank locations as well, so our team can
hit up the ATMs before filling up their surfboard covered Woodies.
Anyway, check this technology out. Its free, and it won't be long
until we're dropping dynamic, user specific Keyhole images into our
clients web apps.
You can upgrade to Google Earth Plus for $20, which allows GPS device support, and enhanced printing features.
Download Google Earth here. have fun! Feel free to post your images or KML files as comments here.
KML Documentation