4.13.2006
Google Earth
Did Osama bin Ladin buy a soda with three quarters, or with two quarters two dimes and a nickel? The U.S. military could tell you with their satellite surveillance. Many civilians wish they had this great power. They wish they could just call up live feed images taken from high-altitude geosynchronous satellites. Unfortunately technology/funding is not there yet.
If you are anything but a general, you will have to settle with the next best thing...Google. Google now provides two options for viewers to see a hybrid mix of aerial and satellite photography of most of the North-West Hemisphere. Either option has its merits. It's uses include finding parking lots, seeing the intersections of a map and being able to recognize them, and just general fun seeing what your house looks like from space.
1) Google Earth
A downloadable application, this program lets you zoom and pan the satellite imagery to your hearts content. It has a feature which lets you see mountain and other major features in 3d. It also allows you to trace your path to work/school to tell you how far you really go (driving on the road). It can even display 3d models of building in many of the major cities in the U.S. unfortunately this requires a download and a decent graphics card.
http://earth.google.com
2) Google Maps
This is a basically a watered down Google Earth mixed with a MapQuest like service. To see the aerial photography you must click "Satellite." The great thing is that this will run on almost all computers with the internet. It is a fun thing to show your friends. It's quick and allows you to search for an address.
http://maps.google.com
What is this below?
If you are anything but a general, you will have to settle with the next best thing...Google. Google now provides two options for viewers to see a hybrid mix of aerial and satellite photography of most of the North-West Hemisphere. Either option has its merits. It's uses include finding parking lots, seeing the intersections of a map and being able to recognize them, and just general fun seeing what your house looks like from space.
1) Google Earth
A downloadable application, this program lets you zoom and pan the satellite imagery to your hearts content. It has a feature which lets you see mountain and other major features in 3d. It also allows you to trace your path to work/school to tell you how far you really go (driving on the road). It can even display 3d models of building in many of the major cities in the U.S. unfortunately this requires a download and a decent graphics card.
http://earth.google.com
2) Google Maps
This is a basically a watered down Google Earth mixed with a MapQuest like service. To see the aerial photography you must click "Satellite." The great thing is that this will run on almost all computers with the internet. It is a fun thing to show your friends. It's quick and allows you to search for an address.
http://maps.google.com
What is this below?
4.06.2006
Have Fun
Nothing bothers me than a bored family with a computer just sitting there. Maybe I'll go over to an aunt's house to eat. Maybe its my friend's house. But we end up watching some awful TV show with lots of commercials. Oh how I wish these people had video games on their computer.
The thing is, many games are free. But the problem is many are riddled with spyware. So now I unleash my super-secret way on how to have fun when you are bored: "demos." They are games with limited functunality, perhaps one or two levels or perhaps a day limit on how many days they can be played. The great thing is they are free. And since the purpose of a demo is to get you to buy the game, they don't bundle nasty spyware with it because they want you to be happy and buy the product.
Demos can be found at almost any game company's website. If you don't know what game you are specifically looking for a demo for, I suggest happypuppy.com. It has the widest selection. The best part is that their downloading system automatically accelerates the download speeds for those on a broadband connection. Thus through their website, at non-peak hours, I can download at 600-800 kilobytes a second. That usually equates to about 5-15 minutes per demo.
Some of my favorites include the following list:
1) Battlefield 2 (Online Multiplayer)
2) Battlefield 1942 (Online Multiplayer or Single)
3) Splinter Cell (Single Player)
4) Medal of Honor Spearhead (Online Multiplayer)
Check these and more out!
The thing is, many games are free. But the problem is many are riddled with spyware. So now I unleash my super-secret way on how to have fun when you are bored: "demos." They are games with limited functunality, perhaps one or two levels or perhaps a day limit on how many days they can be played. The great thing is they are free. And since the purpose of a demo is to get you to buy the game, they don't bundle nasty spyware with it because they want you to be happy and buy the product.
Demos can be found at almost any game company's website. If you don't know what game you are specifically looking for a demo for, I suggest happypuppy.com. It has the widest selection. The best part is that their downloading system automatically accelerates the download speeds for those on a broadband connection. Thus through their website, at non-peak hours, I can download at 600-800 kilobytes a second. That usually equates to about 5-15 minutes per demo.
Some of my favorites include the following list:
1) Battlefield 2 (Online Multiplayer)
2) Battlefield 1942 (Online Multiplayer or Single)
3) Splinter Cell (Single Player)
4) Medal of Honor Spearhead (Online Multiplayer)
Check these and more out!
