FlashEarth Mashup with Google Earth 4.2 from the Google Earth Blog reports on a site named Flash Earth that provides mapping services from several providers in a desktop like experience, using Flash technologies.
Flash Earth gives you mapping data from Google Earth, Microsoft Virtual Earth, Yahoo Maps, OpenLayers and NASA Terra. The Flash map lets you select one of those maps and then you can click or drag the map to the location you want. You can also use arrow keys or the compass control to move the map to your desired location. You can rotate the map by turning your compass wheel with the click and drag. You can also zoom in and out by dragging the slide bar up or down, or pressing the plus or minus keys on the map or by using your mouse’s scroll wheel.
Postscript: Just remembered Gary pointed to a Ogle Earth story reporting that a similar service named Mobile GMaps received a cease and desist from Google Enforcement Team that they were violating their Terms of Service and had to thus stop using it.
Related Topics: Ask: Maps | Google: Earth | Microsoft: Bing Maps & Local | Search Engines: Maps & Local Search Engines | Yahoo: Maps & Local
Barry:
Several additional resources worth noting. All free.
1) The new TerraLook dbase from USGS.
View Changes to the Earth’s Surface Over the Last 30 Years.
http://www.resourceshelf.com/2007/07/27/new-database-terralook-view-changes-to-the-earths-surface-over-the-last-30-years/
2) The new New USGS Map Locater (some fee-based maps). It’s actually a Google/USGS Mashup.
http://www.resourceshelf.com/2007/08/21/new-usgs-map-locater-and-downloader-delivers-topo-maps-online/
3) If you want to download any of the USGS imagery (here you can also find the specific dates the imagery were taken) go to:
http://seamless.usgs.gov/
All of the data is free.
4) Finally, from Trulia, Trulia Hindsight
“Trulia Hindsight, a new site that we’ve developed with design firm Stamen, provides an animated map of residential properties in the US. With Trulia Hindsight, you can search for specific cities, neighborhoods, or even streets and then watch as properties appear on the map in the year they were built. A slider control allows you to see when the majority of development occurred, pause on a specific time frame or focus on only homes built before or after specific years. Truly a unique and fun way to visualize the development of cities, towns or blocks . . . be careful you may spend hours cruising around the country.”
More here:
http://www.resourceshelf.com/2007/06/01/new-real-estate-info-database-trulia-hindsight/