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Apple Campus Missing From MSN Earth

Posted by timothy on from the take-a-memo-take-a-joke dept.

webguru4god writes "The Register has an article detailing a significant omission from Microsoft's new Virtual Earth application. Apparently the satellite image view of 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino, CA shows a large empty lot, whereas Google Maps shows the sprawling Apple campus. Hmmm, I wonder if the Google campus is missing too?"

6 of 413 comments (clear)

  1. Re:It's just an old map by RonnyJ · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The Register article even later points out that MSN have photos still showing the WTC (pre-9/11) - obviously old photos. Still, it doesn't stop them (and /.) having a sensationalist headline.

  2. Real story .... by taniwha · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I completely agree - the real headline should be something like "Microsoft Virtual Earth Horribly out of Date"

  3. I think that's just MS way by Tibor+the+Hun · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Steal someone's idea, and do a halfassed job...

    I'm sure it's not on purpose, it's just the way MS does things.
    I've also read in the Register that the Twin Towers from WTC are still there.
    I mean, wouldn't one of the beta testers check for that?

    --
    If you don't know what AltaVista is (was), get off my lawn.
  4. TerraServer Data by wireloose · · Score: 5, Insightful

    TerraServer's web satellite imagery server came out in the late 90's, with all the early 90's imagery from the USGS. The interface was similar to both of these map sites. And then Microsoft bought and took over TerraServer a year or so later. So, that's probably what's here. Rather than spend time getting data sources updated, perhaps they spent time rewriting all the image server software in .NET.

    Seriously, though, Microsoft did the usual overkill, attempting to put too much into the user interface. Hence odd mouse controls, unnecessary zomming animation when a simple quick redraw at the new zoom level is preferred, etc.. More time spent on glitz than substance.

    1. Re:TerraServer Data by koko775 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I don't understand this elitism or prejudice against features just because it's Microsoft. The zooming was a feature i'd like to see in Google Maps, since i don't have to reload the map every step of the way. And the mouse controls -- odd? How? They were nice touches to a typical user like me.

  5. Other things that are missing by The+OPTiCIAN · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Of course, Australia is missing from the Microsoft maps as well but somehow that seems less notable than... a couple of acres on the west coast of the US?

    --


    Believe with me, my saplings.