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Google Earth Beta for Mac
Thijs van As writes "AppleInsider reports that Google is developing a Google Earth version for Mac OS X. From the screenshots it looks similar to the Windows version, which is out since June 2005. The OS X version uses OpenGL rendering." From the article: "Earlier this month, a pre-release version of Google Earth for Mac OS X that uses OpenGL rendering reportedly began making the rounds overseas. The 40MB application packs a hefty set of preferences, allowing users to tweak detail and color, and control the speed of their 'flights.' Google Earth interfaces with Google's Web-based mapping service, Google Maps, in providing local search results and driving directions. However, sources say Google Earth for Mac OS X includes a superior set of satellite imagery when compared to the Google Maps Web service, offering additional clarity and a deeper zoom function."
well you dont have to wait for it http://mypersonalgetaway.com/
Yup, it includes libqt.3.dylib. So yes, the controls are done via Qt/Mac. (I'm running 10.4.)
The "feel" seems OK, but the look is pretty bad -- the menus are also non-standard, including weird checkboxes, icons, etc.
Hey, it's a beta, so I'm gonna cut it some slack. I haven't seen if Qt/Mac v4 offers better controls, but I'm willing to remain optimistic. At the very least, if they use Qt, we'll see similar Windows, Linux and Mac versions of all the Google apps, all released at similar times.
There is Earthbrowser on OS X (and win32) for ages. I don't think it is same with Google earth but it is much more educational and fun program.
;)
They now added satellite photos feature so makes it more cool.
It is installed on many schools,universities but doesn't make it "boring". Especially on hurricane season.
Check yourself
http://www.earthbrowser.com/
Because they bought an existing Windows product?
I have a shitty sig!
why did they choose windows first, instead...of a solution that was cross platform, like Java or python or perl?
Google didn't develop it from scratch. They bought up a company called Keyhole. Google Earth is basically a free version of Keyhole's $400 product, which is now "Google Earth Pro".
Don't become a regular here -- you will become retarded.
SHIT! I waited half a day for someone to list the download site - and noone did!
If you want to download it, here it is.
Apple implement the OpenStep specification - a cross platform spec for development of GUI applications. Sun also provided an implementation at one point, and the GNU project provides one in the form of GNUstep, which runs happily on all UNIX variants I've encountered and only slightly less happily on Windows. I, and many others, have no problems developing cross-platform apps which look and feel native on OS X.
I am TheRaven on Soylent News
This website has google earth as well as msn virtual earth accessable via web browser, so it is compatible with mac, linux, what ever has a flash enabled browser
http://www.flashearth.com/
Allow me to chime in and rehash a post that I made a few weeks ago:
Hmmm.... you need to increase the acceleration of your mouse. Whenever I've used a Mac with a mouse, I have only needed to jerk the mouse quite less than three inches to go from one corner of the screen to the other on 30" monitors at 2560x1600 (and much less in smaller monitors). Right now I can't make that test because I only have a Powerbook and a Windows PC with a PS/2 mouse in front of me. But, for what it's worth:
On the Powerbook, I can go from one corner to the other (1280x854) with only one swipe through the trackpad. The speed is set one tick faster than the middle setting. There are four more ticks to the right, and if I set it at the maximum, I can cover the diagonal by swiping over half the trackpad. But that's way too fast for me. (Note that there is no acceleration control for the trackpad).
On the Windows PC (an old Dell P4), at 1600x1200, I can travel the diagonal by jerking the mouse once around two inches. I have never touched the mouse settings so far: the speed is in the middle tick, the acceleration is in... surprise: low.
Let me set it to High (there are None, Low, Medium, and High settings). Ok, now I can cover the 1600x1200 diagonal with a 1 inch jerk (again, way to fast for me).
I never change the mouse settings for computers that aren't mine, but my experiences have been consistent with the above data, both with Macs and PCs. My guess is that you simply move the mouse too slowly. There is no shame on that, simply adjust the settings so that they better suit you.
Now, returning to your point, fyngyrz, since you appear to in the graphics industry maybe increasing the speed or acceleration of the mouse is not a good option (I guess). (On the other hand, I'm quite sure that if you use the computer to draw you are much better off with a digitizing tablet). But for the vast majority of users, crossing through the screen could be a swift wrist twist away.
(By the way, thanks to you and to JonathanBoyd for having a civil and interesting discussion, although at the end it seems that you (or we) only agreed to disagree.)