Google serves up the Google Earth Plug-in

The folks at Google have made a huge leap today, enabling developers to not only embed maps (via the maps API) into your website but now you can extend teh functionality of Google Earth to the web... sweet! This from the Google Lat/Long blog... "Today, I'm happy to announce the release of the new Google Earth Browser Plug-in, which brings the full power of Google Earth to the web, embeddable within your own web site. Driven by an extensive JavaScript API, you can control the camera; create lines, markers, and polygons; import 3D models from the web and overlay them anywhere on the planet. In fact, you can even overlay your content over different planets, stars, and galaxies by toggling Sky mode, letting you build 3D Google Sky mashups." The Google Earth Browser Plugin is now live at http://code.google.com/apis/earth.

GeoBC gateway to B.C's information via Google Earth

I was interested to notice that GeoBC is a sponsor of this year's GeoWeb conference. Even though I'm from BC (since departed) I wasn't familiar with the name. GeoBC is the Province's gateway to integrated Crown land and resource management data and information services. I can't recall what the BC Geo portal was knows as before this (it seems to change names quite often, as do the Ministries). Interesting to notice that Google Earth is very prominent and the service provides many KMLs to users, including the following layers: webmap services (streams, lakes, roads, contours, etc...), parks, and a tour of a peak on Vancouver Island. Check it out at http://geobc.gov.bc.ca/
Note: Data and information for the traditional GIS types is available HERE

Google Maps Directions Gets help with addition of Street Views

Are you a Google Maps directions fan? I know I couldn't get to and from our ball tournaments every week-end without them! Well now, users of this service will notice that Street View is integrated with directions. At each turning point in your list of directions you can now view a street view image of the intersection (if available). A nice touch to a very useful service. I know I could have used this a couple of weeks ago when I had written directions but had some confusion at an off-ramp. To use this feature simply ask for directions from Google Maps and click the little camera icon beside each drive segment.