By Mitchell Crawford
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A couple of months ago I wrote about Google Earth (earth.google.com). Google Earth is amazing because you can look at detailed satellite pictures of most places on earth. And, Google Earth continues to provide additional information to supplement the pictures. You can turn on various information collections, including some info from the National Geographic Society. This makes the Google Earth site increasingly more useful. Now Microsoft is also offering a similar product, with a bit less information, but in most cases better pictures. And, like Google Earth, this Web-based service is free. Microsoft is adding quite a few Web-based services at www.live.com. The Microsoft map and satellite service is one of these services and you can access it at www.local.live.com. You start by typing in either a business type (e.g. – pizza), and a city and state, or you can type in an address, and city and state. |
The software will then provide you with a map marked with the location(s) for the type of business you entered. You can switch to a satellite picture and in many cases to some aerial photography shots. The fun begins if the Web site indicates there is Bird’s Eye Imagery available. This means there are aerial pictures available. The aerial shots are quite detailed. I typed in a friend’s address and we were able to see not only the detail of a car parked in his driveway, but we could actually figure out by the shape and color which car it was. Like Google Earth, the images vary in age. When I looked at my house the pictures were at least two years old. But, it is still fun. Give it a try. You will find it fun, interesting, and perhaps, useful. Have an idea, comment or question? You can e-mail me with your questions, comments or ideas for future columns at mlcrawford@sandimasnews.com You can also visit the San Dimas Community News at www.sandimasnews.com where prior Personal Technology columns are posted. In addition, visit the official City of San Dimas Web site at www.cityofsandimas.com and the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce Web site at www. sandimaschamber.com. |