Virtual Earth (without the competition)
As reported by Forbes, it appears that Microsoft has once again unsuccessfully tried to get rid of Apple Computer.
Microsoft's web-based map application "virtual earth" is stolen, like almost everything else they do, directly from Google Maps. It too is meant to allow people to see directions or to view aerial photographs of a given address.
Many Apple lovers know that Apple Computer's headquarters is at One Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA. The cleverly named address (if you don't get it, ask a computer programmer) appears to be a warehouse and vacant lot according to "virtual earth." But, Google maps correctly displays the campus in it's own aerial map.
^ Google's aerial map
^ Microsoft's inferior mapping skills
Microsoft blames old satellite images. I blame the predictably slow nature of Microsoft. Not only are they still playing catch up with Google maps, but they are still playing catch up with Google map's aerial photos. Leave it to Microsoft to be late to the party, allowing everyone else to try out something new and innovative, and then finally make a crappier version available 6 months or later down the line, and expecting everyone to use it just because it says Microsoft.
Some Microsoft users probably think that "virtual earth" is some amazing new technology that Microsoft is bringing to them., because Microsoft does such a good job of blinding people to the real potential of computing. They're like a politician who is eager to keep the public uninformed until they can claim credit for some amazing piece of legislation. Then the legislation proves to be ineffective.
Also (predictably) I was unable to effectively use "virtual earth" using Apple's Safari browser. Instead I had to use Mozilla's Firefox, which is a great browser, but it speaks to Microsoft's inability to make their products available to all people.
Microsoft's web-based map application "virtual earth" is stolen, like almost everything else they do, directly from Google Maps. It too is meant to allow people to see directions or to view aerial photographs of a given address.
Many Apple lovers know that Apple Computer's headquarters is at One Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA. The cleverly named address (if you don't get it, ask a computer programmer) appears to be a warehouse and vacant lot according to "virtual earth." But, Google maps correctly displays the campus in it's own aerial map.
^ Google's aerial map
^ Microsoft's inferior mapping skills
Microsoft blames old satellite images. I blame the predictably slow nature of Microsoft. Not only are they still playing catch up with Google maps, but they are still playing catch up with Google map's aerial photos. Leave it to Microsoft to be late to the party, allowing everyone else to try out something new and innovative, and then finally make a crappier version available 6 months or later down the line, and expecting everyone to use it just because it says Microsoft.
Some Microsoft users probably think that "virtual earth" is some amazing new technology that Microsoft is bringing to them., because Microsoft does such a good job of blinding people to the real potential of computing. They're like a politician who is eager to keep the public uninformed until they can claim credit for some amazing piece of legislation. Then the legislation proves to be ineffective.
Also (predictably) I was unable to effectively use "virtual earth" using Apple's Safari browser. Instead I had to use Mozilla's Firefox, which is a great browser, but it speaks to Microsoft's inability to make their products available to all people.
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