Google Earth Primer

I found this wonderful video over at Youtube's Google Channel. If you have never used Google Earth before and have an hour to learn (yes that is how long it is, but I would highly encourage you to do it). The presenter does a great job of walking you through the different aspects of Google Earth. I watched it and although I dont' know I learned anything new, I was still amazed at the many incredible features. I thought the whole whale thing was pretty cool.

Zooming in on Our City

I was searching around the other day looking for satellite imagery of Topeka. I found an old image (at least in terms of satellite imagery anyway) taken in 1991. I searched for things I was familiar with and noticed how undeveloped Wanamaker Road was at this time. The mall, WalMart (Hypermart as it was called back then), Sam’s and the Target shopping center and a few other businesses were virtually the only buildings along the corridor. Look at a recent image and things have changed dramatically.
That led me to think a little about Topeka and technology and the way in which Topekans are using technology in various ways. It seems that there is so much going on out there in cyberspace that it is impossible to keep track of. Facebook, Youtube, Myspace, Blogs, I-Report, Google Earth, and Podcasts aren’t just the vernacular of the college crowd. Used properly, these are powerful tools that enhance our communication not only with our friends and family, but across the world.
I am an avid user of Google Earth and in just a short time have “virtually” toured much of the world from the major world cities to remote islands in the Pacific. Recently, I uploaded a few photos to Panaramio, a service that allows users to upload photos online and they will appear in Google Earth at the location of the photo. I have noticed photos of Topeka landmarks people have taken and uploaded too. For example, this feature will allow you to look at a photograph of the Kansas State Capitol Building taken and uploaded by a user like yourself with a digital camera. The photos are reviewed by Panaramio before they are made public. I have several from a recent trip to Chicago waiting for approval.
I know, some of you are thinking that this is already too much for me. I don’t even know what Google Earth is or even think that it wouldn’t be of any benefit to you.
Trust me when I say that Google Earth is going to change the world. In upcoming articles I will talk more about this phenomenal tool and the many useful ways you can utilize it from looking at vacation destinations, tracking flights or cruises, or even gardening.
My challenge is to meet the needs of the beginning user, the casual user and the advanced user and to help all Topekans better their skills in the digital age. So here is your first assignment.

1. Beginner – Visit Google Maps starting at the state capitol building. Work with the controls and see if you can locate your house or place of business.
2. Casual User – If you haven’t downloaded the updated version of Google Earth, go and do it now. The new Sky feature is incredibly fascinating – turn the point of view around and look into the sky, not just at the stars, through the stars, deep into space. From the layers menu, select Geographic web and then zoom in on Topeka.
3. Advanced User – Take your vacation photos, create a Panaramio account and begin uploading them. Once you have done that, send them to your friends and family and let them know where you have been.

Here are the photos I have taken. I plan to contribute more.
I live a lot of my life in the digital age and I have found that my appreciation and understanding of the world around me is growing every day. From music, to art and to the environment, the digital world has taken the giant planet in which we lived and put it right in front of our very own eyes to explore and to make better. I hope you will learn a little from me and I want to learn more from you in the process.
Until next time, enjoy your journey through Digitopeka.