Made a KML file - perhaps a TOUR ?
Now you can embed it on a webpage using the EMBED KML GADGET
I made a new GOOGLE SITE to host my files...
https://sites.google.com and follow the instructions...
Copy the Link Address and paste it in...
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Google Earth and Maps course now OPEN
The Google Earth and Maps course that I mentioned a while back has now gone live...
You can participate in courses for both Google Maps and Google Earth.
Go here for more information and to register.
More details on this YouTube video, introduced by Tina Ornduff, who I met at the Dublin Google event last year.
Once you've registered, you'll find out more about the course, which starts on June the 10th....
You can participate in courses for both Google Maps and Google Earth.
Go here for more information and to register.
More details on this YouTube video, introduced by Tina Ornduff, who I met at the Dublin Google event last year.
Once you've registered, you'll find out more about the course, which starts on June the 10th....
Why not join me ?
A few other new websites...
A few other Google Earth / Maps related websites which might be of interest...
The first is the Google Earth Engine.
Posted about this before, but a reminder of the environmental elements which can be accessed from the site.
Google Earth Engine brings together the world's satellite imagery — trillions of scientific measurements dating back almost 40 years — and makes it available online with tools for scientists, independent researchers, and nations to mine this massive warehouse of data to detect changes, map trends and quantify differences on the Earth's surface. Applications include: detecting deforestation, classifying land cover, estimating forest biomass and carbon, and mapping the world’s roadless areas.
Also check out the GeoData portal from Tufts University in the USA.
Plenty of layers which can be accessed using the search function, and then adding them to the cart (which enables a download of the data - often in shapefile format)
The shapefiles could presumably then be opened in ArcGIS Online.
There is a user guide which can be accessed by clicking the tab top right....
Thanks to Keir Clarke for the link to the site....
The first is the Google Earth Engine.
Posted about this before, but a reminder of the environmental elements which can be accessed from the site.
Google Earth Engine brings together the world's satellite imagery — trillions of scientific measurements dating back almost 40 years — and makes it available online with tools for scientists, independent researchers, and nations to mine this massive warehouse of data to detect changes, map trends and quantify differences on the Earth's surface. Applications include: detecting deforestation, classifying land cover, estimating forest biomass and carbon, and mapping the world’s roadless areas.
Also check out the GeoData portal from Tufts University in the USA.
Plenty of layers which can be accessed using the search function, and then adding them to the cart (which enables a download of the data - often in shapefile format)
The shapefiles could presumably then be opened in ArcGIS Online.
There is a user guide which can be accessed by clicking the tab top right....
Thanks to Keir Clarke for the link to the site....
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Google Earth Balloon Maker
One of the things that most people want to be able to do is change the nature of balloons attached to placemarks so they can add content and format it appropriately.
The Google Earth Balloon Maker from Mr. Macfadden may be the answer for some teachers. It 'automates' the process of creating balloons a little by adding a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) style editor...
Watch the video below to see it in action, then try it for yourself...
The Google Earth Balloon Maker from Mr. Macfadden may be the answer for some teachers. It 'automates' the process of creating balloons a little by adding a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) style editor...
Watch the video below to see it in action, then try it for yourself...
KML.... not an airline
As I explain on the GA course, files which are created using Google Earth are generally saved in KML format. This is short for Keyhole Markup Language.
If you are particularly keen to find out more, I have a book about KML which provides plenty of information about the language.
What files are available out there ?
Well, to show what can be found, I did a quick Google search on the term 'kml geography' and came up with some interesting files within a couple of minutes:
- a file released by the US Data.gov website showing radiation levels in and around Fukushima.
(follow the link, and use the search button, and there are over 700 files apparently for download on a range of topics) - US based, but plenty on tornadoes, hydrology, hurricanes etc.
- information about files which have been made available by the Office for National Statistics (as well as shapefiles which can open in ArcGIS Online if they have less than 1000 elements to them)
- teach a bit of RE too ? check out these BIBLE files
- wildfires in your spec (Edexcel 'B' for example) - go HERE and click DATA to download KML files for current fires (depending on the season...)
Don't forget the old KML Factbook as well
If you are particularly keen to find out more, I have a book about KML which provides plenty of information about the language.
What files are available out there ?
Well, to show what can be found, I did a quick Google search on the term 'kml geography' and came up with some interesting files within a couple of minutes:
- a file released by the US Data.gov website showing radiation levels in and around Fukushima.
(follow the link, and use the search button, and there are over 700 files apparently for download on a range of topics) - US based, but plenty on tornadoes, hydrology, hurricanes etc.
- information about files which have been made available by the Office for National Statistics (as well as shapefiles which can open in ArcGIS Online if they have less than 1000 elements to them)
- teach a bit of RE too ? check out these BIBLE files
- wildfires in your spec (Edexcel 'B' for example) - go HERE and click DATA to download KML files for current fires (depending on the season...)
Don't forget the old KML Factbook as well
USGS Earthquake Page
This page of KML resources would be a useful additional resource for students using Google Earth to explore natural hazards.
Friday, May 31, 2013
TIMELAPSE project...
The Time magazine TIMELAPSE project visualises several areas of change: from the growth of Dubai to glacial retreat.
Excellent stuff...
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Let Osprey...
Thanks to Spin the Globe for the lead to a useful resource which uses Google Earth to explore migration and related issues.
It is based on work done to track the Ospreys who live on Rutland Water.
Check out the Google Earth map that tracks them.
Follow on Twitter too: @SpintheGlobe
It is based on work done to track the Ospreys who live on Rutland Water.
Check out the Google Earth map that tracks them.
Follow on Twitter too: @SpintheGlobe
Adding local images into Google Earth placemarks... and IPERNITY
While running a Google Earth course last week in Birmingham, I went through how to add an image to a Placemark. The first issue was that FLICKR has recently changed. This means that it is less straight forward than it used to be
On the plus side
One disadvantage of this is that many schools may find FLICKR and other possible places to store images are blocked in some schools.
There are other alternatives: a blog could be used for examples, although once again these may be blocked in some schools.
A website called IPERNITY now has the option to transfer up to 200Mb of photos per month from FLICKR.
Some browser add ons need to be installed for this process to work...
Once they are installed, it's very easy to add in your photos one chunk at a time... I'm currently doing that so that my photos 'live' in three places. Check my photos HERE.
A bigger problem was that the facility to add local images: from a laptop or other location that wasn't online had stopped working. This would be useful in a school environment where files could be created which will work within the classroom, and not require images to be fetched from an online location.
It was a bit embarrassing that it was no longer working though as I was expecting to show it in action.
I delved into various forums and found quite a few work arounds for adding local images which didn't seem to work very well, but then found one which did....
The first step apparently is to ensure that LOCAL images can be used with Google Earth, which is a setting in the OPTIONS.
This is not checked by default, but I think needs to be ticked for local images to be available for placemarks.
A particular folder path is then required to add to the code that is provided for adding an image: a KML tag which looks like this![]()
- which basically points Google Earth to the location where it can find the source of the image.
Instructions follow - added to Slideshare - hope they're helpful...
On the plus side
One disadvantage of this is that many schools may find FLICKR and other possible places to store images are blocked in some schools.
There are other alternatives: a blog could be used for examples, although once again these may be blocked in some schools.
A website called IPERNITY now has the option to transfer up to 200Mb of photos per month from FLICKR.
Some browser add ons need to be installed for this process to work...
Once they are installed, it's very easy to add in your photos one chunk at a time... I'm currently doing that so that my photos 'live' in three places. Check my photos HERE.
A bigger problem was that the facility to add local images: from a laptop or other location that wasn't online had stopped working. This would be useful in a school environment where files could be created which will work within the classroom, and not require images to be fetched from an online location.
It was a bit embarrassing that it was no longer working though as I was expecting to show it in action.
I delved into various forums and found quite a few work arounds for adding local images which didn't seem to work very well, but then found one which did....
The first step apparently is to ensure that LOCAL images can be used with Google Earth, which is a setting in the OPTIONS.
This is not checked by default, but I think needs to be ticked for local images to be available for placemarks.
A particular folder path is then required to add to the code that is provided for adding an image: a KML tag which looks like this
Instructions follow - added to Slideshare - hope they're helpful...
Getting local image files to work in google earth from GeoBlogs
By the way, the next Google Earth course is in London in June, but it's fully booked.
They'll be running again in 2013-14.
Watch the GA website for details as they emerge.
By the way, the next Google Earth course is in London in June, but it's fully booked.
They'll be running again in 2013-14.
Watch the GA website for details as they emerge.
Free ArcGIS Online course
After the Google Earth / Google Maps course I described in the last post, there's now a chance to take part in another course, this time based on ArcGIS Online.
Sign up at COURSERA for the course, which starts in July.
Details here...
The past decade has seen an explosion of new mechanisms for understanding and using location information in widely-accessible technologies. This Geospatial Revolution has resulted in the development of consumer GPS tools, interactive web maps, and location-aware mobile devices. These radical advances are making it possible for people from all walks of life to use, collect, and understand spatial information like never before.
This course brings together core concepts in cartography, geographic information systems, and spatial thinking with real-world examples to provide the fundamentals necessary to engage with Geography beyond the surface-level. We will explore what makes spatial information special, how spatial data is created, how spatial analysis is conducted, and how to design maps so that they’re effective at telling the stories we wish to share. To gain experience using this knowledge, we will work with the latest mapping and analysis software to explore geographic problems.
Sign up at COURSERA for the course, which starts in July.
Details here...
The past decade has seen an explosion of new mechanisms for understanding and using location information in widely-accessible technologies. This Geospatial Revolution has resulted in the development of consumer GPS tools, interactive web maps, and location-aware mobile devices. These radical advances are making it possible for people from all walks of life to use, collect, and understand spatial information like never before.
This course brings together core concepts in cartography, geographic information systems, and spatial thinking with real-world examples to provide the fundamentals necessary to engage with Geography beyond the surface-level. We will explore what makes spatial information special, how spatial data is created, how spatial analysis is conducted, and how to design maps so that they’re effective at telling the stories we wish to share. To gain experience using this knowledge, we will work with the latest mapping and analysis software to explore geographic problems.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Google Maps and Google Earth course
I've just enrolled to take part in a new free course that is being offered by Google.
Introduction to mapping with Google.
You can participate in courses for both Google Maps and Google Earth.
Go here for more information and to register.
More details on this YouTube video, introduced by Tina Ornduff, who I met at the Dublin Google event last year.
Once you've registered, you'll find out more about the course, which starts on June the 10th....
Introduction to mapping with Google.
You can participate in courses for both Google Maps and Google Earth.
Go here for more information and to register.
More details on this YouTube video, introduced by Tina Ornduff, who I met at the Dublin Google event last year.
Once you've registered, you'll find out more about the course, which starts on June the 10th....
Why not join me ?
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Google Earth MOOC
An interesting new resource from Richard Treves on his Google Earth Design blog.
A new MOOC (online course) on Google Earth.
A new MOOC (online course) on Google Earth.
Google Maps Mania
In the recent Google Earth course that I ran in Birmingham, I showed Where's the Path.
Thanks to Keir Clarke for pointing out that the site has undergone an update.
Follow this link to see a version that has been updated, and modified so that it can be viewed on tablets.
A useful additional mapping resource to go alongside Google Earth with its new tools.
Thanks to Keir Clarke for pointing out that the site has undergone an update.
Follow this link to see a version that has been updated, and modified so that it can be viewed on tablets.
A useful additional mapping resource to go alongside Google Earth with its new tools.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
LocateStreet
Uses Google Maps rather than Google Earth, but worth a mention here...
You may have seen on my earlier post on GeoGuessr the mention for LOCATESTREET
This is a variation on GeoGuessr, with various points being offered for guidance, although the Elevation option doesn't offer that much help...
You can choose to play on a Global basis, or other scales.
You are presented with 4 options of location to choose from, and if you pick the correct option you can earn bonus points for clicking on the actual location on a map...
The site takes you to some fairly out of the way places... I seemed to end up on rural roads, and in cul-de-sacs on industrial estates quite often.
Hardcore players should choose the GLOBAL option... and discover that South America looks a lot like Australia in places...
Choose the COUNTRY option, and explore a range of countries from a list, which includes the UK. This offers potential for a CITY based search for example.
There are also some US based Thematic search options.
The game is addictive. Had to stop myself playing on it last night....
If you get one of the highest scores so far you can enter your e-mail to be added to the High Score table. May be an incentive for some to use additional 'support' to search for business names etc., but that wouldn't be in the spirit of the game...
Also, while playing, I've come across a few random sights.
This looks like some sort of hawk diving into a field to catch something ?
And what is this bloke doing standing in the road ?
You may have seen on my earlier post on GeoGuessr the mention for LOCATESTREET This is a variation on GeoGuessr, with various points being offered for guidance, although the Elevation option doesn't offer that much help...
You can choose to play on a Global basis, or other scales.
You are presented with 4 options of location to choose from, and if you pick the correct option you can earn bonus points for clicking on the actual location on a map...
The site takes you to some fairly out of the way places... I seemed to end up on rural roads, and in cul-de-sacs on industrial estates quite often.
Hardcore players should choose the GLOBAL option... and discover that South America looks a lot like Australia in places...
Choose the COUNTRY option, and explore a range of countries from a list, which includes the UK. This offers potential for a CITY based search for example.
There are also some US based Thematic search options.
The game is addictive. Had to stop myself playing on it last night....
If you get one of the highest scores so far you can enter your e-mail to be added to the High Score table. May be an incentive for some to use additional 'support' to search for business names etc., but that wouldn't be in the spirit of the game...
Also, while playing, I've come across a few random sights.
This looks like some sort of hawk diving into a field to catch something ?
And what is this bloke doing standing in the road ?
The game was developed by Nick Burkhart of Chelonia Labs in California.
As with GeoGuessr, there are various clues that you can look for to help with locating yourself in fairly random housing estates.
Telephone dialling codes tend not to be blurred out. 020 will tell you that you're in London.
If on a main road, head for junctions where there'll be road signs.
Look at the vernacular building materials - some places have distinctive stone or house designs.
Become familiar with the basic geography of London, which features heavily in the UK option.
Be aware though, that they can be misleading. I spotted a Yorkshire registration on a motorbike, which ended up being up in the far north of Scotland, flipping tourists...
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