| Satellite photos have been available from different | | | | because the results are there for all to see. |
| Internet sources for several years. But in most | | | | Microsoft is surely watching developments closely. |
| cases, the images were hard to navigate and the | | | | Microsoft's mapping service, Virtual Earth, is a poor |
| quality was limited. Google Maps and Virtual Earth | | | | second cousin to Google's offering but then again a |
| both offer easy access and an often stunning level | | | | slow start has never stopped Microsoft from a fast |
| of detail. | | | | finish. Yahoo! has a Local search engine of its own. |
| So, the space shuttle astronauts aren't the only | | | | Amazon.com's A9 site has added some street-level |
| people who can enjoy such high flying views of Earth. | | | | photographs to its mapping service giving its users a |
| Two of the Internet's biggest companies, Microsoft | | | | tantalizing view of what the future may hold. |
| and Google, are competing to deliver aerial photos of | | | | Both services get their satellite photos from the |
| your hometown and your back yard to your | | | | same sources. Their images of Louisville show the |
| computer screen. | | | | same leafless winter forests and brown lawns and |
| Earlier in 2005, Google enhanced its Web search | | | | the same barge passing under the Kennedy Bridge. |
| service and online mapping product (maps.google.com) | | | | The age and detail of the images can vary from one |
| by adding satellite photos of North America. Last | | | | region to another, and many shots can be several |
| week Microsoft followed suit with MSN Virtual Earth | | | | years old. Microsoft was criticized for showing a view |
| (virtualearth.msn.com). | | | | of New York City that still had the T win T owers of |
| Both services are free, and both give you a | | | | the World Trade Center. And the Louisville images |
| fascinating view of your world, from the house next | | | | lack a few recent additions, such as 4 th Street Live |
| door to a mountain or skyscraper on the other side | | | | and The Courier-Journal's new press building. |
| of the country. | | | | Views of urban areas have more detail than images |
| In the satellite map space, who are the companies | | | | of towns, farmland or forests. |
| that will dominate mapspace? Google is the obvious | | | | Microsoft gets points for getting you closest to your |
| early leader. Its Google Local service, although in | | | | destination. With Virtual Earth, you can zoom down |
| many ways still quite rudimentary, is now offering | | | | to the bleachers at Louisville Slugger Field. With |
| free online listings for businesses. This could be the | | | | Google, you have to download a separate program |
| beginning of a full-fledged directory service. Google | | | | to get that level of detail. |
| has been exceptionally astute. By cannily releasing its | | | | Both online services offer features that could help |
| service for outside use, it has harvested hundreds of | | | | you find your way around an unfamiliar city. Type |
| man-years of free software development and | | | | "WiFi" with a Google image on the screen and you |
| experimentation. It's got a front seat at the cutting | | | | instantly see labels for all of the Internet access |
| edge. The experiments come at a price, though, | | | | points within your view. |