CNET Editors' review
Desktop Earth is a wallpaper program that will appeal to users who are curious about what Earth looks like from space. By updating constantly and operating on a simple premise, this is a fun and interesting way to spice up your desktop.
This free program embeds its icon in your desktop tray and provides a basic set of options to alter the wallpaper. The wallpaper itself is an enormous photograph of Earth from space and takes up all of your desktop space with no area uncovered. The continents appear clearly and most views provide a glimpse of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and slightly less than half of the entire globe from east to west. Desktop Earth impresses not only on its clear view, but the options users can tinker with. Users can cycle through all the time zones in the world to zero in on the corner they want to view from space. There is also a drop-down menu allowing for the picture to be updated every 5 minutes, 15 minutes, and hour. In addition, a slider allows for cloud cover to be erased for a clearer picture of land and sea. Finally, users can adjust the daytime image to get a better topographical view and the nighttime image to show natural moonlight, city lights, and more.
Desktop Earth is a simple tool that gives desktops a lot of character. Thanks to its clean picture and intriguing options, we highly recommend this download.
Publisher's Description
From codefromthe70s:
Desktop Earth is a wallpaper generator for Windows. It runs whenever you're logged on and updates your wallpaper with an accurate representation of the Earth as it would be seen from space at that precise moment.
Images are created from high-resolution textures (2560x1280) so it's perfect for that QSXGA display - but they work on anything, even on SVGA. There is an image for every month to accurately depict snow and foliage changes, and the night view is simply stunning.
What's new in this version: Fixed a few minor bugs and a memory leak.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 73 votes
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Current version:
4.0 starsout of 29 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Tell Time Anywhere At A Glance"
Version: Desktop Earth 2.1.1
Pros
At a glance know what time it is anywhere! At the top of the lighted parabola is high noon. At the bottom of the dark parabola is Midnight. They will move from right to left on your screen and simulate the live projection of the sun. Once you use it for a year or so you will get to know your seasonal equinoxes too.
Great visual effects to tweak as far as clouds and lights. Can't live without it. Been using this for at least 5 years now.Cons
Windows 7 can be tricky to install. Usually it will prompt you to install each time you reboot. If this happens find the shortcut in your START - PROGRAMS - START UP folder and delete the shortcut. Then go to the Program Files\Desktop Earth folder and find the Executable and create a shortcut and copy that shortcut to your Start up folder and works like a champ.
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"excellent fabulous"
Version: Desktop Earth 2.1.1
Pros
that is free.I like it...
Cons
more bright...
Summary
it is free and i like to use for couple of weeks...
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"It Is Free"
Version: Desktop Earth 2.1.1
Pros
Nice wallpaper
Cons
None . . .
Summary
Nice wallpaper
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"I really like it"
Version: Desktop Earth 2.1.1
Pros
Ease of use. Does what it claims
Cons
cant think of any
Summary
It a good all round wallpaper that makes your computer a bit different
Updated on May 3, 2011 -
"awesome program"
Version: Desktop Earth 2.1.1
Pros
install was simple, no bugs, all around good program.
Cons
nothing so far
Summary
great
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"Nice desktop picture."
Version: Desktop Earth 2.1.1
Pros
Clean and simple interface
Cons
No Mac version.
Summary
Fun to see cloud formations and nighttime images. Especially interesting to follow positions of hurricanes in the oceans during hurricane season.
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"Bugs in the software"
Version: Desktop Earth 2.1.1
Pros
good interface and images
Cons
no clean uninstall. after uninstall it keeps asking me to install again everytime i restart the system
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"Interesting"
Version: Desktop Earth 2.1.1
Pros
not really any pros to it it dosent do much of anything except show day and night
fun desktop to watch if bored
unobtrusive program updates every 5 minutes ( adjustable, uses only 26Kb of RAMCons
none it works in the background un-noticed
Summary
It's free!! so dont expect much and you wont be disappointed. Could be a useful learning tool showing the light and dark areas of the globe.
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"Very cool program."
Version: Desktop Earth 2.1.1
Pros
Your desktop looks nice
Cons
Doesn't update real-time(might not be possible though)
Summary
Very cool program. You can see a map of Earth that is focused at your location and you can see the light settings change, which is synchronized to your computer's time.
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"Love the Real Cloud maps"
Version: Desktop Earth 2.1.1
Pros
Real time day/night simulation
Cons
The maps are a little brown
Summary
Works great.
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