Photoblog
July 2, 2005 02:19 AM PST
If you can't tell from the post time, I'm totally addicted to Google Earth. Google recently expanded maps.google.com to include sattelite images of the entire world. Last week they released a free version of
Google Earth, an application that renders the entire earth, and is zoomable down to the level of individual cars on a street!
If you have a computer with decent speed and a 3D card, download this app. Not only are images rendered, but full earth topography, streets, and many other map elements are visible. Currently, the only drawback is that some parts of the world are mapped at a much higher resolution than others, but since the areas are loaded dynamically, I assume Google will be improving the high res areas going forward.
So let's start out by playing a little "where in the world". The theme here is islands. An easy one:

A metropolitan island.

Medium difficulty. (
Here's a hint...) What's on this island?

Hard difficulty. Hint: notice the compass direction and the coastal beach for a point of reference.

Nullstream difficulty. (Only true Google Earth addicts will find this island). The heart shaped thumbnail island for this post is also Nullstream difficulty. :-p
Comments (11)
I also find Google Earth strangely addictive. I’m going to resist your island challenge however as I’m afraid of the amount of time it will suck.
Yeah, I "drove" from San Francisco to Seattle by clicking and dragging (using the satellite images setting) and now my hand hurts.
You forgot to pull over at the rest stops. Serves you righ, you know you can't click through the whole trip in one shot.
Those rest stops are super dangerous! Have you seen the characters that hang out there? Definitely smart of Paul to just tough it out and go direct.
Now seriously... no one even guesses the first one?
Paris, Notre Dame
Correct - the first is Ile de la Cité in Paris. It actually connects via bridge to a more quaint and exclusive island Ile St Louis, home to Berthillon ice cream and other very nice restaurants.
Second island I reckon is Murano in Venice. Haven't got Google Earth, but I recognise it because I've been there - ha!
The reason I haven't got it is because I've just watched my collegues waste two hours straight on it...
Easy...Paris :-)
The guess of the second one is close but not quite...
Bugger, well - it's next to Murano then.
Buy your own island. Awesome.