View the Logging Proposal using Google Earth
Here's another way to study the San Jose Water Company logging proposal, in virtual-reality 3D: by viewing the model I've made of it in Google Earth. Google Earth is a new 3D satellite imagery software application which is available, for free, from Google. Just go to:
and follow the instructions to download the free Google Earth client. You don't need to pay for Google Earth Plus or Google Earth Pro. All you need is the freely downloadable Google Earth. The attached model has been successfully viewed on both PCs and Macs.
Check the requirements...you do need broadband Internet access and a somewhat modern computer.
Once you've got it installed and up and running, try entering your address in the search window, and flying to your home from space.
Now you are ready to look at this file. Just download the attached file to your computer, and open it. It should open up inside Google Earth. Just as a PDF file will open up inside of Adobe Acrobat, a "kmz" file will open up automatically inside of Google Earth.
I've embedded some suggestions in there as to what to do. Try double-clicking on layers to fly there, or turning them on and off. Definitely try the "Flyover Tour of the Logging Zone".
For those of you who were at the NAIL meeting last Sunday, this is what I demonstrated to you. To learn more about the logging controversy and how you can get involved, visit the Neighbors Against Irresponsible Logging (NAIL) home page.
I am personally and professionally interested in whether (or not) you find Google Earth helpful in understanding the logging proposal. If you have a moment, please let me know. Thanks.
Rebecca
P.S. If you'd like to view several other screen shots of this Google Earth logging model, see this post. To learn about how to download and view a movie of the logging flyover, click here.
Updates:
05-Mar-06: Added screenshot to this post. Google Earth model is unchanged - still the 11-Jan-06 version.
11-Jan-06: Revised Google Earth model to simplify for faster loading; also embedded the nature photos in the pop-up balloons, added additional annotation such as helicopter landing zones, affected communities and the "screen overlay" of our NAIL bumper sticker in the upper left corner.
