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Editor's Note: February 5, 2011.
To my knowledge purplelinny was the first person to develop Google .kml files to plot the world wide geographic location of H5N1 cases, as discussed in the post below. The link to purplelinny's file is no longer active. As noted in the post below, Purplelinny defers to Declan Butler's efforts to use Google to plot H5N1 outbreaks. see this link.
Laidback Al
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Google Earth is software that allows you to navigate the globe with ease, using satellite pics so you can see real pictures of the earth. Some areas, such as big cities and places of interest, have high resolution close ups so it possible to see fine detail. For example, I live just outside Houston and can see my house... and the trees in the yard!
It is very intuitive and fun to use. Please be aware that it is resource intensive and if your computer doesn't meet the the minimum configuration spec, as follows, don't even attempt to download it as you will get very frustrated.
Minimum System Configuration
OS: Windows 2000, XP, or Mac OS X (10.3.9 +)
CPU: 500MHz
Free Hard Disk Space: 400 MB
System RAM: 128 MB (PC), 256 MB (Mac)
Video RAM: 16 MB
Screen Resolution: 1024x768, 32-bit color
Internet: 128 Kbps ("broadband")
(I have a P4 3.06Ghz processor, gig of memory and broadband, so it goes like hot snot
)
You can download a free version of the software here:
What is a Google Earth Network Link?
In layman's terms, it is a link to a file that will download a dynamic GE map to your computer. Dynamic in as much that it keeps an open link to the internet and will be updated with new info when the author of the file makes updates and uploads the file.
This is the network link to my latest GE map for H5N1 human outbreaks
I have been concentrating on human outbreaks. However, I have started mapping the avian outbreaks in Africa as they are causing me great concern.
My info is not 100% accurate as it is a work in progress. I am trying to use official numbers only and offer thanks to Theresa for the info on the Iraqi human fatalities. That proved very useful for mapping coordinates as best I could.
I originally stopped tracking avian outbreaks back in November 2005 as Declan Butler was doing a fine job. His map is available here:
At the time of writing, Declan is hoping to make a "major rebuild this week I hope, followed by more regular updates".
For fine detail, Declan's map is the bomb. Here is an explanation of how he crunched his data.
Also, know that he only uses official data. No speculative data on his maps.
About speculative data... I was taking the same line as Declan, but am thinking it might be useful to have another map with speculative data links. As I like the structure of FluTracker.com, I will be making enquiries about making direct links into country forums from the country folders in my GE map. While I will be keeping official numbers only, anyone who is looking at my map and is interested in further info, they could link directly to the relevant forum in FT.com.
Admin - you'll be getting a PM later when I have more time
Editor's Note: February 5, 2011.
To my knowledge purplelinny was the first person to develop Google .kml files to plot the world wide geographic location of H5N1 cases, as discussed in the post below. The link to purplelinny's file is no longer active. As noted in the post below, Purplelinny defers to Declan Butler's efforts to use Google to plot H5N1 outbreaks. see this link.
Laidback Al
*****************
Google Earth is software that allows you to navigate the globe with ease, using satellite pics so you can see real pictures of the earth. Some areas, such as big cities and places of interest, have high resolution close ups so it possible to see fine detail. For example, I live just outside Houston and can see my house... and the trees in the yard!
It is very intuitive and fun to use. Please be aware that it is resource intensive and if your computer doesn't meet the the minimum configuration spec, as follows, don't even attempt to download it as you will get very frustrated.
Minimum System Configuration
OS: Windows 2000, XP, or Mac OS X (10.3.9 +)
CPU: 500MHz
Free Hard Disk Space: 400 MB
System RAM: 128 MB (PC), 256 MB (Mac)
Video RAM: 16 MB
Screen Resolution: 1024x768, 32-bit color
Internet: 128 Kbps ("broadband")
(I have a P4 3.06Ghz processor, gig of memory and broadband, so it goes like hot snot
You can download a free version of the software here:
What is a Google Earth Network Link?
In layman's terms, it is a link to a file that will download a dynamic GE map to your computer. Dynamic in as much that it keeps an open link to the internet and will be updated with new info when the author of the file makes updates and uploads the file.
This is the network link to my latest GE map for H5N1 human outbreaks
I have been concentrating on human outbreaks. However, I have started mapping the avian outbreaks in Africa as they are causing me great concern.
My info is not 100% accurate as it is a work in progress. I am trying to use official numbers only and offer thanks to Theresa for the info on the Iraqi human fatalities. That proved very useful for mapping coordinates as best I could.
I originally stopped tracking avian outbreaks back in November 2005 as Declan Butler was doing a fine job. His map is available here:
At the time of writing, Declan is hoping to make a "major rebuild this week I hope, followed by more regular updates".
For fine detail, Declan's map is the bomb. Here is an explanation of how he crunched his data.
Also, know that he only uses official data. No speculative data on his maps.
About speculative data... I was taking the same line as Declan, but am thinking it might be useful to have another map with speculative data links. As I like the structure of FluTracker.com, I will be making enquiries about making direct links into country forums from the country folders in my GE map. While I will be keeping official numbers only, anyone who is looking at my map and is interested in further info, they could link directly to the relevant forum in FT.com.
Admin - you'll be getting a PM later when I have more time
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