cgrisha - Dec 17, 2006 6:34 pm - Voted 10/10
nicesome time I use Google for finding good places to hiking, and I wait for more improvement of detail of the mountains and routs and trails :D
gimpilator - Dec 17, 2006 6:51 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: niceIt is a good tool and has much potential, but also has a lot of room for improvement. Thanks for the comment!
Mark Doiron - Dec 18, 2006 1:32 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice Article, But ...I said: "I placed the Google Earth map coordinates on the page and if someone copies and pastes them into Google Earth ..."
Well, with my son's help I've improved on that. Now I have a clickable link such that the reader will have Google Earth open and be taken to the view I suggest for that area. Here's the one for Marmot Rocks.
It was cranky to figure out exactly how to get the bookmark I wanted. Once I did, I saved it to "My Places", then FTP'd the saved .kmz file to my ISP's web server. After that it's a simple link to the .kmz from the SP web page. Pretty nifty!
--mark d.
gimpilator - Dec 18, 2006 3:54 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice Article, But ...Mark, it's great to hear that you were able to find such a good use for Google Earth already. I'll try to make some edits tonight. Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Adam
Scott - Dec 18, 2006 3:10 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice, but not the entire planetThe result is a three dimensional representation of the entire planet!
I have noticed however that it really isn't comprehensive and only covers certain areas. Some areas in the world aren't even covered at all by Google Earth except for very small or non-existant resolution, and as you know even some of the more remote areas in the lower 48 don't have clear images, nor even close, and no useful 3-D can be generated. Many places in the world aren't covered at all, so it's really not the entire planet.
On the areas that are covered however, it is awesome!
Nice article though. A 10/10.
gimpilator - Dec 18, 2006 4:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice, but not the entire planetYou have a point here. In my exploration I did encounter some areas that had very low definition and could not be of much use, but I didn't find anywhere that was blank. I might have to re-write the introduction. I read somewhere that the Google staff is constantly making improvements and updating the information on their database that connects to the program on our computers. And as Mark mentioned, there is and improved version for sale. I look forward to the future and an increase in quality. Thanks for the comment.
Scott - Dec 18, 2006 4:33 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Nice, but not the entire planetIn my exploration I did encounter some areas that had very low definition and could not be of much use, but I didn't find anywhere that was blank.
If you're curious and want to see one applicable to Summitpost, try my page below:
Page
Notice the error message. You can actually zoom way out and get a dot, but nothing of use. Some of the other sizable Pacific Islands and some other areas don't show up at all at any resolution. Some other areas in various places in the world are completely blanked out due to cloud cover.
Just in case you were curious.
gimpilator - Dec 19, 2006 4:10 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice, but not the entire planetI can see what you mean. It looks like they didn't finish the photos of the island. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Scott - Dec 19, 2006 4:31 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Nice, but not the entire planetI can see what you mean. It looks like they didn't finish the photos of the island.
Yep, most of the smaller Pacific Islands don't show up. Other problem areas are the Andes Mountains of Colombia and Ecuador. The vast majority are blanked out from cloud cover, or just blank. Much of the Guiana Highlands as well.
Still, a good tool for much of the world. Once again, good job.
Ammon Hatch - Dec 19, 2006 11:19 am - Voted 10/10
Love Google EarthI've been using it for years now. Once upon a time it was called "keyhole" and was developed by nvidia. Back then it was a subscription and I only played with it for a trial period. One very fine day, google bought the technology and made it free :)
Last fall I was in a geology class at the University of Utah, and my professor pulled up google earth to demonstrate areas of interest (one point in specific is the plate margins just west of northern california, oregon and washington). Needless to say, I was very stoked.
One sunday I was bored and placemarked all of the California and Colorado 14ers. I have all of the western state highpoints as well.
With GPS data and the help of www.gpsvisualizer.com, you can create a 3D overlay of a route you've taken! I did so on Rocky Mouth Canyon Peak, and Gobblers Knob. Someone else had done it for Lone Peak already. I believe you can also do it with google earth premium.
I've used it to figure out where I was when I didn't go where I was supposed to. I've used sketchup to make 3D representations of buildings in Salt Lake and the outlaw cabin in the Lone Peak area. I am a Google Earth addict. Excellent Article.
gimpilator - Dec 19, 2006 4:36 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Love Google EarthWhen I decided to write this article I didn't expect to learn so much. Now I am learning from you readers. I sure would like to try the GPS route feature of the upgraded version. I think it's only $20. Thank you for your experience and knowledge. I have used it to update the article.
desainme - Dec 19, 2006 1:27 pm - Voted 10/10
I use this all the timeFom simulating a drive to looking at Mtns on SP. Baxter Park in Maine and the Elk Mtns and much of New Hampshire have impressive definition. Annapurna and the Matterhorn need some real attention.
viewfinder - Jan 18, 2007 1:11 am - Hasn't voted
Re: I use this all the timeWhen did you last check out Annapurna and Matterhorn? Both were substantially improved by a terrain update on November 23.
desainme - Jan 18, 2007 2:52 am - Voted 10/10
Re: I use this all the timeThanks- I have noticed the upgrade at the Matterhorn and Annapurna and quite a few improvements in the Rockies too.
MoapaPk - Dec 19, 2006 2:25 pm - Voted 10/10
Good article, imperfect toolI've a couple beefs with Google:
1) the photos are often really misregistered, so if you plot a gps track, it may be off by 200 meters. That makes it hard to pin down which drainage one takes, etc. They could use a local "nudge" tool.
2) the underlying DEMs (digital elevation models) are coarse, so cliffs on steep mountains are deceivingly muted.
swm88er - Dec 19, 2006 4:22 pm - Voted 10/10
Good article!I think that Google earth can be a very helpful tool, especially in seeing how accurate topo maps are. From my (limited) experience it seems as if topo maps can be a little mis-leading at times. From what it sounds like (correct me if I’m wrong), as they continue to update the (digital) topo maps from 100k to 24k, our topo maps will be more accurate and google earth will only get better!
CBoldt1010 - Dec 19, 2006 5:48 pm - Hasn't voted
Great ArticleI use it all the time and have been for years. The upgraded versions offer a lot for GPS route planning and such. Just recently they have started adding trails and routes for US State and National parks. Others are sure to follow for places all over the world!
I think it is a great tool for what it can offer and can help plan for better trips. Great article!
gimpilator - Dec 20, 2006 1:58 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great ArticleI have not yet seen the upgraded versions but it's exciting to hear that routes and trails are being added. Thank you for your comment/compliment. And my thanks goes out to everyone else for such a positive response.
gimpilator - Dec 20, 2006 1:53 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Yeah..good stuff.I'm glad you mentioned them. I thought about saying something about them in but decided against it to stay on topic. If anyone hasn't seen them, it's worth checking out. There are some nice volcanos worth climbing on Mars. Google Mars, Google Moon
GerryS - Dec 20, 2006 5:32 am - Voted 9/10
I Hate Google EarthWith all the sleep it's cost me ... almost as bad as SP.
Resolution of the Maroon Bells is tremendous.
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