Lesson 24 - Google Earth

Here is a look at some great downloads on the web. Software on the cusp of avant-garde features seem to abound at the Google programming laboratory, as the sharp minds at Google keep producing scads of great applications for the masses!

The first killer app produced by Google? That would have to be their search engine, when even in its nascent days trumped all the competition in the search engine sector by its sheer speed and accuracy.

Have you ever experienced the exhilarating feeling of typing in an address anywhere around the globe, pushing a button, and instantly zooming in from outer space to see how many of your neighbors have swimming pools in their backyards?

If you haven't experienced this feat, the 3D Earth browser, aptly named Google Earth, can take you on a virtual tour of planet earth, flying you in from outer space at a steady clip all the way to the rooftop of your house! This is just the tip of the ice berg of what some Google applications can do.

This is awsome for those of you who are ground team Members and don't have a GPS just print out the co-ordinates on your next SAR rescue and walla!!! These are satellite images within a couple of hours "Real Time" or when ever the satellite was last over your postition. This is a utility we cant really market on our serch and rescue missions. FOR FREE!!!!!

And you can get all these wonderful apps, as well as other great software from 3rd parties, all in one convenient package: Google Pack. Let's list some of great software titles one gets when installing Google Pack, shall we?

It was inevitable, some might say: the coupling of Google's search engine algorithms with your local hard drive. Google Desktop allows you to search and locate files quickly on your computer, which is a far cry easier and more efficient than the standard XP search dialog; with Vista, Microsoft claims that searching has been greatly improved.

As an added bonus--in my opinion, this feature should have been advertised more aggressively--you also get the Google Sidebar, which is an awesome program that houses many useful mini "gadgets" at the side of your desktop. Keep abreast of the latest news and traffic conditions in your area with the News and Traffic check gadgets.

Each gadget can be selected from an extensive library of gadgets, some created by Google, others by 3rd parties and homebrew programmers from all over the world. For those of us who are waiting for Microsoft to work out all the kinks of Vista--perhaps awaiting Vista's first service pack--the Google Sidebar is a nice substitution to Vista's built-in gadget sidebar.

If you've a Gmail account--who doesn't?--you're familiar with the Google Talk feature inside of your inbox. Inside of Gmail, Google Talk allows you to IM your Gmail buddies, and all through the convenience and portability of a web browser!

If you like the smooth interface and capabilities of Gmail's built-in Google Talk, you'll certainly love Google's desktop Google Talk Client program that comes optionally bundled with Google Pack. Not only do you get the usual IM features, but you can also make PC-to-PC phone calls to family and friends across town or overseas. And file transfers to your Google Talk buddies is an easy, straightforward process.

Screensavers have been so engrained into computer culture that the present generation probably doesn't know what they were originally intended for: to prevent computer monitor burnout. With the advances of computer monitor technology, screensavers aren't really necessary nowadays as a precautionary measure.

Now they are mainly used just for aesthetic value. The Google Pack Screensaver bundle takes screensavers to the next level! If you've a nice collection of family photos on your PC, Google Screensaver can collate them into a virtual collage screensaver, which is nice for family gatherings and holidays.

Picasa is a beautiful application to behold. Its GUI is very responsive and fluid. If you've a myriad of photos strewn all about your PC, let Picasa bring order to the chaos. Once installed, Picasa will place itself in the background and quietly scan your computer's hard drive, looking for any media files and automatically sorting them by date. Not only does Picasa make your photo collection extremely manageable, but it also allows you to perform minor Photoshop-like touchups, like correcting redeye or image cropping.

Norton AntiVirus 2005 Special Edition You'll get all the great Google creations in this software package, but that's not all there is. In addition, Norton Antivirus 2005 SE is also included. In this technological day and age, a competent virus scanner is paramount to ward off any insidious pieces of code trying to wreck havoc on your computer.

Norton is one of the most recognised names in virus detection and elimination software industry and the special edition of Norton Antivirus 2005 comes included with Google Pack. Trendmicro had just released their latest 6.6 Online Housecall,

As with computer viruses, spyware and ad ware can be just as annoying and destructive. Arm yourself with AdAware, a powerful spyware detection application that can search out and purge any spyware that has embedded itself into your PC.

This spyware detection/elimination program works the same way as any virus scanner. Simply choose a hard drive to scan, and that's it! AdAware will take care of everything.

Once the scan has completed, you'll be given a detailed report of anything that AdAware found suspicious and the option to erase the offending pieces of digital dregs.

When downloading Google Pack, you're given the option of opting to include several extra applications. The Google Video Player allows you to play videos that you've bought via Google's Video website.

Also included in the optional category is a popular media player, RealPlayer, which can play a variety of media formats, stream music and much more. Tired of ridiculous long distance phone charges? Include Skype in your download bundle, and you'll be able to make voice and video calls to anyone that also has a computer and

Google Pack is a great path to a bunch of fantastic software in one convenient download. Install everything in one fell swoop instead of a cumbersome piecemeal fashion. Surf on over to http://pack.google.com to learn more.

On Feb 20, 07, we received a call about 3:30 am local time for a 243 beacon reported by sattelite fix to be about a mile west of the Wilgrove airport in East Charlotte. Scott Malazia and I responded to the Wilgrove airport and heard nothing. The IC then directed us to launch our aircraft and do an air search. No signal was heard and the AFRCC reported three negative passes and sent us home.

About 1pm local time that afternoon, the signal was reacquired with actual GPS coordinates. I pulled up the coordinates on Google Earth (now 3 miles west of the Wilgrove airport)and printed a color map of the residential neighborhood out and took it with us to the site. Using the color map, we were able to plot bearings and triangulate the signal. Turned out that the signal was coming from a malfunctioning cable modem in someone's basement.

Lt Col John Knowles used Google Earth in the Dave Weiss Mission

The Google Earth map made a huge difference with the detailed work within a residential neighborhood. I've also found the website valuable as we do mission planning and looking at flying into an airport I've not been to before. Feels like I've been there when I show up.

We use Google Earth frequently when planning and executing SAR missions when working with ground teams. It was used quite a bit during the Dave Weiss Mission last April. Although the screen is not a 3D image it does allow you to get a better feel for terrain, especially allowing you to "tilt" or rotate the maps. Being able to add markers is a big plus, practice ELT's etc.. as well as being able to use coordinates and the ability to add existing locations like airports, roads or buildings.

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