CNET Editors' review
It's rare to encounter free software as well designed and powerful as this informative application, but the folks at Google have done it again. When you first fire up Google Earth, you'll immediately notice that most of the interface's real estate is used to display a rendering of the globe, complete with topographical markings. You simply enter information for the location you'd like to visit--such as city name, country, or specific street address--and Google Earth will begin slowly zooming in on your destination. After a moment, you'll see a satellite image of the place you entered. Controls below the location window let you zoom in or out even further; move north, south, east, and west; and save specific locations on the map.
The program's Layers panes allows you to determine what sort of information appears on the map. For instance you can choose to display roads, hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants, golf courses, bars, and even crime statistics. We also appreciate the tool that provides point-to-point driving directions. The only potential downside of Google Earth is it can consume a fairly large amount of RAM when running in the background, so as the developer notes, folks with older machines might experience performance issues. But everyone else is bound to love Google Earth, either as an informational tool or an entertaining novelty.
Publisher's Description
From Google:
Google Earth puts a planet's worth of imagery and other geographic information right on your desktop. View exotic locales like Maui and Paris, as well as points of interest such as local restaurants, hospitals, and schools. Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps, and the power of Google Search to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips. With Google Earth you can fly from space to your neighborhood--just type in an address and zoom right in, search for schools, parks, restaurants, and hotels. Get driving directions, tilt and rotate the view to see 3D terrain and buildings, save and share your searches and favorites and even add your own annotations.
Note: Google Earth is a broadband, 3D application that not all computers can run. Windows-based desktop PCs older than four years may not be able to run Google Earth and Windows-based notebook PCs older than two years may not be able to run it.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 1,722 votes
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Current version:
4.4 starsout of 231 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"i had in my mind to have such thanks i got it it well"
Version: Google Earth
Pros
it will help to the intelligence for locating many things
Cons
it shud b given to onlly right and identified persons. not cnfirmed how u verify the right
Summary
hope for it success. kindly give tips to members to use perfectly.
i am a primary teacher cnet google earth can b of great help to me .honestly such sites update and help to teachers who still want to learn.
Updated on Mar 1, 2010
Updated on Mar 30, 2010this is an added knowledge for students,fun for children,help for writers,travellors,and for correction in maps.
Updated on Jun 22, 2010some improvement can be done, an idea to be be given from where to learn to use site to maximum. those who have less knowledge face problem, like me who have not gone to any institute for beginners training. of computor. -
"Not much different than other versions."
Version: Google Earth
Pros
Nothing special.
Cons
Close up rendition not good quality even in the large cities.
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"New Google Earth 5Sucks"
Version: Google Earth
Pros
Better features?
Cons
Old version worked fine with WinXP. Tried to update and new version does not display at all; also could not reinstal old version.
Summary
Google is unable to provide an answer to this problem
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"really enjoy"
Version: Google Earth
Pros
everything
Cons
like it all
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"fantastic"
Version: Google Earth
Pros
thought this was really fantastic, with just a click, and your around any part of the world..
Cons
my PC is about 4 years old, there were times this didn't work for me
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"its very goog"
Version: Google Earth
Pros
its verey good
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"You better be good"
Version: Google Earth
Pros
You better not shout, You better not cry, You better be good, I'm telling you why.
As my truck spent 1 time parking in the back yard for 15 minutes to unload a picnic table. Bingo. What's next, your bedroom window. On a good note though, I did check to see if my wife was where she said she was that day.Good thing she wasn't sunbathing in the back yard instead! And my employees, were they really sick that day, or did they go fishing at the lake?
With all the bb opinions out of the way, there are other photo maps that are more recent & up to date & one even has more detail, but are not as highly advertised as this one.
Cons
Left me with not knowing the difference between the pros & cons. Outdated photos.
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"great"
Version: Google Earth
Pros
easy to use with a lot of high resoliotion pictures
Cons
nothing
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"I defy anyone who defies this program."
Version: Google Earth
Pros
A view of the world. A solid interface. Precise to the world. Did I ever mention that the stars are even in their respective positions to eachother and to themselves? Google has definitely went through the world with a fine comb and has read everyone's mind, they know what anyone could possible want and expect. I've spent several hours playing in absolute awe with this masterpiece.
And I'm probably not the only one who has said that.
F!@#$%^ genius. Enough Said.
Cons
This requires broadband (duh, you're looking at the world in detail....).
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"Innovitave, it was copied alot"
Version: Google Earth
Pros
Very good. It was the first free version of its kind, later to be copied by microsoft. It was run off the old keyhole technology, improved by google's massive resources. I think this software has no real practical use, but is very fun to use. It offers very close up aerial photographs and partial route planners. The 3D buildings in some of the cities let you fly around near them like your on a plane.
Cons
Can slow down your computer and use up alot of internet connection. Dont use on anything less than 1meg broadband.
Doesnt show maps very well outside the USA.
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