Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site A New Great Internet Tool for Pond Builders

If you are lucky to be in an area where there are high resolution fly over photos this site brom Microsoft could be a great tool to check out the area around possible pond sites:

http://local.live.com/

I checked out our local High School address and could practically read the license plate number on the bus parked out from.

Check this tool out.

Hi Tuzz,

I gave it a lookm, and nothing is new since I tried the site a month ago. The maps in my area are at least 11 years old.

If you haven't already, you should download Google Earth and have a look. It's very fast, a lot easier to use, the maps are newer, and in color. That zooming globe couldn't be easier to use. Anyone that's used it knows exactly what I mean.

Even on Google Earth, the LA Super Dome roof is still pristine. I am not expecting frequent updates. I bet Global Reach charges a fortune for their sattelite pictures!

I tried both sites as well as google maps and not much difference to me in the 3.

ewest,

Google Earth is a program that you download. It's not run from your web browser.

Merry Christmas to all!

Bob :

I have it downloaded and have used it some but not enough to know all its applications. In my limited use it is good but I can't tell that its content (photos) is much better than the other 2. I may well be missing something here as I have only looked at the aerials and roads buildings etc. Thanks and if I am missing something let me know.

Eric it (Google Earth) depends on the area you are looking at. Some places are not that clear, some are covered by woods, and some are highly visible. I am able to pratically sit on top of our St. George Island beach home. I believe the program was updated in 2005, so if you get a clear shot on something it should be accurate. Some of the others like Terra Server are old programs that microsoft bought from the military. My home was built in 1999 and only shows as farmland on that program (a 1995 update).

Deb

I used Google Earth to spy on my project. It happens to be one of the hi-res. quality photos. As I zoomed in, it dawned on me that it had a nearly identical visual quality as the strip maps that I requested from the NRSC office this last summer. Yeah, I realize that it IS the same photo, but the resolution, color and related qualities were identical. Presumably, either Google uses these same aerials or vice-versa....?

They must all have the same photos in the areas I was looking around because there was little to no difference.

I have Google Earth. It does not have good resolution of my area.

The best site for folks in New York State is this site:

http://www.nysgis.state.ny.us/

Not as friendly to use as Google Earth or the Microsoft site but much more up to date images. I have both before and after of our pond project. If you are lucky the birds eye view at Microsofts can be amazing. Our local High School is available with the birds eye view and the resolution is amazing.