Talk:Google Earth

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Contents 1 Orthophotography 2 Ahh, finally 3 Nunavut 4 Google Earth live video feeds? 4.1 off topic 5 Wiki GPS References 6 Photo sources 7 Speed 8 SnowCrash? 9 Help! 10 Taiwan 11 Mac OS X versione 12 Upload a *.kmz 13 Windows versions 14 Sea level 15 Units of measurement 16 External links and definition of 'Google Earth' 17 The status of Tibet is disputed? 18 Images uploaded from google earth 19 Newer Screenshots? 20 Newer Windows Versions? 21 Google Earth 4.0 22 Criticism. 23 Iguazu Falls Dispute 24 Question 25 Google Maps 26 National Security and Privacy Issues 27 Use in media 28 3D Signage Tool 29 aint none 30 msn messenger plugin 31 How frequently Google Earth updates its satellite imagery 32 Cyprus Naming Dispute? 33 Edinburgh 34 Wikipedia Lat/Long co-ordinates implementation into Google Earth 35 Superimposition vs. Superimposing. 36 User Boxes 37 Usage by CNN and media 38 layers 39 Removed excess from Specifications section 40 BBC report 41 Google Earth on PS3 42 Darfur 43 Help me! 44 Has Google every attempted a global map of the Earth Using Non-visible Spectra? 45 Improved Resolution Via the Use of 'Back-Images' 46 Addition of overlay link 47 Degree Confluence project 48 Who liaises with Google? 49 Antarctica 50 Infrastructure & implementation of wiki integration 51 Censoring malls 52 Fictional 3-d buildings 53 Portable version 54 Google Middle-Earth 55 Google Earth and Macs 56 The Globe Icon 57 how about camera feeds 58 Obscure 59 Cars 60 sky viewing feature 61 Google Earth Image Use 61.1 What the fuck 62 3D buildings 63 Update 64 Screenshot 65 Games Associated with Google Earth 66 Sky vs WorldWide Telescope 67 64 bit compatibility

[edit] Orthophotography

The article states "Unlike the satellite images, the orthophotography has a perspective from close to the surface, leading to distortions when used in a mosaic." If this is true, then it isn't orthophotography - it's just bog standard aerial photography. --Bazonka 23rd July 2006

Perhaps the distortions mentioned are things like the severe tilt of buildings and the weirdness that can occur when different tilt orientations are mosaicked. The spatial distortions of aerial photos can be corrected and made into orthophotos, but things like tilt remain.Pfly 07:44, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Ahh, finally

Something I can take the world over with. To be serious, NASA world wind is more of a national threat because of its ability to be opensource. However the terra server connected to google earth could be a problem if someone could enable a live-feed satellite script with a gps tracking device. Skynet terminators all around. How about a nice game of chess?--Cyberman 23:36, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Nunavut

How did everyone miss the fact that the territory of Nunavut in Canada is missing!? Has this already been discussed or am I missing something here...because I see no mention of it anywhere?

--Scott110 8 February 2006

Nunavut exists today. Maybe it was added with the April 18 update [1]? The text should perhaps be revised/removed? --Strangnet 17:08, 23 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Google Earth live video feeds?

Some satellites capture live video footage of the ground, so what would it take for Google Earth to give us live video feeds of anywhere we decide to look in the world?

--Shultz 10:50, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

A million satellites that can cover every point on Earth simultaneously? EamonnPKeane 21:25, 18 December 2005 (UTC)

Well it obviously isn't very plausible right now, but in reality a very very wide angled-lense could do just this.. With enough correct algorithms attached to it to be able to display the image on the globe.. and the camera being capable of at least multiple gigapixels or a terapixel.. this is certainly somewhat plausible, just not in the very near future. Check this out. Gigapixel cameras already exist. Drumguy8800 22:31, 18 December 2005 (UTC)

I'm not so sure that would be legal to have live feeds. You can easily carry out immensely accurate espionage and stalk someone as much as you want. Do you think i'm right? (I am extremely open to criticism on that). Ardo 02:29, 8 March 2006 (UTC)

Three words: Indoors; cloud cover. - Kookykman|(t)e 20:59, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't think live feeds would be legal either. Hostile countries could just open their Dell Laptop and spy on the US and other countries. Terrorist could also use it to their advantage.

[edit] off topic

This section (Google Earth live video feeds?) is off-topic, because it's about the subject of the article, not about the article itself. I'd like to remove this section, but I will not do that today. --HelgeStenstrom 20:24, 10 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Wiki GPS References

I think we should create a page to list interesting links to the Lat and Long. Maybe all geographic discussions in Google should have their position in the same format so we can see them easily on Goggle Earth (grin). The other thing is that interesting pictures like the stealth fighter at 34D 38M 14.60 and 118D 04M 55.41 will disappear when the image is updated - sad! Maybe we need to archive the interesting pictures!--Dajuroka 06:36, 8 January 2006 (UTC)

I agree... There's a whole WikiPedia integration in google maps, and I'm trying to figure out how to properly tag things. In my test case, there's a really cool cemetery in Manchester, NH... It's already got a WikiPedia page, and I want to tag the coordinates so it will automatically show up as a wiki-tagged POI in Google Earth. I found that I could tag the coordinates in WikiPedia like this: 42°58′59.56″N, 71°27′36.42″W , but am having trouble figuring out how it would all go together. --DigitalSorceress 18:56, 26 August 2007 (UTC)

Hah! answered my own question - http://earth.google.com/userguide/v4/geoweb_faq.html --DigitalSorceress 19:07, 26 August 2007 (UTC)

That works for an article with a single coordinate. If an article has multiple coordinates, such as Arlington National Cemetery, the new |name=Label for Point parameter should also be defined in {{coord}} usage so the labels will appear (after coord gets updated). (SEWilco 20:32, 26 August 2007 (UTC))

[edit] Photo sources

Besides the Keyhole images, does Google Earth use USGS U.S. urban aerial photos? I guess so. For example, I found Google Earth's Space Needle (Seattle) (47.620496°, -122.349284°) looks just the same as NASA World Wind's (see the shadow). -- Toytoy 09:14, July 19, 2005 (UTC)

Information on image provider could generally be found at the bottom of the satellite image. It would be specified whether the image comes from EarthSat, DigitalGlobe, Tele Atlas, etc. --Plastictv 07:38, 1 September 2005 (UTC)

Yes, but these are image providers, not satellite platforms. So it is still difficult to determine which platform took a particular image using Google Earth (basic or plus). I've heard the the "pro" version allows users to see metadata. But I have not shelled out the money to verify this.Chunchucmil 17:09, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Speed

It could be faster, my average speed is 12 Kbps, maximum speed is 60 Kbps (on a 10 Mbps connection), it took several minutes for the "Three Sisters" to appear.--Jerryseinfeld 14:24, 20 July 2005 (UTC)

I am an ADSL user living in Taiwan. It took me less than 2 minutes to download the "Three Sisters" on my 1280x800 monitor. Google Earth usualy runs a little faster than NASA World Wind on my connection. -- Toytoy 15:15, July 20, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] SnowCrash?

I might just be a nerd, but this whole idea seems remarkably similar to the Earth program in the cyberpunk novel Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson. I mean, it's not like its a completely new idea, but still. --_mich 16:21, July 25, 2005 (UTC)

That's because it is like Snow Crash. --Gmuir 18:22, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Help!

How does one add locations that everyone else can see? I've joined the Keyhole Community, found a forum where I seem to have posting rights, but I can't find a button that says "new post". Thought my fellow Wikipedians might know....

[edit] Taiwan

I don't think that Taiwan is listed as a province of the People's Republic of China anymore, on Google Earth nor Google Maps].[2] Theshibboleth 21:35, 25 November 2005 (UTC)

It's listed as Taiwan

[edit] Mac OS X versione

Link http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/20124 ( mirror http://loadup.dr.ag/s/http__www.macupdate.com_download.php_20124_GoogleEarthMac.dmg.HtMl ) link for download http://rapidshare.de/files/8860896/Google_Earth.zip.html

[edit] Upload a *.kmz

Wikipedia's Upload File function currently does not support *.kmz uploads -- I think that, given the power and influence and wealth of data on the Google Earth program, that it would only be fitting to allow *.kmz uploads on wiki sites.

The *.kmz is Google Earth's placemark (or other addon like 3D render) feature. It would be very instrumental when an encyclopedia article gives an address.. or for all geographic pages. The *.kmz file works just like a link in any browser -- a user clicks, and google earth zooms to that location. You can specify tilt, orientation, etc. Could even be used for a "virtual tour" of the Grand Canyon -- which is very impressive, if anyone hasn't checked it out on Google Earth. Anyway, I'm interested in doing a mass implementation on the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex pages.. both for cities and structures in the cities. Drumguy8800 07:30, 16 December 2005 (UTC)

I agree that kmz and kml files should be uploadable - not for the GE page but so geographical locations could have the file at the bootom. Flutefluteflute

[edit] Windows versions

It says that this program is available only for Windows 2000 and XP. Is it going to be discontinued for later versions?? Georgia guy 22:47, 4 January 2006 (UTC)

It does seem to be for nt5+ only. Google tends to do this, supporting only NT versions. Much easier for them to maintain. The only Google software that still runs on early systems is Google Toolbar, and maybe picasa --219.78.114.108 02:26, 11 February 2006 (UTC)

Take a look at the Google Earth Community, a forum/bulitin board for GE users. You can could post KMZ files there and link to them from Wikipedia. You can also find out if anyone else is working on (or has already completed) a similar project.

[edit] Sea level

The cursor also gives on-screen feedback on the height (above sea level) of all geographical locations. But when the cursor is over the sea surface proper, it can indicate that the sea level falls and rises like a hilly landscape! Also, higher definition views of the sea show it as a hilly area. Any explanation welcome.Politis 17:53, 27 January 2006 (UTC)

From observing the coast off sub saharan africa, I noticed the water looked like a shelf that dropped out into the atlantic ocean. Maybe it shows a rough elevation under the water (like the seabed)...? Ardo 02:33, 8 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Units of measurement

"Notably, the default setting is to U.S. customary units, despite metric units being the international standard used by every nation but 4 (the U.S, Liberia, Myanmar, and the United Kingdom all using the slightly different British measures), leading to accusations of cultural imperialism."

This should be checked. I don't know about the others, but the UK officially uses metric (is there an exception for beer?) The US doesn't use Imperial in any case; US measurements follow their own standard. Njál 23:44, 8 March 2006 (UTC)

There is a lot of talk on this in the metrication article, which states that only UK, US, Liberia and Myammar have not *fully* converted to the metric system. UK is largely converted, but US is not. I think the phrasing in this article may be misleading.

I love the attempted defence of US-bias. As I read it, much of the web is biased so Google should be also. Although Google is a US corporation, I wonder if the majority of their customers really are American. 23:14, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

Please provide references for this assertion. Smells like editor invention to me. Products made in the US nearly always provide US units as default. A tempest in a teapot over less than ideal defaults, or editor invention? JoshuaRodman 10:19, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

If you use the metric system, you can just change the default. It's not that hard. So I don't see what the big deal is. And although Americans might not be the majority of users of Google Earth, they are at least 45% of the users.

Measurements still default to Imperial at each program launch, regardless of user preference settings. Fehrgo 18:19, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

Are you using linux? Have you given write permission to your user folder's program settings?--Lazer erazer (talk) 17:33, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] External links and definition of 'Google Earth'

Maybe the number of external links should be cut down a little. Some of the titles are POV ("The Best German Google Earth Community") — but there are at least two German forums listed, and I don't know if noe or the other has more claim to Wikipedia linkage. Is there a guideline on what to name external links on Wikipedia? I think it would be good practice to make the name of the website the link, with explanatory comments in brackets if necessary.

A separate article dealing with the Google Earth community would be a good place for these links. It's somewhat unclear whether the article is about the computer program, its data, or the entire project. Njál 23:45, 8 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The status of Tibet is disputed?

I don't think the current status of Tibet is debatable enough for its inclusion under China on a contemporary map to be considered controversial. It's not recognized as an independent state by any country, nor does it have any de facto sovereignty. There's nothing wrong factually with not labelling Lhasa a national capital, either. So where does the dispute come from? Even if you can't stand the democracy record of Chinese government or the way they took over Tibet, please, leave this political statement out of the article - Google simply stayed neutral.

Tibet is not a recognized nation, at least by the united states, since google is in the united states, their recognition of countries goes mainly by those recognized by the u.s.--Olavid 20:08, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Images uploaded from google earth

What lisence should we use when uploading an image from Google earth to Wikipedia??????? Please help me, I have to upload images on the Greek Wikipedia. --87.202.71.21 14:16, 19 March 2006 (UTC)

Previously, there used to be a satellite image of Greenvale, Victoria on its page. However, this was taken off because copyright problems with it. I was wondering if there is any way possible to make Google Earth images legal. --DChiuch 01:07, 23 April 2006 (UTC)

Images/screenshots of Google Earth are copyrighted. Therefore, they can only be used if it's fair use. For example, an image of Google Earth used on the Google Earth article depicting Google Earth and/or the Google company would be considered as fair use, but using it to depict other items off-topicly (I.e. The building of a company not related to Google) would not be fair use as far as I know. It would be great to have a source of free satellite images, though... I believe that most NASA images are not copyrighted.—G.He 00:05, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

Just use NASA World Wind. All images are in the public domain. - Kookykman|(t)e 22:56, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't quite understand the legal issue. First, the images on the Google Earth Wikipedia article have a warning that they do NOT have adequate rational for Fair Use. However since Wikipedia has teamed up with Google Earth to create Wikimapia, could we use screenshots of Wikimapia in other articles on Wikipedia? For instance, a Wikimapia screenshot of a city on that city's Wikipedia homepage? Of course, the suggestion to simply use NASA data is a good one. All NASA images are in the public domain. But it would be nice to be able to use some Google Earth or Wikimapia screenshots in the content of various articles on Wikipedia. Any further advice / clarification would be greatly appreciated. Chunchucmil 15:24, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I think there is a distinction between uploading imagery of the application, and the imagery Google Earth presents (and has licensed). Uploading images where the subject is the application is probably OK (especially if just showing NASA imagery), uploading copies of the images is redistributing images licensed to Google and is not allowed. It makes no difference that you can view it for free in Google Earth. Halsteadk 21:56, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I have contacted Google Earth for a clarification of its use on Wikipedia. As this will likely take weeks for them to talk with lawyers, I'll post their response when I get it.Chunchucmil 17:03, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

I'm interested to find out what they say Chunchucmil. When we have an authoritive reply, a relevant entry for Google Earth images should be added to Wikipedia:Image_copyright_tags/Fair_use. I personally think it is silly for them not to release the images under the GPL, but who knows what legal minefields they had to negotiate. Aschoeff 21:51, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

Any news on this? Fehrgo 18:22, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

They never responded :-( Chunchucmil 16:57, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Newer Screenshots?

I think the screenshots on the article are out-dated (That is definitely not the current version (I think...), regardless of the OS [Note the logo of Google Earth at the top-left corner]). (Uploaded newer version)—G.He 16:30, 20 May 2006 (UTC) Should it be updated or will it not make much of a difference?—G.He 00:08, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

Given the newest versions of Google Earth and the fact that the 3d abilities are one of its major features, does anybody else think a new image is in order? Nrbelex ^(talk) 06:11, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Newer Windows Versions?

Why isi it that Google Earth rleased its last Windows Version on November 18, 2005? We are in June 2006! Please check into this! --195.229.242.54 13:02, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

There's already a new version of Google Earth: version 4 BETA. Please update the article.

[edit] Google Earth 4.0

Google Earth 4.0 Beta Is now Available

Download Page

The fallowing is Pritty Close to a Quote from the websight. Please Paraphrase if you want to include it in the article.--E-Bod 02:48, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

Linux Support

Google Earth in French, Italian, German, and Spanish.

improved the terrain

• peaks and valleys are more realistic

The Fallowing is What i noticed when i used it (remember WP:NOR, I'm not sure if we can use this). I typed this in a rush. Feel free to corect my spelling. I will go back to fix my spelling later.

• Diffrent look
• Bookmarks can be Edited Im mutch more Detail like Altitue and lat/longe-itude
• E-mail Placemartk, View, Image
• Share post
• You can show lat/longi-tude on map (I don't know if this is new or not)
• You can turn of the Atmosphere (The halo around the planet but i don't know if this is new)
  • Usefull if you put a new planet Image overlayy
    • I noticed one of Planet image overlays that work for regualr GE don't work while the Main image file for the planess do--E-Bod 03:17, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Criticism.

It mentions the critisisms regarding showing of military installations etc. Does anyone know if there are problems between google and the USA due to the detailed pictures of Area 51 and the pentagon etc. available?

Not sure, but I do remember how many other countries around the world were well pissed off though, because sensitive locations (e.g. military bases) were being blanked out by Google for the USA but not other nations. I believe they have started blanking out sensitive locations all around the world now. --Spet1363 19:43, 22 July 2006 (UTC)

Not quite right, one can see all sensitive locations (Airforce bases, Nuclear power plant, big dams etc) of India on GoogleEarth/Wikimapia. Vjdchauhan 11:12, 8 November 2006 (UTC)

Arent there any other criticims which involve the fact that google earth is a very powerful tool, that freely gives any human being the right to view any area of the earth. Almost scary when you actually think about it. My opinion at least, we should never have such information at hand like that.

No, quite right, humans should be locked in the dark, with access to as little information as possible. Of course we should have access to this! It's collectivly our Earth, why shouldn't we be able to see the bits of it we want in the detail we want? --TheIslander 20:36, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

Removed following line: "The imajury of the caribbean is old, and out dated from around 2003. The imagery should be updated in even the smallest parts of the world and not just the larger cities." Sounds more like a personal opinion than a criticism --Cirilobeto 05:39, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Have removed the reference to Birmingham in the section on US bias. Searching for Birmingham now gives Birmingham, UK, in contrast to what the article said. St. Petersburg, however, still gives the American city, not the Russian one. Have also corrected the spelling of the subtitle here on the talk page, being pedantic. Owl 12:36, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Iguazu Falls Dispute

The parliament in Argentina is going to debate to ask google to correct argentina-brazil limits since a mayor touristic point, the Iguazu Falls, appear completley in Brazil, when in reality is in the border and even most people prefere visiting them from Argentina Side, non existent in google hearth. Argentina authorities presume that the mistake can lead to people planning the trip to Iguazu choose Brazil instead.[3]--

[edit] Question

First of all how up to date are the photos in Google Earth?? How come you can't zoom in clear enough to see the actual ground. These are powerful datelites that can see for light-years but, you can't zoom in to even see the bare groung clear enough. Last of all you know how the in the movies people use like an earth viewer but, it's not pictures but live video from space an exsample of this is from the movie Enemy of the State is there really such a thing as real-time video spy satellites?? Please answer if you can.

The photos are usually no less than 3 years old. The images couldn't be high-resolution without destroying Google Earth's bandwidth. There are such things as real-time spy satellites, but they are more often than not hampered by cloud cover. - Kookykman|(t)e

For an example of dating, take a look at Lincoln in the United Kingdom. Following the A15 north you pass the County Showground, as the current coverage shows that the County Show is running, which means one of two days in late June. Less obviously, from my own knowledge as a farmer, the area was photographed in the summer of 2003--I can check crop patterns against records, and I know some buildings are visible which were demolished in early 2004. So the high-res imagery can be dated to the 18th or 19th June 2003, with the sun roughly south-east. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.110.53.61 (talk) 17:01, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Google Maps

Is it anything like GoogleMaps? --66.218.20.28 05:32, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes and No. Read the Wikipedia articles Google Earth and Google Maps and tell us what you think! AuburnPilot 02:46, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] National Security and Privacy Issues

This paragraph makes little sense to me. Anyone else think so? Landroo 02:27, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

'The 2006 incidental finding of a large topographical replica in the remote Huangyangtan region of China, purportedly a small-scale recreation of the Karakoram mountain range currently under Indian control. When it was confirmed that the territory modelled corresponded to a politically disputed borderline between the neighboring nations, spectators began to entertain sinister military implications.'

Definitly was poorly written. There are several fragments and grammatical mistakes. I'll attempt to revise it. AuburnPilot 02:51, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

Done. AuburnPilot 03:01, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Use in media

I think it would be interesting to add some section about the usage of Google Maps images in the media. For example I know about Google Earth images being used in Crank and in some British Airways advertisements in the UK. I would start the section, but these are the only two references I know, I think it would be better to start with some more complete information --NavarroJ 14:22, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] 3D Signage Tool

I added a new link in the tool section.

It links to a Google SketchUp Plugin for creating 3D signage in Google SketchUp -> the 3D signage can then be exported as a KML model straight into Google Earth. I believe it belongs in this section for the Google Earth article, as it is just that a tool for getting 3D signage into Google Earth!!!! I use Google Earth alot, and develop tools for Google SketchUp and this tool was specifically developed to do something which couldn't be done before. Look around the internet you won't find much 3D signage in Google Earth. Thats because until now tools haven't really be readily available to do it. Please do you homework on the topic, maybe read this other wiikipedia article I have created on the topic Google SketchUp 3D Text - before making comments.

I don't understand why people on wikipedia actually remove things before discussing edits. Its counter productive to the way a wiki should work. Ashleyjoyce 00:03, 23 September 2006 (UTC)

It’s really quite amazing how 3D buildings are being placed on Google Earth. For example, Seattle has but one textured building in its downtown core, whereas virtually every building in downtown Denver has been rendered.

My quibble lies with some of the comments being attached to these textured structures by their modelers. A pair of examples will illustrate my concerns. In Washington DC, the Capitol building reads “Spent the weekend snowed in so I decided to model the U.S. Capitol Building.” The Vehicle Assembly Building at Cape Canaveral reads, “Not quite done yet, but its something.” Is this appropriate for such a professionalism program? (205.250.167.76 17:36, 2 April 2007 (UTC))

[edit] aint none

why does the site blurr out and cannot foscus —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 208.180.100.92 (talk • contribs) 21:24, 28 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] msn messenger plugin

hello my friends just wondering about msn messenger contacts showing where they are with google earth is it a future program just send me a message .User:Jonjoe

Image:Google Earth and MSN Mesenger Snapshoot of Blackpool.jpeg

[edit] How frequently Google Earth updates its satellite imagery

Do we have this data about how frequently does Google Earth updates its satellite imagery to cover newer areas (e.g. over past 6 months or so I have seen only one (prominent) update of Indian cities and now most of smaller Indian cities (apart from earlier bigger cities) are too having high resolution imagery still large tracts of (including some smaller cities/towns and most of rural area) is not covered with High resolution imagery. Regards, Vjdchauhan 10:45, 8 November 2006 (UTC)

I think from time to time, not faster than once per 1-2 years. Alexandre Koriakine 10:50, 8 November 2006 (UTC)

I can tell you this: images of the Greater Vancouver Regional District were almost certainly taken before the summer of 2005. The state of construction on the Vancouver Convention Center, Simon Fraser’s University, and the Fraser Highway extension between 176 ST. and the Langley border, all correspond neatly with the period. In addition, the Infinity project, which broke ground in June 2005 at the corner of 100 AVE. and King George Highway in Surrey, is not visible on my maps.(205.250.167.76 21:39, 4 April 2007 (UTC))

[edit] Cyprus Naming Dispute?

"Cyprus is shown only as only belonging to Greece and does not show the Turkish half with its' own capital Lefkose."

I removed the information about the cyprus naming dispute in google earth, because: a) Cyprus is not shown as belonging to Greece in google earth. b) Republic of Cyprus is recognised as being sovereign over the entire island. c) Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a defacto state and is not recognised apart from Turkey.

In essence, the dispute is not a google earth dispute but a political dispute. It doesn't really transcend into google earth. Aggelophoros 08:31, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Edinburgh

why that only is half of Edinburgh, Scotland is only shown on Google Earth, User:Jonjoe

please ask Sergey Brin or Larry Page sir :) Ammar 12:43, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Wikipedia Lat/Long co-ordinates implementation into Google Earth

Hey this is a question which involves Wikipedia and Google Earth. I've just started to update Melbourne railway station articles with lat/long co-ordinates but the articles which I have recently added some to don't show up in Google Earth. Does anyone know how long it takes for articles with new co-ordinates to show up in Google Earth? Thanks. --Lakeyboy 02:07, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

I added a new section to the main article describing this new capability. The section still needs a lot of work. I have the same questions as Lakeboy about how often the data is scraped and confirmation of which coordinate templates to use. Theflyer 13:49, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

I'll email the development team, I have the email. -- Zanimum 14:34, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Actually, emailed Greg Maxwell, a fellow Wikipedian. He says that Google downloads our database dump. When they do, it figures out which articles are newly updated with coordinates or new pics. From there, the articles are approved, and Google makes sure all of the images are legally okay (and that they're not inappropriate). From there, their posted. Since the dumps only happen, I dunno, every two weeks, and it takes a while I presume to approve pictures, it's not an instant process. For now at least. It sounds like they are actively developing it, that's it's not just a "one-timer" release. -- Zanimum 22:13, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

@Lakeboy, maybe this new KML will help you. -- sk 00:18, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

So we actually have a downloadable file devoted to article coordinates? -- Zanimum 16:34, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Check in google earth in the bottom leftt in the layers section for "Geographic Content" - open this folder and tick the Wikipedia box. If you can't see it get the latest version of Google Earth from the official website.-- Flutefluteflute ^{Talk Contributions} 16:48, 15 December 2006 (UTC) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Earth#Wikipedia_and_Panoramio_mashup -- Flutefluteflute ^{Talk Contributions} 16:50, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Does anyone know what application, server, or script is used to scrape for coordinates in Wikipedia? If one had their own mediawiki and their own google earth server, what middleware is needed to achieve the same integration that occurs here? -Mike BW 12 JUN 07

[edit] Superimposition vs. Superimposing.

If you look at superimposition it's about pictures whereas superimposing is video. So I changed it. CRouleau 14 December 2006

[edit] User Boxes

Here are some user boxes for google earth.

User:Tbone55/wiki/UBS/Mine

--'•Tbone55•^{(Talk) (Contribs)(UBX)} 17:43, 19 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Usage by CNN and media

Is it worth mentioning that CNN uses Google Earth in various news reports on their cable network? Gordeonbleu 22:58, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] layers

G'day, I'm new to this google earth, I see in the "help" section that there is a tool called layers, how does one find this tool so I can get street names to appear, I can't find layers on the tool box on the left hand side of the screen, anyhelp would be great thanks... —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 203.214.82.113 (talk) 06:04, 4 February 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Removed excess from Specifications section

I removed the following text from the specification section. It was there as an example for the age of images. If it belongs in the article, perhaps a new section is needed. But I think it could just become a long ugly list.

"The San Francisco picture around Octavia Boulevard shows the Central Freeway that was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake partially still standing and with cars on it. The picture must have been taken between 1992, when the freeway north of Fell Street was demolished and the remaining portion reopened, and 2003, when the remainder west of Mission Street was demolished. For example, the image area around Taipei 101 shows the building before the red construction elevators were removed in 2004 and the new WAPA Path 15power line is still under construction (also in 2004). When viewing downtown Boston, one can see the old elevated Central Artery as well as the old Charlestown High Bridge with cars passing over both, even though both were demolished and replaced by the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Tunnel and the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge. The Zakim is seen, but is still under construction in the picture."

Mikeeg555 12:07, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

I removed "The minimum (age of the imagery) is 2 years old due to privacy issues." This is obviously false. Most people will be able to verify this. Builings erected much more recently are clearly present. Azate 13:08, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] BBC report

Just found this news.BBC.co.uk report titled "Iraqis use internet to survive war". It mentions how people are using Google Earth to avoid being kidnapped by sectarian patrols. —KNcyu38 (talk • contribs) 15:37, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Google Earth on PS3

Does this software works on the PlayStation 3´s yellow dog linux?

[edit] Darfur

I just found this BBC news report. I definetly think we should include something about this in the article as I don't think Google earth have ever teamed up with human rights groups in this way to actively encourage people to take action. Its too important to ignore. Olockers 12:30, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Help me!

I just downloaded google earth yesterday and it was fine, but 2day all i can normally is San Fran, which is pointless to me. Everything else is low-res, which it wasn't before. icelandic hurricane #12 _(talk) 19:58, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

Nevermind. Apparently when I check off My Places, it blurs. Wonder y... icelandic hurricane #12 _(talk) 20:38, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Has Google every attempted a global map of the Earth Using Non-visible Spectra?

Obviously, the Americans have already done this for military purposes so that they can deduce the nature of underground structures (and determine where bunkers are and how deep they might be).

I remember reading once about how they have also experimented (and ARE experimenting with) the use of Neutrino detectors in space that potentially have the ability to see straight through the Earth, but this, I imagine, can only be done at low resolution.

The above paragraph does seem quite useless to most of us (I don't own a bunker), but the point about having access to infrared, UV and other telemetry – perhaps in real time – would be quite useful for agricultural purposes, enabling higher food yields for lower water and fertiliser inputs (it should be possible to determine soil fertility qualities with some precision using visible and non-visible satellite spectra).

Anyhow, it would also be cool to see how different the Earth looks when view in terms of different spectra.

I can also imagine that Earth temperature data would be useful for agricultural purposes too...

I can't think of any other applications of such data other than for more efficient food production (for example, it should be possible to implement computer controlled underground piping networks for thirsty crops, that would be controlled dependent upon temperature and humidity information that would optimise growth and better yields).

Though, knowing my luck, all of this has probably be done before.....

MrASingh 18:34, 14 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Improved Resolution Via the Use of 'Back-Images'

I believe that someone has mentioned that Google Earth updates it's imagery every 1-2 years. Even with such a long time lag (which I'm guessing is actually a gross over-estimate, as Google ^probably^ receives information that enables it to update Google Earth every month, or less), it should be possible to process the Image information in such a way as to improve the resolution of some structures (for example, the Statue of Liberty doesn't move around often – so 2 separate images of her should enable a better 3-D modelling/Image Processing).

The above also goes for Non-Visual spectra, but I'm not sure how many people out there are smart enough to implement it (that's a joke, there's always someone out there smart enough to implement it).

MrASingh 18:41, 14 April 2007 (UTC)

P.S - The Statue of Liberty DOES move around a little, but not as much as the resolution distance that would satisfy most people.

[edit] Addition of overlay link

Anon User:71.115.158.217 has tried to add a link to [4] to the links section. This is an overlay layer mapping the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. I think this may be a sufficiently significant overlay to add to the overlays section. What do other editors think? I have asked the anon user to stop adding the link until consensus is reached, and stop adding an irrelevant link altogether! Halsteadk 10:45, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Degree Confluence project

GE useed to link to the Degree Confluence Project but recently stopped. could someone find a place to include this in the article? --Ted-m 20:05, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Who liaises with Google?

Gregory Maxwell has not posted for over two weeks (I do hope he's OK). Who else has contact with Google, in regard to their use of our coordinates? There are pressing issues needing attention. Andy Mabbett 09:55, 1 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Antarctica

I am currently looking at Antarctica, and there is a grey square with a mountain with really good resolution. It looks a bit out of place. Codelyoko193 19:47, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Infrastructure & implementation of wiki integration

Does anyone know what application, server, or script is used to scrape for coordinates in Wikipedia and create the KML code? If one had their own mediawiki and their own google earth server, what middleware is needed to achieve the same integration that occurs here? -Mike BW 13 JUN 07

There is no specific MediaWiki support for coordinates, and I'm not aware of extensions to make them easily available. Coordinates on Wikipedia are just text, and Google downloads the database dumps we provide and parses them following the format explained on the wiki. All parsing and serving is done with their own proprietary methods. The MediaWiki database can be queried, or dumped and parsed in a similar way with any MediaWiki installation, though it might not be the best solution. Google support would probably be happy to help with any of their Enterprise products, but if a less than turnkey-solution is enough, they have published a tutorial called Using PHP and MySQL to create KML. --Para 17:19, 13 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Censoring malls

I just noticed today that Google Earth is censoring out malls...worth mentioning in the article? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.161.205.36 (talk • contribs)

[edit] Fictional 3-d buildings

I found it interesting that a fictional bridge from Bungie's Halo 2 was included as a 3D bulding in Mombasa, Kenya. Are any other buildings fictional and should it be mentioned?

ThePheonix9 21:30, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Portable version

What if you want to use GE on a library computer where it is not installed? Are there any pure web interfaces for accessing the GE images without installation of any program? Is there a portable version that could be used without requiring installation?-69.87.204.204 21:50, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

Google Maps uses some of the same imagery. 82.36.30.34 06:43, 7 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Google Middle-Earth

Idea: What about something like Google Earth combined with a community process like the Wikipedia-one, where everybody shall be able to add info to the landscape, like self-made "aerial photography" (drawn or whatever), designed buildings etc.?
Christian Storm 17:30, 11 July 2007 (UTC)

You can pretty much already do that with Google Earth. Check out the Add -> Image Overlay. -- trlkly 20:20, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Google Earth and Macs

On a couple of occasions operating Google Earth on my Mac Intel Duo caused the CPU to overclock itself, causing the fan on the machine to increase in volume to the point where my Mac actually sounded like a PC for a few minutes (Macs normally run silently). It stopped when I shut the program down, and it's only happened to me twice. I went on a forum and a similar problem was reported by others. Have there been any published reports of Google Earth doing this? It might have been a fluke (or a problem with my Mac) but if such "engine racing" has been noted in any reputable source, that might be worth adding to the Macintosh section of this article. (One way I stopped my Mac from doing this was by shutting off the 3-D Buildings feature) 68.146.47.196 13:11, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

That does not sound like "overclocking" the cpu. It sounds like certain GE uses can cause your cpu to actually run at full speed, instead of loafing, and thus require full cooling.-216.236.252.235 (talk) 18:52, 25 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] The Globe Icon

Do you guys/gals think that the google earth blue globe icon should be uploaded? --Jackl 13:02, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] how about camera feeds

would be nice if one could get real cameras placed around the earth and get them via google earth peer to peer, govt laws not withholding :) the images look like they are unreal.. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 220.227.207.194 (talk) 14:40, August 22, 2007 (UTC)

We discuss the article, not Google Earth. (SEWilco 04:12, 23 August 2007 (UTC))

[edit] Obscure

i've lived for 30 years in the US, and never seen the "p.a." abbreviation. "per annum", "per year", "/year" are all common. "pa" is used for pascals and other things.66.19.69.203 03:14, 23 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cars

Are All Those Cars Real or Just There For Decoration? HIYO —The preceding signed but undated comment was added at 19:22, August 23, 2007 (UTC).

Hi. IMO the cars are all real. Remember that most of the images were taken several years ago by satellite. The satellite captured images of cars (as well as a few people). So the cars are real. How would they be able to place so many cars in all those directions? Hope this helps. Thanks. ~AH1^(TCU) 14:28, 24 August 2007 (UTC)

When Will They Take New Pics? HIYO 16:55, 24 August 2007 (UTC)

Look on the Google Earth web site for forums to discuss the product. (SEWilco 02:14, 25 August 2007 (UTC))

[edit] sky viewing feature

discuss--Olavid 20:10, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Um.. It's not so much sky as stuff in the sky? (SEWilco 03:56, 4 September 2007 (UTC))

[edit] Google Earth Image Use

Exactly how many Google Earth images do we need so the reader is able to understand what Google Earth is? I'm of the opinion that this article is getting flooded with Google Earth images that add little or nothing to the reader's understanding of the topic. Obviously, I feel that important features should remain, but this page has become a repository or gallery for all these copyrighted images and it begins to question the validity of their fair-use rationales. I propose we begin deleting images that are redundant or add almost nothing to the article substance. For example, we have three images of the 3D city look from New York, Denver and L.A. Certainly, one image is sufficient to present this feature. Another example is the "glitches" section explaining the "bumps" that appear across the map. We don't need the Eiffel Tower and the Straight of Gibraltar to illustrate this problem. One or the other. Also, the "flight simulator" is already in a 3D city environment. We can illustrate both features for the reader in this one pic. We are not supposed to be advertisers for Google, but writers of a decent encyclopedia entry. I want to hear what the editors of this page have to say. -- VegitaU 14:32, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] What the fuck

Is with the nazi-ism deleting like every picture on the article? Seriously, the program is ****ing free, whats wrong with a picture (much less low resolution) demonstrating certain things. God Im getting sick of this site. RoyalAbidi 01:15, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

First of all, calm down! Second of all, your comment is on the fringe of being a personal attack. I'll let you slide here, but be careful who you're calling a nazi. As I explained above (and there are many discussions on), Google Earth images are copyrighted. Period. Dot. Regardless of its free availability, all screengrabs and images from there are copyrighted (for the trillionth time). _{I'm sure someone down the road will ask again.} Third (or whatever number I'm on), most of these screenshots, if you take the time to look at them, are high resolution. 1100 X 800 px is not low-resolution. And when you say "certain things" it draws on the next point. There needs to be a reason, a rationale, for why a copyrighted image needs to be used and "certain things" just doesn't quite wash. There has to be an aspect that so requires this copyrighted image that, without it, the user would be left absolutely stupefied about the article in its entirety. So if you're getting sick of this site, I suggest you click here, close the window and tab you're currently viewing, and never come back; because these policies are here to stay and I've deleted enough Google Earth and Google Maps images to know what washes and what doesn't. Happy editing! ;)-- VegitaU 01:37, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

How much of a five-page essay is one expected to have to write for a 'fair use rationale'? I've been asked to provide one for Image:Google Scilly.jpg, but it already has one, pointing out that it is to demonstrate the very low resolution of some areas. If you think more is needed, how about providing some guidelines for what to put? - MPF 08:30, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

No prob. WP:FURG. Again. Enjoy. -- VegitaU 17:12, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

Godwin's law --Lazer erazer 21:15, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 3D buildings

"Google has provided a layer allowing one to see 3D buildings for many major cities."

The section "Google Earth%3D Buildings" does no longer exist, unfortunately. I've taken out the link, someone may insert it with the proper wikilink --Lazer erazer 14:21, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Update

when I opened up google earth a window came up saying that there was a update available for download and I just closed the that window thinking that I could download it later but now when I open google earth the window Isn't coming up, so does anyone now where I can get the update. 216.26.217.203 17:05, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

This is not a forum but, under "help" third from bottom "Check for updates online". --AxG ^{@ ►talk} 17:08, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your help. 216.26.203.77 15:34, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Screenshot

I've changed the screenshot... If anyone have any problem, reply to this thread. Reason for change: Original image was of too high resolution, which is not "fair use" since google earth snapshots are copyrighted. Moreover, why snapshot of Manhattan in specific? Replaced it with a generic image of Google Earth software showing Googleplex campus. Mugunth 15:04, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

The image is much better, actually showing the GE nav tools. Although you should rm the Vista task bar from it. --AxG ^{@ ►talk} 15:52, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

Not to mention shrinking it to 300 px or less and adding a fair use rationale. -- VegitaU 16:08, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

-- Removed Vista Takbar from image.. oops.. missed it the first time..! -- Made the thumbnail larger (300 px)

Mugunth 17:51, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

That's nice. Now you need to make the actual image smaller and get a fair use rationale up for it. Please, don't make me tag it. -- VegitaU 17:56, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

I've added a "fair use rationale" to the image. But I'm not sure whether it's correct. Can someone please check it out? The image was created on my PC... Mugunth 18:17, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Games Associated with Google Earth

What about games associated with Google Earth, like one ive heard of is GEWar, and there are some more out there, could you add something like that —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.30.120.132 (talk) 22:49, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Sky vs WorldWide Telescope

I take issue with this section, which cites the speculation/opinion of some tech bloggers:

Google Sky is believed to be less expansive[1] than its upcoming competitor (not yet released) WorldWide Telescope from Microsoft, which is regarded as significantly better[2].

Any objection to changing this to something more factual? How about: At TED 2008, Microsoft demonstrated a preview of the yet to be released WorldWide Telescope, which will offer similar features to Google Sky<citation>.

[edit] 64 bit compatibility

I've heard of a problem with running on 64 bit systems but don't see mention in the article of that. If there is such an issue it would be nice to have it mentioned. -- SEWilco (talk) 21:10, 10 March 2008 (UTC)