I have a new computer setup that I already have WorldWind and GISExplorer on, so went today to download and install Google Earth for it.  But since it is currently off network I went to download and will just copy the install file over via a thumb drive..

Errr, NOT happening.  Where is the downloadable file?  What is this “Google Updater” they think I should have instead?  When I want to download an application.. I want to download the bloody application!  (You can see how long it has been since I installed a new Google Earth )  So, complaining asside, I re-run the network and take a computer offline to bring the one I want to use online and install.

Next “Bad Google” comes up.. it never asked me WHERE I want to install Google Earth!  It wants me to install an app on the OS partition.. argh!

I know their “motto” is “Don’t Be Evil” .. but I think it should be “Don’t Be Smart” instead.. this is some dumb thinking from Google.  Trust me.. I know better than Google on how I want to download and install my software.

I don’t post on emails people send me… but this one is just too funny not to pass along:

from:    James <jamesfuetterer@bell*****.***>
date:    Jan 24, 2008 6:00 PM
subject:    Contact Form From Blog

James wrote:
You would think after 6 months you would remove all your links to dead pages!
Why do you remove a page but not remove the link to it on your other pages? That
is just POOR taste for you to have and that is not good treatment of us who look
forward to viewing info on a subject just to be told it nolonger exists! and
after 6 months the links still exist but the page doesn’t! Get a better job if
you can’t handle this one!

“Get a better job”… considering I don’t get paid and do this for the enjoyment, beggars can’t be choosers.  I try to keep everything in working order but mistakes happen and as of last perusal of the site, I did not notice any dead links.  But I really like how you give no reference information.  You just prefer to bitch and moan.  So, until I have an idea what you are even talking about.. sorry for your pain and suffering.

I was going to say something about this post yesterday.. but held off (and glad I did) because datum shift did a nice reply. That I will just link too instead.  He really got irked by this part of freegeotools post, probably more irked that I had gotten.

Imagery in Google Earth is copyrighted, and using it for any other purpose than viewing in Google Earth falls under the restrictions of copyright law and fair use.

Fair use…  Google does not use that term with talking about imagery in Google Earth (though they use the line, “Our imagery providers will not let us”),  even Frank from Google Earth Blog came in against the post.

I’ll second what Erik just said. Anyone planning to use an image from Google Earth for a business application should read the GE user license first. The imagery in Google Earth is mostly restricted by those who have licensed it to Google. You can seek permission to use imagery from Google Earth, but some of the license holders will require you to buy the imagery for a business application, or not allow it. Some of the imagery is license free (like those from NASA).

Which make sense, but highlights another sticky point, the way GE has mushed ALL the imagery together, all but makes it useless.  I may want to use imagery of location “X” and the imagery in that location is public domain imagery but there is OTHER imagery in that location that is not public domain and I don’t have the rights to use that imagery.

So now, this almost effectively locks up public domain imagery that Google Earth shows and now you can only use Google Earth and Google Maps to view said imagery.  (Unless you have the knowledge and skills to located the source provider, download the imagery and process it into the images you need.) You no longer have “Fair Use” of the imagery because of all the other licenses for other imagery.

Now, you can go an spend some money to get Google Earth Pro, but why should I have to pay $400 to get Public Domain (license free) imagery?

This is probably why there is a steady upswing in World Wind users I guess, they all like the license free use of the imagery and tools (save for the Virtual Earth imagery).

I don’t talk about work on the blog, work has no need to be on the blog.  Yet today I’ll kinda break that rule I have but not name the work though.

I came in the office today and noticed that on my cube my name is gone and someone else’s name is there.  I check other cubes and there are quite a few cubes with the names changed to either someone else, changed to “Empty” or changed to “Pending New Hire”.  Thing is.. there have been no emails or notices going out that people will be relocated or anything like that.

So, talk to my manager and some others, everyone is confused.  One guy I talked to knows some of the “new name people” and he gave a call.. they had no idea they had a name up in the local office.  Some more digging around finds out that the only people with names removed are all the contractors.  So, in a future move to happen, preference is given to the hired in people and that contractors can be shoved out of the way.  Contractors are also not to have any names up on the cubes at all now as well.. contractors are also not listed on the online “people finder”.

So, maybe sometime in the future, I will be kicked out of my cube of 4 years with nowhere to go “but there is plenty of open lab space”.  This is not how you treat people and make them want to stay and work for your company.

I think it is time to seriously look into a new job elsewhere (Michigan is a pricey state to live and work in)  and actually get something closer to GIS and World Wind (It amazes people when I say I do all this WW stuff on the side).  Anyone hiring?

Ok.. gonna go completely off topic now for this…

I want to do some mowing now.. but my Sears’s lawn tractor needs a new right front rim.  OK, so lets go to the garden center and get one.. The have the complete tires there for 28$ .. but they are for every lawn tractor BUT Sears makes.  Hmm, OK, we will go the farm supply store.. they have everything mower and tractor wise there.  but no.. they have nothing for a Sears make mower.

Well, maybe a different wheel will work, they are the same size at least.. lets see what the axle diameter is. All the wheels I am finding.. 5/8″.  A pretty common and standard size.  What is the diameter of the Sears tractor?  25/32″!  Argh!  They can’t even keep one SIMPLE shaft the same common size of EVERY other freakin lawn tractor out there!@!

Ok, so where can I get this rare wheel then… well, from Sears only and for 56$ just for the RIM!  Everywhere else it is 28$ to 32$ for the rim, tube, tire and inflated ready to go!

I have two more places to check… then I will just have to bite the bullet and spend more for less.. thank you Sears.. and for my recommendation.. do NOT buy “Sears brand tools” if you are wanting to keep them a few years.. rare, Sears only parts will kill you.